The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully conducted Operation Level Up, aimed at preventing large-scale cryptocurrency fraud. Agents directly contacted potential victims, warning them about imminent financial danger.

During one such call, an individual admitted they were about to invest $1 million in a suspicious crypto scheme. Another victim planned to sell their house to transfer $500,000 to scammers, while an elderly woman had already withdrawn a similar amount from her retirement account. Thanks to the FBI’s intervention, all of them managed to save their money.

The Scale of the Threat

James Barnacle, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s criminal investigative division, revealed that many victims had no idea they were being scammed. Some were so emotionally attached to the fraudsters that they needed psychological assistance after realizing the truth. In certain cases, timely FBI action even prevented suicides.

In 2023, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported total losses from crypto scams exceeding $3.9 billion. However, the FBI believes the real number is much higher, as IC3 receives around 3,200 complaints per month.

How Do Crypto Scammers Operate?

Fraudsters convince victims to invest in a supposedly highly profitable crypto project. They present fake investment returns through mobile apps or websites. Some victims are even allowed to withdraw small amounts initially to build trust. However, when they attempt to withdraw larger sums, their funds become inaccessible.

How Is the FBI Catching These Criminals?

In October 2023, the FBI launched its own NexFundAI token, which holds no financial value. This served as a honeypot to attract scammers involved in cryptocurrency manipulation.

The FBI urges investors to stay vigilant and always verify the legitimacy of any investment opportunity.

📌 Be cautious and double-check sources before investing in cryptocurrency!