According to the "2024 Internet Crime Report" released by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, cryptocurrency-related scams have seen explosive growth over the past year, with complaints surging by 66% to a total of 149,686, resulting in total losses of up to $9.3 billion, a significant increase of 53% compared to $5.6 billion in 2023. Among these, the elderly population aged 60 and above has become a primary target for scammers, submitting 33,369 complaints with losses amounting to $2.84 billion, accounting for over 30% of the total losses from cryptocurrency scams for the year. This data not only reveals the rampant nature of cryptocurrency fraud but also highlights the significant risks faced by the elderly in the digital financial era. Investment scams and cryptocurrency ATM scams have become the main methods of operation, causing losses of $5.8 billion and $247 million, respectively.
Why has the elderly population become a "disaster area"?
The report points out that individuals aged 60 and above are particularly vulnerable to scammers due to a lack of understanding of cryptocurrency technology, smaller social circles, and a desire for "high return" investments. Many scam groups lure the elderly into transferring funds into cryptocurrency accounts through social media, fake investment platforms, or by impersonating government agencies or technical support personnel. For example, "pig butchering" scams establish false emotional relationships to gradually entice victims to invest in cryptocurrency, with such cases significantly increasing in 2024. Additionally, scammers exploit cryptocurrency ATMs, falsely claiming that accounts have been hacked or that urgent transfers are needed, leading victims to deposit cash into ATMs in exchange for cryptocurrency, with the funds quickly transferred and difficult to recover.
The FBI specifically warns that the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency and the irreversibility of transactions facilitate criminal activities. Once funds are transferred to a scam account, victims have little chance of recovering them. The report also mentions that individuals aged 40 to 49 are similarly at high risk, with losses reaching $1.46 billion.
Investment Scams and Cryptocurrency ATM Scams: Evolving Tactics, Hard to Defend Against
In 2024, investment scams became the "main event" in cryptocurrency fraud, with losses reaching $5.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of approximately 47%. Scammers typically use social media, cryptocurrency investment groups, or fake trading platforms to claim they can offer "low-risk, high-return" investment opportunities. Victims are induced to download counterfeit trading applications, which display false profits, while the actual funds have already been transferred. The FBI notes that many of these scams are operated by criminal groups in Southeast Asia, utilizing forced labor to carry out highly organized fraudulent activities.
Cryptocurrency ATM scams represent another emerging threat, with losses amounting to $247 million. Scammers impersonate bank or cryptocurrency exchange employees, falsely claiming that there are security issues with the victim's account, necessitating cash deposits through cryptocurrency ATMs to "protect funds." After victims exchange cash for cryptocurrency at the ATM, the funds are quickly transferred to wallets controlled by the criminals. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate institutions will never request users to perform cryptocurrency transactions at ATMs over the phone, and the public should remain highly vigilant against such urgent requests.
FBI Response Measures and Public Recommendations
In response to the surge in cryptocurrency scams, the FBI established the Virtual Assets Unit (VAU) in 2022, focusing on blockchain analysis, asset recovery, and law enforcement training. In 2024, the IC3's Recovery Asset Team successfully froze $538 million in stolen funds, accounting for approximately 5.8% of total losses, but the recovery rate remains insufficient. FBI Director Kash Patel urges the public to actively report to IC3.
The FBI also provides the following recommendations to the public:
- Stay vigilant: Be skeptical of investment opportunities claiming "high returns, no risk," and do not trust social media or unverified platforms.
- Verify identity: If you receive calls or messages requesting transfers or account information, hang up and verify the identity through official channels.
- Use cryptocurrency ATMs cautiously: Confirm the purpose of the transaction and avoid acting out of urgent panic.
- Protect personal information: Do not provide account passwords, identity information, or transaction hashes to unknown individuals.
Global Trends and Insights for China
Although the report focuses on the United States, the global nature of cryptocurrency scams cannot be ignored. IC3 data shows that the UK, Canada, and India are also high complaint areas, reflecting the cross-border nature of such crimes. In recent years, China has also seen frequent cryptocurrency scam cases, and despite strict regulations on cryptocurrency trading domestically, underground trading and cross-border scams still occur. Experts suggest that Chinese users should choose compliant platforms for digital asset trading and enhance their understanding of emerging technologies to reduce the risk of being scammed.
The 2024 IC3 report serves as a global wake-up call: cryptocurrency scams have evolved from a "niche" crime to a widespread threat. The significant losses suffered by the elderly population remind us that the proliferation of technology and public education must advance in tandem. In the face of increasingly complex scam tactics, individual vigilance, timely reporting, and law enforcement actions are all essential. The FBI emphasizes, "Reporting is the first step in combating crime." Only through collective efforts from society can we build a safety net in the wave of digital finance.
This article represents the author's personal views and does not reflect the stance or views of this platform. This article is for informational sharing only and does not constitute any investment advice to anyone.
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