Bitcoin Forum

My Experience With A Scammer

Scammers are so real on cryptocurrency but, it's always you that opens the backdoor for them to get in.
A scammer attempted it on me once, on telegram. Claiming he was on holidays in a country that didn't allow cryptos and it was possible for him to make transfers but, impossible to make withdrawals by him.
He asked if I could help make the withdrawal and offered me 0.006BTC, it was quite tempting so, I chose to give it a trier.
He sent me a link to a site, requiring me to put my mail details amongst others to create an account after which, he was to send the 0.96BTC and I was to withdraw, take my percentage and send him the rest.
It downed on me then that it could be a scam but, I really wanted to give it a trier. He pulled some brain work to see if he could ride on my intelligence, he acted as though he wanted to gain my trust and to be in control of the game mean while, I was quite aware of the tricks in play. I played along though.
so, I created a brand new email, went through the registration process, confirmed the 0.0000000BTC on my balance tab and upon transfer, i received the said 0.96BTC. Now, I was fined 0.003BTC to make the withdrawal possible as a new user, was to put my wallet address and other details to authorize transaction which I evidently refused and quarreled him about it as I felt he was at the peek of his scheme already. He immediately deleted his account, wiped his part of the chat and was off. Just like that.

Deduction
The scammer could either be working alone or with a team. Either he owned the site or he's team did and he was to keep the fee for himself or share the said 0.003BTC with his team. It might seem small but, they could be phishing for your email, wallet and private key details amongst others. Now, it's either your attacked directly or your details can be sold on black market.

Caution
Be aware of this scheme and others. Don't be so fast to give out confidential details to just anyone or platform as it could be phishing oriented. Put your greed in check as it could raise your vulnerability of being a victim of scam.
Don't trust just anyone you meet over the web and no fee is too small. It might be just a paraphase that leads to a far greater scheme. Be warned!

I have come across such scammer scheme before they can credit your account on the site with any amount of either bitcoin or ethereum and at the end ask you to deposit some amount in into the said account or an address which they will provide and if you fall for it the run aware and the credit on their site is useless. We have to be mindful on any opportunity before we dive in, scammers are real.

Good one, also put in check your curiosity and don't always feel too comfortable/over confident thinking you got things in control, it might leave and undetected exposure by you to the second party -scammer/scammers- no need for trial on a known scam or when you instinct is overly sure its a scam or not sure of your safety. That scheme is old still you don't know which way the scammers can swindle you from even when they use a known scam scheme.

It's best to check previous posts as well regarding that. Usually, this happens on messaging platforms like Telegram. You could check the links below.

New scam technique on Telegram. (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5192101.0)
New Telegram Crypto Scammer Technique (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5194496.0)
Telegram Scams (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5037588.0)

Usually, checking the username would suffice and correlate the username with the supposed original. Ensure that you don't send anything to the person without verifying the identity and know that it's correct.

P.S. I think this would be helpful for your title.

"Beware" for indicating danger.
"Be Aware" for attention or let something known.

Sounds a bit like a very poor version of the Nigerian prince type of scam, although I’m not sure the details of the process are crystal clear in the OP (at least to me).

For example, you state that you received 0.96BTC from the guy, but I figure that you really received not BTC, but rather saw an internal site’s ledger movement on the website’s screen representing the TX. If that is the case (which I presume it is), the scammers simply faked a movement backed by nothing, and then pressed on to you to transfer some real legit BTCs to him, in order to enable you to extract the fake 0.96BTC´s on your balance on the given site.

As with all these scam type approaches, it would be interesting to know how they reached out to you, and if it was recent or not.

Exactly, that was the scheme in play, an internal site's ledger movement to fake the actual. I had a hunch on it but, just wanted to see it to the end. I knew it was quite dangerous but, felt like catching the cruise.

I was contacted on telegram. I guess I'll be doing a wipe on the note soon.
It wasn't recent though, it all played out few months back but, I never wanted to share at first but, for the flux of newbies coming in here these days, I thought it's best some learn from my experience and how I handled it.

This is the reason why I'm not trusting other people who came especially on telegram. Most of the time they have a problem regarding the withdrawal or can't transfer their funds.

This is a common scam and I think you ready learned your mistake I'm hoping you will now realize.
Try to check out this link because it gives you a lot of help and awareness.

They always use telegram as you know telegram is the heaven of scammers. I have been contacted more than twice if I can rremember correctly through such scammers. It's still active, in this way or another like buying domain and paying in a certain website which actually is controlled by them.

This modus operandi is also common on gambling sites, especially those with virtual items or skins.

Basically you win some good items, the site requests you to deposit items/ cash to bypass restrictions then after doing it, tadaa. Scammed.

Also, someone here posted not too long ago that he managed to outmanoeuvre a scammer by receiving the "test funds" as proof then quickly sending it to his own wallet.

Especially if we know that it is possible to delete messages at both ends and then those who have been deceived have no evidence that anything happened at all. So my recommendation is that Telegram is something to be avoided in the crypto world - especially when it comes to beginners who believe everything they read.

We should be especially careful on the forum with those who publicly or privately give their telegram addresses - always use private messages for this because the scammer cannot delete what is in your PM box.

Your amount of BTC is attempted by scammer is small. If you spend time to search, you would find some topics on the same problem as yours.

Scammer opened topic to say "I get troubles and can not withdraw my BTC. My amount of BTC get stucked is 1 or 2 BTC. Please help me to withdraw it if you are living in my nation, and you will get 50% of the amount as reward for your help".

Something like this. You should notice that there are many people around that guy. Family members (brothers, sisters, parents, and friends). Those people are better to trust than open a topic and ask for help from a stranger. If you notice it, you would stop your intention to help. 8)

Keep a rule "Don't click on any link from stranger or don't open any file from stranger".

