scam
Bitcoin Sex Scam Claims Another Victim and Generates $115,000 BTC
Recently, a Bitcoin sex scam that has been running since 2015 accumulated fraudulent funds of approximately $115,000 before being detected.
Beware of an Overseas Crypto Scam, Thai Regulator Stipulates
The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has discovered a crypto scam where overseas companies are involved.
Singapore’s Central Bank Raises Alarm About a Bitcoin Scam
Singapore’s Central Bank enlightens the public about a Bitcoin Scam with a supposed initiative known as Bitcoin Loophole where investors’ trades are run.
Australian Business Icon Dick Smith Threatens The Guardian With Lawsuit Over Bitcoin Scam Ads
Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith is threatening The Guardian with legal action after it hosted ads linked to fake news of Smith supporting a Bitcoin and crypto scam.
Crypto Token Backed by $25M Diamond Ponzi Scam Flagged by DoJ
The US Department of Justice charged a Florida native with wire fraud, for soliciting investors in a diamond-backed cryptocurrency Ponzi and investment scam.
60-Year-Old Man Cons Over 50 People with Indian Crypto Scam
Police have revealed another crypto scam in India has left more than 50 people counting losses.
New Zealand Investigates Second Auckland Church Over OneCoin Scam Links
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in New Zealand is probing the second church in Auckland over allegations that it is linked to OneCoin, a ponzi scheme promoted as a cryptocoin with a private blockchain which has been red flagged as a scam.
Crypto Founder of Ethereum-Based Oyster Protocol Arrested for Tax Evasion in Exit Scam
The founder of Ethereum-based smart contract platform Oyster Protocol has been arrested following an exit scam in which he reaped a multi-million dollar profit.
CFTC Demands $572 Million in Penalty and Restitution for Bitcoin Scam, Defendant Nowhere to be Found
US CFTC demanded that the founder of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency scam company Control-Finance pay $572 million in penalty and restitution fees for Bitcoin fraud.
Twitter Hack Goes Viral as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Biden Hit by Massive Bitcoin Scam
Twitter has gone haywire as news of a Bitcoin scam hack targeting multiple high-profile figures such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, Jeff Bezos, and even multinational tech company Apple has broken out.
American Fugitive Wanted for $722 Million Crypto Scam Arrested in Indonesia for Child Sex Offenses
An American fraud fugitive wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a $722 million cryptocurrency scam has been nabbed in Jakarta, Indonesia, for child sex crimes.
$3.6B Worth Bitcoins Scam, Founders of South African Crypto Exchange Africrypt Are Missing
The total value of $3.6 billion Bitcoins disappeared while the founders of South African cryptocurrency exchange AfriCrypt are missing.
Serbian Citizen Extradited to US to Face Crypto-Related Fraud Charges
An accused scammer has arrived in the US from Serbia to face charges that he and other six conspirators involved in a crypto fraud scheme that defrauded investors out of over $70 million.
Texas Authorities Slap “Bitcoin Pope” and Forex Birds with Cease and Desist Order for Fraudulent Investment Scheme
An emergency cease and desist order has been issued against the “Bitcoin Pope” trader, under allegations of fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.
Spike in COVID-19 Cybercrime Is Stimulating Mass Adoption of Blockchain in Asia
With COVID-19 forcing businesses to adopt digital means of transacting, there is a spike in blockchain adoption, Bitcoin price surge, rise in Bitcoin scams.
Microsoft Takes Down COVID-19 Cyber Criminals to Eliminate "Business Email Compromise" Attacks
Scammers have been taking advantage of COVID-19 and the worldwide economic crisis revolving around it to retrieve personal information and phish data from Microsoft users.
Coinbase, Gemini, Binance & Kraken Address Twitter Hack: "Repercussions for Bitcoin Could’ve Been Worse"
Twitter has never in its history experienced as big of a security breach and crypto hack scam as the one that happened earlier this week.
Blazar Token Scam: Former New Jersey Corrections Officer Charged by SEC
Former New Jersey State Correctional Police Officer John A. DeSalvo has been charged with fraudulently raising funds through the unregistered offering of the Blazar Token, a crypto asset security. The token, which collapsed in May 2022, was marketed as a replacement for state pension systems. DeSalvo misused investor funds, transferring a large portion to his personal wallets.
U.S. Justice Department Seizes $9M in Crypto from Romance Scam Ring
The U.S. Justice Department successfully seizes $9M in crypto from a scam ring targeting over 70 victims, showcasing the government's commitment to combating cyber-enabled financial fraud.
Animoca Brands to Cover Losses of Recent Scam Victims
Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands released a statement saying that the company will cover the losses of those who fell victim to an online scam on November 19.
FTX Issues Fresh Warning on Phishing Emails and Scam Sites
FTX issues a fresh warning about phishing emails and scam sites mimicking its Debtors' portal. The alert, dated October 5, 2023, comes amid industry-wide concerns about phishing attacks, including a recent warning from Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao.
Sushiswap Co-Founder 0xmaki Steps Down from Project Lead as DEX Exchange Begins New Chapter
Sushiswap Co-Founder 0xmaki has stepped down as project lead when the decentralized exchange struggles to navigate challenges of scams.
