FBI 發出緊急警告：投資詐騙升級，北卡羅來納州損失數百萬美元

北卡羅來納州聯邦調查局警告稱，投資騙局激增，尤其是涉及加密貨幣的投資騙局，已導致受害者損失數百萬美元。詐騙者採用複雜的方法透過社群媒體和求職網站來瞄準個人，並承諾高回報來引誘他們。他們透過虛假網站和應用程式操縱顯示的利潤以鼓勵進一步投資，最終與受害者的資金一起消失。聯邦調查局敦促謹慎行事，強調不受監管的加密貨​​幣市場使得追回被盜資金具有挑戰性。

Investment Scams Escalating: FBI Warns of Deceptive Tactics Costing Millions to North Carolina Residents

投資詐騙不斷升級：聯邦調查局警告說，北卡羅來納州居民因欺騙手段而損失數百萬美元

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Raleigh is issuing an urgent warning to consumers regarding a rampant investment scam that has defrauded North Carolina residents of tens of millions of dollars. The scam, which often involves cryptocurrency, has witnessed a meteoric rise in recent years, with reported losses skyrocketing from $2.57 billion in 2022 to a staggering $3.944 billion in 2023, an alarming increase of 53%.

位於羅利的聯邦調查局 (FBI) 就猖獗的投資騙局向消費者發出緊急警告，該騙局已詐騙北卡羅來納州居民數千萬美元。這種通常涉及加密貨幣的騙局近年來急劇增加，據報告損失從 2022 年的 25.7 億美元飆升至 2023 年的驚人 39.44 億美元，增幅驚人，達到 53%。

These sophisticated scams cunningly entice victims with tantalizing promises of lucrative returns on investments. Perpetrators adeptly exploit social media platforms, targeting individuals who post, comment, or even like content related to investing and financial matters.

這些複雜的騙局以豐厚的投資回報的誘人承諾來狡猾地引誘受害者。犯罪者熟練地利用社群媒體平台，針對發布、評論甚至喜歡與投資和金融問題相關的內容的個人。

"Scammers meticulously research their potential victims, exploiting personal connections and interests to establish a rapport that fosters trust," elucidates James Kaylor, Special Agent with the FBI Raleigh office. "Once a rapport is established, they introduce cryptocurrency investments as the path to immense wealth."

聯邦調查局羅利辦事處特別探員詹姆斯·凱勒 (James Kaylor) 解釋道：“詐騙者會仔細研究潛在的受害者，利用個人關係和利益來建立融洽關係，從而促進信任。” “一旦建立了融洽的關係，他們就會引入加密貨幣投資作為獲得巨大財富的途徑。”

In a harrowing account, Jim Wilkerson, a resident of Cary, North Carolina, recounts losing more than $750,000 to a crypto investment scam. Enticed by alluring returns of 21% to 24%, Wilkerson initially withdrew funds successfully, bolstering his belief in the scheme's legitimacy. However, his hopes were shattered when he attempted to withdraw a significant portion of his accumulated earnings, which had grown to over $4 million. All communication with the perpetrators abruptly ceased, and Wilkerson's funds vanished into thin air.

北卡羅來納州卡里市居民吉姆·威爾克森 (Jim Wilkerson) 在一份令人痛心的敘述中，講述了因加密貨幣投資騙局而損失超過 75 萬美元的經歷。受到 21% 至 24% 誘人回報的誘惑，威爾克森最初成功提取了資金，增強了他對該計劃合法性的信心。然而，當他試圖提取自己累積收入的很大一部分時，他的希望破滅了，他的累積收入已超過 400 萬美元。與肇事者的所有聯繫突然停止，威爾克森的資金消失得無影無蹤。

"My money simply disappeared from the account, vanished completely," Wilkerson laments.

「我的錢就從帳戶裡消失了，完全消失了，」威爾克森感嘆道。

North Carolina FBI data paints a grim picture, revealing staggering losses exceeding $65 million in crypto scams in 2023 alone.

