AI Fraud
Chainalysis 2026 Report: $17 Billion in 2025 Crypto Scams Amid Surging AI Fraud and Hacks
Reported by AI Image generated by AI
The Chainalysis 2026 Crypto Crime Report, published January 13, 2026, reveals at least $14 billion stolen in 2025 scams—projected to reach $17 billion—driven by a 1,400% surge in AI-boosted impersonation tactics, amid broader losses including $4 billion from hacks per PeckShield and $154 billion in total illicit volumes linked to nation-state actors.
In this ongoing series on the SEC $14M Crypto Scam Charges, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2025, charged seven entities with defrauding investors of over $14 million via fake WhatsApp groups, social media ads featuring deepfakes, AI-generated tips, and bogus trading platforms. No real trading occurred, and funds were laundered overseas. The agency also issued an investor alert on social media scams.