Category: Uncategorized

The Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) is warning consumers against “Pig Butchering” scams that have recently targeted Idahoans. Pig butchering scams are unique because they are long-term schemes that combine elements of investment scams, romance/friendship scams, and cryptocurrency transactions to steal all the money an individual possesses or can access (i.e., persuading individuals to take out loans in addition to sending money from their bank accounts).

The term Pig Butchering originated in Asia and describes the “fattening up” of a victim by building a trusted relationship with them over time that ends with the victim being “butchered” for much, if not all of their life savings. A recent study highlights that over $75 billion has been lost to Pig Butchering schemes globally over the last four years.[1] Idahoans are encouraged to be vigilant and to look for the following red flags pertaining to these scams

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[1] Griffin, John M. and Mei, Kevin, How Do Crypto Flows Finance Slavery? The Economics of Pig Butchering (February 29, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4742235

The Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) is warning the public against scams that involve the physical purchase and delivery of gold and other precious metals. Illicit actors trick victims into believing that either their identity, computer, or financial account(s) have been compromised. Once an illicit actor convinces the victim that they are involved in a criminal situation, the victims are then directed to purchase physical gold or precious metals to protect their assets. The victims are then told to deliver the gold/precious metals to couriers posing as either government officials, financial professionals, or tech support staff. The couriers take possession of the gold/precious metals on behalf of the illicit actors and transport them to complete the scam.

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Boise, Idaho… Alternative Investments are investments such as art, collectibles , real estate , private equity , venture capital , and commodities that do not fall into traditional categories such as stocks, bonds, or cash. These types of investment opportunities are more prevalent today and are increasingly being introduced to a growing number of retail consumers. Recent research suggests that alternative investment assets under management may grow to over $23 trillion by the year 2027. As more investment professionals recommend these products that can possess complex features, it is important for consumers to understand both the potential benefits and risks of alternative investments.

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The Idaho Department of Finance (the “Department”) joined twenty-four other state financial regulatory agencies in taking collective action against Plutus Financial, Inc., Abra Trading, LLC, Plutus Financial Holdings, Inc., Plutus Lending, LLC (collectively known as “Abra”), and CEO and largest equity owner William “Bill” Barhydt for operating a cryptocurrency company without receiving the required state licensing.

A multistate investigation found that Abra operated a mobile application for buying, selling, trading, and investing in cryptocurrency without obtaining the required licenses. Under the settlement, Abra agreed to cease accepting virtual asset allocations from U.S. Abra Trade Account customers into their products and services and cease making, buying, selling, or trading cryptocurrencies available to U.S. Abra Trade customers as of June 15, 2023. The settlement terms require Abra to refund any remaining virtual assets on its platform for U.S. Abra Trade customers in the settling states.

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The Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) and Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA) are announcing the creation of a joint Senior Fraud and Financial Exploitation Prevention Working Group (SFFEP) comprised of financial and senior protection experts to provide recommendations for potential policies, frameworks, and solutions that can help better protect Idaho’s senior community from financial crime.

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The Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) announced today it has issued a consent order against, Nexo Capital Inc. (Nexo). Nexo is a Cayman Islands corporation formed in 2018 that provides cryptocurrency-related financial services. The IDOF’s action is part of a nationwide settlement of alleged securities law violations by Nexo in connection with its Earn Interest Product (EIP) accounts. Nexo’s EIP promised to pay investors interest on cryptocurrency deposited into a Nexo “crypto interest account.”

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The Idaho Department of Finance is warning jobseekers to be aware of the red flags of employment scams in light of a recent consumer complaint the Department received, and the continued prevalence of these scams nationwide. In the first quarter of 2022, U.S. consumers were scammed out of $68 million as a result of fake business and job opportunity…

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The Idaho Department of Finance in partnership with the Idaho Scam Jam Alliance will offer one final event in 2022 to educate Idahoans about how to protect themselves against the most recent scam and fraud trends. This Scam Jam will be held virtually on the Zoom platform on December 6th and 13th from 10:00-11:30 am MST, and notably will include a special update from the U.S. Attorney’s Office …

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The Idaho Department of Finance in partnership with the Idaho Scam Jam Alliance is pleased to share a series of upcoming educational events aimed at furthering consumer awareness of financial frauds and scams, including how to prevent, identify, and report, attempts from bad actors…

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The Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) Securities Bureau has filed a Complaint against Justin Finney, Rodney Skyles, and Bryan Trenary; Clearwater Trading GP, LLC; Clearwater Trading Company, LP; Clearwater Real Properties GP, LLC; Clearwater Real Properties, LP; Clearwater Real Properties, GP; Skyward Properties LLC; and Peak Market Trends…

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