According to Cointelegraph, New York officials have successfully disrupted a cryptocurrency investment scam that targeted the Russian community, recovering $140,000 and freezing $300,000 in stolen funds. The investigation, led by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, the New York State Attorney’s office, and the New York State Department of Financial Services, revealed that scammers used fake digital asset investment ads on social media platforms like Facebook to deceive victims.
The fraudulent scheme involved enticing Russian speakers with misleading advertisements, prompting New York Attorney General Letitia James to urge vigilance among residents regarding online cryptocurrency investment ads. Despite the recovery and freezing of over $440,000, the scam resulted in more than $1 million in losses in the Brooklyn area alone, affecting over 300 individuals. The perpetrators allegedly operated a fake crypto investment website, falsely claiming to possess a BitLicense, which is mandatory for crypto firms offering services in New York State.
The investigation also highlighted the use of "Black Hat" advertisements, primarily in Russian, on social media platforms. Meta, Facebook's parent company, reportedly took action by shutting down over 700 ads upon learning of the fraudulent activities. This case underscores the ongoing vulnerability of crypto users to scams, as Chainalysis reported approximately $51 billion in illicit transaction volume involving digital assets in 2024. Although payments related to ransomware attacks decreased by 35%, there is growing concern about the use of artificial intelligence in facilitating scams.
The scam is reminiscent of other notorious schemes that utilized social media ads for fake crypto investments, such as the impersonation of Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse in fake XRP airdrops. Garlinghouse, a significant figure in the crypto industry, has been in the spotlight due to Ripple's legal challenges with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This incident serves as a reminder of the persistent threats in the digital asset space and the importance of vigilance among users.
