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27 January 2026
Record-Breaking 2025 Crypto Scams
In January 2026, the international analytics firm Chainalysis released a definitive report revealing that crypto-related fraud hit an all-time high over the past twelve months. According to the data, scammers extorted at least $14 billion from their victims in 2025. However, experts estimate that once all illicit activities from the previous year are fully identified, the total could surpass $17 billion—a significant jump from the $12 billion recorded in 2024.
The average value per fraudulent payment has also more than doubled. While the mean payment in a cryptocurrency scam stood at $782 in 2024, it surged to $2,764 just one year later.
Disturbing Trends in Impersonation
The most alarming shift is the explosive rise in “impersonation scams.” In these schemes, criminals pose as celebrities, reputable institutions, or even government agencies. According to the Chainalysis report, these frauds increased by a staggering 1,400 percent in 2025. Furthermore, the average amount stolen in these operations grew sixfold. This suggests a far more targeted and effective approach by bad actors.
Artificial Intelligence: The Scammer’s New Tool
Criminals are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence into their operations to craft convincing fake identities and deceptive platforms. AI is now widely used to automate phishing campaigns and manage multi-channel communication with targets, allowing a single operative to engage with a massive number of victims simultaneously.
The Efficiency of AI-Driven Scams
The report highlights that 2025 crypto scams supported by AI were 4.5 times more profitable than those using traditional methods. Operations utilizing AI tools generated an average of $3.2 million per campaign, a stark contrast to the $719,000 averaged by non-AI schemes. AI-powered crimes also boasted much higher time efficiency, resulting in significantly higher daily revenues and a greater volume of daily transfers.
These metrics suggest both higher operational efficiency and a potentially broader reach among victims. The increased transaction volume indicates that AI enables scammers to reach and manage more victims concurrently, while the increased success rate suggests AI makes the deception far more persuasive.
– the Chainalysis report states.
State-Sponsored Theft: Korea and China Lead
The report also underscores the rising influence of state-sponsored crypto theft. North Korean hackers reportedly stole approximately $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, a 51 percent increase over 2024. The most significant incident was the February 2025 attack on the Bybit exchange, where North Korean operatives successfully exfiltrated approximately $1.5 billion.
Landmark Seizures and Legal Victories
While 2025 saw record criminal profits, it also brought historic successes for law enforcement. One of the most spectacular cases involved Zhimin Qian, a Chinese national linked to a multi-billion dollar investment fraud affecting over 128,000 victims. In November 2025, British police secured her conviction and seized over 61,000 Bitcoin, valued at approximately £5 billion.
The High-Profile Case of Chen Zhi: 2025 Crypto Scams
In early 2026, the world learned the details of the case against Chen Zhi, founder of Prince Group. The U.S. Department of Justice accused him of operating forced labor camps in Cambodia, where victims were coerced into executing cryptocurrency frauds. Chen was eventually arrested in Cambodia and deported to China, while U.S. authorities initiated proceedings to confiscate over $15 billion in illicit proceeds.
Evaluating the Crypto Landscape
Analysts point out that while the absolute numbers for 2025 crypto scams are breaking records, the percentage of illicit activity relative to the entire market remains relatively low. The total volume of illicit crypto flows reached a record $158 billion in 2025—a nearly 145 percent year-over-year increase. This surge reflects both the rapid expansion of the industry and the aggressive efforts by criminals to exploit that growth.
Read this article in Polish: AI podszywa się pod znane osoby. Kryptowalutowi oszuści ukradli miliardy