It's nothing new. I have faced this type of scammer last year in a gambling site. And the scammer were trying to scam people through private message at every online gambling site. A lot of gamblers faced that issue. Scammer used different types of message. I got one of those and quoting here

And after this message he asked me to contact him through telegram for further information. I was aware about the scam attempt and ignored it. Though he sent me another message in pm. And it was

Though haven't seen those type of scammer report at any casino it's been so long. Most of the casino took proper steps against those user and banned them from the site as well. Awareness can save us from those scammers.

Didn't experience this but I've come across this from other people. This trick is the same with those projects and platforms that would want to be tried by their potential victims which promise a good amount in return for their help. And also they play to be someone that can't do the withdrawal by themselves so they ask help.

You did it and a good job that you never fell for the scam.

Those crooks are some team with their main office mostly they are located in India like what I saw in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le71yVPh4uk

However, the same strategy is used all around the world and most of them don't really have a conscience. No matter who you are, some grannys or some pure innocent man they will take advantage and run away with your money. so better to be careful and prevent those things to happen by not giving your trust to some strangers in the internet.

Scammers are always there looking for victims to trick and lure to make them fall for their tricks on any platform. We are aware that there are a lot of scammers in Telegram that's why I don't really give my trust easily especially on people who will just randomly come to me.

Good for you op that even when his offer is tempting you, you did not get lost nor swayed by it and did not fall for it. Some things can be tempting but not all are worth it because greed can lead you to something worse.

It's good that you share your experience here however old it may be it's really an old stuff scammers are doing but so many newbies coming in now and they need to be aware of this, they know that they can always victimized new people coming in because they do not know how this things works and they play with people's greediness and want for opportunities.

They are mostly a gang. work in a structured manner in carrying out such a neat scam. Of course, this may seem identical to those who already know the world of crypto. But for those who are beginners? It is a disaster wrapped in sweet honey and candy, like a child who could easily be deceived.

And this mode is always like this, they require us to deposit first in order to withdraw their prizes. This is classic. However, there are still many victims. lucky you can immediately alert and avoid it.

In Telegram, the gathering place for scammers, I also got an offer from someone on telegram but I ignored it because I knew people were not known so they would cheat in their own way either by begging or withdrawal assistance which is clear I never reply to it and always block anything like that.

Really also don't be tempted by greed because it will make what you imagine worse, there are always a lot of scamer tricks so they will do anything to get money.

I applaud Op is quick to realize this.

My experience with telegram scammers.

Some months ago, I had an issue with an exchange, my funds were frozen because I used it only to deposit tokens I've got from bounty, exchange it and withdraw them. This short session of in-and-out tokens became suspicious (that what support said to me). I've shared this info on official telegram channel and asked for help.

While waiting for a solution, a scammer with exchange logo in avatar and nickname like SupportEng12 (or something like that) PMed me and started to "help" me.

His tactics was - I need to deposit some ETH to an address and my account will be unfrozen. I need to deposit exactly to this address, because all deposit addresses for my account are frozen. For a newbie, this explanation might sound logical.

Conclusion: if you have and issues with exchange and seek support in telegram - dont share your problem on public, because scammer might use it against you. Contact support via PM only and always recheck if they are from real support team.

Because Cryptocurrency is decentralized and do not involved third party interference scammers are very brave to scam people and device many ways to scam people because of the loop holes, the only way we can avoid this is to educate ourselves Bitcoin transactions are based on trust always think if you can and will trust the sender.

Scammers are really a pest in our investments and they are taking those money that we have worked for several time.

But we are the one who are accountable with our own awareness and prevention to avoid being their victim in their different schemes and strategies.

Feed your knowledge towards awareness on those scammers who can take everything from you. Also be mindful with those FAKE GIVEAWAYS because that's pretty obvious a scam, there's no easy money in cryptocurrency especially that it requires skills and patience to grow your assets. So, as soon as possible, read a lot of stories and tips on how to prevent being a victim of scams.

Unfortunately Scammers are everywhere on the internet. When I started with cryptos I fell for some scammers and still feel bad about almost 5 years later. So many fishing emails, website and advertisements out there. We must all protect our investments and information online. Best to double check everything. I think it's like on the streets, there are people out there who are only after our money and we need to keep an close eye on our wallet.

I have found this thread because you posted it on another one created today by an alleged newbie who asked for help to withdraw his money from an exchange, limited for 1 IP. I'm commenting here so it gets pumped and other users have it at hand.

It is so sad scammers act like this every day ??? I want to think that they really need the money to pay debts, or they are like 13 years old.

There are many ways to make money honourably. I don't know who is more miserable after all, the scammed one or the own scammer.

Haven't heard of this before, these scammers are getting creative lately

Yeah, that's why one has to be careful.
It is now more difficult to know who to help on internet these days. Many scammers on telegram, and they work as team and it's easy to know because they all use the same scam format. Report to telegram once you receive any DM from users claiming their funds got stuck on an exchange.

Scammers are always open for renovation hahaha. They need to progress and change strategy from time to time or else they will have no victim.
and these people are gifted and brighfull its just happen that they are not using their ability in right manner instead they are on the opposite side.
But with continues learning we can survive and prevent from becoming one of the victims.

That's why if we're entering finance, we should be aware that there will be always people that will steal your money. We shouldn't just study how things work in investment, we should also study the differences between fake and legit platforms to avoid being scammed.

Extending your intellect on schemes like this is a must since there are plenty of scammers on the internet, we can't avoid them. If you get scammed, then it's your fault for being greedy or sometimes being careless. I don't usually offer help and don't talk too much to other users that I don't personally know.