NYC Officials Disrupt Facebook-Fueled Crypto Scam Targeting Russians
- Authorities dismantled a crypto scam exploiting Russian-speaking residents via Facebook ads.
- Brooklyn District Attorney led the operation.
- $140,000 seized, $300,000 frozen from fraudulent activities.
Over 700 Facebook Accounts Tied to Crypto Scam
The scam targeted Russian-speaking residents through Facebook advertisements. Victims were convinced to invest in fraudulent crypto platforms. The operation exposed over 700 Facebook accounts associated with the scam.
Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney, led the operation. Over $140,000 in cryptocurrency assets were seized, and $300,000 frozen under court orders, indicating substantial financial intervention.
$5 Million Total Losses from Scam Revealed
The scam resulted in $1 million in losses for Brooklyn residents and an additional $4 million across the U.S.. This highlights the extensive financial damage inflicted by such scams.
The operation involved significant collaboration between state agencies and Meta. 70 fraudulent websites linked to the scam were also dismantled, indicating strong enforcement action.
Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney, stated, “My office continues to respond to complaints from Brooklyn residents who fall victim to the growing problem of cryptocurrency scams. This particular operation targeted members of the Russian community through Facebook advertising, by speaking their language, gaining their trust, and convincing them into making investments that were ultimately stolen. We have now severely disrupted this long running scam and will continue this work on taking fake investment websites offline to protect the public while raising awareness, so our neighbors can protect themselves.”
Localized Tactics Exploit Community Vulnerabilities
This scam follows similar patterns seen in past cases, using localized cultural and linguistic elements to build trust. This reflects a broader trend in exploiting community-specific vulnerabilities.
Based on historical scam trends and data, future enforcement may focus on enhanced digital literacy and preventive measures. The operations underline the importance of continued collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement.
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