News · Tokens & NFTs
US charges six in alleged Madagascar NFT investment scam
New US charges describe an alleged NFT scam using dating contacts and crypto wallets. What the October 27 announcement establishes—and what it does not.
Madagascar NFT investment scheme: October 2026 US charges
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The evidence in one view: source records, cited claims and the editions that put them into context.
Tokens & NFTs ·Source record: Oct 27, 2026 · Checked: Oct 28, 2026
Archive · Based on the DOJ announcement of 27 October 2026 and FBI reporting guidance checked on 28 October 2026. The charges are allegations, not convictions. The linked affidavit was not independently reviewed for this report.
- Cited claims
- 4
- Source records
- 2
- Related editions
- 1
What the record says
New US charges describe an alleged NFT scam using dating contacts and crypto wallets. What the October 27 announcement establishes—and what it does not.
What the evidence supports
Only claims cited in the visible editions appear here. Each retains its own evidence status.
- Filed allegation
The DOJ announced charges against six people over the alleged Madagascar NFT investment scheme on 27 October 2026; this is not a conviction.
Supporting excerpt: Scam Center Strike Force Expands Reach to Target Global Crime Syndicates; Charges Scammers Based in Africa and Tied to China
charges against six Africa-based scammers
Scam Center Strike Force Expands Reach to Target Global Crime Syndicates; Charges Scammers Based in Africa and Tied to China ↗ - Filed allegation
According to the DOJ, the alleged scheme used dating contacts to induce wallet connections to fraudulent NFT investment websites and remove funds without victims' knowledge.
Supporting excerpt: Scam Center Strike Force Expands Reach to Target Global Crime Syndicates; Charges Scammers Based in Africa and Tied to China
connect their cryptocurrency wallets to fraudulent websites
Scam Center Strike Force Expands Reach to Target Global Crime Syndicates; Charges Scammers Based in Africa and Tied to China ↗ - Source reported
The DOJ reported more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency restrained across the Strike Force's work, not a victim payout total for the Madagascar case.
Supporting excerpt: Scam Center Strike Force Expands Reach to Target Global Crime Syndicates; Charges Scammers Based in Africa and Tied to China
surpassed $1 billion in cryptocurrency restrained
Scam Center Strike Force Expands Reach to Target Global Crime Syndicates; Charges Scammers Based in Africa and Tied to China ↗ - Source reported
The FBI recommends reporting cryptocurrency transaction details and warns about recovery services that charge an upfront fee.
Supporting excerpt: Cryptocurrency — FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Be wary of cryptocurrency recovery services, especially those charging an up-front fee.
Cryptocurrency — FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center ↗