A cryptocurrency exchange has blocked withdrawals on its platform, seven months after receiving an alert from the CVM. To investors, the team told that it was the target of a hacker attack and that the security protocol was activated. However, customers remain suspicious that the problem is really a cyber-invasion, as the business was already under strong pressure in its operations. It is common for fraudulent financial schemes to say that they have been the target of attacks to gain time with customers, especially when the situation gets out of control. It’s unclear if this is the case for BlueBenx yet.
Cryptocurrency broker stops withdrawals in Brazil seven months after CVM alert
In early 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) issued a public statement about the activities of Bluebenx, a cryptocurrency brokerage that promised income from investments in Bitcoin. At the time, the Brazilian authority already stated that the business was irregular and could cause problems, since its practice was “strange”. One of the points that caught the attention of the autarchy were the company’s communications, which stated that its employees were certificates for trading operations. Upon seeing the process opened by the CVM, Bluebenx even sent a proposal to close the case, with a payment of R$ 150 thousand. The Brazilian authority rejected the company’s proposal, indicating that it considered it risky to enter into the agreement at the time under the terms of the suspicion. Now, customers have suffered since last Thursday (8), when they were notified late in the evening that the platform was the target of a hacker attack and looting was stopped. To resolve the issues, customers were informed of a 180-day deadline for Bluebenx to resolve the cyber incident.
Customers revolt, flood Complain Here and register BO
Since the email was sent to customers, many decided to take public action and filed complaints through Reclame Aqui, flooding the platform with complaints about the withdrawals. Customers say they were victims of a millionaire scam and filed a police report in São Paulo. Many customers claim that they no longer trust the company and cannot wait 180 days to get access to the money, asking Bluebenx for answers about the case. The company that until then responded to customers until last Wednesday (10) stopped its service on the platform, leaving complaints with “Unanswered” status, indicating that support may have ended. Anyway, in one of the last answers, the cryptocurrency exchange that stopped withdrawals in Brazil admits that, since August 5, the platform was undergoing maintenance. One of the complaints states that the company does not pay the rent and that the owners already owe R$ 100 thousand, being a possible total scam.
“I come here to complain and leave a warning to others, this company in addition to disappearing with people’s money. They don’t pay rent, they owe me more than 100 thousand. I am already taking the appropriate measures, including in the criminal sphere. Everyone contact the police. They have already disappeared from my property.”
O livecoins could not find the contact of those responsible for the company for comments and the space remains open for manifestations.