Pirro Warns Americans to Watch for Crypto Scam Red Flags

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has issued a warning to Americans about the growing threat of cryptocurrency scams. These scams often begin with seemingly harmless messages from strangers on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or telephone calls. Scammers use these platforms to establish friendships with victims and convince them to invest in legitimate-looking cryptocurrency sites.

After some initial returns, victims are directed to another website where scammers can gain access to their funds. Pirro stated that if victims start investing in cryptocurrency through someone they met online, 'it's got to stop.' This is often the first sign that something is off.

Crypto scam losses have continued to climb, with 181,565 Americans reporting losses exceeding $11.3 billion in 2025, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. To combat these scams, Pirro launched the Scam Center Strike Force in November 2025. The Strike Force aims to combat transnational criminal scam enterprises that con Americans out of large sums of money.

The threat extends beyond the scam centers targeted by federal authorities. In September, cryptocurrency platforms and users lost about $767 million to hacks, exploits, and phishing attacks, more than three times August's reported losses of about $215 million.