北卡羅來納州聯邦調查局 (FBI) 的數據描繪了一幅嚴峻的景象，光是 2023 年，加密貨幣詐騙造成的損失就超過了 6,500 萬美元。

"These scams are orchestrated by organized crime syndicates, typically operating internationally," Agent Kaylor explains. "They employ sophisticated call centers, targeting potential victims and luring them with irresistible investment opportunities."

「這些騙局是由有組織的犯罪集團精心策劃的，通常在國際上運作，」特工凱勒解釋道。 “他們採用先進的呼叫中心，瞄準潛在的受害者，並以不可抗拒的投資機會引誘他們。”

Scammers often create deceptive websites and mobile applications to lend an air of credibility to their schemes. "They control every aspect of these platforms, manipulating the user interface to display inflated profits that entice victims to invest more," Kaylor warns.

詐騙者經常創建欺騙性網站和行動應用程序，為他們的騙局增添可信度。凱勒警告說：“他們控制這些平台的各個方面，操縱用戶介面來顯示虛增的利潤，從而吸引受害者進行更多投資。”

The FBI emphasizes that the financial gains displayed by scammers are merely an illusion, designed to create a false sense of success and encourage further investment. "You're seeing what they want you to see, those impressive profits, because their ultimate goal is to extract as much money from you as possible," Kaylor cautions.

聯邦調查局強調，騙子所展現的經濟利益只是一種幻覺，旨在製造一種錯誤的成功感並鼓勵進一步投資。 「你看到的是他們希望你看到的，那些令人印象深刻的利潤，因為他們的最終目標是從你身上榨取盡可能多的錢，」凱勒警告。

Once scammers have depleted their victims' funds, they vanish without a trace, leaving victims devastated and seeking legal recourse. The FBI actively pursues these perpetrators, yet the recovery of victims' stolen assets remains a formidable challenge.

一旦詐騙者耗盡受害者的資金，他們就會消失得無影無蹤，讓受害者痛心疾首並尋求法律追索。聯邦調查局積極追捕這些肇事者，但追回受害者被盜資產仍然是一項艱鉅的挑戰。

"Cryptocurrency operates outside the regulatory framework of traditional fiat currencies," Kaylor explains. "This decentralized nature limits the investigative capabilities of law enforcement and hampers efforts to trace and recover stolen funds."

「加密貨幣在傳統法定貨幣的監管框架之外運作，」凱勒解釋。 “這種分散的性質限制了執法部門的調查能力，並阻礙了追查和追回被盜資金的努力。”

To safeguard against these insidious scams, the FBI strongly advises consumers to exercise skepticism and avoid succumbing to the allure of unrealistic investment returns. Scammers possess exceptional skills in manipulating online platforms, and once they gain access to victims' funds, recovery becomes highly improbable.

為了防範這些陰險的騙局，聯邦調查局強烈建議消費者保持懷疑態度，避免屈服於不切實際的投資回報的誘惑。詐騙者在操縱線上平台方面擁有非凡的技能，一旦他們獲得受害者的資金，恢復的可能性就變得非常不可能。

"Don't be afraid to report any suspicious activity or potential scams," Kaylor urges. "Timely reporting and the provision of evidence are crucial in our efforts to apprehend these fraudsters and prevent them from victimizing others."

「不要害怕報告任何可疑活動或潛在的詐騙，」凱勒敦促道。 “及時報告和提供證據對於我們逮捕這些欺詐者並防止他們傷害他人至關重要。”

Internet-related crimes can be reported directly to the FBI through its dedicated portal.

與網路相關的犯罪可以透過其專用入口網站直接向聯邦調查局報告。

The FBI's stern warning serves as a wake-up call for North Carolina residents to remain vigilant and protect themselves from these heartless scammers who exploit the hopes and dreams of ordinary citizens.

聯邦調查局的嚴厲警告為北卡羅來納州居民敲響了警鐘，讓他們保持警惕，保護自己免受這些利用普通公民的希望和夢想的無情騙子的侵害。