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in Crypto Investment Scams
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Atlanta woman lost approximately $600,000 to a romance scam after developing an online relationship with someone impersonating Elon Musk, involving wire transfers exceeding $100,000, daily ATM withdrawals of $3,000, and maxed-out credit cards used for gift cards. Romance scammers typically target vulnerable older women through social media by posing as celebrities or soldiers, building trust before extracting money or soliciting investments. Red flags include fast-moving relationships, no in-person meetings, claims of celebrity status, and requests for money or investment opportunities, with victims advised to report scams immediately to the FBI, FTC, and social media platforms.
darkreading.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams ("pig butchering") resulted in losses that increased 40% in 2024, with the number of victims surging 210% year-over-year, according to ChainAnalysis. Fraudsters contact victims through dating apps, build relationships, and convince them to invest money or cryptocurrency in fake business ventures, with many operations run from Southeast Asian compounds using coerced workers. While the average loss per person declined 55%, romance scams now represent one-third of total cryptocurrency fraud revenue, prompting warnings for dating app users to avoid sending money or crypto to unknown contacts.
en.cryptonomist.ch
· 2025-12-08
Stablecoins are now involved in 65% of cryptocurrency-related scams, including investment scams and elder fraud schemes that exploit their liquidity and speed for financial crimes. Stablecoin issuers face compounding risks from treasury vulnerabilities, regulatory compliance challenges, and cross-chain security exploits that enable asset theft and fund tracing difficulties. Blockaid offers monitoring and protection solutions including real-time transaction tracking, threat detection, and automated incident response to mitigate these risks and maintain regulatory compliance.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim, and $384 million in the first nine months of 2024 alone. Scammers create fake profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, build emotional relationships with victims, and then request money or investment opportunities; one elderly widow lost an estimated $50,000-$60,000 to seven overlapping romance scams over seven years. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through video calls, be skeptical of requests for money or personal information, and report suspicious accounts to platforms.
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police recovered $180,000 in cryptocurrency for a Willimantic resident who was defrauded through a "pig butchering" scam in July 2024, where a scammer impersonated an investment advisor and convinced the victim to transfer $225,000 to a fake platform called "XeggeX" before disappearing. The State Police Cryptocurrency Working Group intercepted approximately 1.77 Bitcoin from the fraudulent wallet and returned the funds on February 12, 2025, with the investigation highlighting that such scams are part of a larger transnational operation responsible for over $75 billion in global losses. Warning signs include unsolicited investment advice via text or social
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Austin Michael Taylor, founder of the cryptocurrency project CluCoin based in Miami, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for misappropriating approximately $1.14 million in investor funds raised through an initial coin offering. Taylor used his social media following to promote the CluCoin token and its promised charitable focus, but subsequently diverted investor funds to his personal account and lost them gambling at online casinos between May and December 2022. He was ordered to pay full restitution and forfeit assets totaling $1.14 million, with three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
nwasianweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud aided by generative AI is rising sharply, with experts projecting losses could reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027, and deepfake incidents in the fintech sector increased 700% in 2023. Seniors, non-native English speakers, and Asian immigrants are particularly targeted by scammers who exploit loneliness and build relationships before striking. JP Morgan Chase and Seattle police shared prevention advice including verifying identities, being skeptical of sob stories and urgent payment requests, avoiding sending money to online contacts, and protecting personal information.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Dennis Jones, 82, lost his life savings and subsequently took his own life after being victimized by a "financial grooming" scam (also called "pig butchering"), in which a person posing as "Jessie" built an online relationship with him over months before pressuring him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Financial grooming scams—where criminals establish trust with victims before luring them into fake investments—caused losses rising from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars; the scams originate from criminal operations primarily in Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's "Operation Level Up" initiative has identified over 4,300 victims of "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams across all 50 states, with the majority of victims aged 30-60 who were lured through unsolicited messages and online ads with promises of high returns. Victims are shown fake accounts displaying investment growth, but their money is lost immediately upon investment, resulting in an estimated $5 billion in losses in 2024; however, the FBI's intervention efforts have prevented approximately $285 million in additional fraud losses. The FBI advises potential victims to remain skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, verify communications claiming to be from the FBI, and report
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers build relationships on dating apps and social media, then request money under false pretenses (travel costs, emergencies, investment opportunities) while avoiding in-person meetings. To protect yourself, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, verify their identity through reverse image searches, consult trusted friends or family, and report suspected scams to the FTC and the platform where contact occurred.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day by creating false identities on dating apps and social media to establish emotional connections with victims, then manipulate them into sending money or investing in fraudulent schemes. Red flags include rapid declarations of love, excuses to avoid video calls, requests for money due to emergencies, and overly perfect profile photos (often AI-generated or stolen). A 26-year-old Australian woman lost over $46,000 to a romance scammer in 2024 after connecting on Tinder, highlighting how emotional manipulation and "love bombing" can lead to both financial loss and deep psychological trauma.
