Introduction to Abnas Global
A California resident was introduced to a cryptocurrency trading platform named Abnas Global through a contact known as “Tina” on WhatsApp and WeChat. Tina provided instructions to the victim, including links to the platform and guidance to download an app associated with it. Following her advice, the victim created an account, transferred cryptocurrency, and began trading Bitcoin. Over time, the account balance soared to an impressive $2,017,141.86. However, when the victim attempted to withdraw funds, Abnas Global demanded a payment of $240,000 in “taxes” or risk losing their assets. Tina then offered to help with some of the tax payment if the victim contributed $100,000. This pattern of coercion continued, leading the victim to send over $1,200,000 to the platform without recovering any funds. Currently, all associated websites are inactive.
DYDX Wallet Scam
Another Californian reported a similar experience with DYDX Wallet, introduced by an individual named “Nathan” on social media. Nathan, presenting himself as a financial consultant, invited the victim to a WhatsApp group where trading advice was shared. After opening an account on DYDX Wallet and depositing funds, the victim initially saw quick profits. However, attempts to withdraw funds resulted in demands for additional commissions. After paying out around $22,000 in total, including commissions, the site became unresponsive, and the victim lost all invested funds. It’s important to note that this DYDX Wallet is not connected to the legitimate dYdX DeFi exchange.
MIC Markets Fraud
Two Californians fell prey to scams involving the cryptocurrency trading app MIC Markets. The first victim was convinced by an acquaintance to deposit $45,000 into the app, believing they had doubled their investment. However, upon attempting to withdraw their balance, they were blocked and told to pay “taxes” before they could access their funds. The second victim, lured through a dating app, was also persuaded to invest significantly after being shown fake trading success. When withdrawal attempts were made, they were pressured into paying various fees and taxes. Ultimately, both victims lost substantial amounts, with neither being able to recover their investments.
Scam on the CPTL Platform
A California resident reported their experience with CPTL, where they were introduced to the platform by an individual named “Mr. Michael” on WhatsApp. After depositing funds, the victim believed their account had grown significantly. However, when withdrawal requests were made, the platform demanded a commission payment, leaving the victim unable to retrieve their funds. The site has since ceased operations, and the victim lost over $57,000.
Xperiatrade Experience
Another Californian encountered a scam involving Xperiatrade after being contacted by an alleged investment advisor on Instagram. Following instructions, the victim opened an account and began trading but faced issues when trying to withdraw funds. The platform demanded a fee for an encrypted code to facilitate the withdrawal, leading to a total loss of $5,080.
Presalexaitoken and Crypto Plumb Scams
A Californian reported being scammed by Presalexaitoken.com, which advertised a 50% bonus for Bitcoin deposits. The victim sent 0.1 BTC but could not retrieve it. Similarly, a scam involving Crypto Plumb unfolded when a victim was convinced by a supposed Citibank investment broker to invest in crypto. After initially seeing profits, the victim was ultimately told they needed to wait due to account freezes, resulting in a loss of over $300,000.
Bitnice and Moon X Beast
A victim reported being scammed by the Bitnice platform, where they invested without recovering any funds. Additionally, a TikTok video misled a Californian into believing they had received Bitcoin on moonxbeast.com, only to be scammed into paying for “platinum status” to withdraw their funds. The site is now defunct.
Further Instances of Scams
Various other platforms such as Cosmictop.cc and the fraudulent airdrop schemes have led to significant losses for victims. Many were approached via social media or dating apps, only to find their funds frozen or stolen after being coerced into paying “taxes” or other fees. The fraudulent trading platforms listed above exhibit similar patterns, employing tactics like urgency and manipulation to extract funds from unsuspecting individuals.
Conclusion
These scams highlight the importance of vigilance in online investments and the need for individuals to conduct thorough research before engaging with any trading platforms. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) continues to warn consumers about the risks of cryptocurrency scams and emphasizes the necessity of caution when approached by unknown individuals or companies.