Dutch Authority Seizes €12 Million in Gambling Platform Scam Investigation
The FIOD has arrested four people and seized €12 million in an investigation into a major online gambling platform scam.
Unveiling Scammer Tactics: 'Too Good to Be True' in The Guardian Papers
The Guardian Papers explore the tactics scammers use, emphasizing the dangers of offers that seem too good to be true. Learn how to protect yourself and your community.
Chainalysis Launches Operation Spincaster to Combat Crypto Scams
Chainalysis has introduced Operation Spincaster, a collaborative initiative aimed at disrupting and preventing crypto scams through public and private sector cooperation.
Sui Community Fights Scams with Sui Guardians Initiative
The Sui community launches Sui Guardians to combat scams and enhance user security, led by Suiet and the Sui Foundation.
Gala Games Issues Community Warning Amid Rising Scams
Gala Games warns its community about increasing scams targeting digital communities, highlighting the importance of vigilance and robust security practices.
Crypto Scams Surge in 2024: ASIC Cracks Down on Fraudulent Schemes
The rise in crypto scams in 2024 underscores the need for vigilance in the Web3 space, according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Warns Public About Impersonation Scam
The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) alerts the public to an impersonation scam involving fake loan offers and a fraudulent website.
Chainalysis Report Reveals Surge in China-Based CSAM Networks and Crypto Scams in 2024
Chainalysis' mid-year update highlights a rise in China-based CSAM networks and evolving crypto scams, including the notorious pig butchering schemes.
HKMA Warns Against Fraudulent Websites Targeting Bank Julius Baer Clients
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority alerts the public about fraudulent websites and phishing messages impersonating Bank Julius Baer, urging caution and reporting of suspicious activities.
Address Poisoning Scams: A Growing Threat in the Crypto World
Address poisoning scams are emerging as a significant threat in the crypto space, targeting high-value users by mimicking frequent transaction addresses.
Japan Faces Challenges in Combating Crypto Money Laundering and Scams
Japan's crypto ecosystem grapples with money laundering and scams, despite low exposure to global illicit entities. Authorities intensify efforts to address these issues.
PlexCoin Founder Indicted by US Grand Jury for 2017 ICO Securities Fraud
A United States grand jury indictment has been delivered to Plexcoin founder, Dominic Lacroix, as well as Yan Ouellet and Sabrina Paradis-Royer for securities and wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder money, according to the DOJ.
Leaked FinCEN Files: $137M Linked to Crypto Ponzi Scam OneCoin Laundered Through Bank of New York Mellon
A leaked trove of US official documents revealed that five major banks were involved in illicit transactions pertaining to mobsters and crypto Ponzi schemes.
Cryptos Confiscated from $4.2 Billion PlusToken Scam Likely Sold by Chinese Police, says Journalist Colin Wu
China’s crypto journalist Colin Wu believes that Chinese police have sold cryptocurrencies seized from the $4.2 billion PlusToken Ponzi crackdown.
Binance Co-Founder Yi He Issues Scam Alert on Telegram Impersonation
Yi He of Binance cautions users against Telegram impersonators discussing investments, highlighting vulnerabilities in platform usernames.
Crypto Scams Took in More Than $30 Million in Taiwan in 2019
Blockchain and cryptocurrency investment scams have risen and have reached $900 million New Taiwan dollars ($30 million) in Taiwan last year, according to Gao Hongan, a political figure in the country.
FBI Arrests 2 Hackers for Ransomware and “Crypto-Jacking” Scams, 5 Chinese Suspects Still at Large
The DoJ and the FBI seized two criminals connected to a cybercrime targeting over 100 companies in the US and abroad with ransomware, crypto jacking and more.
Investment Fraudsters Sentenced to Over Six Years for Telecoin Crypto Scam
Two fraudsters, Ross Jay and Michael Freckleton, were sentenced to over six years for a £500,000 scam involving a fictitious cryptocurrency "Telecoin."
DoJ Charges BitClub Promoter for Role in $722 Million Crypto Fraud Scheme
A Californian man pleaded guilty for his involvement in perpetrating BitClub Network, a cryptocurrency mining scheme that generated at least $722 million.
Following Investigations in Brazil for Crypto Scams, Ronaldinho Faces Arrest for Using Fake Passport
Ronaldinho, the widely celebrated football player faces arrest for attempting to use fake passports to enter Paraguay after the scandal of his involvement in cryptocurrency scams.
Hope Finance Scam Leaves Prospective DeFi Users Out of Pocket
Arbitrum-based algorithmic stablecoin startup Hope Finance loses $2 million to a smart contract attack.
3 Website Operators Lured Romance-Seeking Victims Into Their Fraud
Three website operators lured romance seekers with their bogus bitcoin investment scam.
Ripple Files Lawsuit Against YouTube Over Cryptocurrency Investment Scam
Ripple crypto firm has hit YouTube with a lawsuit accusing the streaming platform of failing to take action against crypto scams that impersonate the cryptocurrency company.
Cardano Founder Charles Hoskinson Addresses an Alleged ADA Scam in China
Scammers are capitalizing on the recent success of Cardano’s native altcoin, ADA, and using it for their own personal gain. For the first time in over a year, ADA has moved above $0.10, and has picked up by over 200 percent.
