The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today warns the public of suspicious websites operating under the name of “KKR Global” for impersonating a licensed corporation and suspected virtual asset-related fraud (Note 1).
The websites impersonate the SFC-licensed corporation, KKR Capital Markets Asia Limited, and are suspected of fraudulent activities involving virtual assets. KKR Global also claimed to be headquartered in Hong Kong (Note 2).
Victims said they were solicited via instant messaging apps to invest in cryptocurrency products on these websites. They subsequently experienced difficulties in withdrawing funds from the websites, and were asked to pay exorbitant “fees” in order to “verify their wallets”.
The websites were posted on the SFC’s Suspicious Virtual Asset Trading Platforms Alert List on 19 March 2024. While the websites are now inaccessible, the public should beware of websites with similar domain names which may be continuously created.
The SFC urges the public to make use of the SFC’s Public Register of Licensed Persons and Registered Institutions and List of licensed virtual asset trading platforms for up-to-date information on licensed corporations, licensed virtual asset trading platforms and their official websites.
The SFC once again reminds the public that online investment scams may involve any type of assets and are perpetrated through multiple channels, including social media and instant messaging apps. Investors should stay vigilant and verify the legitimacy of an investment firm or a virtual asset trading platform before making any transactions.
Notes:
- The suspicious websites are (i) www.kkrbit.coin, (ii) www.kkrbit.vip, (iii) www.kkrbit.pro, and (iv) www.kkrbo.com.
- The websites set out in Note 1 are not associated with KKR Capital Markets Asia Limited, a licensed corporation in Hong Kong or its affiliates operating under the website of www.kkr.com.
