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Teen fraudster confesses to stealing $13 M in Bitcoin; FBI reports 181,565 crypto complaints and $11 B losses, prompting a new federal task force.
A 19‑year‑old pleaded guilty to a scheme that drained roughly $13 million in Bitcoin from a victim, while Congress is moving to create a federal cryptocurrency theft task force after the DOJ disbanded its dedicated unit earlier this year [2][1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Scam amount | $13 M BTC |
| Total crypto complaints (2025) | 181,565 |
| Reported crypto losses (2025) | $11 B |
| Legislative action | Bill to form Federal Crypto Theft Task Force |
Prosecutors say Trenton Richard Johnston and co‑conspirators posed as Google and Trezor support staff in February 2025, convincing a California victim that their wallet was under attack and extracting about $13 million worth of Bitcoin [2]. The fraud was part of a broader campaign that began in January 2024, including a $41,000 Ether theft from a separate victim. Johnston has since returned roughly 53.16 BTC and 275.23 ETH, valued at $3.7 million at current prices, as part of a plea deal [2].
The same week the teen’s case made headlines, lawmakers introduced the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act, which would re‑establish a dedicated task force inside the Justice Department [1]. The bill follows the DOJ’s April 2025 memo that dissolved the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, shifting focus to individual criminal misuse rather than industry‑wide regulation. The proposed task force would coordinate evidence handling, asset tracing, and victim support across agencies such as the FBI, DHS, and FinCEN, but it leaves funding and staffing details unspecified [1].
The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report logged 181,565 crypto‑related complaints and more than $11 billion in reported losses, underscoring the scale of theft that local authorities struggle to address [1]. Victims often encounter fragmented responses: local police lack blockchain expertise, prosecutors need digital‑evidence guidance, and private firms may be the only entities able to freeze or trace funds quickly [1]. The proposed task force aims to bridge these gaps, though its effectiveness will depend on resources and inter‑agency cooperation.
The teen’s confession highlights how social‑engineering attacks, not just code exploits, can devastate crypto holders, while Congress’s legislative push reflects growing pressure to give victims a more unified federal response. Whether the task force will translate into faster recoveries or merely add another bureaucratic layer remains to be seen.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Jun 17, 2026 · How we report
Authorities warn that scammers are spoofing FIFA websites to collect personal information, sell fake tickets, and potentially conduct other malicious activity.
Johnston and co‑conspirators impersonated trusted entities such as Google and Trezor to convince victims their accounts were compromised, leading to the theft of approximately $41,000 in Ether and $13 million in Bitcoin.
Johnston turned over about $3.7 million in crypto and prosecutors recommended a 51‑to‑63‑month prison sentence, while an associate faced a 27‑to‑33‑month recommendation.
FIFA states that tickets obtained through unofficial channels may be deemed invalid and subject to cancellation without notice.
Experts emphasize the need for real‑time, pre‑transaction security controls to detect suspicious behavior and risky destinations before funds leave an account.