NFT project was actually a "social experiment" designed to shed light
Little Shapes' creator said he lied about his past to promote his exposé.
First Bitcoin Mixer Slapped with $60M Fine by FinCEN in Money Laundering Crackdown
FinCEN charged a Bitcoin-mixing operator with a $60 million civil money penalty for violating anti-money laundering regulations.
U.S. Seizes $1.4M in Tether Linked to Tech Support Scam Targeting Elderly
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago has seized approximately $1.4 million in Tether (USDT) linked to an alleged tech support scam that primarily targeted elderly victims across the United States.
Trezor Wallet Investigating Potential Email Phishing Campaign
In yet another spate of attacks on prominent digital currency entities and hardware wallets, Trezor has issued a note of caution to its community of users about a potential phishing campaign it is currently investigating.
Twitter Massive Hack Attack Traced Back to Crypto Wallet Using BitPay and Coinbase
In the massive Bitcoin scheme that happened earlier this week, reputed coin exchanges such as Binance, Gemini, and Coinbase were targeted by crypto scammers, and officials have been hard at work investigating the digital trail that may lead back to the crypto scammers.
Senator Warren Focuses on Crypto Scam Risks for Seniors, Advocates New Legislation
Senator Warren emphasized the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, gaining bipartisan support to regulate crypto activities and protect vulnerable populations from financial fraud.
Crypto Investors Unable to Access Their Money: 8 Things to Consider Before Investing in Cryptocurrency
On Tuesday, the News York Times reported about frustrated crypto investors demanding their money back. But things are thick than expected. The situation reflects similar cases in which many cryptocurrency investors frequently fall into trap each year. The article, therefore, highlights important things that crypto investors should think about before investing in cryptocurrency.
Billionaire Investor Tim Draper: Why Millennials Should Consider Investing in Bitcoin
The future of Bitcoin remains a hot topic. Billionaire venture capitalist, Tim Draper, calls Bitcoin as the way of the future. Draper had a recent interview with Foxbusiness, a session whereby he advised millennials that if they really want to retire rich, then they need to invest in Bitcoin.
Charles Hoskinson Proposes Solution to Fix Twitter’s Problem, Taking Digital Identity to the Blockchain Age
With the recent Twitter hack, implicating individuals including Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Joe Biden, and a few others, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson spoke about the issue in his most recent Whiteboard video.
US Senator Demands Answers from Twitter Over Massive Bitcoin Hack Incident
US senator Josh Hawley has urged Twitter to cooperate with fed agencies and take necessary measures to secure the social media site before the cyber hacking accounts of celebrities, politicians, technology moguls, and major firms in an apparent Bitcoin scam expands further.
Web3 Security CertiK X Account Compromised in Phishing Scam
CertiK, a blockchain security firm, suffered a cyber attack on its X account, leading to phishing scams, raising concerns about crypto security vulnerabilities and sophisticated social engineering tactics.
British Army Recovers Twitter & YouTube Accounts following Crypto Scam Hack
The British Army recovered from crypto scams after hackers breached its YouTube and Twitter accounts on July 3.
Third Co-Founder of Centra Tech Pleads Guilty for $25 Million ICO Fraud
It has recently been announced that the third co-founder of Centra Tech has agreed to plead guilty for his role in the $25 Million Initial Coin Offering (ICO) Scam his cryptocurrency firm was involved in.
Romanian Programmer Confesses to Orchestrating BitClub Crypto Scam Worth $722 Million
Silviu Catalin Balaci, a 35-year old Romanian citizen living in Germany, has owned up to helping create BitClub Network, a crypto mining Ponzi scheme that siphoned off investors’ funds worth $722 million.
Crypto Scams Have Swindled At Least $1B From Nearly 50,000 People Since 2021 - FTC
Despite crypto penetrating the masses from Bitcoin ATMs to Super Bowl ads, scams in this sector have been going through the roof because more than $1 billion has been lost since 2021, according to a study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
CFTC Nabs 2 Crypto Fraudsters Involving in a $44M Ponzi Scheme
Two suspected cryptocurrency fraudsters Sam Ikkurty of Portland, Oregon, and Ravishankar Avadhanam of Illinois have been charged by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for illegally soliciting as much as $44 million through Ponzi-like scheme
XRP staking scam
A phoney staking scheme is targeting XRP investors. XRP staking websites and emails have been faked. The swindle promises 12%–27% profits.
New Zealand Police Froze $140 Million in Assets and Crypto From Alleged BTC-e Exchange Money-Launderer Alexander Vinnik
New Zealand police said they have frozen $140 million linked to Russian crypto fraud suspect, Alexander Vinnik, alleged to have been the operator of the now-defunct BTC-e crypto exchange.
OKLink Reveals $103M Blockchain Losses in February 2024
OKLink's February 2024 report details $103M in crypto losses, highlighting the critical need for heightened security measures.
Ripple Impersonated by Scammers in a Fraudulent “XRP Incentive Plan” Token Giveaway
Cryptocurrency scammers have been capitalizing on Ripple’s success by rolling out a new XRP giveaway initiative that proved to be fraudulent.
Cryptocurrency Phishing 2023: Wallet Drainers Steal $295 Million from 324,000 Victims
Scam Sniffer's 2023 report shows a significant rise in sophisticated crypto phishing scams, causing losses of $295 million to over 324,000 victims, highlighting ongoing industry challenges.
