Massachusetts Cryptocurrency Scam
(2020–2024)
Executive Summary
This report highlights the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency scams affecting Massachusetts residents over the past five years. Reported cases jumped from around 20 in 2020 to over 1180 in 2024. However, Lionsgate Network’s internal analysis suggests that only about 1 in 16 victims formally report these incidents. Many attribute their losses to ‘bad investments’ rather than recognizing them as fraud. As a result, the true number of cases may be exponentially higher.
Key Findings
Dramatic Increase: Scam reports grew by more than 59.0x between 2020 and 2024.
2024 Highlights:
– A notable incident where a victim lost over $500,000 via a fake cryptocurrency exchange.
– County authorities reported a sharp increase in scams targeting elderly residents.
2023 Data Points:
– Over 430 complaints filed from Massachusetts with the FBI’s IC3.
Visualization
Data Sources
– FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
– Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
– Regional media and public records for Massachusetts
– Lionsgate Network internal analysis
Methodology
Data for 2020–2022 includes projections based on complaint patterns and partial datasets. Figures for 2023–2024 are sourced from full, verified public records and Lionsgate Network’s internal research.
