Scammers Steal Over $2 Million in Cryptocurrency from Job Seekers: Shocking Details Revealed

Scammers Target Job Seekers

New York's attorney general has reported that scammers have pulled off a scheme that resulted in the theft of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from individuals searching for remote work opportunities.

Attorney General Letitia James announced on Thursday that a lawsuit has been filed to recover over $2 million allegedly taken from victims across New York and other states.

The Scheme Unfolded

According to James, the scammers used unsolicited text messages to lure victims looking for flexible job options. They falsely claimed that the job involved reviewing products online to generate “market data.” However, to start earning, victims were required to set up cryptocurrency accounts and maintain a balance equal to or greater than the cost of the products they were reviewing.

Victims were misled into believing they would receive their investments back along with commissions, but in reality, the funds were directed straight into the scammers' crypto wallets.

Victims' Losses

The lawsuit identifies seven victims, using pseudonyms, from New York, Virginia, and Florida. Notably, one victim from New York lost over $100,000, while a Florida woman reported losses exceeding $300,000.

Attorney General's Statement

James expressed her outrage, stating, "Deceiving New Yorkers looking to take on remote work and earn money to support their families is cruel and unacceptable. Scammers sent text messages promising good-paying, flexible jobs only to trick them into purchasing cryptocurrency and then stealing it from them."

Legal Action and Recovery Efforts

The lawsuit aims to recover the stolen funds. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz noted that her office's cryptocurrency unit traced over $2 million in stolen crypto and identified the digital wallets holding the coins. They collaborated with James’ office to freeze the funds until they can be returned to the victims.

Katz emphasized, "Work scams that prey on those seeking legitimate employment not only rob victims of their hard-earned money but also shatter their trust in the job market."