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Pyramid schemes have brought back memories of the scams of the '90s, this time in digital form.
IT expert Besmir Semanaj, invited to an interview on Report TV, confirmed that thousands of Albanian citizens, mainly from the Lushnja and Divjaka areas, have fallen prey to online cryptocurrency scams and fake stock market investments.
According to him, these companies operate according to the classic pyramid scheme model: at first they pay some people to entice them to bring others, creating the belief that the investment is profitable. Promises reach up to 100% profit for a short period, while citizens see in fabricated applications as if their money is multiplying.
"Citizens would see in their accounts how 1,000 euros became 2,000 or 3,000, but in reality the money was never withdrawn. At first, some payments were made to encourage others, but then everything was blocked," said Semanaj.
He stressed that according to the data circulated, over 6,000 citizens have lost their savings or taken out loans to invest. Many of them have given cash to Albanian intermediaries, who have directly benefited from this fraudulent scheme.
"Some even knew it was a pyramid scheme, but hoped to withdraw the profits before it went bankrupt. This is a form of gambling," he added.
Semanaj stressed that the lost money is practically irrecoverable, as it is not known to which cryptocurrency wallets it was transferred. He called on state institutions to investigate and punish Albanian intermediaries who have recruited innocent citizens.
"What worries me most is the fact that people aware of the risk have deceived and lured the most vulnerable in society. Citizens should know: guaranteed profits do not exist. Anyone who promises 30-100% profits is a fraud," Semanaj warned.
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