Investor Alerts - Ark invest or Ark invest Japan or Ark
| Company: | Ark invest or Ark invest Japan or Ark |
| Regulator: | Financial Services Agency |
| Jurisdiction: | Japan |
| Date: | 25 Dec 2023 |
| Link: | https://www.fsa.go.jp/news/r4/sonota/20221004.html |
| Subject: | Regarding Emerging Digital Threats including ICOs and crypto-assets |
| Comments: |
1. Location of office or Address Unknown 2. The employee/official of the relevant authority identified as the said operator’s target for impersonation YUFU Motoyuki, Financial Services Agency 3. Summary of information received at Financial Services Agency’s Financial Services Users Office (The method of the operator) ・The operator induces certain consumers to invest in its services, including through bank transfer of their funds. For solicitation purposes, it uses LINE, Facebook and other services (commonly called social media) to form ‘investment study groups’, and/or send invitations to ‘investment seminars’ by means of the messaging function of such services. It does not accept consumers/clients’ withdrawal requests, only to demand additional payments under certain terms of contract. ・The operator is reported to have deceived consumers/clients by saying that it is in collaboration with the Financial Services Agency (FSA) and they should make additional payments to avoid troubles which could otherwise happen, and also suggesting them to watch a deep-fake video in which a virtual speaker impersonating the above-named employee/official performs as if he corroborated its collaboration with the FSA. 4. Other relevant information obtained by the Japan Financial Services Agency ・The operator’s deep-fake video was seen by viewers on YouTube and Nico Nico Douga in October 2023. ・It called for investment in crypto assets "QXQX", "AUIC", etc. |