The report noted that the market capitalization of digital assets and the number of their users have increased significantly over the past three years. However, the use of crypto assets for money laundering is much less than normal currency and other means. The major reason for the increasing interest of investors in crypto is its decentralized nature. Because of this, it is also being used for illegal activities. The use of cryptocurrencies in money laundering is a major cause of concern for the authorities. Apart from this, crimes like demanding ransom in cryptocurrencies have also increased.
Cryptocurrencies have been heavily used in phishing attacks and ransomware scams during the pandemic. In many cases, cybercriminals had stolen vital information by attacking computer networks with viruses and demanding payment in cryptocurrencies for not disclosing it. Transactions involving cryptocurrencies are very difficult to trace and because of this criminals ask for payment in cryptocurrencies.
According to a United Nations estimate, money laundering costs the global economy between $80 billion and $2 trillion per year. Of this, about 90 percent are not detected. A recent report said that crypto scammers have defrauded people of Kenya to the tune of $ 120 million (about Rs 916 crore) in the last year. Kenyans are now discussing crypto scams through groups on social networking platforms. The activities of crypto scammers have also increased in other countries. In a recent report by research firm Chainalysis, it was told that last year through these scams, $ 7.7 billion was fraud.
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