The Securities and Futures Fee (SFC) issued a warning
right this moment (Friday) about a number of entities suspected of partaking in fraudulent digital
asset-related actions. These entities are additionally purportedly working digital
asset buying and selling platforms (VATPs) in Hong Kong with out the required licenses.
SFC Flags Fraudulent Platforms
Underneath the Anti-Cash Laundering and Counter-Terrorist
Financing Ordinance, any provision or energetic advertising and marketing of digital asset
providers to Hong Kong traders and not using a licence is strictly prohibited. The
entities recognized on this regard are:
Tokencan: This platform claims to offer cryptocurrency
buying and selling providers in Hong Kong and not using a licence. Tokencan makes use of social media to
direct traders to its web sites for cryptocurrency investments. The SFC famous
that Tokencan supplied false info, falsely claimed to have filed a
licence software with the SFC, and has had investor stories of frozen
accounts and withdrawal points.
VBIT Trade: This entity is suspected of selling its
purported VATP providers to Hong Kong traders and not using a licence. It falsely
claimed to be regulated by authorities in varied jurisdictions on its web site.
HKD.com Company: This entity makes use of a reputation and brand very
much like one other VATP it isn’t related to. Traders have been requested to
deposit funds into designated financial institution accounts for funding functions.
Subsequently, traders reported difficulties in withdrawing funds.
Confirm VATP Licensing Standing
In response to the SFC’s request, the Hong Kong Police have
taken steps to dam entry to the related web sites and social media pages.
Nonetheless, the general public ought to stay cautious as scammers could proceed to create
web sites with related domains.
On-line funding scams can contain any sort of asset and
are sometimes carried out by varied channels, resulting in important losses for
traders. The SFC advises the general public to remain vigilant and pay attention to
potential fraud when making funding choices.
“Traders could danger dropping their total funding held on
the platform if it ceases operation, collapses, is hacked or in any other case suffers
from any misappropriation of belongings. If doubtful in regards to the licensing standing of
a VATP, please confer with the SFC’s Checklist of licensed digital asset buying and selling
platforms,” the authority acknowledged.
This text was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.
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