You chose to "Be Your Own Bank" don't get complacent and scammed, I did.

[1miau]

I hope you didn't lose much, I can imagine it's not nice even when the amont wasn't high and you know it was possible to avoid because normally you don't fall for it.

Discord is also a platform where I'm not very active (I'm just following a few groups but don't use it for regular communication) and yeah, a different medium of communication isn't trivial to know all the features what's leading to mistakes.

When someone is asking for money, no matter where I'm always like that:



Especially if there is no chat history, the PM comes solely for asking for money (all accounts can be hacked) or trying to get some other sort of information. Even links should be suspected.


Right now, I've enabled PMs in Telegram (that scammers can PM me) and I get behind their stratgies to list them and educate less experienced people like Royse777 does it in their List of (un)known methods scammers user to scam users with honorable mention. I'm only sending money on Telegram et al. unless I'm 100% sure the person is trustworthy and 100% not an impersonator or hacked account.

But sharing your story here is much appreciated. +100

[Steamtyme]

I know most people here are tech guys,
One very important thing to consider when dealing with bitcoin as an investment (which is what you are doing, as you are even lending it) is to really understand its potential performance in your portfolio and the risks involved.
An asset like bitcoin which may increase its 10-20% per day has enough volatility by itself. You don´t really need to lend it for 5% interest rate a year (which is almost negligible compared to nearly 300% gains, only this year). Lending also increases your risk exponentially.
If you want fixed interest rates, you should buy bonds. Exchange your bitcoin to your local fiat and get your 1-5% per year (depending to your country). Bonds are highly regulated and nobody is going to run away with your money (possible but highly unlikely).
Bitcoin lacks regulations, so anyone can runaway with your money and you can't do anything. Authorities probably can't help you, as your coins are probably in a company in another continent.
Lending is simple not worth the risk.

You do make good points here. Tech guy definitely doesn't describe me all to well. I would say 95% of what I've learned or sone with computers has been due to getting involved in BTC, and choosing to mine. I still have tons to learn, and am trying to find time to dedicate to getting better. That or I might start getting the "OK Boomer" from my daughter in a few years  
I actually got into lending as a way to try and make BTC work for me in it's form without selling it and then converting. So far it's been a mixed bag, and probably not something I will continue to do in the future. -This Scam not part of that consideration. I also like to spend BTC when I can for purchases that would otherwise be done through PP or something like that. With a percentage saved always, as I do want to benefit from price increases in the future. I'm not yet convinced that it's sole purpose moving forward should be a store of value, I would hope that it could be a means to large scale purchases not needing to be completed within seconds or minutes, with other coins or systems designed for quick everyday purchases - A crypto commerce ecosystem.
You aren't wrong about the risks though, as 1 bad deal on lending can result in wiping out profits from 100's of deals depending on the interest rates you work with.

A very good post. Not always easy to say publicly "I fucked up"... Hopefully will serve as a warning to others and who knows... it might just save one person from being a victim!
Also, just FYI, the "Developer Mode" setting is in a slightly different location on Android and iOS versions of Discord... Android it is in "User Settings -> App Settings -> Behaviour" and on iOS it is "User Settings -> Appearance -> Advanced".
Refer here: https://support.discordapp.com/hc/en-us/articles/206346498-Where-can-I-find-my-User-Server-Message-ID-
That article also explains how to find "Server" and "Message" IDs. I could see the "Server ID" being useful to avoid being invited onto "fake" servers.

I added a link to your post in the OP. A similar article was how I figured out where to look for User ID's, obviously to late. I should have though to link it in, glad you thought of it. It's a must if you want to report someone on Discord for any reason so it's funny they tuck this info away in the first place.

~snip~
Discord & scammers. Check user IDs and user colors of strangers send you PMs

Nice thread every bit of information out there helps.

I only sending money on Telegram et al. unless I'm 100% sure the person is trustworthy and 100% not an impersonator or hacked account.

It's funny because I had been contacted through telegram once and put the person to task to prove their identity, and it was who they said they were. In that case they were not a person I had met IRL, so that's where my guard dropped. Obviously this person wasn't someone I had met IRL, but did just enough to fool me, and had I done a few extra simple steps on my part this would have been avoided. Live and learn, help others learn at the same time.

[Mike Mayor]

It is good to share the story even if you feel shame. I respect that.

What were they offering you though that made you fall for this particular scam?

When someone contacts me on pm I don't mind but 99% of the time I am expecting spam or someone wanting money in some way. I always start reading and think to myself "so where does the part where I need to give you my money come in" I keep reading and the next message or so sure enough.... They want money. People who need investors do not contact you in a pm. Think about it. Why would someone who wants to be taken seriously for this great idea of theirs want to act like a beggar on social networks? Those guys basically lurk around waiting for victims. Only a scammer will contact you so directly. (please do not be confused by people who want to contact you directly after you have spoken elsewhere, that is fine so long as you can trust the person as far as what they say but do not trust some random pm ever ignore or read for humour)

Then I also would like to just add a few other things. When you buying something no matter what it is. Investing or anything. When you give someone else your hard-earned bucks, the last person you should listen to is the person trying to get your money. Ask other people. It is illogical to trust the person selling the service item or investment since they will say whatever they need to in order to part you of your money. Ask anyone else but the seller.

I read here someone said something about exposing they scammer or giving their personal info away. It doesn't help. These people are shameless and don't care if you know who they are. Most of the time people just move on ado nothing. Which is wrong. It is your money you should do something about it.

I know you got ripped off by some random person it sounds like but I was scammed twice locally. I got my money back the first time. I started calling around and found other people he had ripped of and found out about him. Where he lived and who he lived with. We knew what car he drove and everything. So we told him we know all these things about him and he better pay me my money back because you stuffing around with the wrong person. It took a few months but I got my money back. He used every trick in the book to delay and things. He cried and everything. Put on quite a show. I didn't fall for that shit like other people do. I know a scammers mind. So yeah I got my money back and reported him. I didn't bother to check up on it since I was so angry and I gave them everything bit of info I had.

The last time I was scammed it was very strange and the person seemed legit and ever during the scam seemed legit. Even telling me they had been scammed before. I lost my temper with them and they even told me they will not lower themselves to my level. lol yeah.... A thief tells his victim this? >.< That comment just made me so angry so I got my bank to open an investigation and I will go as far as the law will allow me to lay charges against this man and his wife (in on it too)

My cases were not random ones online these people had websites and everything. The latest scammer actually took his website down when I started blasting him on social media. I made sure his brand name was destroyed. "brand name" I bet he never owned a single item on his website. I am just telling you about them so people do not lose hope. You can catch some of these guys.


Then the last thing I want to say is. None of this would happen if you use an escrow. Always escrow. When it is someone online and you don't know who they then use escrow. It might cause some implications but of they are legit they will agree. Remember a scammer will never agree to such things since a scammer wants to get in and out as quickly as possible the rinse repeat. They don't even feel anything they like machines.

Sorry about your loss. But now you know for next time you beat these suckers. Now other people hopefully will learn from us and not do what we did.

[Bightening]

I have to say that this is a classic example of what it means to ‘Be your own bank’.
I put much thoughts to it after reading your post, and remembering instances where I foolishly lost my crypto. Good to see the words you used in your topic caption, and good to see this on Beginners & Help board, because If you decide to ‘Be your own bank’, you’ve taken up a huge responsibility.
It comes with a whole lot of benefits (which is very much discussed), but it’s best people learn that there’re consequences when you fail in your responsibilities as a ‘Bank’.