Dating App, Instagram, Telegram, and LinkedIn were how the last 4 reported California crypto scammers met their victims

California has a Department of Financial Protection & Innovation which tracks crypto scams and gives a small description of each scam that is reported. It is crazy the number of people that meet people randomly on social media and then send money at their direction. Here are the last 4 scams that were reported

Dating App

A California victim met someone on an online dating app. At some point, the scammer instructed the victim to send crypto assets to what the victim believed was a legitimate banking app based in Singapore.

How in the world does meeting someone on Match.com translate into sending ETH to what you think is a banking app in Singapore? I am sure we are all thinking this was a horney dude, but it was a woman.

Instagram DM

A California victim reports that “Bill” reached out to her via Instagram where they communicated for about 2 weeks before Bill asked to move the conversation to WhatsApp. Bill then mentioned trading in crypto assets and asked if she was interested.

Who honestly thinks that unsolicited DMs from Instagram would result in great financial advice? Nothing ever good comes from unsolicited DMs. Ever.

Telegram Stalking

A victim reported they met “Lisa Harris”, who had a presence on multiple online platforms (i.e., Telegram and Telegram channel name Lisa Trader.) Lisa enticed the victim with an investment opportunity that promised good returns in 24 hours. Victim sent $100 worth of crypto assets through kucoin exchange, but never got back any principal or profit.

At least this one didn't respond to unsolicited messages or meet their scammer via Tinder, instead, they found the scammer themselves and messaged them. At least they have the forethought to only send the scammer $100.

LinkedIn is for social networking, not investing

The first victim met Fergus Lee through LinkedIn, and they then communicated through the online app Line. Fergus showed the victim how to set up an account on Crypto.com and gave him the link to “liquldohn.com/h5.” The victim started with $1,000 and got back $607 on his first trade. Fergus then convinced the victim to withdraw from his 401(k) retirement account, and transfer to Liquldohn. The victim sent almost $50,000 in three separate transactions.

Yes, someone might say they are super impressed by the fact you are a shift manager at McDonalds. That doesn't mean you should send them $50k to invest, regardless of what assorted flair and credentials they have decided to put on their profile.

Public Service Message

If you get a DM from u/cryptosexytime69 asking for your seed, they are a scammer. I expect everyone to know this, but there are 4 people in California that apparently don't.