The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) outlined the scam in a Monday (Dec. 22) press release announcing that it filed charges against three purported crypto asset trading platforms and four so-called investment clubs.

The regulator filed the charges against the platforms Morocoin Tech, Berge Blockchain Technology, and Cirkor, and the clubs AI Wealth, Lane Wealth, AI Investment Education Foundation, and Zenith Asset Tech Foundation, according to the release.

The SEC’s complaint alleges that the clubs operated on WhatsApp, used social media ads to solicit investors to join the clubs, gained investors’ confidence in group chats, and lured them to open and fund accounts on the platforms.

It alleges that the clubs and platforms then offered “Security Token Offerings” that in fact did not exist and misappropriated at least $14 million from U.S.-based investors.

The regulator’s complaint charges the defendants with violating anti-fraud laws, seeks permanent injunctions and civil penalties against all the defendants, and seeks disgorgement with prejudgment interest against the three platforms.

“This matter highlights an all-too-common form of investment scam that is being used to target U.S. retail investors with devastating consequences,” Laura D’Allaird, chief of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit at the SEC, said in the release.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance issued an investor alert about this form of fraud on Tuesday.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) said in April that cryptocurrency fraud led to at least $9.3 billion in losses reported in 2024, a 66% increase over the previous year. These losses stemmed from investment scams, extortion, sextortion and fraudulent activity involving cryptocurrency ATMs and kiosks.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in March that consumers reported losing more money to investment scams than any other category of fraud in 2024. Consumers reported losing $5.7 billion to investment scams last year, a 24% increase over 2023.

Digital risk protection platform CTM360 said in July that it identified more than 17,000 fake news sites used by scammers to promote investment fraud. These sites are promoted through fake news articles posted through ad platforms or social media, are designed to look like legitimate news outlets, and publish fabricated stories designed to lure readers into scams.

The Justice Department said in June that it filed a civil forfeiture complaint targeting $225.3 million in cryptocurrency that it said was connected to the theft and laundering of funds from victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – A City of Green resident reported being the victim of a cryptocurrency investment fraud in early October, resulting in a significant financial loss and opening an investigation.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau initiated an investigation utilizing detailed information and financial records provided by the victim.

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, there was assistance from Jackson Township Police Department’s cryptocurrency recovery “Trace Team” and detectives were able to successfully trace and recover $110,000 of stolen funds.

The sheriff’s office reminds the public to remain alert regarding cryptocurrency investment scams and fake investment platforms.

These schemes often begin by encouraging small initial investments that appear to generate returns, creating a false sense of credibility.

The sheriff’s office said once trust is established and larger investments are made, the funds are frequently transferred and become inaccessible.

For public safety, people are encouraged to thoroughly search any investment opportunity and exercise caution when dealing with unsolicited or online investment platforms.

The release from the sheriff’s office says that if anyone believes they may be a victim of cryptocurrency or investment fraud, they should immediately contact their local law enforcement agency and file an online complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to protecting the community and working with partner agencies to investigate and combat financial crimes.

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