Scammers are employing sophisticated techniques such as deepfake videos featuring well-known Belgians, including the king, along with fake investment advice, to deceive victims.

Authorities in Belgium have issued warnings about the rising number of online scams, with the CCB identifying 138 fraudulent websites and working with FSMA to block access.

Online investment fraud has surged in Belgium during the first half of 2025, with residents losing approximately €15 million and the average victim losing around €37,777, according to FSMA and CCB data.

The most common scam involves fake online trading platforms that simulate stock or cryptocurrency trades to transfer money to fraudsters.

Victims, often over 50 and mostly men, are targeted through these fake trading platforms and other fraudulent schemes.

Experts warn that vigilance is crucial; verifying contacts and avoiding pressure to make quick decisions can help prevent falling victim to these scams.

Since May 2025, the FSMA’s Belgian Anti-Phishing Shield has redirected over 11,590 users from fraudulent sites to warning pages, as part of ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime.

A major awareness campaign has been launched in collaboration with Safeonweb.be, Febelfin, the Belgian government, and police, aligning with European Cybersecurity Month to raise awareness about online scams.

Fraudulent schemes also include false promises of fund recovery, where scammers claim they can help retrieve lost money but instead steal more.

The case of Gisèle Knopf highlights how scammers mimic trusted figures and create false urgency, convincing victims to invest and causing her to lose €250 before realizing it was a scam.