ncdoj.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sweetheart scammers build fake online relationships on dating and social media platforms to steal money or personal information from victims, often targeting lonely or grieving individuals. In North Carolina during 2024, sweetheart and friend-in-need scams resulted in 25 victims losing $1,833,047 (average $73,322 per victim), while cryptocurrency scams—often an evolution of romance scams—caused 25 victims to lose $3,334,408 (average $133,376 per victim). Attorney General Jeff Jackson advises verifying who you communicate with online and watching for warning signs such as requests to move conversations off dating apps, claims of being a U
kjzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Lehi Police Department officers interrupted an active Bitcoin ATM scam targeting senior citizens when they discovered a woman who had already deposited several thousand dollars with $15,000 remaining, and a second senior man preparing to deposit cash while both were on phone calls with fraudsters. Criminals typically convince elderly victims their bank accounts have been hacked or that family members have been arrested, instructing them to transfer funds via Bitcoin ATMs; the officers were able to seize the ATM through a search warrant and attempt recovery of the deposited cash.
seattlemedium.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase and the Seattle Police Department partnered with Kin On Seattle Community Center to hold a senior financial health workshop aimed at protecting seniors from online fraud and scams, with particular attention to romance scams that increase around Valentine's Day. The workshop emphasized that seniors are highly targeted due to their vulnerability and financial resources, and outlined key prevention strategies including being cautious with strangers online, verifying identities, avoiding emotional manipulation, never sending money to people met only online, protecting personal information, and trusting instincts when something feels suspicious.
delcotimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta Platforms is warning users about romance scams that surge around Valentine's Day, where scammers pose as attractive, successful individuals with fake or AI-generated photos to build trust before requesting money for emergencies or cryptocurrency investments. The company recently dismantled romance scam networks impersonating military officers, celebrities, and matchmaking agencies, and is testing facial recognition tools to identify fake profiles. Meta advises users to verify strangers' identities through profile details and reverse image searches, and to be skeptical of any money requests.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta Platforms warned users ahead of Valentine's Day about romance scams targeting people through Facebook, Instagram, and text messages, where scammers pose as attractive, successful individuals with military, medical, or business backgrounds and use stolen or AI-generated photos to build trust before requesting money for emergencies or cryptocurrency investments. Meta recently dismantled romance scam networks impersonating military officers, celebrities, and fake matchmaking agencies targeting vulnerable populations, and is testing facial recognition tools to identify fake celebrity accounts. Users are advised to verify stranger identities through reverse image searches, check account creation dates, and remain skeptical of any requests for money via gift cards or payment apps.
mynews4.com
· 2025-12-08
Two suspects, Mohjid Singh and Habri Harmal, were arrested on February 12 in South Reno after defrauding victims of $49,000 through impersonation of Amazon and FTC officials, with the perpetrators continuing to pressure victims for additional payments after the initial theft. The arrests resulted from a joint operation by multiple law enforcement agencies including Washoe County Patrol, Property Detectives, and the Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations Unit, with both suspects charged with felony theft, exploiting an elderly or vulnerable person, and conspiracy. The Sheriff's Office cautions the public that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment by phone and advises residents to verify claims
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 250 foreign workers from 20 nationalities were freed from telecom fraud centres operating in Myanmar's Karen State by an ethnic armed group and transferred to Thailand, where they are being assessed for human trafficking. The workers had been lured or coerced into conducting online scams including "pig butchering" romance frauds, cryptocurrency schemes, and money laundering, with some reportedly tortured and held for ransom by their employers. Thailand and China have increased pressure on armed groups controlling the border region to shut down these operations by cutting power and fuel access and tightening banking and visa rules.
apnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta Platforms is warning users about romance scams on Instagram and Facebook, particularly ahead of Valentine's Day, where scammers pose as attractive, successful individuals with military, medical, or business backgrounds to build trust before requesting money or cryptocurrency investments. The company recently dismantled romance scam networks impersonating military officers, celebrities, and fake matchmaking agencies targeting people in Africa, and is testing facial recognition tools to identify fake profiles. Users are advised to verify strangers' identities through account creation dates and reverse image searches, and to be skeptical of any requests for money or gift cards.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency fraud reached record levels in 2024, with scam wallets receiving an estimated $9.9-$12.4 billion, driven largely by a 40% surge in "pig butchering" romance scams where criminals build fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and organized platforms like Huione Guarantee (which received $375.9 million in crypto in 2024) while expanding geographically from Southeast Asian compounds to locations like Nigeria, often employing human trafficking victims to conduct the fraud. The report warns that the scam ecosystem is becoming more professionalized, with criminal groups creating specialize
businesswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion has emerged as one of the most devastating romance scams, with fraudsters using fake profiles to manipulate victims into sharing intimate content before threatening exposure and demanding ransom payments. The FBI reported over 12,000 complaints in 2023 resulting in millions in financial losses, severe psychological trauma, and in some cases fatalities, with younger and newer online daters being particularly vulnerable. The article recommends that social media and dating platforms implement stronger identity verification measures, including biometric and government ID verification, to eliminate fake profiles and make it harder for scammers to operate across multiple platforms.
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
New York residents lost over $25 million to romance scams in 2024, with scammers targeting singles—particularly older adults who are widows, widowers, or divorcees—by creating fake profiles and building trust over weeks or months before requesting money for investments, emergencies, or travel. The New York Department of State advises individuals to avoid sending money to people they haven't met in person, never share personal or banking information with online contacts, and be wary of those who make excuses to avoid meeting or request cryptocurrency investments.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly adults aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics tailored to exploit seniors' wealth and vulnerabilities. The most common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, with scammers often using social media and high-pressure tactics to build trust before manipulating victims into sending money. Prevention strategies include staying connected with elderly loved ones, remaining skeptical of online connections, and being aware
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
In November, a 66-year-old retired health care worker in Hilton Head, South Carolina, lost $7,500 in a crypto scam after someone impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed she had missed jury duty and threatened jail time, directing her to deposit cash into a Coinstar ATM that converted it to cryptocurrency. The scam represents a growing trend targeting seniors through crypto kiosks, with Beaufort County reporting $3.1 million in crypto scam losses to law enforcement in the past year alone, prompting calls for stronger fraud prevention measures by cryptocurrency ATM operators and legislators.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans over $1 billion in 2023, with organized networks of overseas scammers targeting vulnerable people on dating apps and social media. A central Florida woman lost her entire life savings of over $600,000 to a scammer impersonating Elon Musk using AI voice technology, transferring large sums through wire transfers and ATM withdrawals to purchase gift cards. Red flags include relationships that move quickly, no in-person meetings, claims of celebrity or military status, and requests for money or investment participation; victims should report incidents to the FBI's IC3 website and the FTC.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's "Operation Level Up" notified over 4,300 individuals of cryptocurrency investment fraud between January 2024 and January 2025, preventing approximately $285 million in losses through interventions in romance scams and "pig butchering" schemes. The operation highlights a growing threat, as Americans lost over $5 billion to crypto fraud in 2023, with elderly individuals particularly targeted, and experts warn that scams could surge in 2025 due to advances in artificial intelligence.
wilmingtonbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common financial scams targeting seniors and the general public, including phishing, investment fraud, imposter scams (grandparent and IRS varieties), computer scams, romance scams, lottery schemes, charity fraud, and fake debt relief services. The article provides red flags and warning signs for each scam type, such as urgent requests, unsolicited offers, promises of guaranteed returns, and requests for upfront payments. Key protective measures include awareness of common scam tactics, verification of organizations before sharing information, and skepticism toward unsolicited offers or high-pressure requests.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Celebrity impersonation scams use AI-generated images, videos, and voices to impersonate famous figures like Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Brad Pitt, defrauding victims of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars through fake giveaways, investment opportunities, and cryptocurrency schemes. Key warning signs include unsolicited messages asking for money or personal information, with victims advised to verify celebrity identities through official social media accounts and remember that celebrities will not solicit funds directly. Fraud losses from generative AI are projected to reach $40 billion by 2027, up from $12.3 billion in 2023.
advisorhub.com
· 2025-12-08
Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinert, a 71-year-old widow, lost $39,000 over four months to a romance scammer posing as a UN surgeon named "Tony" who built trust by involving his supposed children and eventually requesting money for medical emergencies and legal bail. Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023 across 64,003 reported cases, with scammers using sophisticated psychological manipulation to build emotional investment before exploiting targets for money, often via cryptocurrency which is difficult to recover.
