# FinCEN issues digital-asset scam-center indicators and reporting instructions

> FinCEN issued FIN-2026-Alert005, supplementing its 2023 digital-asset investment scam alert with scam-center laundering indicators and specific reporting instructions.

- URL: https://riadefi.com/regulation/2026-09-03-fincen-digital-asset-investment-scam-centers-alert/
- Posture: Guidance
- Authorities: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
- Event date: 2026-09-03
- Version: 1, published 2026-09-15 (first published 2026-09-15)
- Advisor-relevant: yes

## What changed

FinCEN issued FIN-2026-Alert005, supplementing its 2023 digital-asset investment scam alert with scam-center laundering indicators and specific reporting instructions. It requests FIN-2026-SCAMCENTERS in SAR field 2 and the narrative, and Scam Centers under field 34(z), Fraud-Other. An accompanying analysis identifies approximately $12.7 billion in suspected financial activity across 33,904 BSA reports filed from September 8, 2023 through December 31, 2025. That figure is not a measure of proven losses or unique transactions. The alert provides guidance and reminders under existing requirements.

## Who it affects

- Banks, broker-dealers, MSBs, and other covered financial institutions encountering suspected scam proceeds
- Advisers assisting clients liquidating investments or transferring assets to purported crypto investments

## What is still open

- Whether particular transfers or counterparties are connected to scam activity
- Whether transferred funds can be recovered; reported activity does not establish liability or recoverability

## What it means for an advisor

- Review unusual investment liquidations and crypto-transfer requests for scam indicators and escalate concerns through established procedures
- Preserve wallet, transaction, recipient, and communication records for investigation
- Covered SAR filers should incorporate the alert's reporting instructions; advisers should coordinate with relevant custodians without assuming new filing duties

## Sources

1. [FinCEN Alert on Money Laundering Activity Associated with Digital Asset Investment Scam Centers](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2026-08/FinCEN-Alert-Scam-Centers.pdf) · Financial Crimes Enforcement Network · 2026-09-03
2. [Digital Asset Investment Scams: 2023-2025 Threat Pattern & Trend Information](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2026-08/FinCEN-FTA-Digital-Asset-Investment-Scams.pdf) · Financial Crimes Enforcement Network · 2026-09-03
3. [FinCEN Identifies Nearly $13 Billion Linked to Suspected Digital Asset Scams Operated by Overseas Scam Centers](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-identifies-nearly-13-billion-linked-suspected-digital-asset-scams) · Financial Crimes Enforcement Network · 2026-09-03


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Published by Ketju Research on RIADeFi (https://riadefi.com). Educational research for financial professionals; not investment, legal, tax, or compliance advice.