Bitcoin News Today: FBI Warns of Fake Law Firms Exploiting Crypto Scam Victims with New Payment Schemes

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a heightened warning about a sophisticated scam targeting individuals who previously lost funds to cryptocurrency and Bitcoin fraud. Scammers are now impersonating legal professionals and firms, offering to recover stolen assets while extracting additional payments from victims. These fraudsters use deceptive tactics such as fake websites, fabricated documents, and misleading communications to appear legitimate and trustworthy [1].

The FBI reports that these scammers often contact potential victims through social media and messaging platforms, claiming to have access to case files from U.S. agencies. Victims are typically lured in with promises of recovering their lost cryptocurrency, only to be asked for payments in the form of cryptocurrency, prepaid gift cards, or transfers to overseas bank accounts. The bureau emphasized that no law firm is officially authorized to partner with U.S. government agencies in such recovery efforts [2].

This type of fraud is not a new phenomenon but has escalated in severity. In 2024, over 149,000 cryptocurrency fraud cases were reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, with total losses reaching $9.3 billion—a 66% increase from 2023. Seniors, in particular, have been disproportionately affected, with Americans aged 60 and above reporting losses of $2.83 billion, accounting for nearly 30% of the total [3].

The FBI has urged victims to adopt a “Zero Trust” approach, recommending that they verify the legitimacy of any legal entity before providing personal information or making payments. Red flags include unsolicited messages, requests for new bank accounts, and demands for money transfers to unaffiliated third parties. The bureau also warned against the disclosure of personal or business information to unknown individuals and advised against engaging with unsolicited offers for cryptocurrency recovery services [4].

In some cases, fraudulent actors have gone as far as creating detailed fake law firms, complete with professional-looking websites and fabricated victim lists. These tactics make it increasingly difficult for investors to distinguish between genuine legal services and fraudulent schemes. The FBI has highlighted such characteristics as warning signs and advised victims to report suspicious activity and seek assistance from verified law enforcement agencies [5].

The rising sophistication of these scams underscores the growing vulnerability of cryptocurrency investors, particularly those who have already experienced financial loss. As these fraudulent operations continue to evolve, the FBI stresses the importance of vigilance and due diligence. Investors are encouraged to remain informed, verify credentials, and avoid engaging with unverified recovery services to prevent further financial harm [6].

Source:

[1] FBI Warns Scam Victims To Be On The Lookout For Fake ... (https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2025/08/15/fbi-warns-scam-victims-to-be-on-the-lookout-for-fake-law-firms-offering-to-help-recover-losses/)

[2] FBI Warns Bitcoin And Crypto Investors—These Are 'Red ... (https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/08/14/fbi-issues-new-bitcoin-and-crypto-red-flag-fraud-alert/)

[3] Fake Law Firms Targeting Crypto Scam Victims, FBI Warns (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fake-law-firms-targeting-crypto-144704069.html)

[4] FBI Warns of Ruthless Crypto Recovery Scam Preying on ... (https://news.bitcoin.com/fbi-warns-of-ruthless-crypto-recovery-scam-preying-on-victims-twice/)

[5] FBI Warns of Fake Law Firms Exploiting Crypto Scam ... (https://www.ainvest.com/news/fbi-warns-fake-law-firms-exploiting-crypto-scam-victims-9-9m-reported-losses-2508/)

[6] FBI Alert: Scammers Pose as Lawyers to Target Past ... (https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/3214f-fbi-alert-scammers-pose-as-lawyers-to-target-past-crypto-fraud-victims-with-fraudulent-recovery-schemes)