Bitcoin investors beware: IRS impersonators are conning crypto holders into giving away their digital assets with fake letters

If you received a letter from the IRS, you’d take it seriously. Unfortunately, fraudsters know that, and they’re using it to their advantage in a snail mail scam targeting crypto holders.

According to a press release from the IRS’s Criminal Investigation division, an international fraud network has been sending out letters that look like they’re coming from the federal agency. The hallmark feature of these messages is that they urge recipients to create an account on a “Digital Asset Compliance Portal.” There’s also a QR code that leads to an unofficial IRS- lookalike website that claims to help people register.

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On the fake website, it asks users for sensitive personal and financial information, including info on crypto exchange accounts and wallets. If a victim submits these details, they go straight to the scammers.

Then scammers place a final phone call where they pose as a representative and ask for a password, 2FA code, or private key to get into someone’s crypto account.

The IRS wants everyone to know that there’s no such thing as a Digital Asset Compliance Portal. If you receive any communication referencing this portal, report it immediately.

“Criminals continue to exploit public trust in government agencies by creating convincing fake websites and official-looking correspondence,” Jarod Koopman, the IRS’ Criminal Investigation Chief, said in a statement.