Cryptocurrency fraud in the U.K. rose by 32% to 226 million pound ($273 million) in one year, according to data from the U.K. police unit Action Fraud, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
The U.K. is in a recession and the cost of living has increased, making some people vulnerable to fraudsters.
“Whenever times are tough, fraudsters always seek to prey on less experienced investors by promising huge returns,” Hinesh Shah, a forensic accountant at law firm Pinsent Masons, told the FT.
Crypto crime has been rife in the U.K. Police officers have seized hundreds of millions pounds’ worth of cryptocurrency, and crypto experts in the police are stationed nationwide.
Action Fraud didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
