Scam Solutions: The Evolution of Crypto Investigations
Investigation expert, researcher, and educator Gary Warner on the evolving use of tech in scams, helping law enforcement, and new projects in the fight.
Episode 36: The threat of cybercrime looms larger than ever in a world increasingly dependent on technology. Erin West talks with Gary Warner, a cybercrime investigation expert. They delve into the complexity of online scams, technology, and the critical need for collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector.
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Law enforcement can’t handle the cybercrime crisis alone. Public-private partnerships are crucial. Law enforcement is bound by specific cases, but independent researchers have more freedom to explore the broader ecosystem of cybercrime, engage directly with criminal networks, and gather vital information to understand and combat scams.
Gary highlights how collaboration can lead to breakthroughs in identifying and dismantling fraud rings, an essential part of tackling this growing threat.
What Are Guarantee Syndicates?
Erin and Gary discuss the mechanics of modern scams, including guarantee syndicates that operate like online marketplaces for criminal services. Gary explains how the syndicates facilitate various scams, including toll-fraud phishing and the monetization of stolen credit cards. He also highlights how criminals use Telegram as a communication platform and discusses ongoing efforts to disrupt these fraud operations through innovative research and collaboration with students.
We’re watching criminals advertise and boast about “I now can deliver spam to 140 different countries.” And they’re offering tutorials. “Would you like to learn how to make package-delivery spam?” — Gary Warner, DarkTower
Cybercrime has staggering financial implications worldwide. The figures highlight the urgent need for society to adapt and respond to the ever-evolving tactics employed by transnational organized crime. Criminals are not only exploiting weaknesses in technology but finding innovative ways to launder money, further complicating the fight.
As technology advances, so too do the methods fraudsters use. The need for continuous education and individuals' vigilance in protecting their information can’t be overstated. In a landscape where scams are increasingly sophisticated, awareness and collaboration will be our greatest allies in the fight against cybercrime.
I can look at everything.
I don’t have the restrictions. If I want to talk to a Chinese scammer, I talk to him. If I want to go look at 100 websites in Russia, I go look at them. — Gary Warner, DarkTower
Who Is Gary Warner?
Gary Warner is the director of threat intelligence for DarkTower and co-founder of Intelligence for Good. DarkTower, an intelligence company, fights online crime while training the next generation of crime fighters and analysts, providing intelligence, investigations, and identification of criminal networks. Intelligence for Good is a non-profit focused on internet-enabled crime, including crypto investment scams, business email compromise, and online sales of opiates and fentanyl.
Until 2025, Gary was the director of research in computer forensics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he led the Center for Cybersecurity and taught courses in computer forensics, malware analysis, and cybercrime investigations. Warner has published more than 35 academic articles about cybercrime investigations and forensics and is a frequent conference speaker.
Episode Chapters
00:30 Introduction to Gary Warner
01:05 The Evolution of Cybersecurity and Fraud Awareness
03:13 The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships in Combating Scams
06:22 Exploring Guarantee Syndicates and Their Operations
10:48 The Mechanics of Toll Fraud Scams and Money Laundering
13:00 Transnational Organized Crime and Money Movement
13:54 Telegram: The Communication Hub for Criminals
17:21 Teaching Crypto Investigations and Student Involvement
23:09 Collaborative Investigations: Case Study of Kraken Futures
26:14 Challenges in Law Enforcement and Victim Support
30:00 Future Projects and the Role of Intelligence for Good
36:48 Disrupting Scams: Strategies and Collaborations
Useful Links
Report scams to FBI IC3 and Operation Shamrock
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Sponsors of Stolen
BioCatch prevents financial crime by recognizing patterns in human behavior, continuously collecting 3,000 anonymized data points – keystroke and mouse activity, touch screen behavior, physical device attributes, and more – as people interact with their digital banking platforms. With these inputs, BioCatch's models reveal patterns that distinguish the criminal from the legitimate.
Scamnetic is a leader in AI-powered scam detection and prevention, protecting individuals, businesses, and financial institutions from digital scams. With solutions like KnowScam and IDeveryone, Scamnetic delivers real-time scam insights, identity verification, and intervention. Restoring trust, reducing losses, and empowering organizations to safeguard customers in an increasingly complex digital world.
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