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Highlights
- Cryptocurrency scam targeting job seekers thwarted by NY Attorney General.
- Attorney General's office successfully freezes stolen cryptocurrency funds.
- Fake job offers tricked victims into transferring funds to untraceable wallets.
A recent cryptocurrency scam, preying on job seekers, was stopped by the New York Attorney General’s office, successfully freezing millions of stolen funds. The scheme involved deceptive text messages offering remote job opportunities with high pay, urging victims to purchase cryptocurrency to take part in the “job.”
Scammers exploited individuals searching for flexible work, promising commissions in exchange for reviewing products to generate market data. Victims were guided to open accounts on legitimate cryptocurrency platforms and purchase stablecoins, falsely claiming that these funds were necessary to "legitimize" the data being generated.
Once the funds were transferred to untraceable wallets controlled by the scammers, recovery became nearly impossible. The fraudsters also created fake fees for “credit score improvement” and “blockchain verification,” draining even more money from the victims.
Scammers’ Fake Websites and Manipulative Tactics
The fraudsters employed fake websites that closely resembled reputable companies to increase their credibility. These deceptive websites tricked victims into believing their deposits would be refunded, along with additional commissions, which ultimately led to further financial losses.
When victims tried to withdraw their funds, they were met with additional fabricated fees. This manipulation caused significant losses for many, with some victims unable to recover their funds despite their efforts.
Investigation and Efforts to Recover Funds
The cryptocurrency scam investigation was led by the New York Attorney General’s office, with help from the U.S. Secret Service and the Queens County District Attorney’s office. The authorities were able to trace the stolen funds and identify the digital wallets holding them.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz commended the Attorney General’s office for their work, noting that the Cryptocurrency Unit had played a vital role in tracking the stolen funds. With the collaboration of local and federal agencies, significant progress is being made to hold the scammers accountable for their actions.
As legal proceedings unfold, the Attorney General's office seeks not only to recover the stolen funds but also to impose penalties and secure a permanent ban on the fraudulent activities that led to these scams.
