Jersey residents have been warned to stay vigilant after a new cryptocurrency scam began targeting the island’s politicians and news outlets.

The Jersey Cyber Security Centre (JCSC) said the latest scams were designed to look like news articles that claimed the reader could make large sums of money through a cryptocurrency service called NovusX.

JCSC research has found these fake adverts are part of a broader campaign of cyber crime by the same perpetrators.

Matt Palmer, director of JCSC, said: “The same gang has targeted similar scams at other small jurisdictions, including the Isle of Man and Gibraltar, as well as South Africa.”

Mr Palmer said a similar scam seen in September used images of the bailiff and late journalist Gary Burgess.

He said: “It’s likely that these types of scams will continue, even if the criminals change platforms or use different public figures.

“This is disheartening because of the risks it poses to islanders. It’s also deeply unpleasant for those who have their image used without their consent.

“But it does mean that we can inform ourselves, spot the signs of a fraudulent advert, and protect ourselves from fraud.”

A former special agent admitted to stealing $56,000 worth of cryptocurrency while working for the U.S. Secret Service field office in Phoenix.

Anthony Joseph Evans, 32, pleaded guilty last week to the charge of converting another’s property while serving as an officer or employee of the United States. His sentencing is set for February 19, 2025.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that Evans accessed cryptocurrency stored on a hard wallet located in a secure evidence vault. He then transferred the funds to two wallets under his ownership or control.

Evans converted most of the cryptocurrency to U.S. dollars, approximately $56,000 worth, and transferred the funds to multiple bank accounts he owned. According to authorities, Evans used the money for personal expenses, including to repay debt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said a plea agreement was reached. Evans faces up to one year and one day in prison and is required to pay restitution to the victim for the value of the cryptocurrency, including any appreciation in value accrued before his sentencing.

The U.S. Secret Service’s Cyber Investigative Section in Washington, D.C. conducted the investigation. Evans is from Tucson, so the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson is handling the prosecution.

A man was arrested and booked on theft and fraud charges after pretending to be an Uber driver and stealing cryptocurrency from his victims.

Nuruhussein Hussein, 39, of Tempe, was arrested by the Scottsdale Police on December 11th.

Scottsdale police allege Hussein pretended to be a rideshare driver between March and December 2024. Hussein would allegedly attain the phones of his victims and transfer their cryptocurrency holdings to his account.

According to court records, Hussein called victims by their names outside the W Hotel in Scottsdale. After the victims entered his car, Hussein would ask to see their phones, claiming there was an issue with the Uber app, while secretly transferring funds to himself.

One victim told police Hussein threatened him, saying “If you don’t chill out, something bad going to happen.”

At the time of his arrest, Scottsdale police believe Hussein had stolen more than $200,000.

Scottsdale police detectives worked with Secret Service special agents on the case.

Hussein’s next court hearing is scheduled for December 18.