A Victim's Story: How investment scammers tricked me out of £210,000

A spike in investment scams over the last year has seen victims in Derbyshire lose more than £6million to faceless fraudsters.
It’s a crime that even the most careful investor can fall prey to - whereby someone offers you a fake but often very convincing opportunity to make a profit.
Since September 2019, 200 people in Derbyshire fell victim to this scam, and offences have been steadily rising since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Reports show that young people, aged between 20-29, are now also becoming more vulnerable to fraudsters, who are targeting them through advertisements or posts on social media.
With more and more people looking to invest, we are now launching a campaign to raise awareness of this type of fraud - and how you can best protect yourself.
And to mark the start of International Fraud Week this week, we’re releasing a video featuring an actress telling the story of one Derbyshire investor.
It is a true story - one in which the victim was tricked out of more than £210,000.
In collaboration with Action Fraud, we are also sharing critical tips on how to protect yourself - and your money.
Tips include:
• Be suspicious. If you are contacted out of the blue about an investment opportunity, this could be via a cold-call, an e-mail or an approach on social media.
• Don’t be rushed into making an investment. No legitimate organisation will pressure you into making a transaction, or committing to something on the spot. Take time to do your research.
• Seek advice from trusted friends, family members or independent professional advice services before making a significant financial decision. Even genuine investment schemes can be high risk.
• Don’t assume it’s real. Just because a company has a glossy website and glowing reviews from ‘high net worth’ investors, does not mean it is genuine. Fraudsters will go to great lengths to convince you they are not a scam.
To find out more about investment fraud, and for advice on the steps to take to protect yourself, click here: www.derbyshire...