NCSC Shut Down 300K URLs Linked to Investment Scams in 4 Months

Over 300,000 malicious links advertising fake get-rich-quick schemes designed to trick people into handing their money to cyber criminals have been taken down in a crackdown by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

The scams see fraudsters attempting to lure people into making bogus investments using phoney endorsements from celebrities, such as Sir Richard Branson, suggesting they've made millions by buying and selling bitcoin or other cryptocurrency.

Over the course of the last few months, the NCSC – the cybersecurity arm of GCHQ – has taken down over 300,000 malicious links to the phoney celebrity-endorsed investment schemes.

Many of the scams were taken down after being reported to the NCSC's Suspicious Email Reporting Service, which has now received over 1.8 million reports of potentially criminal behaviour since being launched in April this year.

"These investment scams are a striking example of the kind of methods cyber criminals are now deploying to try to con people. We are exposing them today not only to raise public awareness but to show the criminals behind them that we know what they're up to and are taking action to stop it," said NCSC CEO Ciaran Martin, who steps down from the role at the end of this month.

"I would urge the public to continue doing what they have been so brilliantly and forward anything they think doesn't look right to our Suspicious Email Reporting Service."

The Financial Conduct Authority says investment scams cost the public over £197m in 2018 alone and the NCSC is working with the City of London Police to help warn the public about the dangers posed by the schemes.

"These figures provide a stark warning that people need to be wary of fake investments on online platforms. Celebrity endorsements are just one way criminals can promote bogus schemes online," said Commander Clinton Blackburn of the City of London Police.

"Criminals will do all they can to make their scams appear legitimate. It is vital you do your research and carry out the necessary checks to ensure that an investment you are considering is legitimate," he added.