FBI operation aims to reduce number of cryptocurrency investment fraud victims
The FBI identified that the largest group of victims range between 30 and 60 years old.
'It's the largest, most prevalent, and costly fraud that's out there,' FBI Supervisory Special Agent Peyton Tucker said. 'Criminals are looking online, they are looking to identify potential victims, they build relationships with the victims.'
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'They are going to ask them to invest in some type of cryptocurrency, they will have them invest in some type of platform, and get them to put money in and they will show what appears to be a rise,' Tucker said.
Tucker says when the victim asks for the money back, 'there is no money.'
Through its Operation Level Up, the FBI is trying to lower the number of Cryptocurrency investment fraud victims.
'What we are trying to do is identify victims, reach out to them, and let them know that they are victims or potential victims of a scam,' Tucker said.
According to Operation Level-Up, 76% of victims who are contacted are unaware they are being scammed.
Each victim receives the help and knowledge they need to prevent further victimization and financial loss.
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Below are some tips directly from the FBI on how to help protect yourself from these scams:
Do not release any financial or personal identifying information, and do not send any money to someone you met online.
Do not invest solely based on the advice of someone you met online.
Do not download or use any unfamiliar applications or click on any links sent to you by someone you met online.
Do not pay any additional fees or taxes to withdraw money you have invested in a potential scheme.
Do not pay for services that claim to be able to recover lost funds, as these are often scams as well.
More information about Operation Level Up and what to look out for can be found on FBI.gov.
If you think you may be a potential victim, you should stop sending money immediately and file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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