#CryptoScamSurge

📈 Scope of the Surge

0-1First half of 2025 losses surpassed $2.1 billion, nearly matching full‑year 2024 figures  .

227-0Certik reported 344 incidents (hacks + scams) through Q2 2025, with total losses of about $2.47 billion—two major incidents accounted for $1.78 billion alone  .

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🔍 Common Scam & Hack Types

1. Exchange Hacks

412-0Mega‑heists on Bybit ($44 million) fuelled the spike  .

2. Phishing & Wallet Compromises

618-1The most frequent tactics—fraudulent pop‑ups, spoofed webpages, compromised wallet apps—allow credential theft  .

3. Pig‑Butchering / Romance Scams

823-1Long‑con investment fraud grew by $12.4 billion in total crypto scams)  .

1024-0North Korea–linked gangs are reportedly responsible for billions in romance investment scams ("pig butchering")  .

4. AI‑Powered & Deepfake Attacks

1175-1Scammers now employ AI-generated deepfake voices and videos impersonating CEOs/influencers to bolster credibility  .

5. Fake ATMs & Investment Apps

1395-1Illicit crypto ATMs are proliferating in places like Tasmania and Minnesota, resulting in massive losses—seniors particularly vulnerable  .

6. Rug Pulls & Scam Tokens

1607-1Fake tokens tied to trends (e.g. “CUBA”, “MALAYSIA”) pumped on compromised social accounts before crashing, often wiping out investors  .