The FBI Baltimore office has issued a warning about the increasing prevalence of cryptocurrency investment fraud in Maryland. Marylanders have reported losing almost $54.5 million to these scams this year. The Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, and various cities have also issued warnings about this growing threat. Investment scams reached a three-year high in 2023, with 1,378 reports, and 2024 is on track to surpass this with 737 reports in the first half of the year. The median victim lost $4,000. The FBI highlighted the rise of 'pig butchering' schemes, a type of cryptocurrency fraud that has become increasingly common. San Jose police have also provided guidelines on how to avoid financial scams.