Switzerland Scams: Online, Investment & Phishing Fraud Guide
Common scams in Switzerland and how to report to the NCSC, cantonal police, and your bank.
Emergency number: 117 (police), 112 (emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Switzerland faces online fraud including phishing, smishing impersonating banks or Swiss Post, investment scams, and romance fraud. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at report.ncsc.admin.ch is the official portal for reporting cyber incidents of any kind, including investment fraud and phishing. For criminal complaints, victims should contact their cantonal police. FINMA (the financial regulator) publishes a warning list of unauthorised financial service providers. From April 2025, critical infrastructure operators are also legally required to report cyber incidents to the NCSC. Acting quickly with your bank is the most important step after discovering a fraudulent transfer.
Common scams
- Phishing and smishing impersonating Swiss banks or Swiss Post
- Investment fraud and fake financial advisers
- Fake parcel-fee SMS (impersonating Swiss Post)
- Romance and pig-butchering crypto fraud
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging in tourist restaurants (check menus for prices)
- Counterfeit goods at markets
Online shopping scams
- Fake online shops and classified listings
- Parcel-fee smishing
- Account takeover phishing
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake job offers requiring upfront fees
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance and cryptocurrency investment grooming
Investment scams
- Unauthorised investment firms impersonating licensed providers
- Crypto and 'AI bot' investment schemes
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred
- Report cyber incidents to the NCSC at report.ncsc.admin.ch
- For criminal complaints, contact your cantonal police
- Check investment firms against FINMA's warning list at finma.ch
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card. Swiss banks can attempt to recall fraudulent transfers most effectively within the first few hours. No legitimate bank or government body will call and ask you to transfer funds to a 'safe account'.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What does the NCSC do in Switzerland?
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is Switzerland's federal body for cybersecurity. It accepts reports of cyber incidents from individuals and organisations at report.ncsc.admin.ch, issues weekly threat reports, and coordinates with law enforcement.
How do I check if an investment firm is authorised in Switzerland?
Check FINMA's official warning list at finma.ch/en/finma-public/warnings/ and the register of supervised entities. Only deal with firms explicitly licensed by FINMA.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance