In today's era of technological development, where the internet is a part of social life, the risks of online scams have become more frequent and sophisticated. One of the most common forms is the use of fake platforms that claim to offer money-making opportunities.
However, these platforms are traps designed to deceive people. A prime example is the fake platform "Roy Fractal," which uses various interviews to lure and deceive users into signing up for a scam. Recently, through a Facebook profile named "Urelirippar," this platform has distributed a sponsored article in Albanian. By using sophisticated techniques, the aim is to lure users through fake interviews with politicians, public figures, or experts, who in reality have no connection to the platform.
The post falsely claims to feature an interview between journalist Adriatik Kelmendi and Berat Buzhala of the newspaper “Nacionale.” The description given to the post on Facebook reads: “We say goodbye to Adriatik Kelmendi. All of Kosovo is in mourning…” It deceitfully suggests that during the interview, Kelmendi accidentally reveals a platform that made him wealthy. When users click on the article, they are taken to a page that misuses the “Telegrafi” logo, displaying a manipulated interview with the headline, “Kosovo’s Bank is suing Adriatik Kelmendi for what he said on live television.” Kelmendi is falsely quoted as saying, “Give me 250 euros, and with the Nearest Edge platform, I will make a million within 12 to 15 weeks!” The manipulated interview is presented only in written form, misusing images from the real interview, which is available on Nacionale’s official YouTube channel.
Within the same content, the logo of the Central Bank of Kosovo is also misused, falsely claiming a transaction and the amount of money allegedly deposited by another citizen. To make the scam more convincing, these manipulations are designed to include various Facebook comments within the article, supposedly showing the interest of many people in registering on this platform.
However, if you click on other links within the page, which resemble those of the official "Telegrafi" website, they only redirect you to "Royal Fractal." At the top of the page, it falsely claims that registration for Kosovo is now open and that by using this trading platform, users can earn between 780 and 1800 euros per day.
On the homepage of this site, there are also photos of other politicians and journalists, falsely claiming that they have earned large sums of money through this platform.
Registration on this platform requires personal and financial information, which can then be used by scammers for identity theft or other illegal purposes.
Sites like these may also contain harmful viruses that can infect computers or mobile devices, causing further damage and compromising the security of personal data.
Such platforms often use fake news and disinformation to manipulate public opinion and spread belief in their scam.
Users who register and invest in these platforms lose significant amounts of money, which they cannot recover. Therefore, it is crucial for internet users to stay informed and not fall victim to these scams.
*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”
