The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has taken significant action against a network of 40 fraudulent NFT marketplace websites that scammed an 85-year-old artist out of $135,000. The victim was lured into a sophisticated scheme where he was convinced to mint his artwork on a fake platform resembling OpenSea, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office said on Dec. 6.
The scammer, posing as an art dealer, manipulated the artist into believing he had earned substantial profits. To access these funds, the victim was instructed to pay a hefty fee, which he sourced from his retirement savings, credit cards, and a personal loan.
The DA’s office was successful in tracing the stolen monies to Nigerian accounts. While the funds were ultimately unrecoverable due to multiple transfers and conversions, the shutdown of these 40 fraudulent websites aims to prevent further victimization and raise awareness about NFT scams.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for artists and NFT enthusiasts to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging with any platform or individual claiming to be involved in the NFT market. It’s crucial to verify the authenticity of platforms, avoid unsolicited offers, and be wary of high-pressure tactics.