about.fb.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day and other occasions by impersonating military personnel, celebrities, or fake dating agencies across social media and messaging platforms to build trust with victims before soliciting money via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. A tech company disrupted multiple romance scam networks operating across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and other platforms, with schemes originating from Nigeria and Kenya targeting users in the US, UAE, Japan, Africa, and other regions. The company recommends users verify identities, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and use platform safety tools to protect against these schemes.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of increased romance scams around Valentine's Day, in which fraudsters build trust with victims through fake personas (sometimes impersonating celebrities) and social media research, then exploit that rapport to solicit money for fake investment opportunities, cryptocurrency schemes, or fabricated emergencies like medical bills or travel costs. The agency advises protecting yourself by limiting personal information shared online, using reputable dating sites, verifying profiles, taking relationships slowly, avoiding pressure to go offline, and never sending money to online-only contacts, particularly those claiming to be overseas.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are increasingly targeting younger age groups (people in their 20s and 30s), with reported incidents shifting from primarily affecting those aged 50-59 in 2019 to younger demographics by 2023. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams resulted in $469.9 million in losses across all age groups in 2023, more than double the $229.3 million lost in 2019. Scammers typically build emotional connections through dating sites and social media before requesting money or personal information, and victims should be wary of requests for financial help, unusual stories requiring assistance, and fake profiles or AI-generated images.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
BBC journalist Nick Robinson's X account was hacked after he fell for a phishing email designed to look like an official platform message, which he clicked while tired and rushed; the hackers used his account to promote a fake cryptocurrency called '$Today' on the Solana blockchain. Robinson acknowledged that despite security training, he failed to verify the email sender's address and only attempted the link after multiple failed attempts through official X channels. Cybersecurity experts note that such attacks commonly target high-profile accounts to exploit their credibility and encourage people to buy worthless crypto coins, though Robinson's case appears to have resulted in minimal financial gain for the scammers.
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission launched the "Dating or Defrauding" awareness campaign to warn Americans about relationship investment scams, in which fraudsters use fake dating profiles and text messages to trick victims into converting money to cryptocurrency under the false promise of investment returns. These scams caused reported losses exceeding $4 billion to the FBI in 2023 and target people of all ages, particularly those who live alone or spend significant time on social media. The campaign advises never sending money to people you haven't met in person and recommends reporting suspected fraud through the CFTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scams Warning for Valentine's Day**
New York's Department of Consumer Protection warned residents about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, noting that New Yorkers lost over $25 million to such scams in 2024, with older adults—particularly widows, widowers, and recent divorcees—being commonly targeted. Scammers use fake online profiles and build trust over weeks or months before requesting money for various pretexts, often starting with small amounts and escalating to larger sums. Effective February 19, 2025, a new state law requires online dating platforms to notify users who have been targeted by banned scammers and to delete user
columbiatribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are increasing their efforts targeting Missourians around Valentine's Day by posing as military personnel, overseas businesspeople, or professionals on dating apps and social media, then requesting money for emergencies or travel under false pretenses. The Missouri Secretary of State warns that these emotionally and financially devastating scams build trust gradually before exploiting victims, and recommends skepticism of quick declarations of love, avoiding money transfers to unmet contacts, conducting reverse image searches, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated with the use of generative AI and deepfake technology, with scammers using AI-crafted personalized messages and realistic videos to deceive victims. Over $46 million has been stolen across Taiwan, Singapore, and India through these scams, which particularly target vulnerable groups including the elderly, former military members, and those seeking financial connections, often through tactics like fake investment schemes ("pig butchering") that build trust over weeks before requesting money. Recovery of stolen funds is extremely difficult, especially with cryptocurrency, and victims are cautioned to verify identities and never send money to people they haven't met in person who request payment.
knews.kathimerini.com.cy
· 2025-12-08
A Limassol resident lost €430,000 in cryptocurrency between June 2024 and February 2025 after granting wallet access to fraudsters posing as representatives of a legitimate investment platform; the scammers later demanded additional funds to "unlock" promised profits of $1.5 million. The Cyprus Police urge the public to verify the legitimacy of investment platforms, never share wallet access codes or allow remote computer access, enable two-factor authentication, and be skeptical of guaranteed profit promises.
