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Yesterday some high-profile people had their Twitter accounts hacked by scammers who sent out fake tweets asking followers to send money using Bitcoin – a type of cryptocurrency or digital money.

Cryptocurrency scams are now a popular way for scammers to trick people into sending money. And they pop up in many ways. Most crypto scams can appear as emails trying to blackmail someone, online chain referral schemes, or bogus investment and business opportunities. But here’s what they all have in common – and what they have in common with yesterday’s Twitter hacks: A scammer wants you to send money, or make a payment, with Bitcoin or another type of cryptocurrency. Once you do, your money is gone, and there’s generally no way to get it back.

So if you see a tweet (or a text, email, or other message on social media) that tells you to pay with Bitcoin, you know that’s a scam. Other signs that something’s a scam? They might guarantee that you’ll make money (those guarantees are false); promise that you’ll double your money quickly (again, that’s always a fake promise); or say you’ll get free money in dollars or cryptocurrency (free money? Nope, not ever). 

If you spot a cryptocurrency scam, report it immediately to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. For more information, check out What To Know About Cryptocurrency.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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Orlykleber25
March 06, 2021
There’s a cryptocurrency called Giracoin that is supposed to be approved by the Switzerland government. Seems that Giracoin also works with another Switzerland company Tramac SA. Its there any evidence this Giracoin is legit or a scam?
jenny
March 08, 2021
I too have been scammed. We definitely need an excel spreadsheet blacklist of these scammers so that the next potential victim will hopefully look it up and not be scammed.
Cheiys
March 09, 2021
I have been scammed today now .an investor ask me to pay $100 and ask me to request withdraw from noway l received an email saying pay another $1600 for you to widraw $8000 ,l just told him l will kiss bitcoin a good bye forever this is my 3rd time being scammed here witg different people l doubt bitcoin exist
Blueangel
March 11, 2021
I was told from a lady to pay a membership for learning to trade indices and forex. I paid a fee of $1000 us dollars in bitcoin and another $2000 for broker fee also in bitcoin only to find out it was a scam is there anyway I can get my money back. I paid through cash app. After I paid I was not given anything I was promised. Can anyone give advise as to how I could recover my funds. Thank you
eva
March 12, 2021
yeah me too i was scam, they send me a message that i eligible for a relief funds and i can only widrow with my profile after i purchase a cold storage wallet from the company, the name grand crypto investment com. i sent $500 as the worth but then they send me again an email that nano s is not available and asked for additional of $200 to purchase the $700 as they have an available now, so i said i don't add no more.
AVLAW
March 14, 2021
Maxcryptogain appears to be a scam
Sherry12
March 15, 2021
Hello My name is Sheri, I was scammed by a company name evercryptotrade. The members involved are Dreko Lisa, Bryan king and Lucas. They scammed 8 k from me as the return of profits the said i will get is 38 k .. These men persured me like a shark literally begged for money . They texted me 24/7 telling me my profits are ready. Now that They have collected all this money from me. They called disappeared.
Sherry12
March 15, 2021
This man David Mark is using Shaun Lee a famous treader in the UK to scamm of Dollars from unsuspected people. He hacks other company plstforms to lure innocent clients to invest.
Elvis
March 16, 2021
I was scammed by someone named Mabel o brien. Supposedly she is a forex/crypto trader. I deposited $500 for my account. After 7 days I was supposed to withdraw but I had to pay $2100 out of my pocket for swap fees of $350 each for overnight trades. So I almost paid it off and now they’re asking me for a equity fee if 10% which is $1690 in order to withdraw. I’m so mad angry right now it’s not even funny
Suly
April 11, 2021

In reply to by Elvis

I too got scammed last night $11,714.00 worth of my XRP worst feeling in the world I just put in a complaint . We’re you able to get help with this matter . ?
Spock
July 07, 2021

In reply to by Elvis

I think that is the same person who I’ve been dealing with. Now they are going by the name Mabel gray ive put in about $1000 , it had gone uk to over $2600 , she then said that I had to small amount to keep trading and asked for more to make up to $4000 but I said no But
jblash3
March 16, 2021
Please inform me of what I need to do to recoup my loss of 10,500 to an online trading scam of Bitcoin. The company has a sophisticated online platform with fake recruiters who lure you in to be taken advantage of by more advanced traders who promise who profits in exchange of your purchase of Bitcoin. I loss $10500 to this scam! Someone please help me put a stop to this corruption. P/S I'm a law enforcement officer. If they got me, beware they can get you!!!!
dscreditsoluti…
March 26, 2021

