The blockchain is too transparent! FBI's latest report: scam groups are now persuading victims to meet in person with cash.

The FBI issues a warning, pointing out a new pattern of cryptocurrency scams involving face-to-face cash transactions. The scam groups lure victims into offline cash handovers, then complete money laundering through over-the-counter trading and multi-layer on-chain transfers.

FBI Warns of New Crypto Scam Victims Are Induced to Hand Over Large Cash in Person

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently issued a new warning indicating that cryptocurrency investment scams are evolving into a new criminal pattern. Scam groups are beginning to arrange for dedicated personnel to conduct in-person cash exchanges with victims, then complete fund transfers and money laundering through subsequent virtual asset conversions.

According to cases released by the FBI, victims usually first contact scam groups via social media, messaging apps, or dating platforms, and are guided to join fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. In the initial stage, the platform often displays profit data and account gains, leading victims to mistakenly believe their investments are continuously growing, prompting them to invest more funds.

Image source: FBI Victims typically first contact scam groups via social media, messaging apps, or dating platforms, and are guided to join fake cryptocurrency investment schemes

As the investment amount gradually increases, the scam groups then cite reasons such as bank transfer restrictions, transaction efficiency, or confidentiality needs, to require victims to switch to cash transactions, and arrange personnel to go to designated locations to collect cash.

Offline withdrawals combined with on-chain money laundering increase law enforcement difficulty

The FBI points out that the biggest feature of this method is that funds do not directly flow into exchanges or cryptocurrency addresses, but are first transferred through cash collectors, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace the full money flow through banking systems.

In some cases, the personnel responsible for collecting cash are even unaware that they are participating in a scam. They may be recruited under the guise of couriers, money agents, or customer service staff, but in reality, they become part of the criminal organization’s money chain.

After obtaining the cash, the criminal groups usually convert the funds into Bitcoin or other digital assets through over-the-counter traders, underground exchange networks, cryptocurrency ATMs, or other informal channels, then further disperse the funds via multi-layer address transfers and cross-chain operations.

Law enforcement officials state that this combination of physical cash collection and blockchain money laundering has increasingly appeared in multiple cross-border scam cases in recent years.

Cryptocurrencies as a cross-border transfer tool, criminal groups continue to adjust strategies

As global regulators strengthen anti-money laundering monitoring and exchange compliance requirements, some criminal groups are beginning to change their fund transfer methods to evade traditional financial system oversight.

The FBI notes that many victims believe face-to-face cash exchanges are safer than online transfers, but in reality, this mode completely removes funds from banking oversight. Once the cash is handed over, subsequent tracing and asset recovery become significantly more difficult.

Investigators have found that some scam groups even establish complete customer service systems, investment dashboards, and fake transaction records, leading victims to believe for a long time that their funds are indeed held on the investment platform. It’s only when they try to withdraw profits that they discover the platform cannot actually pay out.

Because cryptocurrencies can facilitate cross-border movement and operate 24/7, criminal organizations can quickly transfer funds across different jurisdictions, increasing law enforcement’s investigation costs.

FBI urges investors to stay alert and watch for high-risk signals

The FBI emphasizes that any cryptocurrency investment plan requiring investors to hand large amounts of cash to strangers should be regarded as a high-risk signal. For investment invitations from strangers, promises of high returns, and short-term profit guarantees, investors should remain cautious.

Law enforcement states that legitimate investment platforms typically have transparent fund management processes, company information, and regulatory records, and offer normal deposit and withdrawal mechanisms. They do not require customers to make large investments through private face-to-face transactions.

In recent years, crypto-related scams have continued to evolve. From fake exchanges, fake investment platforms, fake customer service, to now combining physical cash collection with on-chain money laundering, criminal groups are constantly seeking new fund transfer channels. For investors, verifying platform authenticity, understanding fund flows, and maintaining risk awareness remain crucial defenses against becoming victims.

This content is summarized from various sources by Crypto Agent, reviewed and edited by "Crypto City." It is still in training, and may contain logical biases or informational errors. The content is for reference only and should not be considered investment advice.