Hackers Hungry for Bitcoin and Ether Target Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Bitcoin and cryptocurrency hackers seized the social media account of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, in an effort to secure Bitcoin and Ether funds.
Tackling DeFi Scams: Making Pre-sale Ecosystems Safer
Investors are aware that “rug pull” scams have negatively affected the reputation of the DEFI/DEX space in recent times. But liquidity protocols could be an effective solution.
Chinese Crypto Investors Orchestrated Digital Heist to Recuperate Lost Crypto
China-based crypto investors launched a cryptocurrency scam of their own, after having been defrauded themselves.
Ronaldinho's Crypto Scam: A Deep Dive into the $61 Million Controversy
Ronaldinho Gaúcho, a Brazilian football icon, is under legal scrutiny for allegedly involving a cryptocurrency scam that could impact his celebrity endorsements, as his venture, '18kRonaldinho', promises daily returns of over 2%.
Chainalysis Exposes Southeast Asia's Human Trafficking and Scam Nexus
Chainalysis reveals the intertwining of human trafficking with crypto scams in Southeast Asia, highlighting the urgency to combat these digital age crimes.
Crypto Scam Revenue Has Dropped by 65% in 2022: Chainalysis
Illicit crypto volumes have been diminishing year-over-year, with scams taking the lion’s drop share, according to a report by blockchain analytic firm Chainalysis.
Mangofarm Scandal: Solana's Blockchain Ensnared in Alleged Ponzi Scheme Ties
Mangofarm, Solana blockchain, cryptocurrency scam, Banana Miner Ponzi scheme, digital currency security, blockchain fraud, crypto investment caution, Richard Matthew John O’Neill, decentralized finance, investor vigilance
Coinbase Rolls Out AI-Driven ERC-20 Scam Token Detection System
Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal unveils Coinbase's ERC-20 Scam Token Detection System, combining smart contract auditing with machine learning to tackle crypto scams. Disclosed on October 6, 2023, this initiative enhances security and trust in token listings on the platform.
Sergey Kondratenko: Scam Projects and Fraud - A Trap for Investors
In 2023, over $10 billion in U.S. consumer losses were caused by fraudulent fintech investment projects, including Ponzi Schemes, "Boiler Room" operations, insider information offers, and aggressive marketing.
AI's False Promises: CFTC Warns of Soaring Crypto Scams
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) alerts the public about the surge in AI-driven crypto scams, emphasizing the technology's inability to predict market trends and the dangers of misleading claims about high returns.
Decline in Crypto Crime: Insights into 2024 Trends and Challenges
2024 sees a notable decline in crypto crimes, with hacking and scamming activities reduced. However, ransomware and darknet markets show resurgence, emphasizing the need for enhanced security and regulatory measures in the crypto industry.
CertiK: Crypto Social Media Scams Surge
CertiK discusses the growing threat of crypto scams on social media, citing a FTC report revealing over $1 billion lost in the 18 months leading to June 2022, with nearly half coming from social media interactions. It suggests preventive measures like hardware wallets and smart contract security audits.
Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Sues Google and YouTube Over Fraudulent Bitcoin Scam Videos
Legal team for Steve Wozniak, co-founder of tech powerhouse Apple, announced a lawsuit against YouTube and their parent company Google alleging that the media companies failed to take down fraudulent videos that impersonated Wozniak to drive Bitcoin funds.
Kevin Rose, co-founder of Moonbirds, falls victim to phishing attack
Moonbirds co-founder Kevin Rose. He lost about $1.1 million in NFTs to a phishing fraud.
Crypto Investment Fraud Generates $27 Million, SEC Charges Scammers Posing as Pastors
The US Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against three men posing as pastors who defrauded churchgoers in a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme.
ACE Exchange President Michael Wang Arrested
Michael Wang, President of ACE Exchange, was recently arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering, marking a significant event in the cryptocurrency industry.
Turkish Crypto Exchange Goes Bankrupt, Customers Locked Out of Their Funds
Thodex crypto exchange has gone offline and its customer service vanished too, thus leaving users in the dark.
Nigerian Police Arrest Politician Wilfred Bonse for Involvement in Patricia Technologies Financial Fraud
Nigeria Police Force arrests politician Wilfred Bonse for over 200 million Naira financial fraud at Patricia Technologies, three for romance scam, and USDT recovery in cryptocurrency fraud.
US Prosecutors Unseal Indictment of $20 Million Dollar Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme
US prosecutors have recently indicted a group of investment scammers who have orchestrated a cryptocurrency mining fraud following a Ponzi scheme protocol.
Philippines Warns the Public on Bitcoin Scammers Posing as Government Officials
Finance ministry of the Philippines Government has alerted the public about false information that fraudulently uses the name of Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to promote a fake crypto trading platform recognized as “Bitcoin Revolution”.
Bitcoin Users Have Bigger Problems Than Recent Twitter Scam
The recent spate of Twitter scams appears to indicate that Bitcoin users will face even more sophisticated and devastating attacks in the future.
Debiex Accused of $2.3M Romance Scam by CFTC
The CFTC has charged Debiex and Zhāng Chéng Yáng with conducting a romance scam, misleading customers to invest $2.3 million in a fraudulent scheme.
