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Jimmy Aki
Author
Jimmy Aki
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The cryptocurrency industry was the second most targeted sector for identity fraud in Q2 2024, according to a report by AU10TIX.
Nearly 29% of global identity fraud attempts targeted crypto-related platforms, posing significant risks to the sector as criminals exploit the privacy inherent in blockchain transactions.
The Role of Deepfakes and Impersonation Bots
A report by AU10TIX highlighted that the crypto industry accounted for 29% of identity fraud attempts in the second quarter of 2024, placing it behind only the payments sector, which represented 52% of all cases.
With blockchain technology offering privacy benefits, criminals have turned their focus to exploiting vulnerabilities within crypto platforms, including exchanges, decentralized platforms, and wallets.
The rise in fraud is largely driven by the use of advanced technology, such as impersonation bots and deepfake tools.
These bots, relying on deepfake technology, are capable of creating fake accounts that appear legitimate, tricking users and platforms alike.
Despite efforts to improve detection methods, many scams continue to succeed, often with devastating financial consequences.
High-profile individuals like Tesla’s Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook have been victims of deepfake scams promoting fraudulent crypto schemes.
This type of fraud has led to substantial financial losses globally. In June, crypto exchange Bitget reported a 245% increase in deepfake scams, estimating global losses to surpass $25 billion in 2024.
The report also identified the most affected countries, including the United States, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
In response to this growing threat, Bitget partnered with identity verification provider Sumsub to introduce measures designed to reduce the risks of deepfake scams on its platform.
How Identity Fraud Has Impacted the Crypto Industry
Crypto crime, including scams and hacks, remains a substantial challenge for the industry.
In Q2 2024 alone, the sector experienced $572 million in losses, with decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms being particularly vulnerable to phishing, hacking, and code exploits.
As decentralized platforms become more prevalent, the rise of Fraud-as-a-Service has made it easier for cybercriminals to launch attacks, especially in regions with looser regulations.
The Asia-Pacific area, in particular, saw a 24% increase in identity fraud between 2022 and 2023, driven by insufficient controls on decentralized exchanges.
Law enforcement agencies like the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are working diligently to counter these schemes.
A recent report from FBI revealed that $5.6 billion was lost to crypto fraud in 2023, with nearly 69,000 complaints filed.
The agency has encouraged the public to report any crypto-related frauds, even if no financial loss is incurred, to help authorities stay ahead of emerging threats.
As fraudsters become more creative, the need for robust security measures across the crypto industry is evident. Both individuals and platforms must collaborate to address the rising wave of identity fraud.
By working together, the sector can strengthen its defenses and reduce the risks posed by increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals.
