Beware of Fake Lawyers Trying to Steal Your Crypto

Scammers are now pretending to be lawyers to trick people who have already lost money in crypto scams. The FBI has issued a warning about these fake law firms that promise to help recover lost funds but instead steal more money. These scammers are clever. They contact victims out of the blue, claiming to be from real government agencies like the FBI or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They say they can get the stolen money back, but only if the victim pays a fee first. This fee is often asked for in cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or even gift cards. The scammers use information about the victim's previous losses to gain trust. They might have fake websites, forged documents, and even scripted phone calls to make everything seem real. Once they get the payment, they disappear. The FBI has seen an increase in these types of scams. They have updated their guidance to urge victims to report any suspicious activities directly to them. The FBI is working with other agencies to stop these scams, but it's a big challenge because of the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency. For the crypto industry, these scams highlight the need for better consumer education. As crypto adoption grows, so does the sophistication of these scams. Victims often lose even more money to these fake recovery firms. To protect yourself, be skeptical of any unsolicited recovery offers. Legitimate firms won't guarantee results or ask for fees before providing services. They also won't ask for payments in crypto or gift cards. If you think you've been targeted by one of these scams, report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.