Now, feel the gut-wrenching fear at understanding that your hard-won crypto assets are gone, snatched away by ruthless scammers. For Siti Nurhaliza Dewi, this feeling is all too familiar. Here, on her first Worst of the Worst column for us, she writes about getting duped by an elaborate crypto scam. Read her inspiring account of the struggle to regain her money after the fraud, to encourage and inform other victims who encounter the same hurdles. Our goal with BlockchainShock is to give readers the information they need to approach the often bewildering universe of cryptocurrency in a safe and secure manner.
Recent Scam Highlights
The cryptocurrency landscape can be a very promising space, but it’s filled with scams and fraud. Recent data statistics highlight the devastating financial impact these scams can have.
August 2025 Scams Overview
We obviously don’t have exact numbers from August 2025 at the moment. Remember, scammers are constantly evolving their methods, so be on the lookout. They are getting smarter, using cutting edge technology and advanced psychological manipulation to trick innocent investors. This further highlights the importance of continued vigilance and healthy skepticism in assessing crypto opportunities.
July 2025 Scams Overview
Like wise, news from the end of July 2025 reminds us that the threat remains very real. Just because we don’t have that specific data doesn’t mean anyone should feel safe. Consider this your warning, though—the crypto world is a fast-moving, changing battlefield. Scammers are always working to improve their tactics to take advantage of those who are unaware or defenseless. Being diligent and doing your homework is the best way to keep your hard-earned assets safe.
New data recently highlighted just how dire the situation is. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2021, crypto scammers made off with an estimated $14 billion. That next year they triggered $2.57 billion in damages. By 2023, more than 420 million people around the world were using cryptocurrency. This huge user base is a juicy target market for bad actors. In April 2023 alone, crypto valued at a staggering $103 million was illegally withdrawn, illustrating the constant threat that lurks in this sphere.
Notable Scams from August 2025
Though we don’t have specifics from future August 2025, we can look at prevalent scam categories that still persist today.
Pandora Data Breach and Its Implications
Data breaches are a goldmine for scammers. Pandora’s data breach victimizes every individual whose data is compromised. Cybercriminals can use this information to launch phishing attacks, steal identities, and create other scams targeting Pandora users.
Cryptocurrency Recovery Scams Alert from the FBI
The FBI cautions that there are many recovery scams that prey on crypto fraud victims seeking to reclaim their lost funds. Fraudsters impersonate authorized recovery as well scams. They make empty promises to recover lost money for a large upfront fee while stealing greater sums of money with false assistance and services.
Property Title Theft: A Growing Concern
Theft is when criminals use forged property documents to illegally transfer titles and take out loans on the properties of unsuspecting homeowners. This is no small menace, leading to thousands of dollars in lost revenue and litigation costs.
Prudential's Class Action Settlement Over Data Breach
Similar to the Pandora breach settlement, Prudential’s data breach settlement underscores the potential threat to personal information when it gets into the wrong hands. This information can be exploited to create highly targeted cons that seem much more credible.
Romance Scammer's Multi-Million Dollar Scheme
Romance scams typically involve scammers establishing phony online romances in order to defraud their victims. Scammers frequently create elaborate sob stories or pledge a shared life ahead to charm their victims into wiring cash. As many readers know from personal experience, these scams can be emotionally and financially devastating.
Imposter Scams: FBI's Warning
Imposter scams are scams that depend on tricking you. Scammers impersonate government officials, law enforcement or other authority figures to pressure victims into sending cash or providing sensitive information. Crimes of this nature have reached epic proportions and the FBI has warned against these scams hundreds of times.
Proposed TRAPS ACT Legislation Against Scams
To strengthen the fight against scams and fraud, the TRAPS Act raises penalties and provides better enforcement tools. This legislation is an indication of bi-partisan alarm about the increase in victimization across many industries.
Rise in Frequent Flier Miles Theft
Scammers are really getting into stealing frequent flier miles these days, either by hacking into people’s accounts or using phishing tactics to acquire login information. This leads to a huge cost burden and emergency rebooking of travel plans.
Utilizing AI to Combat Scams
Additionally, AI is helping them connect the dots across data to detect patterns of behavior and even proactively identify potential fraudulent activities. This cutting edge technology is one of the most powerful tools we need to stop scams. We can flag suspicious transactions and uncover potential victims.
Louisiana's New Law on Cryptocurrency ATM Scams
The intent of the law is to combat scams related to cryptocurrency ATMs. These ATMs have become a popular tool for money laundering and other illicit actions. This new law provides vital consumer protections to prevent customers from being taken advantage of with these predatory machines.
Significant Scams from July 2025
While exact July 2025 data isn’t yet, knowing some of the most prevalent scams is key.
Cryptocurrency Scam Indictments
Recent criminal indictments for cryptocurrency scams show that the law can and does pursue these scammers. These cases routinely include Ponzi schemes, investment fraud, and money laundering.
Target's Gift Card Scam Lawsuit
Target’s own lawsuit against gift card scammers underscores how vulnerable these cards are to fraud. Scammers are known to steal gift card information and use that info to make purchases.
Allianz Life's Major Data Breach
Allianz Life’s data breach serves as a reminder that even well-established companies can mismanage sensitive information which can then be used to commit fraud. Victims of this breach are now susceptible to identity theft and other fraudulent activities.
