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Fake FBI tokens with asset-freeze threats appear on the TRON network
- Fake tokens impersonating the FBI have appeared on the TRON network.
- A new crypto phishing scheme is forcing users to disclose data.
- This may lead to the loss of crypto assets from wallets.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned about a new fraudulent scheme on the TRON blockchain targeting cryptocurrency wallet holders.
Screenshot of FBI information regarding the TRON network. Source: X.
Users are being sent fake tokens impersonating the agency, demanding disclosure of personal data, which creates additional risks for crypto asset investors.
Fake “FBI” tokens and the risk of asset loss
According to the FBI, tokens have appeared on the TRON network that imitate official law enforcement messages. They contain text visible via blockchain explorers and urge users to undergo “verification” in accordance with anti-money laundering (AML) rules.
The message states that wallets are allegedly “under investigation,” and refusal to provide data may result in a “complete freeze of assets.”
The agency urged users to ignore such messages:
“The FBI New York encourages Tron blockchain users to exercise caution if they encounter a token that claims to be from the FBI.”
The statement also urged users “not to provide any identifying information to any websites associated with such a token.”
According to Tronscan, the token was created about eight days ago and has already been received by 728 wallets. Some of them hold more than $1 million in the stablecoin $USDT, increasing potential losses for investors.
Market manipulation and “bait” mechanisms
In 2024, analysts at Lookonchain highlighted another case of token usage, but for investigative purposes. In particular, they noted:
“The FBI launched a token called NexFundAI as ‘bait’ to detect market manipulation.”
On-chain analysis showed that a wallet that previously earned more than $11 million from manipulation of the SAITAMA token interacted with the deployment of this asset.
This highlights that tokens can be used not only for fraud but also in more complex operations for monitoring or exposing illegal activities.
It is worth noting that this scam-token incident occurs amid broader risks associated with the use of the TRON network in questionable operations:
- according to TRM Labs, sanctioned Iranian entities transferred more than $1 billion through crypto exchanges, primarily using $USDT on the TRON network;
- a Bitrace report showed that the volume of illegal stablecoin transactions on the TRON and Ethereum blockchains exceeded $649 billion in 2024;
- as of May 2025, the number of transactions exceeded 10 billion, while daily transaction volume exceeds 8 million.
See also: "SEC recognizes most cryptocurrencies as commodities"