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Hackers compromised Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed Dewji's social media account and used deepfake videos to promote a fake "$Tanzania" cryptocurrency token, defrauding investors of $1.48 million. Dewji detected the breach on February 5 and alerted the platform, but scammers continued distributing fraudulent content through his hacked account, with one deepfake video reaching 30,000 viewers before being removed. Experts advise investors to verify information carefully before investing in cryptocurrencies to avoid falling victim to similar AI-driven social media fraud schemes.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies nursing home residents as vulnerable targets for fraud due to limited technology familiarity and describes common scam tactics including phishing, Medicare fraud, prize scams, and investment schemes. According to LA County District Attorney data, one in five older adults experiences financial fraud, with California seniors over 60 filing over 11,000 fraud complaints in 2023 totaling $620 million in losses (averaging $57,000 per victim). The article emphasizes that education is the primary prevention method and recommends immediate legal action if a loved one becomes victimized.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of rising romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build trust quickly, and manipulate victims—sometimes impersonating celebrities or military personnel—to send money or invest in cryptocurrency, with one victim losing $850,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt. Red flags include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or video chat, and inconsistent stories; prevention through identity verification and caution about rapidly escalating relationships is the best defense.
cftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC and multiple federal, state, and nonprofit organizations launched the "Dating or Defrauding?" awareness campaign to alert Americans to relationship investment scams, which caused nearly $4 billion in reported losses to the FBI in 2023. These scams, also called "pig butchering," use fake profiles on dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms to build false relationships and convince victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency or trading platforms. The campaign identifies red flags including requests for payment, inability to meet in person, and pressure to move conversations to encrypted apps, urging the public to be skeptical and share warnings with friends and family.
spdblotter.seattle.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion in 2023 and $800 million in 2024, with scammers using fake personas and social media information to build trust before requesting money, cryptocurrency, or personal information. Older Americans are particularly vulnerable, with seniors losing an estimated $28.3 billion annually to financial exploitation. The FBI recommends verifying online identities, taking relationships slowly, never sending money to online-only contacts, and remaining cautious of requests to move communication offline or claims of overseas emergencies.
recordnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers intensify their tactics around Valentine's Day, using social media research and emotional manipulation to build trust with victims before requesting money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers employ various schemes including fabricated emergencies (medical bills, travel costs, equipment damage) and increasingly sophisticated methods like Bitcoin transactions, while also resorting to blackmail and threats. Experts advise vigilance across all communication channels and recommend contacting local law enforcement if victimized, noting that while elderly individuals were traditionally targeted, younger people are now also vulnerable to these evolving scams.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are confidence schemes where perpetrators build trust with victims to extract money through false pretenses. Nearly 70,000 Americans reported being victims in 2022, with older adults losing approximately $240 million that year; scammers commonly use red flags such as claims of foreign locations, requests for video call avoidance, inconsistent stories, and demands for payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. Protection strategies include remaining suspicious of unsolicited contact, verifying identities through independent means, and never sharing personal information or sending money to online contacts, particularly those who quickly profess love or request alternative communication platforms.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-08
The United States Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned the public about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, which typically begin online and escalate to requests for money or valuables sent through the mail. One Colorado victim lost $500,000 to a romance scammer posing as an investment partner in a cryptocurrency scheme. The agencies recommend being cautious of relationships that escalate quickly, avoiding video calls, never sending money to people you haven't met in person, and reporting suspected scams immediately.
selangorjournal.my
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old company manager in Kuala Lumpur lost RM2.56 million to the UVKXE cryptocurrency investment scam, which promised returns of 10-50% and was advertised on Facebook; the victim made 26 transactions across 14 bank accounts before being asked for additional payments whenever attempting withdrawals. Police have received 44 reports involving the same scheme with total losses exceeding RM33 million, and authorities warn that nearly all reported cryptocurrency investment cases are scams using fake profit displays and advanced technology to deceive victims.
abc15.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona is advancing House Bill 2387 to combat Bitcoin ATM scams, which have surged dramatically—accounting for $112 million in fraud in 2023 compared to $12 million in 2020, with people over 60 being disproportionately targeted. The legislation proposes daily transaction limits of $1,000, state operator licensing, and refund policies; Arizona alone lost $127 million to virtual money fraud in 2023. One victim, Tamara, lost $17,000 after being impersonated by a fraudster posing as PayPal who convinced her to withdraw funds and convert them to Bitcoin through an ATM.
philstarlife.com
· 2025-12-08
A Thai-British beauty queen lost 4 million baht after two scammers, Ramil Pantawong and 31, and Thanawut Kanyaphanthe, 28, impersonated Thai Department of Special Investigation officers and falsely accused her of money laundering to trick her into transferring funds. The two suspects were arrested as part of a 50-member gang operating from Cambodia that used AI technology to alter their faces during video calls and had victimized at least 163 people with similar schemes involving fake narcotics and money-laundering accusations. The suspects revealed they had been recruited under false pretenses and forced to work for Chinese gang leaders who controlled the operation through threats