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A federal alert links nearly $13 billion in suspicious activity to digital-asset scams
FinCEN’s September 3 alert describes BSA reports tied to suspected scams, not a verified total of consumer losses. The pattern to watch is pressure to move money into cryptocurrency through a relationship, job or investment story.
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Image & publication standards →At a glance
- The $13 billion figure describes suspicious activity reported under Bank Secrecy Act data.
- A fake investment dashboard can show profits while withdrawal remains impossible.
- Do not pay an extra tax or fee to unlock money after a suspected scam.
In this story
What the federal number means
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said on September 3 that Bank Secrecy Act reports described nearly $13 billion in suspicious activity connected to suspected digital-asset scams, much of it associated with overseas scam centers. Suspicious activity is not the same as a proven criminal case or a verified consumer-loss total, and the alert does not say that every cryptocurrency transaction is fraudulent.
FinCEN’s warning is useful because it describes a recurring path: an unexpected relationship, job or investment approach builds trust; the target is directed to buy or transfer digital assets; a website or app may display gains; and the target is later asked for additional money to withdraw. The interface can look polished while the money is already outside the victim’s control.
What to do before another transfer
The Federal Trade Commission warns that guarantees of profit, demands for cryptocurrency payment and online romance followed by investment advice are scam signs. If a transfer may be fraudulent, stop sending money, preserve messages and transaction details, and contact the exchange, bank or payment provider through a channel you independently verify.
A provider may not be able to reverse a digital-asset transfer, but fast reporting can preserve evidence and sometimes limit another transaction.
Do not trust a person who promises recovery in exchange for an advance fee or who says another payment is required to release the original funds. Report the event to the FTC and, when appropriate, law enforcement.
Avoid publishing wallet credentials, identity documents or another victim’s private information in a community warning.
- Pause when an online contact moves quickly from conversation to money.
- Verify an investment firm or professional through an independent regulator record.
- Never share a seed phrase, private key or one-time authentication code.
- Keep screenshots, wallet addresses, transaction hashes and dates for a report.
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Sources & verification
Primary federal release published September 3, 2026; characterizes the figure as suspicious activity reported under the BSA. Checked September 7, 2026 at 6:23 p.m. ET.
Read the sourceOfficial consumer guidance on investment, impersonation, romance and payment warning signs; page reviewed September 7, 2026 at 6:23 p.m. ET.
Read the sourceThis article was written with AI assistance from the linked sources. No firsthand interview or visit is implied. Source dates and limits are identified in the reporting. Advertising does not determine editorial coverage. Request a correction or read our standards.
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