Is my online crypto 'investment' friend a scammer?
It often starts with a friendly message, a wrong-number text, or a dating match. Over weeks, the person earns your trust. Then they show you a crypto 'trading' website or app where your money seems to grow fast. The profits on the screen are fake. When you try to take money out, you are told to pay a 'fee' or 'tax' first. This is sometimes called 'pig butchering'.
Warning signs
Someone you have never met in person brings up crypto investing.
They met you by a 'wrong number' text, a dating app, or social media.
They promise big, steady profits. The FTC says: "Only scammers will guarantee profits or big returns."
They send you a link to a special trading website or app, not one you found yourself.
Your balance on the screen grows fast, and they push you to add more.
When you try to withdraw, you must first pay a 'fee', 'tax', or 'deposit'.
They get upset, or say you will lose everything, if you slow down or ask questions.
If it already happened
Stop sending money. Do not pay any 'fee' or 'tax' to withdraw. It will not unlock your money. They will just ask for more.
Stop replying to the person. You do not need to explain or argue.
Write down what happened while you still remember. Save the wallet addresses, transaction IDs (the long code for each payment), dates, amounts, screenshots, the website or app name, and the chat usernames.
If you paid through a real exchange (a company that sells crypto), tell that exchange's official support. Reach them through its own app, or by typing its address yourself.
Report it for free. In the US, use the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Outside the US, use your country's official fraud-report service. Type the address yourself.
Expect a second scam. People may soon contact you offering to get your money back for a fee. That is almost always another scam.