In reply to by jblash3

don't feel bad I scammed to by cryptospherefx lady name (Lisa Ulrich) Facebook Name Lisa_cryptotrader (Lisa Barry Arnold) There scammers all of them that talk on telegram and what's up app (We Need to Stop Instagram And Facebook for still Promoting those scammers
Patience
April 28, 2021

In reply to by dscreditsoluti…

I also got scammed twice (100$). I don't know what I was thinking like really n now there's another one which my fellow country man advised me to invest in and I am sceptical. Let's form a telegram group n then escalate to Facebook group so that we make people aware of scammers n other people can also come to such platforms to repost these scammers?
Smart111
March 28, 2021

In reply to by jblash3

I got scammed of $14,000. I am so stressed and depressed I left of these criminals. They took all that I had left in my bank account and money I borrow from a family member. They had me invested $2200 in bitcoins and traded that made a profit of $107,000 but I had to first pay $12,000 to withdraw my profits . After paying that now he say I need to pay $10,000 more . The company was smartnetfx.online I met the guy through Instagram by the name john_connel_fx_ who said that we can make me lots of money trading bitcoins through this company by the name SmartNetFx.online.  I want my money back! How can we stop these criminals and lock them up?
Mhaera
March 18, 2021
I am victim of scam manager say that i start 100$ then i need to add 300$ then i get my ptofits after i. Provide another 700$ why people able to do that things me and my kids now suffer for what they did.. Vladimir Figueriedo be careful to him i hope all of you and behind this will die you dont know what you cause of wht you did..
Don't use your…
March 18, 2021
+1 (800) 442-5001 This number calling me about Bitcoin is it a scam
Abbottsmile
March 18, 2021
I was scammed on instagram with username buypicoin . Pi coin. There are a few pages when you search that that claim to sell pi for 100k shares for 60 bucks. I don't know why these people are not caught. There scamming thousands and instagram does not follow through when you report them. I sent bitcoin as payment. They then immediatly block you and you get nothing. Why can't the authorities track his email and wallet maybe ip address. Anyways watch out for these people it's rediculous that there still scamming thousands and knobody is doing anything about it.
Nautilus
March 20, 2021
I got a scam email from nomscrypto.com (Fred Jones). I did not fall for it. There is no contact info at the bottom of their page. The attachment is some kind of Microsoft document, I did not open it.
siphiwe.sibiya…
March 20, 2021
There is a company called themselves Fox FX Traders claiming to be trading on behalf of their clients or members under Bitcon, I started with R2000 and added R1500 deposited in Luno app account after 3 days they told me they have a high signal my money is double I was expecting R20 000 but it was R40 000 and they ask me to deposit R6500 on Luno accounts for account expanding, then they now asked for withdrawal fee and asked me to deposit + - R15 000 for high traffic and I will lose every cent - my question is that does Bitcoin recognise this so called company that is exploiting us?
Tamryn
June 10, 2021

In reply to by siphiwe.sibiya…

Hey, did these people ask you to send the cryptocurrency to them? once it becomes available to send?
Siggy
March 20, 2021
I was scammed just now
techlover
March 22, 2021
There is a person named Duric Farahudin and March Johnson posing as imposter asking them to sent BTC They also recommend purchasing a plan on eztradefx, swiftminingpro and 24cryptotrading beware as they try contacting you over whatsapp and other social media sites
Keng Jee Thao
March 23, 2021
They said that if I invest with them I will get a huge return on my money. They said they are 100% legit and I can trust them. I don't know why I trusted them but I did send them money. They asked for my information like house address, phone number, and even a picture of myself. So I thought that it was legit. I send them $300 as that was their minimum investment plan, in return for $3,500. They even have a website that shows the tracking of the trade. They made me sign up for it so I can track the investment. After the trading was done they asked for a fee which was $450 so that I can get my payment. I gave them the $450 via Cashapp. Then they stated that my account has grown to $5,730 and now they require another fee which was $700. They email me saying that I will get my payment within 60 seconds of paying the $700 fee. So I paid them $700 and now they left the chat in Telegram and not responding to any text or emails. I just want my money back, that was most of my life-saving money and I thought I could trust them for once in my life. In the end, I got scammed and now my hope is that you guys can help me find the fraud and put him in jail or a big punishment. Thank you!
Sanjib kumar
April 12, 2021

