Fake bank: Bafin warns against offers on the websites vantex-bank(.)com and vantex-bank(.)net.

The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bafin) warns against offers on the websites vantex-bank(.)com and vantex-bank(.)net. Contrary to what is stated on the websites, there is no credit institution operating under the name Vantex Bank in either Germany or France.

The unknown operators of the website vantex-bank(.)com claim that Vantex Bank's alleged authorisation can be verified in the "Public Register" of the European Banking Authority (EBA) available on the website euclide-eba(.)com. The register displayed on that website is not an official EBA register and appears to have been fabricated. The official EBA register of credit institutions and payment institutions authorised within the European Economic Area is available at euclid.eba.europa.eu.

The so-called "Vantex Bank" may also be used in connection with the so-called "recovery scam". In this widespread scam, fraudsters re-approach previous victims of fraud. They often pose as representatives of public institutions or licensed companies by presenting forged documents.

The fraudsters promise victims that they can recover money or crypto assets lost in the past through other scams – such as fraudulent trading platforms. Currently, however, there is also an increasing number of cases where people who have not lost any money at all are being approached or contacted by email. These communications allegedly concern gifts, donations, grants, etc.

Initially, the people contacted are asked to identify themselves by sending copies of their identity documents. These copies of identity documents are then used by the perpetrators to commit further offences.

The payment of alleged fees, taxes, etc. is presented as a mandatory prerequisite for the payout.

However, even after paying further sums, the promised funds are never paid out. This is a scam.