How ERMProtect Traced $1.2 Million in Alleged Crypto Scam - Cybersecurity | Digital Forensics | Penetration Testing | ERMProtect (2024)

Some have equated cryptocurrency to the Wild West - a lawless unregulated land where anything can go. However, this analogy frequently breaks down as soon as someone tries to commit a crime using cryptocurrency. For example, many scammers have turned toward cryptocurrencies since there is no centralized party to stop fraudulent transactions. That is, once a victim sends funds there is no possible way to undo that transaction.

However, these criminals forget that a key idea of cryptocurrencies is that the transactions are public. That is, anyone can see how much was sent to them and where they then moved that money.

How ERMProtect Traces Crypto

ERMProtect recently relied on the public nature of the blockchain to help NBC6 investigators better understand an investment scheme that victimized several South Floridians. For the investigation, our certified crypto investigators used Chainalysis, a powerful crypto tracing tool licensed to ERMProtect.

In this case, the alleged scammer had victims send money to him via the Ethereum blockchain, claiming he was launching a new coin and AI-powered digital platform to do crypto trading. ERMProtect was able to trace roughly $1.2 million in various cryptocurrencies that were sent to him. ERMProtect was then able to identify what the alleged scammer did with the funds after receiving them. It was clear that he was simply taking funds from the victims and quickly cashing the funds out at a foreign exchange.

Victims Never Got Their Money

During the course of the scheme, the alleged scammer would repeatedly tell victims that he was sending them funds via cryptocurrency, however, the victims never received the funds. In this case, the victims could have exploited the public nature of the blockchain. If they had checked the Bitcoin mempool, a public list of transactions that have been proposed to the blockchain, they would have seen that the alleged scammer never even created the transactions.

While cheating people using crypto might at first seem easier for the scammer, it often results in an easier investigation for law enforcement. In crypto, scammers like that there is no central bank to stop fraudulent transactions. However, after the victims report the scheme to law enforcement, it is easy to trace all of the scammer's activity and work to recover the funds.

Unfortunately, recovery of funds can be dependent on where the scammer cashed out his crypto for fiat. Law enforcement can subpoena legitimate exchanges to block transactions and even identify scammers. But if the scammer cashes out at a foreign, offshore, unregulated exchange, recovering victims’ money can be difficult.

Click here to watch the NBC6 / ERMProtect investigation.

How ERMProtect Traced $1.2 Million in Alleged Crypto Scam - Cybersecurity | Digital Forensics | Penetration Testing | ERMProtect (2024)

FAQs

How ERMProtect Traced $1.2 Million in Alleged Crypto Scam - Cybersecurity | Digital Forensics | Penetration Testing | ERMProtect? ›

Using Chainalysis, a licensed crypto tracing tool, ERMProtect's certified crypto investigators were able to trace around $1.2 million in cryptocurrency back to an alleged scammer who persuaded South Florida victims to send him money using the Ethereum network.

How can I track trace and recover my Cryptocurrencies from a scammer? ›

Local law enforcement: Contact your local police department and provide them with all the evidence you have gathered. They will guide you through the process and initiate an investigation. Financial regulatory bodies: Report the scam to the relevant financial regulatory bodies in your jurisdiction.

What cyber scam organization disrupted through seizure of nearly $9 m in crypto? ›

Cyber Scam Organization Disrupted Through Seizure of Nearly $9M in Crypto. The Justice Department announced today the seizure of nearly $9 million worth of Tether, a cryptocurrency pegged to the U.S. dollar.

How to investigate cryptocurrency transactions? ›

Using a combination of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Know Your Customer (KYC) data collected by the exchanges, an investigator can work to identify the owner of a cryptocurrency address. From there, law enforcement can issue subpoenas and try to recover the funds.

How to spot a crypto scammer? ›

Be wary of social media adverts: Crypto scammers often use social media to promote their fraudulent schemes. They may use unauthorized images of celebrities or high-profile businesspeople to create a sense of legitimacy, or they may promise giveaways or free cash.

Can scammed crypto be recovered? ›

By examining the blockchain, experts can follow the flow of funds from the victim to the scammer. This process helps identify potential avenues for recovering stolen cryptocurrency. Experts utilize sophisticated tools and techniques to analyze blockchain data, providing valuable insights into fraudulent activities.

Can Bitcoin theft be traced? ›

One method used to trace the theft of bitcoins is called "blockchain forensics." Blockchain forensics is the process of analyzing the public blockchain ledger to track the movement of funds. This can be done by identifying the address of the stolen bitcoins and then tracking the transactions made from that address.

Did the FBI warn of crypto scam? ›

Criminals are creating impersonation tokens and sending them to victims with the hope the tokens will make victims more likely to trust or feel indebted to the criminals. Victims typically do not realize the impersonation tokens have no value until they try to redeem them at a cryptocurrency exchange.

Can you go to jail for crypto scamming? ›

In cases of cryptocurrency scams, it is possible for the scammers to face legal consequences, including potential jail time, depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the scam. However, the process for reporting and seeking justice can vary from country to country.

Can police trace crypto transactions? ›

With blockchain forensics, law enforcement can: Identify exchange accounts receiving proceeds of crime to request account freezing. Issue subpoenas to exchanges armed with specific wallet addresses and transaction details. Trace funds moved to derivative platforms like DeFi protocols.

What companies investigate cryptocurrency? ›

Kroll is the leading global provider of crypto compliance, risk, and investigative services.

How much do crypto investigators make? ›

As of Apr 20, 2024, the average annual pay for a Cryptocurrency Investigator in the United States is $75,325 a year.

Do banks refund scammed money? ›

If you've transferred money to someone because of a scam

This type of scam is known as an 'authorised push payment'. Your bank or building society should reimburse you if it's registered with the Lending Standards Board under their Contingent Reimbursem*nt Model Code (CRM Code).

How do I know if I have crypto malware? ›

Devices begin to run suspiciously slower than usual since cryptojacking drains its computational resources. Processors or graphics cards get damaged without any apparent reason, or the device is overheating than usual. A high and consistent CPU usage percentage could indicate the presence of a crypto malware.

What are the fake Bitcoin companies? ›

Key Consumer links
Primary SubjectScam Type
good-bookingline.comFraudulent Trading Platform Advance Fee Scam
bitcoinfied.comFraudulent Trading Platform Advance Fee Scam
Bakktunt.com Bakktexe.com (Entity Impersonating Bakkt)Pig Butchering Scam Fraudulent Trading Platform Advance Fee Scam Imposter Scam
28 more rows
6 days ago

Can cryptocurrency be traced back? ›

Can the government track Bitcoin? Yes, the government (and anyone else) can track Bitcoin and Bitcoin transactions. All transactions are stored permanently on a public ledger, available to anyone.

Can crypto transactions be traced? ›

Yes, bitcoin transactions are traceable. Every transaction made on the Bitcoin network is recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain. While individual users can remain pseudonymous, their transaction history can still be traced through analysis of the blockchain.

How do I recover my lost Bitcoin before the scammer gets away with it? ›

If you have any doubts contact any law enforcement agency ask ask them. Contact a legitimate Bitcoin recovery professional some online platforms and organizations claim to specialize in helping scam victims recover their funds. Exercise caution and thoroughly research any service before engaging with them.

How do I recover my money from a scammer? ›

Recovering money sent to a scammer can be challenging, but here are some steps you can take: Contact your bank or payment provider:Report the scam to your bank or payment provider as soon as possible. Provide them with details of the transaction, including the date, amount, and the recipient's information.

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