FBI: COVID-19 scammers target cryptocurrency holders

The United States Federal Information Office (FBI) warned Monday that fraudsters are on the verge of triggering cryptocurrency growth and COVID-19 scams.

According to the FBI in a statement, the threat is global, opportunistic, and can be incredibly dangerous. According to the warning, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that more and more traders are accepting cryptocurrencies.

“Fraudsters use the growing fear and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money and wash it through the complex cryptocurrency ecosystem,” said the FBI, targeting its victims regardless of their age.

Agents believe that fraudsters will adapt their preferences to the current situation by possibly posing as a new remote employee who collects “donations” via email, security equipment providers who work outside of established e-commerce, or even as institutions. Charities that accept cryptocurrencies This is an important warning sign.

Fraud can also be presented using more traditional methods such as extortion, but with a “twist” where fraudsters threaten to infect you and / or your family with coronavirus unless a payment is sent to a BTC wallet.

Agents advise internet users to use common sense, verify the legitimacy of providers, stay away from their bank accounts, and attempted to report extortion and extortion to law enforcement agencies. The FBI did not immediately respond to questions that triggered the warning.

The warning is the latest government-issued public service announcement (PSA) regarding cryptocurrency fraud by COVID-19, a malicious scourge that appears to be as widespread worldwide as the virus itself. Thieves have US $ 2 million in cryptocurrencies -Dollar stolen due to panic from PSA seekers in Asia. They have also harassed phone calls to the UK with malicious text messages and frightened financial regulators, including the tax authorities, FCA and SEC.

It is uncertain whether these coronavirus-themed scams are more or less effective than their traditional counterparts. Chain analysis studies have shown that cryptocurrency fraudsters hit the target as often as they did before the COVID 19 crisis, even though their profits have dropped dramatically due to violent changes in Bitcoin prices.

Translated version of Danny Nelson’s article published on CoinDesk.