How to Report Advance Fee Fraud in Switzerland

If you believe you have been a victim of advance fee fraud in Switzerland, several reporting mechanisms are available. Most are free to file. The Swiss legal system provides both criminal and regulatory reporting pathways. This is general guidance, not legal advice — consult a Swiss lawyer for advice specific to your circumstances. [Source: Swiss Federal Office of Justice, FINMA]

Criminal Complaint (Strafanzeige)

Advance fee fraud in Switzerland falls under Article 146 StGB (Schweizerisches Strafgesetzbuch) — Betrug (fraud). A Strafanzeige (criminal complaint) can be filed with the cantonal Staatsanwaltschaft (prosecution authority) where the alleged offence occurred. For entities registered in Canton Graubunden (Chur), this is the Staatsanwaltschaft Graubunden. A Strafanzeige can be filed by any person — you do not need to be Swiss or resident in Switzerland. Filing a Strafanzeige is free. [Source: Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure]

FINMA Complaint

FINMA (Eidgenossische Finanzmarktaufsicht) accepts complaints about entities that may be conducting financial activities without required authorisation. A FINMA complaint is appropriate when entities claim to offer regulated financial services (investment management, fund management, securities dealing) but do not appear on the FINMA register. Filing a FINMA complaint is free and can be done online or in writing. [Source: FINMA website]

Bundesanwaltschaft

The Bundesanwaltschaft (Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland) handles cases involving organised financial crime that spans multiple cantons or has international dimensions. A complaint can be filed here if the fraud involves multiple Swiss cantons or significant international elements. [Source: Bundesanwaltschaft website]

What to Include in Your Report

When filing a criminal complaint or regulatory report, include: your identity and contact details (treated confidentially); the names of the individuals and entities involved; the amounts paid and dates of transactions; copies of contracts, term sheets, and correspondence; bank account details used for payments; a timeline of events including representations made, payments, and subsequent communications; and any evidence of claims contradicted by the regulatory record (e.g., unverified jurisdictional claims, regulatory status claims not supported by register searches). [Source: General guidance]

Cross-Border Coordination

If the fraud involves entities in multiple countries, consider filing reports in each relevant jurisdiction. Swiss authorities can coordinate with foreign counterparts through mutual legal assistance treaties. Reports filed in the UK (Action Fraud), Cyprus (CySEC), and other jurisdictions complement the Swiss criminal complaint and build a cross-border picture. [Source: Swiss Federal Office of Justice, MLAT framework]

Related People

Related Entities

Related Investigations

Related Questions