investment fraud

US-UK

2026-09-04 11:31:00

US and UK Sign First Joint Pact to Combat Overseas Crypto Fraud Compounds

The United States and the United Kingdom have signed their first joint memorandum of understanding to combat overseas cryptocurrency and online fraud compounds. The agreement, signed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the National Crime Agency, aims to disrupt criminal networks through parallel investigations, intelligence sharing, and coordinated prosecutions. U.S. Attorney Zhenning Piro said the two countries will jointly target transnational criminal organizations that operate fraud compounds and use forced labor. The pact extends the "Fraud Center Strike Force" launched in November 2025, which has already frozen over $700 million in crypto assets linked to fraud compounds. Private sector involvement includes Coinbase, which froze over $3 million in funds related to Asian fraud groups during the Justice Department's crackdown week in June. Data shows that reported losses from online investment fraud in 2025 reached $8.65 billion, an 89% increase from 2023. This marks a significant step in US-UK law enforcement collaboration against crypto-related crime, building on previous efforts to freeze assets and prosecute perpetrators.

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US DOJ

2026-09-04 04:33:55

US and UK form joint enforcement alliance to target crypto scam centers

The United States and the United Kingdom have signed a new law enforcement agreement aimed at scam centers tied to crypto and cyber-enabled investment fraud. Announced by the US Department of Justice, the memorandum of understanding was signed by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, and the UK National Crime Agency. The arrangement calls for parallel investigations, intelligence sharing on organized crime syndicates, and coordination over which jurisdiction should bring charges in specific cases. According to the DOJ, authorities have already identified overlapping cases and are planning an in-person disruption operation with private-sector partners in London in early October. The pact arrives as reported US losses from crypto investment fraud continue to rise sharply, with figures cited by the DOJ showing complaints to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center climbing from $4.57 billion in 2023 to $8.65 billion in 2025. The agreement also broadens the Scam Center Strike Force launched in November 2025, while separate enforcement and legislative efforts in Dubai and Myanmar show that pressure on scam compounds is expanding across multiple jurisdictions.

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Ukraine

2026-09-03 10:29:55

Ukraine Police Bust Fake Crypto Investment Network with $1M Monthly Turnover

Ukraine's National Police have dismantled a fake cryptocurrency investment platform network that operated across more than 20 countries, with a monthly turnover of $1 million. The fraudulent scheme used fake websites and social media ads to lure investors with promises of high returns. So far, 62 victims have been identified. During the raid, police seized computer equipment, bank cards, and documents. Authorities are now tracking down the network's organizers. They also warned the public to be wary of online investment plans that promise unrealistic returns. The investigation is ongoing, and police urge investors to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any platform before investing.

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INTERPOL

2026-08-29 11:51:30

INTERPOL and 22 countries arrest 58 suspects in crypto investment scam case

INTERPOL said a joint enforcement operation spanning 22 countries led to the arrest of 58 suspects tied to a cryptocurrency investment scam and the identification of 263 related individuals. South African authorities seized $2.67 million and froze 257 accounts, while Romanian authorities separately arrested 11 people connected to the case. The operation ran from November 2025 to June 2026 and targeted West African criminal groups. INTERPOL said investigators tracked the movement of illicit funds, and authorities in Argentina dismantled a criminal network that had provided money-laundering support to the West African groups. The report was cited by Techub News and attributed to crypto.news.

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investment fr

2026-08-29 05:33:10

New York Warns AI Deepfakes and Fake Crypto Projects Fueled $8B Investment Fraud Losses in 2025

New York officials warn that AI-generated content and fake cryptocurrency projects are making investment scams harder to detect. In 2025, investment fraud losses topped $8 billion, up 38% from 2024, with 144,041 consumers reporting losses and a median loss of $10,560. AI tools are being used to clone voices, forge videos, impersonate financial professionals, and produce social media ads. Attorney General Letitia James previously warned of scammers using celebrity deepfake endorsements, bogus cryptocurrencies, pump-and-dump schemes, and sham trading platforms. Some fake platforms display fabricated account balances and trading records, allow small withdrawals to build trust, then demand more money or fees. Officials advise consumers to verify promoters, companies, and projects, and confirm where funds go. FBI data puts 2025 cybercrime losses at $20.877 billion, including $11.37 billion tied to cryptocurrency-related complaints. Red flags include promised high returns, unsolicited offers, high-pressure sales, and projects lacking clear documentation. (Bitcoin.com News)

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Hong Kong

2026-08-18 16:11:36

Hong Kong man in his 80s loses more than HK$5 million in fake crypto app scam

Hong Kong police have disclosed a cryptocurrency investment scam targeting older residents. An 80-something retired man clicked a fake link in a pop-up ad in June, downloaded a counterfeit app posing as a crypto platform called "Trust Wallet," and was later contacted by scammers pretending to be customer service. They lured him with promises of "high returns" and "making big money." According to police, he withdrew cash from banks, exchanged it for cryptocurrency at a crypto exchange shop, and over the following month and a half transferred ETH worth more than HK$5 million to wallets controlled by the scammers. He only realized he had been cheated after he could no longer withdraw funds from the fake app and the fake customer service cut off contact. Police urged families to pay attention to older relatives' internet habits and financial situations and to share anti-scam information proactively.

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SEC

2026-08-10 20:09:44

SEC sues Adit Ventures Management and others over alleged fraud in pre-IPO shares of SpaceX and Klarna

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit against Adit Ventures Management and other companies, according to ChainCatcher. The regulator alleges that the defendants defrauded investors and client funds in investments tied to pre-IPO shares of companies including SpaceX and Klarna.com. The brief did not disclose additional details such as the full list of defendants, the amount of money involved, or the litigation timeline. Based on the available information, the case centers on alleged misconduct in pre-IPO equity investments rather than public market trading. No further allegations, responses from the companies, or court details were provided in the source text.

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Hong Kong Pol

2026-08-03 03:57:18

Hong Kong police report 25 pig-butchering scams in one week with losses near HK$70 million

Hong Kong police said 25 romance-linked investment scam cases were recorded between July 24 and July 30, with total losses approaching HK$70 million, or about $9 million. One insurance agent alone lost about $3.3 million after being lured into investing through a fake cryptocurrency app. According to the police, these pig-butchering schemes typically begin on dating or social platforms, where scammers build emotional trust before directing victims to download bogus trading apps. The interfaces are designed to imitate well-known exchanges and display fabricated profits. By the time victims try to withdraw funds, the money can no longer be recovered. Hong Kong police added that online investment fraud has recently become the category with the largest monetary losses among reported cases.

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