The FBI and US Attorney’s Office are cracking down on a major crypto scam, returning millions to victims. This “wrong number” scam targeted people across the US, including Ohio.
How the Scam Worked
Scammers contacted victims via text message, pretending to have dialed the wrong number. They’d then build a relationship, gaining the victim’s trust before pitching fake cryptocurrency investments. Once the victim agreed, they were instructed to send money to specific crypto addresses.
A Victim’s Story
One victim, “A.H.” from Mentor, Ohio, received a message in November 2023. The scammer befriended her, discussing religion and hobbies, before convincing her to invest $250,000 in a cryptocurrency project through Crypto.com.
Tracking the Money
Investigators used blockchain technology to trace the stolen funds. They found that a significant portion of the money had been converted to Tether. With a federal seizure warrant, they successfully froze and recovered the Tether.
Justice Served
A total of 33 victims have been identified so far, with losses exceeding $4.9 million. The US Attorney’s Office filed a civil complaint to seize 8,207,578 Tether (approximately $8.2 million). This money is being returned to the victims. The investigation is ongoing, with five more potential victims being identified.