The Threat of Synthetic Identity Theft
Synthetic identity theft is when a new identity is created using a mix of legitimate and made-up details. This type of fraud is extremely challenging to identify, leading to millions of dollars in lost revenue for businesses and consumers alike.
Amazon Phishing Email Scam
Amazon phishing email scams prey on victims by luring them into clicking on dangerous links and entering their login details or payment information. These scams usually take the form of phony order confirmations or shipment alerts.
Overpayment Scam Awareness
Reliably, scammers reply with a check for more than the victim’s actual debt. They have the victims pay back the difference, turning it into an overpayment scam. Typically, the original check is fraudulent from the start, but the victim is liable for the full amount.
Forex Trading Pyramid and Ponzi Scheme Charges
Forex scams are frequently pyramid or Ponzi schemes that offer—you guessed it—high, guaranteed returns with virtually no risk. These schemes are indeed unsustainable and eventually collapse, leaving the vast majority of investors in them with enormous losses.
VA Imposter Scams Overview
VA imposter scams In this scam, you’ll be contacted by someone impersonating a VA or other government official. For one, scammers impersonate real officials to solicit personal information or money and trick victims.
HR Department Vacation Scam Alert
Criminals pretend to be HR managers in order to carry out vacation scams. They dupe employees into disclosing sensitive information or downloading malware. These new scams are especially hitting employees as they book summer vacations.
George Strait Fundraiser Scam Investigation
During this scam, fraudsters masqueraded as the country star to encourage donations for a nonexistent organization. This con is an abhorrent misuse of people’s goodwill and is an attack on the trustworthiness of famous individuals.
General Scam Awareness and Prevention
Knowing what the newest scam artist tricks are and how to take steps to prevent them is your best protection from falling prey.
Steps to Take if Your Email is Hacked
In the event that someone hacks your email, move fast! Immediately change your password, enable two-factor authentication, and notify your contacts of potential phishing scams. Stay vigilant by watching your email account for signs of suspicious activity and reporting the breach to whoever provides your email service.
Recognizing Phony Invoices and Scams
Fradulent invoices typically have typos, weird payment terms, or company names that you don’t recognize. Always confirm the invoice with the indicated sender and be suspicious of unexpected invoices or requests for immediate payment.
Charity Scams Following Natural Disasters
Common charity scams Frequently, scammers take advantage of the public’s goodwill after a natural disaster occurs. Always research charities before donating and be cautious of unsolicited requests or high-pressure fundraising tactics. Second, give directly to trusted organizations instead of through intermediaries.
Data Breach Alerts and Their Impacts
Data breach alerts let you know that your personal information may have been exposed. Act now to secure your accounts by updating passwords, watch your credit report for signs of identity theft, and report any improper use.
How to Identify and Avoid Scams
After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry and a scammer’s next victim. Platforms such as Reddit, Twitter, and specialized cryptocurrency forums provide excellent avenues for users to discuss potential scams, warn others, and seek advice.
- Promises of Guaranteed Returns: Be wary of any investment opportunity that promises guaranteed returns, as these are often too good to be true.
- Unsolicited Offers: Scammers often contact victims out of the blue with unsolicited offers or requests for personal information.
- High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers may use high-pressure tactics to rush victims into making decisions without giving them time to think.
If you think you’ve been scammed, it’s important to act quickly.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security can prevent unauthorized access to your accounts.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts and choose passwords that are difficult to guess.
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Offers: Always verify the legitimacy of any offer or request before providing personal information or sending money.
Notify the scam to appropriate law enforcement including such as Broker Complaint Alert (BCA) right away at Brokercomplaintalert.org. If you loaded your crypto account via the exchange the scammer used and sent money to the scammer, move fast. If you do find yourself scammed, report that scam to that exchange immediately. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have jurisdiction over cryptocurrency-related fraud.
Contact Information
Success stories from past recoveries provide some reassurance. A California man was recently awarded $720,000 in damages after his $2 million in Bitcoin was stolen by a scammer. UK investors won a $1.2 million lawsuit in England after being scammed out of $3 million in Ethereum. Likewise, an Australian man won $1 million dollars in damages after losing $2 million dollars worth of Ripple.
We hope you find Trustpilot to be a helpful tool when researching reputable companies and services, whether they’re buying or selling crypto. It’s important to look for the signs of an authentic review, as some are paid or otherwise influenced. Identify common threads among reviews, weighing the good against the bad to get a clear picture before you draw any conclusions.
Crypto scams have left many victims—including Siti Nurhaliza Dewi—devastated. Her goal is to empower all readers with the information and tools that will help them stay safe. If they do, she has them ask for assistance in retrieving their stolen assets. Most of all, know that you are not alone, and that recovery is possible.
The Trustpilot Experience
Trustpilot can be a valuable resource for researching companies and services, including those involved in cryptocurrency. However, it's essential to approach reviews with a critical eye, as some reviews may be fake or biased. Look for patterns in reviews and consider both positive and negative feedback before making a decision.
Siti Nurhaliza Dewi understands the devastation caused by crypto scams. Her aim is to empower readers with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves and, if necessary, seek help to recover their stolen assets. Remember, you are not alone, and recovery is possible.
