#CryptoScamSurge Cryptocurrency scams surged in 2024, with losses reaching $9.9 billion, potentially hitting $12.4 billion, a record high, according to Chainalysis. Pig butchering scams, blending romance and investment fraud, grew nearly 40% year-over-year, fueled by AI-generated deepfakes and sophisticated tactics. Older adults, especially those over 60, lost over $1.6 billion, per the FBI, with investment scams dominating. Scammers exploit social media, fake trading platforms, and crypto ATMs, targeting the less tech-savvy. Impersonation, phishing, and wallet drainers are rampant, with platforms like Huione Guarantee facilitating $70 billion in illicit transactions since 2021.