The US Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a fresh warning that crypto-related scams are increasingly operating through private group chats targeting retail investors.
The alert was released by the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance on December 22 amid rising reports of losses linked to messaging platforms.
Regulators said fraudsters are posing as trusted experts, including financial gurus, professors and senior executives, to build credibility within closed groups.
These fake group chats are often promoted via social media advertisements or unsolicited invitations designed to appear exclusive and authoritative.
The SEC warned that scammers frequently fabricate entire online personas to convince investors they are receiving professional guidance.
Artificial intelligence tools, including deepfake videos and automated messaging, are increasingly being used to enhance deception.
Victims are typically steered towards crypto trading strategies, token offerings or automated systems that promise consistent or guaranteed returns.
The alert said investors are then directed to polished websites or mobile apps that display fabricated account balances and falsified transaction histories.