In reply to by Keng Jee Thao

Did you find anyone to help ...I am running the same thing now
FCB Adnoc & Bi…
March 26, 2021
Felix Carlos Benjamin is a Bitcoin Scammer working as a project manager in The Adnoc Group in Abu Dhabi. After 2 months talking, he begged me for 1 month to give him $500. from my stimulus check to replace money he spent to get the job w/Adnoc. I read online Adnoc does not take money from a 3rd party. He gave me instructions I go to a Bitcoin machine, insert my bank card, call him for the code & send $500. I blocked him.
NR T
March 29, 2021
It's painful how this scammers think we don't need money because they have a tendency of saying, "I'm trying to help you" This is what happened to me, I came across a post on Facebook saying I want to earn extra cash using Luno Account, I then inboxed that lady and she explained everything, I deposited R2000 into the Luno account and she gave me the address of which I was supposed to send money to, after that I saw my money growing, obviously I got excited. There comes a time where I had to receive my money money, I was told to deposit R12 900 (850$) because I made a huge profit. I told the lady I only have R2000 she said it's fine she will help me with R10 000 but I will have to pay her back, okay I had no problem. I made another deposit of R2000. When I was supposed to get my money again, I was told to pay 10% of management fee, that's where I got suspicious that this might be a scam. Unfortunately I have not received my money, all I want right now, I don't care about the profits anymore, I just need my R4000 back!
png2021
March 29, 2021
I have been scammed and cost me £24000. I have the details of the individual who has scammed me, although do not have the company details. His name is Pascal Wegner and he lives in the USA. As part of me trying to check if this was a scam or not I got him to send a copy of his passport to me plus a photo of himself with the current date on. Although I have these details and have registered the complaint with the FTC, there does not appear to be anything happening. I have actual evidence of the scam/crime as well as the individuals details. Any advice appreciated.
Damilola
April 02, 2021
I was scam by one chain girl is name is ma Chao I sold $2000 BTC for her and once she get the btc in her wellet she blocked me on Whatsapp +852 6159 9037 that her number
DipCrypt
April 02, 2021
I wish we all here get our money back, i`m just college student. i got scam about $2980 yesterday with fake tweet Elon Musk, i realize in the moment after i spent my BTC that it is a scam, i feel broke and i can`t continue to my college cause of this scam, because all of my balance is zero now. i can`t realize that this is happen to me. im so sad with this, hope someone can help me and get my money back. hope we all here get strong heart, i fell want to suicide in that moment. i can`t talk to my family, and i decided to go alone, hope we all here get better future after this bad experience
Mar
April 02, 2021
I was also scammed by David Henry from Chicago Illinois. He told to invest in bitcoin and earn double but now he's telling me to upgrade my account and pay more than 1000 dollars to be able to get my profit but I didn't give anything. I lost 150dollar
Miller
April 08, 2021
I was also scammed. I am from the Phils and I met this Valentina Rae on FB. She asked me to convert my money to a bitcoin amd invested it on coinsfxsquare. After that, it appears that I gain profit in the amount of $3k but i need to pay the API fee worth $907. I was not able to pay the $907 API. They asked me how much money do I have, in short I paid them $200. I was so excited then because they told.me that, that is my last payment. But after giving them the money they asked.me.again to.pay $207 for the signal.curb to receive my investment immediately. I did not paythem because I have no money at all. The crypro trader manager name ld Valentina Fx Rae and the company they are using coinsfxsquare. I did not know how can I return back my money. If they are real or bogus hecause they just keep on asking money
kristine
October 22, 2021

In reply to by Miller

IF they keep on asking money without something in return then it's a scam.
browneyes
April 08, 2021
I started texting a guy name Donald fisher. After 4 days he was leaving out of the United States for a job. Then he said he had a 2nd job selling Biotic exchange for cash. He explain he had a manager handling the job. But his family passed from the conovirus and the manager left the business. So I was texting Donald Fisher from south of St Augustine. We where getting alone really good texting and we never meet in person or talk on the phone all we did was text. He ask if I would help with the business of cryptocurrency and told no he keep on how he trust me 100% but I keep saying no. Will I told him I was tired and need to go to bed. Then finally he said fine and was not to nice. So I have his phone number and addresses. So can someone help me what should i do. I blocked his number.
arn111
April 12, 2021
Hey guys, did any of these people ask you download any cryprocurrency apps? I met this girl on this dating app and after a week she starting talking to me about investing with her in crypto in whatsapp chat. She asked me to download binance.us and maxxxtrade so she can teach me. I am reluctent and always skeptical ,but she is pushing it for some reason. She actually asked if we could meet up. Does this sound like a scam?
cworkman
July 26, 2021

