UK Financial Watchdog Reveals Ongoing Probe Into 50 Crypto Firms Amid Rise in Crypto Scams

UK's financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) claims to have 50 active investigations into cryptocurrency business operators, which also includes criminal probes. The regulator also revealed that within a period of six months, up until September 2021, it investigated 300 cases related to unregulated crypto asset businesses while adding that a number of those cases could be linked to fraudulent practices. The FCA also said it had received 16,400 queries about possible crypto scams — a 33 percent increase compared to the same period in 2020.

Over the mentioned six-month period ending in September last year, consumers reported 4,300 potential crypto scams on the FCA's ScamSmart website. The authority noted that this far exceeded the 1,600 reports for the next most common category of pension transfer fraud. According to FCA data, crypto scam checks on its ScamSmart tool rose by 49 percent over the six month period to September 2021.

"Consumers need to have confidence when making investment decisions and the data we've published today shows how prevalent scams can be. Before investing, check you know who you are really dealing with, check if they are authorised by the FCA and do your research to understand the risks that might be posed," said FCA markets executive director Sarah Pritchard in an announcement. The authority maintains a registry of roughly 250 firms that “appear to be carrying on crypto-asset activity that is not registered with the FCA for anti-money laundering purposes.”

While the FCA takes a limited role registering crypto firms for anti-money laundering purposes it lacks oversight of crypto assets. Unsuspecting consumers have been lured into investing into crypto tokens that are launched without being scrutinised.

The opaque nature of cryptocurrencies also makes it hard for regulators to use conventional enforcement measures and reduce the likelihood of consumer harm. The FCA has warned in the past (via Investment Week) that its existing toolkit is less effective at keeping the crypto market in check compared to traditional financial products.

Senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, Susannah Streeter, said tools such as the watchdog's ScamSmart campaign should boost education around tactics used by fraudsters, and help protect consumers.

"Instead of just flashing the warning lights about the number of consumers being lured into risky crypto investments and scams, the financial watchdog is now getting a lot tougher on stopping suspect firms from entering the market," said Streeter, speaking to Reuters.

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article.