The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency has issued an alert about an investment scam in which fraudsters send letters purporting to be from Hanfa, the European Central Bank and FINRA, including communications that falsely mimic the logo and name of the Croatian agency FINA. Hanfa identified a recent case linked to the online platform Horizons 28. The fraudulent letters use forged letterheads and logos and include falsified signatures of actual Hanfa Board members to appear credible, then demand additional payments as a condition for releasing supposedly invested funds and generated profits. Victims are told their funds are “on hold” and must pay an upfront percentage, typically framed as taxes, fees or an insurance policy, with requests marked “urgent” and requiring payment within a very short timeframe; some letters also include the victim’s IBAN number and omit legitimate institutional contact details. Hanfa reiterated it does not contact individuals to request payments related to investments, taxes or insurance coverage, urged investors to use only authorised intermediaries verifiable through Hanfa’s public registers, and advised suspected victims to stop communicating with perpetrators and report the incident to the police or other relevant authorities.
Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency 2025-07-24
Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency warns of advance-fee investment scam using forged letters impersonating Hanfa, the European Central Bank and FINRA
The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency issued an alert regarding an investment scam involving fraudulent letters mimicking Hanfa, the European Central Bank, and FINRA. These letters use forged logos and signatures to demand payments for releasing funds, falsely claiming they are on hold. Hanfa advises investors to verify intermediaries through its public registers and report any suspicious activity to authorities.