In the evolving landscape of online trading, which now encompasses everything from retail participation to the volatile world of cryptocurrency, there’s been a noticeable uptick in fraudulent activities.

This surge in scams has caught the attention of mainstream media, including a recent segment by John Oliver on “Last Week Tonight.” Oliver, known for tackling political and social issues with humor, took a rare dive into the world of financial scamming, shedding light on the increasing prevalence of online fraud.

Oliver’s segment, while comedic, served an educational purpose, aiming to raise awareness about the dangers lurking in the online trading world. He specifically mentioned MetaTrader, a popular trading platform, not to accuse it of fraudulent activities, but to illustrate how it, among other platforms, can be manipulated by criminals to exploit victims.

This mention comes after MetaTrader was temporarily removed from Apple’s App Store in October 2022 due to concerns over “pig butchering” schemes—a scam where victims are lured into fake relationships and then deceived into giving away significant amounts of money.

The segment on “Last Week Tonight” was not just about pointing fingers at trading platforms or financial technologies but was more about alerting the public to the sophisticated methods employed by online scammers. Oliver highlighted real-life stories of pig butchering scams and pointed out that some individuals involved in initiating these scams might themselves be victims of human trafficking, forced into these roles by criminal organizations.

Oliver’s critique extended to financial technology platforms, suggesting they should intensify efforts to prevent fraudulent activities. However, his overarching message was one of awareness and community vigilance. He argued that the best defense against these scams is to make them less profitable by educating potential victims, thereby reducing the number of people who fall for such schemes.

This segment marks a significant moment, as financial scamming enters the mainstream conversation, suggesting a growing concern over the safety and integrity of online financial activities. Oliver’s unique blend of humor and insight serves as a call to action for individuals and platforms alike to be more cautious and informed in navigating the online financial landscape.