Crypto fraud scheme, Kosovar woman defrauds 24 Austrians
Express newspaper
28/08/2025 9:15
A Kosovar woman was convicted on Monday at the Vienna Regional Court of serious commercial fraud after defrauding 24 customers in Austria of over 100,000 euros through a fake trading platform, Austrian media reported.
The top public prosecutor explained that the fraud scheme began with a phone call: victims received calls from people who introduced themselves as police officers, Microsoft representatives or representatives of a profitable trading platform. The gang deceived customers into believing that they could earn incredible amounts through investments in cryptocurrencies.
The 31-year-old Kosovar was part of a group that ran a call center in Pristina with 150 employees. They created a legitimate-looking website and placed advertisements to lure victims. Investors were promised that with just €250 they could raise up to €100,000 within a few days.
She confessed in court that she profited from each completed investment, receiving around 2,000-3,000 euros per month plus commissions. Investors’ money ended up with the operators through fictitious companies and their accounts were “burned” if they sought to withdraw the funds.
The defendant said she initially had no suspicions, but the pressure from the gang became increasingly greater, making her feel “very sorry” for her actions.
The court imposed a 14-month prison sentence, partly conditional, partly unconditional, a sentence that is now final.
In Germany, too, this woman is suspected of having defrauded over 100 victims with damages amounting to €570,000, but the Vienna court only dealt with domestic cases, albinfo reports.