Spanish police have dismantled a significant investment fraud operation that defrauded victims of over $11.8 million, arresting 21 individuals during coordinated raids across multiple cities. The scammers exploited fake investment schemes through call centers and social media, luring victims with promises of high returns and locking their funds through deceptive practices. Authorities noted the unusual presence of these call centers in Spain, which are typically based in regions with less stringent law enforcement.
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Funnull Technology, a Philippines-based company that has facilitated hundreds of thousands of cyber scam websites linked to over $200 million in losses for Americans. Funnull sold IP addresses to cybercriminals for virtual currency investment scams, and the Treasury also sanctioned Liu Lizhi, the company's administrator. As a result of these sanctions, U.S. transactions with Funnull and Lizhi are prohibited, and their assets will be frozen.