“Approval phishing and investment scams cost victims millions in financial loss each year,” Brent Daniels, deputy assistant director for the U.S. Secret Service Office of Field Operations, said in a statement. Daniels said the coordinated effort allows investigators to identify scams and intervene “in near real time,” limiting criminals’ ability to profit.
Operation Atlantic investigators are contacting potential victims directly through phone calls and emails, explaining how the scams work and providing steps to secure accounts before additional funds are taken.
“As fraud becomes increasingly global, this level of collaboration is essential,” Spurrell said.
FAQ What is Operation Atlantic?Operation Atlantic is a joint law enforcement initiative involving the U.S., UK and Canada aimed at identifying and disrupting crypto fraud schemes tied to approval-phishing scams. What is approval phishing in cryptocurrency scams?Approval phishing tricks users into granting wallet permissions that allow scammers to transfer crypto assets without the victim realizing it. Who is participating in Operation Atlantic?The effort includes the U.S. Secret Service, UK National Crime Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, Ontario Securities Commission and several other law enforcement agencies. How can crypto users protect themselves from approval-phishing scams?Users should verify URLs, avoid unsolicited investment offers, enable multi-factor authentication and regularly review wallet permission settings.
