The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a cautionary notice regarding a surge in fraudulent activities where scammers pose as employees of cryptocurrency exchanges to misappropriate funds.
Modus Operandi of the Scam
- Initial Contact: Victims are approached through unsolicited calls or messages from individuals claiming to represent a cryptocurrency exchange.
- Creating Urgency: The scammer alleges issues with the victim’s account, such as unauthorized access attempts or security breaches, to instill a sense of urgency.
- Information Extraction: Victims are instructed to safeguard their accounts by providing login credentials, clicking on suspicious links, or divulging personal identification information.
- Asset Theft: With the acquired information, scammers gain access to the victim’s account and unlawfully transfer cryptocurrency assets.
Preventative Measures
- Verify Communication: Should you receive unexpected communications about account issues, refrain from responding immediately. Instead, disconnect and contact the cryptocurrency exchange directly using official contact information.
- Avoid Unsolicited Links: Do not visit websites or click on links provided by the caller. Always navigate to the official website independently.
- Protect Credentials: Never share account login details, even if requested by purported exchange representatives.
- Be Wary of Recovery Services: Exercise caution with services claiming to recover lost cryptocurrency funds. For more details on recovery schemes, refer to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) PSA Alert Number I-081123-PSA.
How to Report This If You Have Been Targeted
The FBI encourages individuals who have encountered this scam to report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. When filing a report, include any transaction details related to the scam. For guidance on the information to provide, consult the IC3 PSA Alert Number I-082423-PSA.