Cryptocurrency: an investigation opened in Paris for fraud

A fraud investigation targeting an Internet user suspected of having seized cryptocurrency investments at the expense of hundreds of people has been opened, the Paris prosecutor’s office said, confirming information from France Inter.

Crypto Gouv, according to his nickname, vanished with 3 to 4 million euros, according to Jérémy Asta-Vola, the lawyer for four plaintiffs. This man “created a YouTube channel in which he offered explanations on how to invest jointly in cryptocurrency and NFT projects on Discord and Telegram”, explains to AFP the lawyer at the bar of Lyon. “He has retained a community for several months, some investors have invested a few hundred euros and others several tens of thousands,” he adds.

However, on July 9, Crypto Gouv, after having exchanged daily with Internet users and promising lucrative returns on investments, himself revealed the deception in a video by announcing that he was leaving with the funds placed by Internet users who followed his tutorials, as well as the penalty he thinks he is incurring. Between 200 and 300 people would now be affected by the scam, some forty complaints having been brought to the attention of the lawyer.

In addition to an online discussion on Discord dedicated to helping victims of Crypto Gouv, the lawyer announced the creation of an association to inform and help victims of scams in their efforts. According to him, “one must always be perfectly informed about the projects in which one wants to invest and never communicate personal information to a person who is not clearly identified, in this case and even in general”.

The investigation, opened in particular for fraud, was entrusted to the research section of Paris.