SEC Raises Alarm on Crypto Scams Targeting Investors

• Scammers use AI and fake websites to deceive investors into fraudulent crypto investments.
• The SEC warns of “pig butchering,” where scammers build trust before persuading victims to invest.
• Pump-and-dump schemes inflate cryptocurrency prices on social media, leading to significant losses.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued an Investor Alert highlighting fraudsters’ methods to lure victims into scams involving crypto asset securities. This alert from the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy aims to protect retail investors from falling prey to these fraudulent schemes.

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Scammers frequently take advantage of the popularity of cryptocurrencies and tokens to carry out fraudulent activities. These scams are challenging to track and recover funds from, as scammers use technology to hide their identities and the flow of funds. Moreover, once funds are transferred, they are often swiftly sent overseas, making recovery efforts even more difficult.

One common strategy involves scammers initiating contact with potential victims through social media platforms or unsolicited text messages. They may pretend to be an old acquaintance or claim to have contacted the victim by mistake. By establishing a relationship, sometimes even a romantic one, scammers gain the victim’s trust before persuading them to invest in crypto assets. This tactic is often known as “pig butchering.”

Scammers may lead victims to authentic-looking yet fake websites or applications. They might allow small withdrawals to build trust before requesting larger investments. When victims attempt to withdraw their funds, they encounter excuses or demands for additional fees or taxes, resulting in further losses.

An alert caution that scammers may exploit the increasing popularity of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to lure investors. They may use AI-related jargon to make fraudulent crypto asset investments appear attractive. Additionally, scammers can leverage AI to create realistic websites, promotional materials, and deep fake videos to deceive investors. These deepfakes may involve well-known individuals, government officials, or even the victim’s relatives, enhancing the scam’s credibility.

Scammers may also impersonate or exploit trusted sources, such as government agencies, organizations, and individuals. They might use AI to mimic voices and images, making it harder to differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent communications. Even messages from friends or family members could be falsified, as scammers can hack social media accounts to send deceptive messages.

Another scam involves pump-and-dump schemes, where scammers promote a cryptocurrency, often a meme coin, on social media to inflate its price. Once the price has risen, they sell their holdings, profiting at the expense of other investors. These schemes often result in significant financial losses for those who invested based on the fraudulent hype.

In some cases, scammers demand additional fees to withdraw money from the victim’s account. They may claim that the account has been frozen by a regulator or that taxes must be paid to release the funds. This is an example of advance fee fraud. Once the victim pays the fee, they are unlikely to recover any funds.

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