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.
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.