Federal officials are sounding the alarm about a sophisticated crypto scam that lures victims through fake dating websites. The scheme, operating out of Madagascar, uses photos and videos of attractive women to build trust with unsuspecting men seeking love. According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, six individuals are accused of running the operation, which employs real people to record personalized messages for targets. These clips are reused across multiple victims, making the fraud appear more convincing.
The scammers direct victims to fake websites posing as legitimate NFT marketplaces or investment platforms, tricking them into linking their cryptocurrency wallets. Once access is granted, the scammers drain the funds. The FBI has identified approximately 74 cryptocurrency wallets belonging to victims in Maryland, Oregon, Minnesota, and Nevada.
Tara McCleese of the Secret Service warns that scammers don’t need to know their targets personally, they only need a response. While agents have recovered over a billion dollars in cryptocurrency, returning the funds to victims is complex due to ongoing litigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Blaylock noted that the process involves legal proceedings before any restitution can be made.
As for the accused, their fate remains uncertain due to the lack of an extradition treaty between the U.S. and Madagascar.