| 8/27/2024 | An Onalaska, Wisconsin resident reported that he was approached by “Emily Ilovitch” through a direct message on social media. Ilovitch claimed to be living and working in the Chicago area, and shared pictures which purported to establish her presence there. She explained that she works with her wealthy aunt who is employed by a large corporate bank. Ilovitch claimed that her aunt helps her purchase Crypto Strike Options using the platform https: //h5.cinex-d.com/. She solicited the “no risk crypto strike options” opportunity to the complainant. He was instructed to deposit funds in 60-120 second intervals to receive 10-20% profit for each trade. The complainant invested approximately $135,000 via wire transfers and cryptocurrency to the platform. The platform illustrated large profits, but the complainant was informed that he cannot withdraw any funds until he pays extra fees out of pocket. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam, Pig Butchering Scam | h5.cinex-d.com, Emily Ilovitch | $135,000 | | 7/29/2024 | A Windsor, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint stating he invested funds in response to a fraudulent social media post. He was unaware that his friend’s account was hacked and the post was not authorized. The impersonator “Ann” offered a “platinum crypto investment package” that suggested an 800% profit. The complainant invested a total of $30,000 into the Elite Portfolio Partners website with the link eliteportfoliopartners.com. The complainant was told he could not withdraw his funds until he deposits more funds. | Identity Theft | Elite Portfolios Partners, Ann | $30,000 | | 7/19/2024 | A Brandon, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint asserting he received a random WhatsApp message from a woman named “Lillian.” Lillian offered to teach the complainant how to invest in short term crypto trading strategies through her associated entity LSEC BUY. She convinced the complainant to transfer $15,000 worth of crypto to LSEC BUY’s Cash App account. The complainant had difficulty with his Cash App account and allowed LSEC BUY representatives to help him with resetting his account settings. The complainant is no longer able to access his account. | Pig Butchering Scam, Tech Support Scam | LSEC BUY, Lillian | $15,000 | | 7/2/2024 | A Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint stating he received a random call from a person named “Emma.” Emma developed a relationship with the complainant over the phone and convinced him to invest $21,000 worth of crypto on an investing website with the link commaex.com. The complainant is having difficulty working with Emma to get his initial funds back. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Pig Butchering Scam | commaex.com, Emma | $21,000 | | 6/25/2024 | A Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint stating he received a random online message from “Bella Lynne.” Lynne convinced the complainant to purchase $38,000 worth of crypto on an investing website with the link Ishopeedd.com. Lynne explained to the complainant that he could take his purchased cryptocurrency and sell it to others. He was also told he could earn cryptocurrency bonuses by referring the platform to others. The complainant is not able to retrieve his funds until he pays “domestic and international taxes” out of pocket. | Advanced Fee Scam, Fraudulent Trading Platform | Ishopeedd.com, Bella Lynne | $38,000 | | 6/25/2024 | A Superior, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint stating he responded to an online advertisement featuring a famous public figure. The online advertisement contained a link to a crypto investing website that the public figure supposedly endorses. The complainant invested $2,333 worth of crypto on the BitFunds platform using the link www. BitFunds.vip/h5/#. The BitFund’s representative “Thomas” explained to the complainant he cannot receive his initial funds back because he supposedly violated “international terrorism and money laundering regulations.” | Fraudulent Trading Platform | BitFunds | $2,333 | | 6/19/2024 | A Verona, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint in which he described being randomly approached by an individual named “Gregory Fleming” on WhatsApp. Fleming offered to teach the complainant how to invest. He referred the complainant to capitalexchang.com where he could learn how to conduct Bitcoin contract trading. He was encouraged to invest by other members of the website named “The Professor” and “VIP Investment Strategy Group.” The complainant invested a total of $24,000 into the Bitcoin contract trading website. The complainant was told he could not withdraw his funds until he pays 10% IRS taxes out of pocket. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam | capitalexchang.com, Gregory Fleming, The Professor, VIP Investment Strategy Group | $24,000 | | 6/17/2024 | A Cottage Grove, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint in which he described being randomly approached by an individual named “Jessie Lee” on Skype. Lee represented herself as an investment advisor for a financial company called “DBRS Morninstar.” The impersonator offered the complainant high returns if he traded “Spot Gold” using cryptocurrency. The complainant allowed Lee to take over his computer and help him transfer $500,000 into a well-known cryptocurrency platform. The complainant is not aware of how to receive his funds back. | Imposter Scam | Jessie Lee, DBRS Morninstar | $500,000 | | 6/4/2024 | A Windsor, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint asserting that he was approached by a well-known crypto exchange after he noticed his crypto account was frozen. The supposed crypto exchange representative named “Pat