#CryptoScamSurge Crypto scams have surged significantly, with global losses reaching $4.6 billion in 2024, according to a report by Bitget, SlowMist, and Elliptic. This increase is attributed to sophisticated AI-powered scams, including deepfake impersonations, social engineering, and Ponzi schemes disguised as DeFi or NFT projects ¹.

*Recent Trends:*

- *AI-Powered Scams*: Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes to deceive victims, with at least 87 AI-driven scam rings dismantled in the first quarter of 2025.

- *Increased Losses*: Crypto thefts in the first half of 2025 have already surpassed the total losses recorded in 2024, with over $2.17 billion stolen.

- *Targeting Seniors*: Senior citizens are disproportionately affected, with $2.8 billion lost by Americans aged 60 and above in 2024, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

*Common Scam Tactics:*

- *Deepfake Impersonations*: Scammers use synthetic videos and fake Zoom calls to trick victims.

- *Social Engineering*: Scammers exploit trust and limited understanding of digital assets to deceive individuals.

- *Ponzi Schemes*: Scammers disguise fake investment opportunities as legitimate DeFi or NFT projects.

*Notable Incidents:*

- *ByBit Hack*: A $1.5 billion hack attributed to state-sponsored attackers from North Korea.

- *CoinDCX Hack*: A $44 million hack on the CoinDCX exchange, with the platform covering losses using internal reserves ¹ ² ³.