Crypto exchange Debiex is facing intense scrutiny from United States regulators over accusations that senior staff members orchestrated romantic relationships with potential customers to deceive them and misappropriate their funds.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a statement on Jan. 19, outlining the allegations against Debiex. According to the CFTC, senior staff members of the exchange are accused of misleading potential customers, fostering relationships to gain trust, and then persuading them to open accounts with the crypto exchange.
Misappropriation of Funds Amongst Debiex Higher Ups
Despite the exchange assuring customers that their funds would be invested in cryptocurrencies, the CFTC alleges that the funds were instead misappropriated for personal gain. The complaint suggests that unidentified officers or managers at Debiex engaged in deceptive communication to build trust with potential customers and later solicited them to open and fund trading accounts.
The regulatory statement reveals that, over a two-year period, only five victims have been identified. However, the CFTC claims that the illicit scheme orchestrated by the exchange resulted in the misappropriation of over $2.3 million. The alleged misdeeds occurred from approximately March 2022 through the present,
