# Fraud Related Articles

HTX News Center provides the latest articles and in-depth analysis on "Fraud", covering market trends, project updates, tech developments, and regulatory policies in the crypto industry.

Investor Names Condition for Effective Protection Against Crypto Scammers

An investor outlined conditions for effective protection against crypto scammers. A proposed bill introducing a 48-hour "cooling-off" period for withdrawing over 100,000 rubles to external crypto wallets or transferring over 300,000 rubles to third parties will not provide complete protection from fraudsters. While such a measure could reduce impulsive transfers, criminals can adapt their schemes to new limits, for example by splitting large transactions into smaller ones below the threshold. According to the expert, the main benefit of the pause is undermining the artificial urgency created by scammers who pressure victims psychologically. The two days allow a person to consult their bank, talk to relatives, or calm down. However, the cooling-off period alone is not a universal solution. An effective system should analyze a combination of risk factors: the transaction amount, the history of previous transfers, whether the wallet address is new, its ownership, and the device used for the operation. The expert suggested creating a mechanism for trusted wallets. Once a user verifies ownership of an address and adds it to a whitelist, subsequent transactions could proceed without constant delays, protecting users without hindering legitimate investors. A significant concern is the 48-hour delay's impact on the crypto market, where exchange rates can fluctuate noticeably within two days, imposing market risk on businesses or portfolio management. The expert concluded that the cooling-off period can reduce impulsive transfers and save some people, but it will only be effective as part of a smart, adaptive system, not as a rigid barrier for all transactions.

cryptonews.ru4h ago

Investor Names Condition for Effective Protection Against Crypto Scammers

cryptonews.ru4h ago

ZachXBT Calls Canada the World's Most Dangerous Region in Terms of Cryptocurrency Fraud

Blockchain investigator ZackXBT has ranked Canada as the worst jurisdiction globally for victims of cryptocurrency crimes, placing it above countries like the UK, India, Nigeria, and Algeria. He criticized Canadian law enforcement for routinely refusing to act even when presented with substantial evidence of crimes, such as complete dossiers on ransomware operators or home invasion robberies. ZackXBT highlighted Toronto as a global hub for fraud and cited instances where authorities seized assets from innocent users on platforms like Tradeogre. Due to this perceived inaction, he has stopped assisting Canadian victims and plans to block access to his support services for low-quality jurisdictions on his upcoming website. He also criticized Indian authorities as "incompetent" and noted the UK's second-place ranking in his list of poor-performing regions.

cryptonews.ruYesterday 22:41

ZachXBT Calls Canada the World's Most Dangerous Region in Terms of Cryptocurrency Fraud

cryptonews.ruYesterday 22:41

The End of APK Freedom? No, Google's Restrictions Will Not Affect Everyone or Everywhere

Google is introducing new rules for installing third-party APK files, but the restrictions will only affect some users and won't completely block app installation from unofficial sources. The company is implementing an "Advanced Flow" mechanism to combat fraud. However, its application is limited geographically, technically, and in timing. The new requirements will first take effect in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand starting September 30, 2026, with a global rollout planned for 2027. The Advanced Flow system only works on Google-certified devices with pre-installed Google Mobile Services (GMS). Chinese versions of Android, which legally lack full GMS, are unaffected. Even on global devices with GMS, custom ROMs and ADB installations remain unrestricted. For affected users, a specific protocol is established. This involves enabling Developer Options, confirming no external pressure, rebooting, and then waiting a 24-hour protection period before a biometric/PIN confirmation grants installation permission for 7 days or indefinitely. Google states this creates friction for mass users while preserving technical capabilities for informed choice. A data-driven perspective notes that Advanced Flow is delivered via Google Play Services, not the core Android OS, meaning Google could modify or disable it remotely. Critics, including F-Droid and the EFF, warn this could follow a historical pattern where initial "trusted installer" mechanisms gradually expanded platform control over user choice. The long-term impact will depend on practical application beyond the stated policy.