CBI and Liminal Collaborate for Digital Asset Security in India Amid Crypto Scams
The Central Bureau of Investigation of India is partnering with Singapore-based Liminal to secure digital assets seized during investigations amid rising cryptocurrency frauds in India.
California Governor Gavin Newsom Warns Bitcoin Scams are Targeting Public In COVID-19 Market
In his official address, Gavin Newsom California governor cautioned the public against individuals asking for advance payment in Bitcoin with the promise of delivering essential commodities.
Web3 Builders Reveals Suite of Tools to Combat DeFi exploits
Nicholas Horelik of Web3 Builders stated, “end users ought to have this functionality” to understand asset security.
Hong Kong Regulator SFC Warns ICOs as Unauthorized Investment Schemes
The Hong Kong Securities and Financial Commission have issued a warning to the public to beware of unregulated investment schemes, such as digital tokens and initial coin offerings (ICO).
As it Happened: Binance Denies Ripping Off $1 million From a User's Account
Binance, one of the largest crypto exchanges based on trade volume, has hit back at embezzlement claims made in November 2018 after it froze a user’s account with crypto assets worth $1 million. It claims that its actions were based on a tip-off by the South Korean police to return the funds to a scam victim.
Chinese Police Arrests Masterminds, Seizes $8.46M in Crypto Connected to Online Pyramid Scheme
Chinese police officers, specifically those operating from the Pingchuan Branch of the Public Security Bureau of Baiyin City, Gansu Province have cracked a case involving a pyramid scheme that was built around the XRP digital currency.
Chainalysis Partners with Wyoming Watchdog to Fight Cybercrime and Crypto Laundering Scams
Chainalysis has announced partnered with Wyoming’s Division of Banking to fight cybercrime, crypto laundering, crypto scams, sanctions violations, and more.
Two US Nationals Charged With SIM-Swap Cryptocurrency Theft
Federal prosecutors have charged two US citizens with a SIM swap and phishing scam that led to a theft of over $16,000 worth of cryptocurrency.
Several Cryptocurrency Firms Suffer Domain Cyber-Attacks Due to GoDaddy Employee Error
Malicious actors gained control of domains owned by several cryptocurrency firms after tricking GoDaddy employees.
French Football Star Mbappe Seeks out Crypto Scammers Trying to Score off The PSG Striker's Reputation
Kylian Mbappe PSG star launches lawsuit over Bitcoin scammers who are allegedly using his name and image to convince investors to buy-in.
Cardano Addresses Fake ADA Giveaway Claims on YouTube
Cardano CEO Charles Hoskinson has once again come forward to address the issue of cryptocurrency scams targeting his ADA empire and has been quick to refute any associations phishers made with the Cardano Foundation.
Bitcoin of America indicted for operating unlicensed kiosks
Bitcoin of America, a Bitcoin technology firm, along with three of its executives, has been indicted for allegedly operating more than 50 unlicensed crypto kiosks in Ohio that knowingly benefited from victims of cryptocurrency scams. The firm is facing charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and other crimes connected to the operation of the kiosks, which authorities believe have been operating and evading regulatory safeguards and financial compliance requirements since 2018.
Hong Kong Suffers Surge in Crypto Scams in 2022
Hong Kong police reported a surge in crypto-related scams in 2022, with losses amounting to HK$1.7 billion ($216.6 million), up 106% from the previous year. The number of crypto-related scam cases reported in Hong Kong also surged by 67% from 2021. Such scams accounted for over 50% of the HK$3.2 billion ($407 million) stolen from city residents in technology crimes. The Hong Kong police CyberDefender website reported almost 23,000 cases of technology-related crimes in 2022. The use of cryptocurrency has made it more complicated for enforcement to track criminal funds, as fraudsters can hide their identities, transactions, and final destination.
Billionaire Chris Kirubi Warns Followers of Bitcoin Scammers Impersonating the Kenyan Tycoon
Dr. Chris Kirubi continues fighting against Bitcoin scams using his name as an endorsement.
Cryptocurrency Phishing Attacks Rise by 40% Year-on-Year in 2022
Kaspersky, a Russian cybersecurity and anti-virus provider, has reported a 40% year-on-year increase in cryptocurrency phishing attacks in 2022. The attacks involve reaching out to investors through fake websites and communication channels that mimic official companies, prompting users to share personal information such as private keys. Attackers are evolving their strategies to lure unwary crypto investors. Recently, hardware cryptocurrency wallet provider Trezor warned against attempts to steal users' crypto through fake Trezor sites. In a survey, one out of seven respondents admitted to being affected by cryptocurrency phishing.
AML BitCoin Lobbyist Abramoff to Pay $55K in Convicted Guilt Plea for ICO Fraud
In the civil case filed against Jack Abramoff for his role in the 2018 Initial Coin Offering (ICO) scandal, the AML BitCoin lobbyist is expected to pay $55, 000 in disgorgement and interest for his conspiracy in fraud.
Twitter Says Bitcoin Hack Originated From Phone Phishing Attack
On Thursday, Twitter provided an update addressing the massive Bitcoin hack that overtook its platform earlier this month.