In reply to by arn111

yes this is a scam! I got scammed $7000.00. Same scenario. They will pretend they want to meet up with you. Don't give them any money!
Achapin3
April 16, 2021
A friend request was made on my Instagram by a lady named Thompson Brittany.. she asked if I was interested in trading crypto and she was taking me through a process. But then without setting up an account with this company she wanted me to send $100 into a wallet.. I asked more questions and it kept coming back to that. I asked about setting up an account first and sending the money after and she said yes but still send it to this wallet number. I blocked her and didn’t send the money because it just didn’t seem right. She might have been legit but since she had only the wallet number and didn’t seem to be connected to this company I backed out. The company was called swingfx
Nobody
April 28, 2021
Anyone been scammed by James Wilson? He wants to send me part of his fathers inheritance then send it to him in Bitcoin. He asked for I tunes cards sent 2 stupidly.
ArifK
June 27, 2021
One lady told me to open a account in op-trade.com and she send me 500 usd btc and when I am trying to withdrawal so they asking me to deposit$100 usd should I deposit or leave it
SanIri
July 01, 2021
I was just scammed by official_carolinaforbes, met her on IG. She also asked me to download Telegram, but we were communication via WhatsApp. Her profile looks legit, but after investing $2,000, she started trading on "Thrusttrades" and got me $99,000 in 1 month. In order to release the profit the platform apparently asked me for $11,000. I never paid! I told her I will run her profile. Completely a SCAM
Slie
July 16, 2021
I was also scammed today by a lady called Emily watson, they say if I want to make my withdrawal I have to pay $552 for verification
Linsey
July 25, 2021
I have had the same… a lad called josh Chandler on Instagram I paid £977 to release funds he then said there was a spike in my payment so had to pay a further £1025 to release my funds which I didn’t do! These people are dangerous
Innocent
July 30, 2021
I was scammed by a man called Diego Fernando who claimed to be working for platinum bitcoin miners company in California last year. All in all I paid 700 dollars. He asked me to pay 1800 OTP fee to receive profits. I have received nothing up to date. He is quiet
Steven
August 06, 2021
Either this is a scam or something, I don't know but I need advice. I started investing with a woman known as Christy Jay, someone like that and I started off with $500 and she said I made a profit, while she actually put her $500 in as well, next thing, I needed to pay 2,500 to withdraw which I thought that's too big but unfortunately, I did it anyways, so next thing? She demanded that I pay a big 5k next but I told her I don't have funds to pay that so now she demanded $600 to pay a pending fee? I don't know what is that but I need help.. Do I do this or no? Asking for help!
Johnson Davis
August 06, 2021

In reply to by Steven

Christy Jay has 4-5 Instagram accounts, I originally invested with her but she too scammed me of about 7k. Started off with a small capital of 300 and made 1,500, no deal right? But there's a withdrawal fee of $700 which I got generally confused because I thought there would be commission, so I paid but unfortunately this only increased my trade profit to about 9,200 and I was demanded another 2k withdraw so dumb me I guess I did it again but it now increased to a whopping 28k and I had to pay 4k for commission fee which I did, unfortunately however, she charged another 8k fee because they weren't releasing the money. Same boat and this was months ago with her. I hate and despise these internet demons.
mmashipe
August 25, 2021

In reply to by Rebecca Steve

its a scam if the system is really saying paying a certain amount and because you said you don't have it they reduce it but after paying they will keep asking small amount like 100, 200, 250 and you will never get paid. I have been scammed 1400 myself right now Agent Miller and Agent Silbert are asking that I pay $3k to get my blockchain key but I already have the key. They are scammers walk away now. I have blocked all of them and they keep trying to come back, they were even asking for my password so I told them never gonna get it.
Steven
September 02, 2021

In reply to by mmashipe

I guess I feel dumb for doing this. I guess I lost 3k in total as a result ughh, here's the time line of events: I deposited $250 on the first week of April, and another $250 on the 2nd week, which totalled $500, she then said I had to make a $1.5k deposit to withdraw and I didn't have the money, so then 2 months later, on June, I had saved up 2,700 then she said I needed to pay 2.5k to withdraw? So after I mistakenly did this, I get an email saying I needed to pay a commission fee of 5k despite requesting only 10k of profit.. , what a joke of these people I swear to god.
Feel Hopeless
August 13, 2021
I was scammed out $17,500 by Interactive Global (https://www.interactive-global.com/). Eddie Pascal, Ben Glass and Mary Vinker (all fake names). Eddie kept pressuring me to "invest more" to see better results. Then Mary took over my portfolio and asked to deposit $2500 to withdraw money. None of them will call me back and I cannot withdraw my money. Yesterday, David who sounds exactly like Eddie said Mary committed fraud and that to withdraw my money I need to send money for tax, etc. I let him know that I already sent the money and that it's the company's responsibility to fix it. I also let him know that I was reporting this company to authorities.
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