cryptonews.ru2 days ago 12:13

The End of APK Freedom? No, Google's Restrictions Will Not Affect Everyone or Everywhere

cryptonews.ru2 days ago 12:13

Hong Kong Court Upholds 56-Month Prison Sentence for Fraud Amid Rising Crypto Interest

Hong Kong's Court of Appeal upheld a 56-month prison sentence for a criminal recruiter involved in fraud and money laundering, a case linked to global scam losses estimated by Interpol to reach $442 billion by 2025. Illicit funds are increasingly funneled through crypto exchanges and stablecoins like USDT. In 2025, crypto flows for trafficking-related fraud surged 85%, with stablecoins favored for their value stability and ease of conversion. The defendant, Ma Che-hou, pled guilty to conspiracy for luring victims with fake job offers, leading to their captivity and torture in Southeast Asia. The court treated human trafficking as a major aggravating factor in the fraud sentencing. Global enforcement is scaling up, with the U.S. DOJ seizing $701.9 million in crypto and shutting hundreds of scam sites in 2026. The FATF has also prioritized anti-fraud efforts, citing nearly $500 billion in global losses for 2024-2025, and is developing new policy recommendations. The case underscores the need for stricter crypto transaction monitoring and specialized law enforcement training to trace and seize illicit crypto assets.

cryptonews.ru2 days ago 11:28

Hong Kong Court Upholds 56-Month Prison Sentence for Fraud Amid Rising Crypto Interest

cryptonews.ru2 days ago 11:28

They tapped it out: scammers find a new way to deceive Hamster Kombat players

In the summer of 2026, scammers intensified their operations targeting players of the game Hamster Kombat. They exploited the announcement of the new Gram crypto wallet in Telegram and the volatile price of the game's HMSTR token. Dozens of fake Telegram channels and websites appeared, offering users profitable ways to sell or transfer their HMSTR tokens. The schemes involved directing victims to phishing sites that stole Telegram account credentials via phone numbers and confirmation codes or tricked them into signing malicious smart contracts, thereby granting access to their wallets. Experts note a sharp surge in searches related to Hamster Kombat and "how to withdraw money." The schemes prey on users' confusion about new features and fear of missing out during price spikes. Security advice includes only using official services to conduct trades, never sharing seed phrases or authentication codes, verifying all transaction details carefully, and being wary of urgent, unsolicited offers from strangers. While interest in the low-liquidity HMSTR token saw a brief revival, it primarily created an attractive environment for fraud rather than signaling a full project comeback.

cryptonews.ru08/20 21:48

They tapped it out: scammers find a new way to deceive Hamster Kombat players

cryptonews.ru08/20 21:48

SEC Opens Legal Channel for Crypto Projects to Issue Tokens: Not Judging for Investors, Only Requiring Full Disclosure

The SEC has proposed new crypto asset regulations, establishing a pathway for projects to legally issue tokens in the U.S. The core principle is disclosure-based regulation: projects must provide clear, comprehensive information to investors, but the SEC will not judge the merit or value of the tokens. This approach returns to the agency's founding philosophy, as outlined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and legal scholar Louis Brandeis, which emphasizes that sunlight (transparency) is the best disinfectant for markets. The proposal includes exemptions allowing token sales, provided issuers adhere to anti-fraud laws and offer "principles-based narrative disclosures." This framework shifts responsibility to investors to make informed decisions based on disclosed facts. The article references the Blockworks Token Transparency Framework (TTF) as an existing industry-led effort for standardized crypto asset disclosure, suggesting such models could inform final SEC rules.