RyanAir CEO Declares Bitcoin a Ponzi Scheme, Urges Public Boycott
RyanAir CEO Michael O’Leary has declared Bitcoin (BTC) a Ponzi scheme and has urged the boycott of the premier digital currency.
New Darknet Markets Launch Despite Exit Scams as Demand Rises for Illicit Goods
Despite the recent amount of exit scams on dark web platforms, the darknet sector has seen increasing growth, with new marketplaces launching every year.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Apologizes for Bitcoin Hack, But Not Before Dutch Politician Was Compromised
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey came forward on Thursday to apologize thoroughly for his social network company’s failure to prohibit and shut down Bitcoin scam artists' digital heist of important verified accounts, that ranged from that of tech moguls Elon Musk and Bill Gates to political figure Joe Biden.
Australian Federal Agency Ex-Employee Evades Prison Despite Illegally Mining Ether and Monero on Supercomputers
A former employee of an Australian federal agency avoided prison despite mining cryptocurrency on government supercomputers.
UK’s Financial Watchdog Warns of Fraudsters Impersonating Blockchain.com
The FCA has raised the alarm about fraudsters who want to lure the public using a cloned version of Blockchain.com, a crypto wallet and trading company.
Ugandan Government Forms an Expert Task Force to Delve into Crypto Usage
The Ugandan government has formed a team of experts to research and offer guidance on digital financial operations, such as cryptocurrencies in the wake of recent crypto scams.
KuCoin User Linked to Memecoin Scams
Crypto exchange KuCoin confirms a user's address is responsible for launching thousands of memecoin scams but will not freeze assets without official notice from law enforcement. The wallet address has been marked as a fake phishing wallet by blockchain explorer Etherscan.
Florida Warns Residents About the Rise of Auto Warranty Scammers Asking Crypto Payments
Consumers lose billions worth of US dollars to fraudulent calls every year, and auto-warranty calls are the biggest source of grief. Florida government warns consumers about scam "auto warranty" robocalls.
Scammers Involved in Uniswap Founder's Twitter Account Hack Stole $3.6M from Victims
In a recent cybersecurity incident, the Twitter account of Uniswap founder Hayden Adams (@haydenzadams) was hacked by scammers who have reportedly been active since April 2023.
Ethereum Crypto Crashes to $340 After SushiSwap’s Alleged Exit Scam
The price of Ethereum (ETH) crashed recently, dropping to a low of $315 over the weekend, after hitting an all-time high of $487 last Wednesday.
Ripple and YouTube Agree on Settling for Lawsuit over XRP Scam Videos
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has revealed that the lawsuit Ripple has served Youtube with has been settled.
FBI Warns Crypto Ecosystem Investors of DeFi Scams
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a public warning to investors, especially those fond of the crypto ecosystem to be aware of scams specifically targeting the Decentralized Finance ecosystem
Scammers adapt to survive during crypto winter
While crypto scam revenue dropped by 46%, scammers adapted and shifted their strategies to prey on people's emotions, with romance and giveaway scams on the rise.
Fiji Officials Warns Residents of Cryptocurrency Scams
The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has issued a warning to the members of the public with respect to a scam that is being publicized in the country.
ASIC Bans BitConnect National Executive for His Part in Multi-Billion Dollar Crypto Ponzi Scheme
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has officially banned a former National Representative of BitConnect from providing financial services for seven years.
Facebook Sues Bangkok 'LeadCloak' Software Developer Over Alleged Crypto Scams and Bogus COVID-19 Data
Facebook has sued a Bangkok software engineer whose firm offered software designed to bypass ad review systems and push deceptive ads to run on the media platform.
Scammers Target NFT Users in BLUR Token Airdrop Scam
Scammers are targeting NFT users with fake BLUR token airdrop links on malicious websites, resulting in the loss of over $300,000 in ETH. Legitimate BLUR platform has been rewarding users with tokens through its three-phase airdrop incentive scheme.
Australia's Government is Bolstering Its Market Regulator's Digital Asset
The new Australian government has devised a "multi-stage strategy" to combat cryptocurrency frauds, safeguard consumers, and increase enforcement.
Fraudulent Ledger Live App in Microsoft Store Linked to $768K Cryptocurrency Theft
A fake Ledger Live app on Microsoft's App Store stole nearly $768K from the crypto community, involving Bitcoin and Ethereum transactions, raising concerns over app verification processes.
Scammers Put Gate.io users at Risk as Exchange's Twitter Account Gets Hacked
Gate.io hacked Twitter account appears to be promoting a fake giveaway of 500,000 USDT, putting users at risk of losing funds.
Deepfake Dangers: Michael Saylor Alerts Followers to Emerging Bitcoin Scams
MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor warns of deepfake scams on YouTube, using AI to mimic him promoting Bitcoin giveaways. He stresses the need for vigilance and verification to protect against these sophisticated frauds.
Google Ads Used in $4M Crypto Phishing Scam
Scammers have stolen over $4 million in cryptocurrency from users falling for phishing websites promoted on Google Ads, according to blockchain analytics by ScamSniffer. The fraudulent websites prompt wallet login signature requests that compromise users’ addresses, and have targeted decentralized finance protocols, websites and brands. Metadata from some of the phishing websites has been linked to advertisers in Ukraine and Canada, who bypass Google’s ad review process by manipulating the Google Click ID parameter and using anti-debugging methods. ScamSniffer estimates that scammers spent around $15,000 on advertising which provided a return on their investments of 276%, given the $4 million stolen to date.
