• Scam Communication Platform: Telegram
• Scammer Contact Email: mg7510651@gmail.com
• Reported Loss: $101,000
• Target Location: CA, USA – 94801
• Scam Type: Cryptocurrency
• Date Reported: March 13, 2024
• Scammer Location: Miami, FL

Description of the Scam: The victim was invited to join a cryptocurrency mining pool through a friend on Telegram. Initially investing $2,000 and seeing daily returns, the victim increased their investment to $10,000. An offer for a substantial bonus in Ethereum was later presented, requiring the victim to increase their balance to $100,000 to qualify. Upon reaching this amount with the help of a friend’s $10k contribution, customer service claimed the account was flagged for anti-money laundering (AML) due to the third-party deposit. They demanded a deposit of 30% of the account value to unfreeze the account. Further inquiry with SafePal, the wallet service provider, confirmed that a malicious actor operating the mining pool had scammed the victim.

If you have experienced similar issues with cryptocurrency mining pools or have been approached through Telegram for such investment opportunities, please share your experiences. Details such as how you were contacted, the nature of communications, any transactions, and interactions with customer support can help others recognize and avoid these scams.