虚拟货币投资需当心，洗钱骗局新形式

Core Insights - The rise in virtual currency assets in the past year has attracted many domestic investors, leading to illegal fundraising activities and money laundering schemes that harm citizens' property rights [1][2]. Case Observation - A case in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, involved illegal fundraising and money laundering through virtual currency from July 2018 to September 2021, where the accused misled investors with promises of high returns [3]. - The accused provided financial accounts to facilitate the transfer of criminal proceeds and assisted in purchasing assets, which were later sold to launder the money [3]. Case Analysis - Criminals exploited the recent popularity of virtual currencies to conduct illegal fundraising, taking advantage of investors' lack of knowledge in this area [4]. - The laundering process involved converting illicit funds into legitimate assets through complex transactions, making it difficult for victims to recover their losses [4]. Practical Tips - Money laundering involves disguising illegal income to make it appear legitimate, with criminals using various unexpected methods to target individuals' finances [5]. - To prevent falling victim to such schemes, individuals are advised to protect personal information, regularly update passwords, and inquire about investment qualifications and risks [6].