Fake Arbitrum Airdrop Scam Circulated on Discord
Hackers dropped a phishing link into Arbitrum's Discord server, offering the opportunity to re-claim additional stake in Arbitrum DAO Governance. The link prompted unsuspecting victims to enter personal information, leading to a potential scam. Investors are advised against interacting with the announcement until further clarification from Arbitrum.
Darknet Marketplace Empire Alleged to Have Exit Scammed with $30 Million Worth of Bitcoin
Darknet digital marketplace Empire Market appears to have exit scammed and made off with a hefty profit of 2,638 Bitcoin (BTC).
BitConnect Founder Charged with Orchestrating Global Crypto Ponzi Scheme Worth $2.4B
A U.S. grand jury indicted Satish Kumbhani, the founder of BitConnect, orchestrating a fraud scheme that siphoned approximately $2.4 billion from investors.
Crypto Hacks and Scams on the Rise
Over $103 million was lost to crypto exploits, scams, and hacks in April, with the total loss for the year reaching $429.7 million. Major hacks included Bitrue exchange and South Korean GDAC exchange, and flash loan attacks took around $20 million. Exit scams saw a loss of $9.4 million.
Binance Launches Joint Anti-Scam Campaign
Binance has launched a "Joint Anti-Scam Campaign" in Hong Kong in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies. The initiative involves issuing targeted alerts to potential victims of scams to prevent them from falling victim to fraudulent activity. Binance intends to expand the campaign to other jurisdictions.
FBI seizes $100,000 in cryptocurrency and NFTs
The FBI confiscated the property in October 2022 for violating "federal law," with the NFTs valued over $100,000.
MetaMask Warns Investors Against Phishing Attempts by Scammers
MetaMask informed customers that it never emails account data or collects KYC information.
Chinese Police Arrest 27 Kingpins of Plus Token Bitcoin Scam Worth $5.7 Billion
Chinese authorities have arrested all 27 primary criminal suspects involved in the Plus Token Ponzi scheme that defrauded nearly 40 billion Chinese yuan, approximately $5.7 billion from victims.
Percentage of Crypto Transaction Volume Used for Crime is Reducing: CipherTrace
The growth of the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem is not reflected in the percentage of crypto transaction volumes being used for illicit or fraudulent criminal activities.
Whale Alert Analysis: Scammers Have Bagged Bitcoin Worth $24 Million in the First Half of 2020
Leading blockchain tracking and analytics provider Whale Alert has revealed that scammers have been on a stealing spree as they have made away with $24 million in Bitcoin so far in 2020. Cumulatively, they have siphoned Bitcoin valued at $38 million over the last four years, and this excludes Ponzi schemes as they are a billion-dollar sector on their own.
Bitcoin.org Hacked, Showing Sign of "Double Return Bitcoin" in Gift Scam
Bitcoin.org, an open-source and peer-to-peer platform focused on bitcoin development, was hacked this Thursday morning by showing bitcoin's giveaway activities.
Australia Records Over $14 Million Losses to Crypto Scams in 2019
Scamwatch, an Australian website dedicated to reporting scams saw an increase in crypto relating scams amounting to $14 million
Darknet Empire Offline for Days Has Users Fearing DDoS Attack and Looming Scam
A popular darknet marketplace, Empire Market, has been reported to be offline for over 48 hours, making website users fretful as to the cause behind it.
Trump: Bitcoin, It Just Seems Like a Scam
Former US President Donald Trump is still anti-crypto and he made it known in his latest interview with Fox business news.
Crypto User Scammed Out of $20,000 on Fake Uniswap App
A user has lost $20K after placing his private key backup phrase in a fake Uniswap mobile app available on the Google Play store.
Crypto Hacks and Scams Rising Alarmingly in 2024
Cryptosecurity firm Immunefi reported a 23% increase in Q2 2024 crypto losses, with Bitget revealing a 245% increase in deep fake scams, with Ethereum, BNB, and Arbitrum targeted.
Victims of BitConnect Ponzi Scheme to Benefit from the Liquidation of $57M Crypto Assets
Victims of BitConnect fraud scheme have a reason to smile about after a court order granted the sale of cryptocurrencies accrued from the scam.
Bitcoin Ransoms Doubled in 2019, New Report Warns Investors
Crypsis Group, a crypto forensics firm, noted in a recently released security report that crypto-ransoms, such as those involving Bitcoin, rose almost 200 percent for last year, compared to 2018.
BNB Chain Dominates Q1 2023 Rug Pull Scams
According to a report by blockchain security firm Immunefi, BNB Chain saw 73.3% of all rug pull scams in the crypto ecosystem during Q1 2023. The report also revealed that BNB Chain and Ethereum were the two largest targets for hackers and scammers, with 68.8% of total losses from these networks combined.
Latvian National Extradited to the U.S for Crypto and Wire Fraud
Ivars Auzins, a Latvian citizen, accused of committing securities and wire fraud using eight companies that alleged to mine or invest in crypto assets, was extradited to the United States to face a six-count indictment charge.
