Cybercrime Southeast Europe Newsletter No. 67

Dear Clients,

“Pump and dump” schemes are becoming increasingly common in the crypto world, and unfortunately, many investors from the Balkans are falling victim to them. These scams involve coordinated price manipulation of tokens, allowing fraudsters to make quick profits at the expense of unsuspecting investors.

What is a pump and dump?
It’s a strategy in which a group of individuals or organized actors collectively buy a specific token to artificially inflate its price (the pump). Once the price reaches a peak, they quickly sell off their holdings (the dump), causing the price to crash — leaving other investors with significant losses.

Why are Balkan investors often targeted?
Investors from this region are particularly vulnerable due to:

• Limited knowledge of how crypto markets and projects operate.
• A strong desire to make quick profits and reliance on unverified information from social media.
• A lack of regulatory protection and financial education.

Examples and red flags to watch for:

• Sudden, unexplained price spikes in little-known tokens.
• Intense hype and promotional messages on platforms like Telegram or Discord urging immediate purchase.
• Anonymous or unregulated projects with no transparent team or documentation.
• Promises of “guaranteed” high profits in short periods.

How to protect yourself:

• Don’t rush into projects based on social media trends or fear of missing out (FOMO).
• Rely on reputable data sources and tools to monitor trading volumes and market activity.
• Use limit orders instead of market orders, especially for low-cap tokens.
• Be cautious: rapid price increases are often a warning sign, not a success indicator.

What to do if you’ve been affected:

• Gather all evidence of communications and transactions.
• Report the incident to the relevant authorities and seek legal advice.
• Do not engage with “recovery agents” or unverified intermediaries — these are often further scams.

Conclusion
Education and awareness are your best defense against crypto fraud. Stay informed, follow our updates, and consult with professionals before making any investment decisions.

Sincerely,
Your DefendMe Team