#CryptoScamSurge Crypto scams surged dramatically in 2024–2025. Chainalysis and CoinLaw report that crypto fraud losses reached $12.4 billion in 2024, up roughly 24% from the prior year . Pig‑butchering scams—where trusted relationships are built over time to coax large transfers—stole over $5.5 billion from retail investors across 200,000 cases in 2024, with losses rising nearly 40% year over year . AI‑driven fraud, particularly deepfake impersonations and synthetic identity tools, multiplied scam volume and sophistication—some vendor revenues grew nearly 1,900% since 2021 . In just the first half of 2025, over $2.2 billion was already stolen—surpassing 2024 totals—and analysts warn full‑year losses could hit **$4 billion+** . The rapid rise of these scams underscores a concerning trend: evolving scam tactics, unrelenting adoption of AI, and growing impact on users worldwide.