FBI Warns of Sharp Rise in Crypto Investment Scams, Noting 53% Increase in Past Year

The surge in cryptocurrency-related investment scams has prompted the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to issue a warning. According to the FBI’s ‘Internet Crime Report 2023’, these scams saw a staggering 53 percent increase over the past year. In these schemes, fraudsters pose as cryptocurrency advisors, persuading unsuspecting victims to invest in fake tokens with promises of high returns, only to abscond with the invested capital. Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are commonly exploited by scammers to identify and target potential victims.

The FBI’s report highlights a concerning trend in the cryptocurrency investment landscape. Investment frauds tied to cryptocurrencies soared from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.94 billion in 2023, marking a substantial 53 percent surge. This sharp increase underscores the growing prevalence of scams targeting individuals seeking to capitalize on the booming cryptocurrency market.

The demographic most affected by these scams tends to be individuals aged between 30 and 49 years old. Meanwhile, the elderly population is particularly vulnerable to falling victim to tech support scams. In comparison to the previous year, the FBI received a staggering 880,400 financial scam complaints in 2023, with reported losses totaling nearly $12.5 billion. These figures represent a 10 percent increase in the number of complaints and a significant 22 percent rise in the amount of money lost compared to 2022.

The rise in cryptocurrency-related scams underscores the importance of exercising caution and due diligence when investing in digital assets. With the allure of quick profits, individuals must remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited investment advice, especially when it involves cryptocurrencies. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, staying informed and adopting best practices for securing investments is paramount to safeguarding against fraudulent schemes.

US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recorded a significant rise in crypto investment scams in 2023. In its recently released ‘Internet Crime Report 2023′, the FBI claimed that crypto investment scams rose by 53 percent last year. In investment scams, fraudsters offer crypto investment advice to potential victims and get them to invest in fake tokens – which eventually brings all the capital back to the scammers. These scams entice those targeted with promises of lucrative returns on their investments. Usually, social networking platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are used by scammers to fish for potential victims.

Investment frauds with a reference to cryptocurrencies rose from $2.57 billion (roughly Rs. 21,260 crore) in 2022 to $3.94 billion (roughly Rs. 32592 crore) in 2023 – marking an increase of 53 percent, the FBI’s report said.

Most victims of these frauds were aged between 30 to 49 years. The elderly, meanwhile, were more susceptible to falling for tech support scams. Comparing figures from 2022, the FBI said it received 8,80,400 financial scam complaints last year with the amount of loss coming close to $12.5 billion (roughly Rs. 103428 crore). This marks a 10 percent and 22 percent rise in number of complaints and amount stolen compared to 2022.