In the crypto world, there’s always a desire to learn from those who seem more experienced. But sometimes, those offering mentorship are only interested in taking advantage of beginners. That’s exactly what I encountered when I thought I had found a trustworthy crypto mentor.

I had been following this guy on social media for a while. He regularly posted about market trends, investment tips, and seemed to have a good track record with his trades. One day, he posted an offer to provide one-on-one mentoring for a small fee. The idea of getting personalized advice from someone with more experience sounded like a great opportunity, so I reached out.

He asked me to send him $500 as a “sign-up fee” to join his mentorship program, promising that he would guide me through his personal strategies and even share some exclusive investment opportunities. But as soon as I sent the money, he started making excuses about why he couldn’t schedule our first session. He kept saying he was too busy and that he would get back to me soon, but days turned into weeks, and I never heard from him again.

I tried to reach out to others who had interacted with him on social media, and that’s when I found out that I wasn’t the only one. Several people had sent him money, expecting mentorship, only to be ghosted afterward. It was a painful realization that I had been scammed, but it taught me to be more careful about who I trust online.

If you’re thinking about paying for any type of mentorship, make sure to do thorough research on the person offering it. Look for real reviews from people who have worked with them and be wary if they ask for money upfront without delivering anything. It’s easy to get caught up in the promise of learning from someone successful, but not everyone is who they claim to be.