Law & Digital Assets course #3 - Cryptocurrency Scams

Some Key Concepts Covered Include:

Understanding Cryptocurrency Vulnerabilities — Investigation of inherent risks in the crypto ecosystem including transaction irreversibility, anonymity misconceptions, absence of FDIC insurance protections, and how the decentralized nature creates both innovation opportunities and exploitation vectors for bad actors

Anatomy of Fraudulent Schemes — Detailed breakdown of criminal activities across the crypto landscape, from darknet marketplaces and anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies to sophisticated technical exploits like rug pulls, flash loan attacks, and DeFi protocol manipulation targeting unsuspecting users and investors

Phishing, Theft & Social Engineering Tactics — Examination of how scammers leverage fake exchanges, counterfeit wallets, spoofed websites, and payment request schemes to steal funds, including money mule operations and the various methods criminals use to trick victims into transferring cryptocurrency

Enforcement Actions & Regulatory Response — Analysis of high-profile fraud cases and the resulting legal consequences, including oversight mechanisms from FinCEN, CFTC, and other regulatory agencies, with focus on identifying red flags and compliance requirements for legitimate crypto platforms

Defensive Strategies & Consumer Safeguards — Practical framework for recognizing the 10 warning signs of fraudulent crypto and forex trading websites, implementing preventative measures, and applying consumer protection principles to mitigate exposure to cryptocurrency fraud and financial loss.