McAfee” offered to help the complainant unfreeze his crypto account using a remote software program. McAfee used his access to withdraw approximately $56,000 out of the complainant’s account. McAfee communicated with the complainant using the email smitherlodey@gmail. com. | Imposter Scam | Pat McAfee | $56,000 | | 5/24/2024 | A Baraboo, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that she had matched with an individual named Chris Horvat through an online dating application. After building a relationship with the complainant online, Horvat started texting the complainant about personal topics and investing in cryptocurrency. Horvat legitimized the cryptocurrency opportunity by stating he worked at a wealth management firm. The complainant took this opportunity to wire approximately $47,000 internationally to deposit funds into a platform edgetzfcabitolkz.com. She was later informed that she cannot withdraw any funds until she pays IRS taxes out of pocket. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam | Edgetzfcabitolkz.com, Chris Horvat | $47,000 | | 5/21/2024 | A Janesville, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that she had been approached by an individual named Anna on WhatsApp. Anna stated to the complainant that she worked for “Professor William”. Anna explained to the complainant that Professor William provided “trading signals” to inform WhatApp followers when to make cryptocurrency purchases. The complainant took this opportunity to deposit approximately $21,923 worth of Ethereum into a platform with the URL sriford.plus. She was later informed that she cannot withdraw any funds until she pays IRS taxes out of pocket. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam | Sriford.plus, Anna, Professor William | $21,923 | | 5/21/2024 | A Janesville, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that she had been approached by a Reddit administrator in charge of the “2Moons Signals” signals group. The administrator led the complainant to 2Moons Signals WhatsApp page. The complainant invested approximately $500 of Bitcoin and Ethereum in the “2Moon Corinx Salary Scheme Plan.” The scheme plan utilized a website moonsecurityfx.com. She was later informed that she cannot withdraw any funds until she pays fees to upgrade her account. | Fraudulent Trading Platform | Moonsecurityfx.com | $500 | | 5/21/2024 | A Janesville, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that she had been approached by a WhatsApp administrator in charge of the “USDTBank Investment Bank” group chat. The administrator promised to invest the complainant’s funds in cryptocurrency. The complainant invested approximately $800 into a website realwordfxmarketing.com. She was later informed that she cannot withdraw any funds until she pays fees to upgrade her account. | Fraudulent Trading Platform | Realwordfxmarketing.com | $800 | | 3/18/2024 | A Kenosha, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that they created an online account on Haru Invest (Webapp.haruinvest.com). The South Korean based digital asset management platform advertised various forms of investment earnings by investing in cryptocurrencies. The complainant made a series of deposits totaling up to $150. Haru Invest's operations have been halted after South Korean authorities initiated an investigation. Founders of Haru Invest have been arrested by South Korean law enforcement and are awaiting trial. | Fraudulent Trading Platform | Haru Invest | $150 | | 2/26/2024 | A Dunn, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he was approached online by “Olivia Norman” using LinkedIn messaging. Norman presented herself as a venture capitalist and an angel investor with a prominent digital asset company. She stated she was impressed with the complainant’s professional work experience indicated on his LinkedIn profile, and believed he would be sophisticated enough to invest in cryptocurrency. They transferred their conversation to Whatsapp, where she coached the complainant on how to set up a crypto account on PZCoin.com and invest in cryptocurrencies. After investing $25,000, he was told that he had to pay a 15% “gas” fee, and his accounts were flagged for violating federal laws. PZCoin stated funds would not be returned until the complainant paid the gas fees and addressed the alleged violations. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam | PZCoin, Olivia Norman | $25,000 | | 12/28/2023 | A Genoa City, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he was approached by “Elena Vasillo” through an online dating application. Then Elena Vasillo created a personal relationship with the complainant by messaging him for multiple months using text messages and Telegram messages. Vasillo explained that she creates wealth by purchasing cryptocurrency options through her family investing business based out of New York City, NY. She solicited her crypto “node” investing services to the complainant. Vasillo promised to help purchase cryptocurrencies simultaneously with the complainant to ensure confidence. The complainant invested approximately $747,400 in CMEdeal.com. The funds were wired to a crypto exchange account and various bank accounts with the assistance of Vasillo. The CMEdeal platform illustrated large profits but the complainant was informed that he cannot withdraw any funds until he pays IRS taxes out of pocket. