False promises in North Macedonian target Trump supporters
A scam exploiting Trump supporters with counterfeit ‘Trump cards’ has caused significant financial and emotional distress
A recent scam involving counterfeit ‘Trump cards’ has emerged, targeting former President Donald Trump supporters.
This scheme, which promised significant financial returns, has affected numerous individuals, including Ann Bratton, an 86-year-old from the Nashville area.
The operation began with advertisements on Telegram channels, claiming that for a $6,000 investment, buyers would receive a card loaded with $200,000.
“I believe in President Trump, and I think he is honest. I believed I was investing in the future,” Bratton said, reflecting on her investment in various Trump-related memorabilia over the years, including tokens, coins, and the recent fraudulent debit cards.
“I can’t even remember where it was all advertised,” she added, discussing the pervasive and elusive nature of the scam.
Investigations have linked the scam to individuals in North Macedonia, exploiting Donald Trump’s popularity for financial gain with no connection to Trump or his organizations. The promised returns were non-existent, particularly with the anticipation of Trump’s re-election.
The city of Veles in North Macedonia was previously involved in the fake news controversy surrounding the 2016 U.S. presidential election and is again at the center of this scam.
According to RFE/RL’s Balkan Service, 69 individuals promoting these fraudulent ‘Trump cards’ operated from Veles.
They targeted American conservatives on Telegram channels, exploiting political beliefs for financial gain.
The impact of this scam extends beyond financial losses. For supporters like Bratton, the ‘Trump cards’ represented a monetary investment and political support. The realization of the fraud has resulted in economic hardships and a loss of trust in online opportunities.
To date, authorities in North Macedonia and the United States have not officially responded to the scam, leaving many victims to deal with the aftermath
Source: Newsroom
