Social Media 'Friendships' Often a Crypto Scam Trap

Crypto scams are on the rise in the US, with foreign scam centers stealing millions from vulnerable victims. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, warns that these scams often begin as seemingly harmless messages from strangers online.

Pirro notes that scammers use social media to contact Americans and develop a friendship before convincing them to invest in legitimate crypto sites. Once initial returns are seen, victims are then directed to another website where scammers can gain access to their funds.

The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report shows that 181,565 Americans reported falling victim to crypto scams, with total losses exceeding $11.3 billion. Pirro has launched the Scam Center Strike Force to combat transnational criminal scam enterprises targeting Americans.