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam, Pig Butchering Scam | CMEdeal.com, Elena Vasillo | $747,400 | | 12/19/2023 | A Horicon, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that she was approached by “Elena Jones” through an “accidental” text message. Jones created a personal relationship with the complainant by messaging her for multiple months using text and Telegram messages. Jones explained that she creates wealth by purchasing cryptocurrency through her family investing business based out of New York City, New York. She solicited her crypto “node” investing services to the complainant. Jones promised to help purchase cryptocurrencies simultaneously with the complainant to ensure confidence. She promised no risk of investment losses and higher returns as more funds were invested. The complainant invested approximately $200,000 on Bit-conomy.com. The funds were deposited using crypto exchange accounts and crypto ATMs with the assistance of Jones. The Bit-conomy platform illustrated large profits but the complainant was informed that she cannot withdraw any funds until she pays IRS taxes out of pocket. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam, Pig Butchering Scam | Bit-conomy, Elena Jones | $200,000 | | 11/20/2023 | A Lannon, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that she was approached by Anna Mayer, Frank Graff, and other members of “Frank’s Investment Team” through Whatsapp. Frank’s Investment Team invited the complainant to their private Whatsapp conversation to discuss crypto option trading strategies. Frank’s Investment Team discussed potential large crypto option returns to entice the complainant to invest into their Kex.io platform. The complainant invested approximately $547,900 in Kex.io. The funds were transferred to various crypto exchange accounts to fund the platform and then illustrated large profits. The complainant’s funds were then transferred to another platform related to Frank’s Investment Team called ADOGEEU using foromo.com. However, she can only withdraw funds from the new platform if she can pay IRS taxes out of pocket.
| Fraudulent Trading Platform, Imposter Scam | Kex.io, foromo.com, Frank’s Investment Team, Anna Mayer, Frank Graff | $547,900 | | 11/20/2023 | A Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he invested over $15,000 in Bitcoin using the website Groxtrade.com. The British-based website offered cryptocurrency offerings and staking rewards. Six months after the complainant’s initial investment, the website halted withdrawals for customers, and went offline shortly thereafter. The online platform was ultimately flagged as a UK-based phishing website. | Fraudulent Trading Platform | GroxTrade | $15,000 | | 9/21/2023 | A Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he received an unsolicited Discord contact from Ray Tradez. The complainant and Tradez later communicated via WhatsApp. Tradez held himself out to be coach and mentor and talked to the complainant about copy/mirror trading and cryptocurrency. Tradez suggested the website of St Digital Trade and claimed he could generate a return for the complainant if he deposited cryptocurrency with St Digital Trade. The complainant reported depositing about $4,000 worth of cryptocurrency (i.e., Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Eth). His initial investments increased in value. Upon St Digital Trade notifying the complainant that his “plan was over with”, he was forced to pay a 10% commission fee and was unable to withdraw his funds. | Fraudulent Trading Platform | St Digital Trade, Ray Tradez | $4,000 | | 8/23/2023 | A Jefferson, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he initially invested $1,500 in Tether into a service offered by Seedexmarket.net. Seedexmarket.net showed outrageous profits from his initial deposit. When he attempted to withdraw his profits, the company emailed and told him that he was required to make a $2,550 deposit to a provided Bitcoin address in order to cover the withdrawal charge. Subsequently, the company informed him by email that an unexpected error occurred with his withdrawal, and that he was required to make a bypass deposit of $1,350 in Bitcoin to a blockchain wallet address provided. Later, the company informed him by email that it was not a scam and that the error is normal due to the congestion on the Bitcoin network. Seedexmarket support assured him “100%” that once the error was resolved, he would receive the deposit of $1,350 paid for the error and his profit of $20,000. Ultimately, the complainant could not withdraw his funds. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Pig Butchering Scam | Seedexmarket, Keith Trahan | $1,500 | | 7/31/2023 | A Greenfield, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that Alga Riley suggest he create an account with “BitBay” dba bittbay.com. The complainant was told Bitbay was a legitimate platform; and therefore, deposited $105,000 worth of crypto (Eth and Tether) into his Bitbay account. When the complainant tried to withdraw his funds, he was given many reasons why he needed to deposit more in order to do so. He also reported that Bitbay would donate his money to charity if he did not deposit $158,000 by July 31, 2023. Bitbay refuses to give the complainant his money. | Fraudulent Trading Platform, Pig Butchering Scam | Bitbay, Alga Riley | $105,000 | | 6/2/2023 | A La Crosse, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he was approached on Instagram by James Henderson. The complainant and Henderson then communicated using WhatsApp. Henderson said he ran an investing business called “BinaryFXoptions” and mentioned that he and his team would do Bitcoin investing for him. Henderson told him that he’d have to pay a 10% commission fee on his total ending value. The complainant invested $300 worth of Bitcoin through Coinbase. Henderson told the complainant that he turned his $300 worth of Bitcoin into $3,902 worth of Bitcoin. The complainant was then told that the “Inland Revenue Service” was ready to release the funds, but that he was required to pay a “bitcoin bond” or tax of some sort, and a commission for financial