Federal Bureau of Investigation Issues Alert About Fraudulent FBI Token on Tron Network
Fraudsters using a fake FBI-branded token are targeting users on the Tron blockchain, claiming they face investigation and demanding verification to prevent asset seizures.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States has issued a warning about a fraudulent scheme involving a token operating on the Tron blockchain network that falsely represents the agency in an attempt to harvest sensitive personal data.
The New York branch of the FBI posted on its X social media account Thursday, sharing an example of a notification that certain Tron network users had received through a token displaying the bureau's official name and emblem, falsely claiming the recipient's wallet was "under investigation."
Recipients of the fraudulent notification are then directed to undergo a fake verification process for anti-money laundering compliance on a website "to avoid a total block on your assets."
This notification employs the identical sense of urgency found in numerous phishing operations within the cryptocurrency space that are responsible for stealing billions of dollars annually. The FBI reported in April that it had processed more than 140,000 complaints related to cryptocurrency fraud schemes during 2024, which led to losses totaling $9.3 billion, representing a 66% rise compared to the previous year.
The FBI advised Tron blockchain users to "exercise caution" should they come across the fraudulent token and strongly recommended against providing "any identifying information to any website associated with such token."
The bureau indicated that individuals who may have already submitted personal information to these scammers should submit a formal report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
FBI once created token to catch fraudsters
During 2024, the FBI developed a fraudulent token related to artificial intelligence technology for the purpose of apprehending criminals involved in market manipulation activities.
This particular "trap token," which went by the name NexFundAI, was engineered to function as a lure, specifically targeting individuals participating in fraudulent cryptocurrency operations, with particular focus on pump-and-dump schemes.
A minimum of 18 individuals who participated in manipulating the token's trading volume faced criminal charges as a result of the FBI's undercover sting operation.