marsbit08/20 08:51

SEC Opens Legal Channel for Crypto Projects to Issue Tokens: Not Judging for Investors, Only Requiring Full Disclosure

marsbit08/20 08:51

Crypto Scammers Pose as Address AML Checking Services

Cybersecurity experts have uncovered a cryptocurrency scam where fraudsters impersonate legitimate AML (Anti-Money Laundering) address-checking services like AMLBot by copying their design, logos, or using similar names such as AMLCheck. These fake services, which normally verify if a crypto address has been linked to illegal activities, trick users by asking them to connect their wallet—unlike genuine services that only require a public address. Once a user connects, scammers obtain their public address and create a transaction for them to approve, often claiming a "security check" or "compliance verification." The fake service then displays a false error, prompting the user to deposit a small amount for a "fee" to complete the check. After the user complies, the site shows a "clean address" result and offers a downloadable verification report, which installs malware. Malwarebytes Labs and security firm CertiK warn that legitimate AML checks never require wallet connections, transaction approvals, or seed phrases. If a service requests these, it is a scam. In cases of theft, users are advised to move remaining funds to a new address and avoid "asset recovery" offers for a fee. CertiK noted that phishing and deepfakes are primary hacker tools, with crypto industry losses reaching $3.3 billion in 2025 alone.

cryptonews.ru08/19 22:08

Crypto Scammers Pose as Address AML Checking Services

cryptonews.ru08/19 22:08

US CFTC Imposes 5-Year Trading Ban on Former Alameda and FTX Executives

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued consent orders against Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research, and Gary Wang, co-founder of FTX. The orders, filed in a New York district court, require both to cooperate with the CFTC and impose a five-year trading ban. Ellison also received a 10-year registration ban, while Wang faces an eight-year registration ban. A CFTC official stated the sanctions reflect their substantial assistance in the commission's investigations related to FTX. This action concludes the CFTC's enforcement case against them, initiated alongside a December 2022 complaint against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. The CFTC had previously ordered FTX and Alameda to pay $12.7 billion in restitution and disgorgement. Ellison and Wang, who testified against Bankman-Fried at his trial, faced fraud charges. Bankman-Fried was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Ellison served a shorter sentence and was released early, while Wang received credit for time already served.

cryptonews.ru08/19 16:46

US CFTC Imposes 5-Year Trading Ban on Former Alameda and FTX Executives

cryptonews.ru08/19 16:46

US commodities regulator imposes 5-year trading ban on ex-Alameda, FTX execs

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued consent orders against former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison and FTX co-founder Gary Wang. The orders, filed in a New York court, impose a five-year trading ban on both individuals. Ellison also faces a 10-year registration ban, while Wang received an eight-year registration ban. The CFTC stated that while Ellison and Wang were found liable for fraud at Alameda and FTX, their sanctions reflect their material assistance in the agency's investigations. The orders resolve the CFTC's enforcement actions against them. Both executives, along with former FTX engineering director Nishad Singh, had previously testified against ex-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who was convicted and sentenced to 25 years. Ellison received a two-year sentence and was released early, while Singh and Wang received sentences of time served. The CFTC had previously ordered FTX and Alameda to pay $12.7 billion in disgorgement and restitution.

cointelegraph08/19 16:06

US commodities regulator imposes 5-year trading ban on ex-Alameda, FTX execs

cointelegraph08/19 16:06

200,000 fake AI ‘victims’ deployed to scam bait online fraudsters

A tech company called Apate is using 200,000 AI personas to pose as scam victims, wasting millions of hours of fraudsters' time each month and saving the public an estimated $13 million in a six-week period. Founded by Dali Kaafar, the idea came from his own experience of wasting a scammer's time. Apate's bots, trained on real scam-baiting conversations, engage fraudsters via phone and chat platforms like WhatsApp, extracting valuable intelligence such as new crypto wallet addresses and scam tactics. This data helps banks and telcos combat criminal rings globally. While scammers are also starting to use AI, Apate believes defensive AI bots have a strategic advantage in gathering intelligence and disrupting these operations.

cointelegraph08/19 13:37

200,000 fake AI ‘victims’ deployed to scam bait online fraudsters