Hong Kong Government Alerts Public to AI-Generated Scams Featuring Deepfake of Chief Executive
The Hong Kong government warns against AI-generated scams, including a deepfake video of Chief Executive John Lee, urging public vigilance and caution.
YouTuber's Channel Hacked for XRP Scams
DidYouKnowGaming's YouTube channel was hacked to promote XRP scams, with the hacker changing the channel's profile and cover images to Ripple's logo. YouTube intervened quickly to prevent further damage, but the rise of deepfakes remains a threat to crypto investors.
Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX has acknowledged a recent spate of third party scams
FTX alerted consumers about fraudsters stealing account information with promises of asset returns.
Kokomo Finance Accused of $4M Exit Scam
Kokomo Finance, an open-source and noncustodial lending protocol on Optimism, is suspected of an exit scam worth $4 million. The protocol allegedly plucked user funds via a smart contract loophole, causing the Kokomo Finance token to plummet 95% in value. Blockchain security firm CertiK alerted its followers to the situation, noting that Kokomo Finance removed all social media accounts following the incident.
Crypto Escrow Company Promises Bitcoin, Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Client Over $3 Million
Jon Barry Thompson, the executive of Volantis Market Making cryptocurrency escrow company, has pleaded guilty in a crypto escrow scam worth $3.25 million.
Binance Co-Founder Yi He Champions Transparency and Security Amidst Crypto Evolution
Binance Co-Founder Yi He addresses the crypto community with vital announcements on enhancing listing transparency and security measures, showcasing Binance's proactive approach in combating scams and ensuring a trustworthy trading environment.
Hong Kong Police Crackdowns Crypto Investment Scam, involving $11M HKD
Hong Kong police announced Friday the authority has dismantled a cryptocurrency investment scam involving as much as 60 million Hong Kong dollars. At least 19 people are under arrest.
Australian Scammers Prefer Crypto than Credit Cards: Report
Australia's local media outlet disclosed a total loss of $84 million was reported to the ScamWatch website in 2021, a figure that is reasonably higher than the $27 million reported in 2020 and $19 million in 2019.
Russian Hackers Hijack YouTube Channels to Broadcast Crypto Scams: Google
Search engine giant Google has made a series of claims, accusing Russian hackers of hijacking YouTube channels for malicious purposes.
Friend.tech Users Lose $385K in Ether to SIM-Swap Scammer
A scammer has reportedly stolen approximately $385,000 (234 ETH) within 24 hours by SIM-swapping four Friend.tech users. The incident follows a series of SIM-swap and phishing attacks on the platform, putting its security measures under scrutiny. Blockchain analyst ZachXBT revealed the scam on October 5, 2023, adding to concerns about the vulnerability of Friend.tech's user accounts.
Dozens of AI-Powered Chatbot Tokens Found to Be Part of honeypot schemes
Blockchain security company PeckShield has warned about "dozens" of BingChatGPT pump-and-dump tokens.
Ripple (XRP) CTO responds to phishing scam concerns following Cory Doctorow's $8000 loss
Ripple's CTO David Schwartz emphasizes his cybersecurity savvy, responding to phishing scam concerns after Cory Doctorow's $8000 loss. Ripple educates on scam identification and prevention, amidst increasing social media-based crypto frauds.
Bitcoin Twitter Hack Investigation Reveals Second Teen Mastermind
US authorities revealed that there may have been another hacker that played a prominent role in the Bitcoin hack that overtook Twitter on July 15.
Teenage Bitcoin Scammer Behind 2020 Massive Twitter Hack Gets Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison
Graham Ivan Clark, a Florida teenager, will serve three years of probation after receiving a jail term of three years in prison.
Vebitcoin Crypto Exchange Shuts Down its Business, Turkish Financial Watchdog Investigates
Vebitcoin has suddenly halted its trading, citing financial strains.
YouTube and Ripple Intertwined In Lawsuit Battle For XRP Scam Videos
Blockchain company Ripple and CEO of the currency exchange network Brad Garlinghouse is suing YouTube for allegedly playing a part in the repeated Ripple (XRP) crypto giveaway scams that have been circulating on the video content platform.
TRON Founder Justin Sun Offers Bounty Reward for Twitter Bitcoin Scammers
As distressed Twitter users scrambled to get a sense of the recent Bitcoin attack that happened earlier this week, TRON founder Justin Sun spoke up and offered a $1 million bounty reward for whoever was able to uncover the identities of those behind the Twitter mass hack.
Webaverse Co-Founder Reveals $4 Million Crypto Hack
Webaverse co-founder Ahad Shams sent a public statement about being hacked for $4 million in a hotel lobby.
John McAfee Indicted for Tax Evasion and for Fraudulently Promoting ICOs Through Twitter
The DOJ is charging John McAfee with tax evasion and failure to file tax returns, according to an unsealed indictment that was revealed yesterday.
New Zealand Police Issues Warning Against “Nasty” Sextortion Blackmail Porn Scam Demanding Bitcoin Ransom
New Zealand police are warning about a new porn blackmail scam that is targeting residents who watch adult content videos in the country. Scammers will take compromising video or photos of the victim while they are watching pornography and later contact them demanding a ransom in Bitcoin to keep the content private.