Type of Scam: Others
Calculated Amount Lost: $134,922.00 USD
Scam URL: apexmarkets.online

Victim Description:
The victim was contacted by an investment broker named Keisha Clute through LinkedIn, who introduced them to cryptocurrency investment opportunities. Initially, the victim began trading on Paragon Markets, but was later informed by Keisha that the firm had been acquired by Markets Radar. The victim was persuaded to continue investing by the promise of guaranteed high returns if enough funds were deposited for a year of trading.

However, after continuing to trade, the victim was hit with a withdrawal fee, preventing access to their funds. Despite dedicating significant time and effort in hopes of achieving financial independence, the victim faced substantial losses and now believes they have been scammed. After Keisha deactivated her LinkedIn account, the victim is left with only a phone number used to contact them, but they are unsure of how to proceed further.

Scam Tactics:
The scam began with a personal connection on LinkedIn, where Keisha Clute posed as a legitimate investment broker.
The victim was introduced to the platform Paragon Markets, which was later claimed to have been taken over by Markets Radar, a move intended to make the platform seem more credible.
The victim was promised guaranteed returns after investing large sums of money for a year, a tactic often used in Ponzi schemes and fraudulent investment scams.
After continuing to trade, the victim faced withdrawal fee issues, a common trick used by scammers to prevent victims from withdrawing their funds.
The broker, Keisha, disappeared after deactivating her LinkedIn account, leaving the victim without support or recourse.

Wallet Addresses Involved in the Scam:

• 17oMyLxpaxCaYWcEEoHqbrcQKUQ4Hqs1Mb
• 1GranReus7yY4UaB6M3AC5uUgejYJwy9PQ
• 1Myrg3EQiZyGb73puRLtPTapuzMQgpTsfx
• bc1qdunmqz74jxhvgh3vrullzt8s7ewx9xfvxekaw7
• bc1qgetf64d3l4wexy36g6hs7y6pmk89rvaylpc2kt
• bc1qx6lqees775qxhcyhwk7gynkv7m3sc462smk258
• bc1qzpzkcn3jvxww8dv6vwj96pda6w8esj7xynhwds
• bc1qv0hnrlcdxhlyt4gn35zcnp5v804er26y5ywsvm

Scam Overview:
The scam involved a fraudulent investment opportunity introduced to the victim through a LinkedIn connection. The victim was led to believe that they were investing in a legitimate cryptocurrency platform, with promises of high returns from long-term investment. However, after depositing a large sum, they were hit with unexpected withdrawal fees, making it impossible to access their funds. When the victim sought further communication with the broker, the individual had deactivated their LinkedIn account and ceased all contact, confirming that they had been scammed.

Domain Information:
Domain: apexmarkets.online
Registrar: HOSTINGER operations, UAB
Registered On: December 25, 2023
Expires On: December 25, 2024
Updated On: January 3, 2024
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Name Servers: ns2.dns-parking.com, ns1.dns-parking.com

Recommendations:
Report the Scam:
The victim should report the scam to relevant authorities, such as the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), or any local law enforcement agency. It is also advisable to report the incident to cryptocurrency exchanges or platforms where the victim’s funds might have been transferred or held.
Trace the Wallet Addresses:
Using blockchain explorers like Etherscan, the victim can trace the movements of the wallet addresses provided. This can help identify where the funds were sent and potentially track other victims of the scam.
Consider Crypto Recovery Services:
Since the scam involves cryptocurrency, the victim should reach out to reputable cryptocurrency recovery services. These companies specialize in tracking stolen crypto funds and may have the tools and expertise to help recover part of the lost funds.
Educate and Prevent Future Scams:
The victim should take this as an opportunity to educate themselves on the various types of cryptocurrency scams, including fake investment schemes, Ponzi schemes, and withdrawal fee scams. Being more vigilant in the future can help prevent similar losses.
Improve Crypto Security Awareness:
To protect themselves from future scams, the victim should learn about the importance of securing their crypto wallets, verifying the legitimacy of investment platforms, and recognizing red flags like unsolicited contact from brokers or exaggerated promises of returns.

Conclusion:
The victim has suffered a loss of $134,922.00 USD due to a scam involving the fraudulent platform ApexMarkets.online. The scam operated by luring the victim through a fake investment broker and platform, followed by the imposition of withdrawal fees to prevent access to their funds. Immediate steps should be taken to report the scam, trace the wallet addresses, and consider options for recovery.