account management of $300.23. Ultimately, the complainant was directed to pay $390 in Bitcoin so he could get his profit. The complainant reported paying a wallet that was allegedly run by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but the SEC denies having a Bitcoin wallet. The complainant sent the required amount but was told by Henderson and his team that the recipient wallet did not reflect his payment. Henderson mentioned that the complainant should send another Bitcoin payment so he can get his money. Henderson then told the complainant that the system broke down, and that he would receive his investment in 48 hours. After that, Henderson told the complainant that he needed to pay another $100 tax to get his money. | Pig Butchering Scam | James Henderson aka James Bentley, BinaryFXoptions, Instagram: jameshenderson2424, henderson242424, jameshenderson_fx | $900 | | 5/3/2023 | A Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he was approached by “Hanna Lin” on Tinder. The complainant and Lin continued communicating on WhatsApp. After texting for about a month, the complainant made some small crypto investments on “Busskin.com”, as Lin recommended. Lin informed the complainant that he would receive profits from cryptocurrency trading on Busskin.com. The complainant invested additional funds after his initial investments increased in value. The complainant reported investing $45,486 by transferring his funds to Crypto.com, then purchasing Tether (USDT), and then sending Tether to Busskin.com. Lin encouraged the complainant to sign up for the $100,000 subscription level so he could get additional profits. After signing up, the complainant was told that his profits were not part of the subscription amount and that he had 14 days to invest $100,000. The complainant stated that Lin gave him $35,000 of cryptocurrency so he could reach the subscription level. Upon reaching the subscription level, the complainant followed Lin’s trading recommendations, which resulted in an account balance of 241,442.4 USDT. The complainant has since been informed that he cannot withdraw his funds until he pays the IRS taxes. He cannot use his profits to pay the taxes. | Pig Butchering Scam | Busskin, Hanna Lin | $69,000 | | 5/1/2023 | A Marshall, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he became friends with an individual named Isabella Kruppa after she contacted him by text message. Kruppa represented that she made money every day, or every time her uncle knew a deal was about to happen. Kruppa told the complainant that she traded cryptocurrency and that she used a website called “KUNA”. The complainant opened accounts with Crypto.com and KUNA. He then transferred Tether (USDT) from Crypto.com to a wallet address purportedly attributed to KUNA. The complainant was later notified that his KUNA account totaled 175,277.756 USDT, and that his earnings totaled 148,792.846 USDT. The complainant was also advised that according to the “cryptocurrency tax laws of the place where the exchange is registered”, he was required to pay taxes on his earnings. The complainant paid a slightly higher amount than what was requested of him for the taxes. KUNA customer service told him that his tax amount did not comply with regulations. The complainant has been unable to withdraw his funds. | Pig Butchering Scam | Isabella Kruppa, KUNA | $70,000 | | 4/27/2023 | A Muskego, Wisconsin resident filed a complaint that he received a “wrong number” text message from “Tina”. The text was addressed to Emily. Tina said Emily owed her $500. When the complainant informed Tina that he was not Emily, he asked Tina why Emily owed her $500. She said Emily had borrowed money from her. The complainant and Tina continued communicating on Telegram, as Tina requested. Tina did not talk about cryptocurrency right away, instead they talked about themselves. Tina touted having a very wealthy and successful uncle who was teaching her how to run her fashion business and how to invest in cryptocurrency on the side. Tina gave the complainant the website address download.immuntable.com, known as IMX. Tina represented that she had been investing with IMX for two years. The complainant reported that the website is not a website, instead it is like an app that you’d download from an App store. The complainant reported the only thing you can click on is the download button on the website. Tina texted and asked the complainant for screenshots from his phone. Tina then drew on the screenshots and directed him how to install and get into the app, as well as how to transfer money to the app. The complainant then downloaded Crypto.com. Tina told the complainant he could make 20% on anything he invested on the IMX platform. The complainant did not understand how the returns could happen. The complainant asked, and Tina told him she could not explain it, and that he would just have to invest. Tina showed the complainant screenshots of her cryptocurrency activity. The complainant reported that Tina was betting on whether cryptocurrency went up or down in one- or five-minute increments. If you guessed right, IMX would deposit 20% of your bet into your account. If you guessed wrong, you would lose your entire bet. The complainant talked to IMX customer service personnel on IMX’s “web app”, as he was concerned about IMX not having two factor authentication. IMX personnel told him that it was safe to invest because he could always withdraw money. When he continued asking IMX customer service personnel questions, they told him that he did not have to invest if he did not want. Ultimately, the complainant did not invest and ceased communicating with Tina. | Pig Butchering Scam | Tina lnu, IMX | $0.00 |
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