While scams like this often hurt one victim at a time, they can still make a lot of money. NCET, along with other agencies, has booked over $112,000,000 from busting six US-based scams. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimates that $3.31 billion will be stolen from people in 2022 through investment fraud, with crypto-related scams accounting for more than a third (~$2.57 billion) of that. number. Worse than lost money, the proliferation of trust games – which require unscrupulous actors to cultivate long-term relationships and build trust in their brands – has damaged crypto’s reputation.
