#CryptoScamSurge

Crypto scams have surged significantly, with a notable increase in rugpulls and AI-powered scams. Here's a breakdown of the current situation:

*Types of Scams*

- *Rugpulls*

:Scammers create fake projects, attract investors, and then withdraw funds, leaving investors with significant losses. In Q1 2025, rugpulls wiped out nearly $6 billion, a 6,500% increase from the same period last year.

- *AI-Powered Scams*

:Scammers use AI-generated deepfakes to deceive victims, often impersonating public figures or platform executives. In 2024, global losses to crypto scams surged to $4.6 billion, with nearly 40% of high-value fraud cases involving deepfake technologies.

- *Pig Butchering Scams*

:Scammers build trust with victims over time before draining their funds. This type of scam has seen a 210% jump in deposits linked to such scams.

- *Ponzi Schemes*

:Scammers promise unusually high returns on investments, often disguising their schemes as DeFi or NFT projects.¹ ² ³

*Notable Cases*

- *Mantra Network Incident*

:A single case accounted for 92% of the $6 billion rugpull losses in Q1 2025, with the Mantra incident being one of the largest individual scams recorded in recent years.

- *Deepfake Scam Rings*

:At least 87 AI-driven scam rings were dismantled in the first quarter of 2025, with scammers using synthetic videos, fake Zoom calls, and deepfake impersonations to deceive users.

*Prevention and Awareness*

- *Verify Information*

:Always verify information through official websites or trusted social media accounts.

- *Isolate Risky Actions*

:Use separate wallets when exploring new platforms.

- *Slow Down*

:Be cautious and take time to evaluate investment opportunities.

- *Regular Security Training*

:Businesses should provide regular security training and foster a "verify before you trust" mindset.