FBI

In an effort to combat the sharply increasing cryptocurrency fraud, the FBI has just launched Operation Level Up, which has saved over 4,300 victims from losses of up to $285 million. This campaign aims to mitigate damages from cryptocurrency investment scams, estimated at up to $3.9 billion just in 2023.
The Trick "Pig Butchering" and the Fraud Target
According to reports from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) of #FBI , around 3,200 complaints related to cryptocurrency investment fraud are filed each month. These scams are often negatively referred to as "pig butchering" – implying fattening the prey with promises of huge profits before suddenly seizing all assets.

💰 On February 21, 2025, hackers stole 401,000 Ethereum (~$1.5 billion) from Bybit's cold wallet. This is the largest hack in the crypto industry!

🔍 How did this happen?
Hackers compromised Bybit's offline wallet during the transfer of funds to a hot wallet. The cryptocurrency was quickly withdrawn to unknown addresses and began to move.

Americans lost $9.3 billion to crypto fraud in 2024, according to FBI data. The majority of the scams involved fake exchanges, rug pulls, and fraudulent investment apps.

Authorities are urging users to verify platforms and be skeptical of “too good to be true” returns.
#FBI #TRUMP

Federal prosecutors in Boston have filed “the first-ever criminal charges against financial firms for crypto market manipulation and wash trading.”
Eighteen individuals and entities are accused of large-scale fraud and manipulation of the cryptocurrency market, including the heads of market making companies Gotbit, ZM Quant, CLS Global, MyTrad and several crypto projects.

The FBI operated the crypto money laundering network named Elon Musk for nearly a year – A shocking truth from court records

A new investigation has revealed a shocking truth: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been running an undercover cryptocurrency money laundering campaign branded #ElonMusk , lasting nearly a year, while posing as a cybercriminal to continue processing transactions for hackers and drug traffickers.

The UAE-based company CLS Global agreed to accept U.S. charges that they manipulated the value of a special FBI-created cryptocurrency token used to fight crypto fraud. 
The FBI’s first-ever operation to fight cryptocurrency fraud charged CLS Global as one of 15 individuals and three companies. Prosecutors say CLS Global provided illegal trading services to cryptocurrency companies and agreed to help manipulate the market for the FBI-backed NexFundAI token, which runs on the Ethereum blockchain.
The company told investigators it made fake trades to make the token’s price and trading activity look higher than they really were. CLS Global must pay $428,059 and cannot trade cryptocurrencies on U.S. platforms or serve U.S. clients. 
To show it follows the rules, CLS Global must give proof of compliance once a year. The company also says it will pay back the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for breaking its rules.
The case shows regulators are paying closer attention to crypto companies, and shows how essential it is for these firms to follow U.S. rules when dealing with digital currencies.
#FBI #crypto #CryptoSurge2025

An Indian man, Anurag Pramod Murarka, has been sentenced to 121 months in prison in the US for running a global money laundering network that processed more than $20 million in illegal profits.

Case details

According to the ruling from Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, Murarka used cryptocurrency trading platforms and hawala systems to launder money from illegal activities, including drug trafficking and cyberattacks.

In a groundbreaking achievement, the FBI has successfully penetrated the smartphone of the individual who targeted Trump, effectively bypassing the encryption and gaining access to the encrypted data. This significant development has revolutionized the investigation, endowing law enforcement agents with invaluable insights into the attacker's motives and potential affiliations with other individuals.

The meticulous analysis of the smartphone data has yielded a plethora of noteworthy discoveries. Most notably, it has exposed the perpetrator's affiliation with a specific extremist organization, serving as further corroboration of suspicions that the attack was politically motivated.

Furthermore, the smartphone data has played an indispensable role in reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to and during the assault. Investigators have ascertained that the assailant painstakingly acquired intricate details about Trump's schedule and whereabouts, providing compelling evidence of a meticulously orchestrated and premeditated assault.

It is of utmost importance to highlight that the breach of the smartphone was conducted in full compliance with all legal protocols and regulations. The investigation remains resolute in its unwavering commitment to uncover every facet and underlying cause of this incident.

#Trump2024 #hacking #attacked #fbi #BTC

A *Las Vegas resident*, *Brent Kovar*, has been *charged* by U.S. regulators for allegedly *defrauding over 400 investors* out of *24 million* through a deceptive *AI-driven cryptocurrency mining scheme*. This case is a reminder of the dark side of the crypto world and the importance of staying alert. 🧐

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*How Did It Happen? 🤔*

Kovar's company, *Profit Connect*, claimed to be a high-tech AI firm that was involved in *crypto mining* and *transaction verification*. He *lured investors* with promises of *lucrative returns*, offering *fixed annual returns of 15% to 30%* and a *100% money-back guarantee*. On top of that, he misled investors into believing that their money was *secure* and backed by the *Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)*. 😳

However, it turns out these promises were *false*. Kovar used the investors' funds to live an *extravagant lifestyle*, purchasing gifts for employees, buying a *house*, and *repaying investors* to keep the scheme going – all under the guise of crypto profits. 💸💎

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*Charges and Consequences 🚔*
Now, Kovar is facing *12 counts of wire fraud*, *3 counts of mail fraud*, and *3 counts of money laundering*. If convicted, he could be looking at a *maximum of 330 years in prison* and a *4.5 million fine*. 😳

This case is just one of many in a *broader crackdown* on *crypto-related Ponzi schemes*. Just recently, another promoter of a crypto Ponzi scheme, *Antonia Perez Hernandez*, was sentenced to *over two years in prison* for *conspiracy to commit wire fraud*. ⚖️

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*A Wider Problem: Crypto Fraud 🕵️‍♂️*

This case is part of an ongoing effort to fight crypto fraud. The *FBI’s “Operation Level Up”* saved *285 million* in potential fraud losses between January 2024 and January 2025. 🚨 It’s clear that regulators are ramping up their efforts to hold scammers accountable and protect investors.

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*Why Is This Important? 🚨*

- *Do your research*: Before investing in any crypto opportunity, always look for *verified information* and *avoid promises of “too good to be true” returns*.
- *Understand the risks*: Crypto is volatile, and *scams are unfortunately part of the landscape*. Make sure you only invest in *reputable projects*.
- *Stay vigilant*: If something feels off, trust your instincts and *walk away*.

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*Final Thoughts 🤯*
While crypto offers great opportunities, it’s essential to stay cautious and avoid falling for schemes like Kovar’s. Let’s learn from this case, stay informed, and keep our investments safe. 💡

$BTC
$ETH
$BNB

#CryptoFraud #ponzischeme #CryptoScams #CryptoNews #FBI