2025 Investment Fraud Losses Exceed $8 Billion, New York State Warns of AI Deepfakes and Fake Crypto Projects

Odaily News - New York state officials have warned that AI-generated content and fake crypto projects are making investment scams more deceptive. Investment fraud losses exceeded $8 billion in 2025, up 38% from 2024, with 144,041 consumers reporting losses and a median loss of $10,560 per incident.

AI can be used to clone voices, fabricate videos, impersonate financial professionals, and create social media advertisements. New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned that scammers lure investors through celebrity deepfake endorsements, fraudulent cryptocurrencies, pump-and-dump schemes, and fake trading platforms.

Some fraudulent platforms display fabricated account balances, returns, and trading records, allowing victims to make small withdrawals to build trust before demanding additional deposits or fees. New York state officials advise consumers to verify the identities of promoters, companies, and investment projects, and to confirm where their funds are going.

Data from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shows that reported losses from cybercrime in 2025 totaled $20.877 billion, with losses from cryptocurrency-related complaints reaching $11.37 billion. Common scam signs include promises of high returns, unsolicited investment opportunities, high-pressure sales tactics, and projects lacking clear documentation. (Bitcoin.com News)