#CryptoScamSurge Cryptocurrency scams are surging, driven by the asset class's rising popularity and lack of centralized oversight. In 2023, Americans lost $5.6 billion, with older adults hit hardest, per the FBI. Investment scams, like pig butchering, promise high returns but steal funds, costing nearly $4 billion. Blackmail scams threaten to expose personal information unless crypto is paid. Crypto wallet drainers, using malicious scripts, automate theft via fake websites or airdrops. Pump-and-dump schemes inflate obscure coins before crashing them. Romance scams, costing $1.179 billion in 2023, exploit trust built online. Phishing and fake job offers also target crypto assets. Bitcoin ATMs, often used by scammers, face new state regulations to curb fraud. Staying vigilant and verifying sources is crucial to avoid these sophisticated traps.