- Crypto scams defrauded USD 2.9 billion via blockchain anonymity, per Chainalysis.
- Fear & Greed Index drops to 23 amid global fraud warnings.
- BTC at USD 74,628 up 0.2%; ETH down 1.5% to USD 2,336.07.
By Rowan Sato
April 15, 2026
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell warned that crypto scams exploiting blockchain anonymity defrauded victims of USD 2.9 billion last year, according to the Chainalysis 2024 Crypto Crime Report. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index (alternative.me) hit 23, signaling extreme fear. Bitcoin traded at USD 74,628 (CoinGecko, UTC).
Scammers route funds through decentralized networks from Boston victims to Southeast Asian hubs.
Massachusetts AG Spotlights Global Crypto Scams Risks
Campbell highlighted cross-border fraud in comments to MassLive (MassLive). Romance scams trick victims into sending crypto to anonymous wallets.
Authorities link U.S. East Coast losses to Asian operations. Patterns emerge from domestic alerts to international flows.
Blockchain Anonymity Enables Cross-Border Crypto Scams
Blockchain records transactions publicly but hides identities behind wallet addresses. Scammers use mixers and privacy protocols to obscure trails.
Funds move from U.S. exchanges to offshore decentralized exchanges (DEXs). New York traders eye BTC at USD 74,628 as illicit volumes climb.
Phnom Penh scams target Europeans. Detroit families suffer ripple effects via disrupted supply chains.
Southeast Asia Powers Crypto Scams Targeting West
Cambodia and Myanmar host scam compounds pitching fake investments to U.S. and EU victims.
Operators convert funds to USDT at USD 1.00 for laundering. Chainalysis tracks suspicious Tether spikes.
Tokyo exchanges closed April 15 (UTC+9) amid Asian ring activity. European sessions (UTC+1) report fresh cases.
AI Supercharges Crypto Scam Personalization
Scammers deploy AI for deepfake videos and chat scripts. Machine learning (ML) crafts convincing lures.
Generative AI impersonates trusted contacts. Victims send ETH, now at USD 2,336.07 after a 1.5% drop (CoinGecko).
Lagos developers and Indian AI operations fuel global crypto scams. Blockchain fakes validate profit claims.
Crypto Fear & Greed Index Hits Extreme 23
Alternative.me's index at 23 reflects trader caution amid scam surges. BTC gained 0.2% to USD 74,628.
ETH dropped 1.5% to USD 2,336.07. BNB rose 0.9% to USD 619.21 (CoinGecko). XRP fell 0.4% to USD 1.36. USDT held USD 1.00.
London traders monitor IMF warnings as fear ripples globally.
Chainalysis Maps USD 2.9B in Crypto Scam Flows
Chainalysis reports scams lead illicit volumes using privacy coins and bridges to evade KYC. Funds spread across BNB and XRP networks.
Brussels advances MiCA rules. Singapore tightens DEX rules.
Stablecoins Fuel Scam Liquidity Worldwide
USDT's USD 1.00 peg draws illicit flows. African P2P bypasses banks.
Nigerian launderers target Dubai property. Sydney's ASIC probes exchanges.
AI Tools Counter Crypto Scams
ML firms build on-chain anomaly detectors. AI maps mixer networks.
Palo Alto and Tel Aviv solutions aid global platforms. Ethereum dips link to risk aversion.
Regulators Worldwide Target Crypto Scams
EU's MiCA bans anonymous services (SEC investor alerts). U.S. SEC eyes privacy tools.
Asia forms task forces post-raids. IMF warns of shadow banking.
BTC steadies at USD 74,628 despite compliance hikes. Fear at 23 tempers innovation.
Enforcement Shifts Scam Operations
Cambodia raids drive moves to Laos. Crypto enables rapid fund shifts.
AI adapts pitches to new targets across U.S. coasts and Europe.
Closing Tech Gaps to Combat Crypto Scams
Western KYC contrasts Asian P2P anonymity. Global AI forensics advance against blockchain anonymity.
Fear Index at 23 marks pivot. Regulators and tech eye USD 2.9B crypto scams recovery.