Attorney General James Stops Cryptocurrency Scam Targeting Job Seekers

New York, NY – Attorney General Letitia James has taken decisive action against a sophisticated text message scam that exploited vulnerable New Yorkers seeking remote job opportunities. The scam defrauded victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency, with one New Yorker alone losing over $100,000.

Bạn đang xem: Attorney General James Stops Cryptocurrency Scam Targeting Job Seekers

An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), in collaboration with the U.S. Secret Service and the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, uncovered the scheme. Scammers sent text messages offering fake remote work opportunities, convincing victims to deposit stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency, into untraceable wallets controlled by the fraudsters.

How the Scam Operated
The scammers lured victims by promising flexible remote jobs with attractive benefits. Victims were instructed to:

1. Open cryptocurrency accounts on reputable platforms like Coinbase, Gemini, and Crypto.com.
2. Purchase stablecoins such as USDC and USDT.
3. Transfer the cryptocurrency to unregulated wallets under the pretense of conducting product reviews.

Xem thêm : Nigeria Cracks Down on Cryptocurrency Fraud and Romance Scam

Victims were assured that their deposits would be returned with commissions, but instead, their funds were stolen. When victims attempted to withdraw their money, scammers demanded additional fees for fictitious services like “blockchain verification” or “escrow fees,” further defrauding them.

Protecting Victims
Attorney General James has frozen $2.2 million worth of cryptocurrency held in digital wallets associated with the scam. A lawsuit has been filed to recover the funds for defrauded victims and to permanently bar the perpetrators from operating in New York.

“Deceiving New Yorkers looking to support their families is cruel and unacceptable,” said Attorney General James. “My office will continue to fight to protect consumers and hold scammers accountable.”

Innovative Legal Action
In a groundbreaking move, Attorney General James plans to serve notice of litigation to the scammers by depositing a nonfungible token (NFT) into their digital wallets. This method provides a link to detailed legal documents on an OAG website, marking a first for state and federal regulators.

Xem thêm : Bitpay Statistics By Facts, Transaction and Facts [2025*]

Advice to the Public
Attorney General James urges New Yorkers to exercise caution with unsolicited text messages promising job opportunities. Anyone who suspects they have been targeted by a similar scam should file a complaint with the OAG.

Collaboration and Investigation
This case highlights the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration. The Queens County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service played key roles in tracing and freezing stolen cryptocurrency. Attorney General James’ team included members from the Investor Protection Bureau and Investigations Division.

For more information on scams and consumer protection, visit Attorney General James’ website or file a complaint online.

Image by Niek Verlaan from Pixabay