Five Men Arrested in London Crypto Fraud Sting as Met Warns Thousands of Victims
The Met Police have swooped on a major cryptocurrency scam, arresting five men linked to an elaborate fraud that could have bilked victims out of over £1 million. Detectives warn thousands could be caught up in the massive con.
Fake Crypto Sites Promise Sky-High Returns
The Economic Crime team uncovered a slick operation running several websites claiming to offer exclusive pre-sale investment chances in new cryptocurrencies. These sites promised to double investors’ money once the tokens hit major exchanges.
But, in reality, these tokens had no genuine plan to list anywhere, making the promised cash returns impossible. The dodgy sites include:
- DTX Exchange: dtxexchange.com
- Intel Markets: intelmarkets.io
- Cryptids: cryptidsgame.io
- Algo Tech Trades: algotech.trade
- Unilabs Finance: unilabs.finance
Several operated under different names previously, making them tough to trace and boosting risks for investors.
Boiler Room Calls Push Victims to Pour More Cash
The scam reportedly included a London-based boiler room operation, where victims received persistent calls urging them to invest even more money.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Bourne said: “These websites are highly convincing, using fake endorsements and aggressive marketing to lure in victims. Once you send cryptocurrency, it’s nearly impossible to get it back. If you have doubts, don’t invest.”
He warned the fraud stretches worldwide and urged people not to trust the named sites.
Met Urges Victims to Come Forward and Stay Safe
Police are now hunting for anyone affected. Victims are urged to report fraud to Action Fraud here or call 0300 123 2040.
The Met also advises anyone thinking of investing in crypto to research thoroughly and check the Financial Conduct Authority’s warning list. Their Little Book of Crypto Crime offers top tips for staying safe.
The five suspects, aged 21 to 37, were arrested across London on 1 October. They’re currently on bail as inquiries continue.
With millions lost nationwide, the Met’s message is clear: don’t fall for crypto scams dressed up as golden opportunities.
