February 13 News: The U.S. Department of Justice issued a warning through the Northern District of Ohio Federal Prosecutor’s Office, reminding the public to stay vigilant around Valentine’s Day to prevent love scams centered on cryptocurrency transfers and false investments. In the statement, officials straightforwardly said, “Cupid does not ask for cryptocurrency,” and pointed out that criminals are using dating platforms, social media, and chat apps to establish relationships, then inducing transfers with claims of emergencies, travel expenses, or purported high-return investments.
U.S. Prosecutor David M. Topfer stated that these scams are not about romance but are solely motivated by money. He urged the public to verify identities before any transfers and avoid sending money to people they have never met. Law enforcement officials disclosed that scammers often forge identities using stolen photos, claiming to be overseas service members or engaged in international business, quickly expressing “deep affection,” then shifting conversations to private messaging apps, and ultimately demanding payments in crypto assets, gift cards, or wire transfers.
The authorities listed several real cases, including a suspect from Ghana accused of orchestrating love scams that defrauded over $8 million from elderly victims; another woman lost all her savings due to a “crypto investment opportunity.” Relevant departments recommend that anyone suspecting they have been scammed should immediately cease contact, preserve evidence, and report to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
This “love + investment” hybrid scam, also known as the “Pig Butcher” scheme, has seen increasing losses in recent years and has become one of the highest-loss online fraud types in the U.S. Blockchain security firms tracking these activities have found that the flow of related funds continues to grow, and scam techniques are evolving toward highly organized operations.
Law enforcement is strengthening cooperation with blockchain companies, using on-chain tracking and asset freezes to reduce victim numbers. Regulators emphasize that anyone promising “stable high returns” and requiring the use of cryptocurrency should be considered a high-risk signal. For ordinary users, maintaining rationality and caution is key to avoiding falling into both emotional and financial traps. (The Block)
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
CFO Gets Prison Time After Losing $35 Million of Company Money in Crypto Side Hustle
Nevin Shetty, a Washington man, was sentenced to two years in prison for diverting $35 million from his employer to a DeFi platform, leading to significant company losses and layoffs. After investments collapsed, he confessed and was subsequently fired.
Decrypt1h ago
Justin Sun Settles $10M Lawsuit With SEC, Ending Legal Dispute
Justin Sun and the U.S. SEC have settled a $10M lawsuit that began in March 2023, resolving claims of market manipulation in the Tron ecosystem. This settlement closes a lengthy legal battle, providing relief to the crypto sector and fostering improved relations between blockchain projects and regulators.
BlockChainReporter4h ago
Trump signs executive order to combat cybercrime, requiring multiple agencies to submit action plans within 120 days
U.S. President Trump signed an executive order on March 6th to combat cybercrime and fraud, requiring relevant ministers to review frameworks and develop action plans. The order establishes an action team to coordinate the fight against transnational cybercrime and proposes a victim recovery plan to compensate victims of online fraud. At the same time, it calls for negotiations with countries that tolerate such crimes and measures to restrict them.
GateNews7h ago
Hong Kong Sheung Wan Money Exchange Customer Robbed at Knifepoint, Police Arrest Suspect Through Early Deployment
Recently, a knife robbery occurred in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Two victims were robbed after exchanging approximately 10 million HKD at a currency exchange shop. The police successfully apprehended the suspect, and the victims did not suffer any property loss. This is the third major cash robbery in the area within three months. The police have begun investigating the connection between the cases and the background of the criminal group.
GateNews14h ago
Pan Gongsheng: Continue to intensify the crackdown on illegal financial activities such as virtual currency speculation, with a focus on financial risk containment
People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng stated at the National People's Congress that over the past year, financial risks have been orderly resolved, and the financial system has operated stably. In the future, efforts will continue to combat illegal financial activities, prevent financial risks, and closely monitor the impact of external shocks.
GateNews16h ago
U.S. Federal Court Dismisses Terrorism-Related Lawsuit Against a CEX and Its Founders
A U.S. judge dismissed a civil lawsuit accusing a certain exchange and its founders of colluding with a terrorist organization to carry out an attack. The plaintiff failed to prove that the defendants intentionally collaborated with terrorists. The judge criticized the complaint for being lengthy but allowed for amendments, and the exchange firmly denied the allegations.
GateNews17h ago
