A cryptocurrency scam left a business owner from Southampton £4,000 out of pocket after she responded to an online side hustle ad on Facebook. Monika Zytowiecka, 38, saw the scam post while looking for extra work during quieter periods at her beauty salon.
Crypto Scam Origins
Monika stumbled across a Facebook post advertising a part-time job opportunity that promised to pay up to £250 a day. The job supposedly involved processing online orders with “no experience required.” Enticed by the potential to earn extra income, Monika decided to give it a shot.
She contacted the advertiser through WhatsApp, where she was told to log into a system that gave her a budget to make online orders. These orders ranged from children’s clothes to skincare products, all to “improve business ratings,” or so she was told. The fraudster instructed Monika to top up her account with her own money if the budget ran low but assured her she would be reimbursed immediately, and receive commission.
The first time she added money, she was indeed reimbursed, giving her a false sense of security. However, the amounts she was required to top up became larger with each subsequent transaction—eventually rising to over £1,200. Despite her growing suspicions, Monika continued with the transactions, encouraged by her mentor, “Allison,” who communicated with her through Telegram.
A Disappearing Act
Monika’s trust in the system began to wane when her bank blocked a payment of £1,596, suspecting a cryptocurrency scam. At that moment, the platform she had been using vanished, and so did nearly £4,000 of her money. She contacted Action Fraud and her bank, but both claimed they were unable to help.
Reflecting on her experience, Monika said: “I saw these posts about ‘work from home’ opportunities on Facebook. Business was slow, so I thought I could use some extra cash in my spare time. I was reassured I would be paid back with commission, but the amounts they asked me to top up grew larger. In one day, I lost nearly £4,000, and now no one will help me get it back.”
How the Scam Played Out
Monika first contacted the fraudster on September 7, 2024, after seeing the job ad on Facebook. They communicated via WhatsApp, where the process was explained. She was given login credentials for a platform where she would place online orders with a budget provided to her. The scam’s sophistication came into play when Monika was transferred to a Telegram chat with “Allison,” who guided her through the entire process.
Each time she hesitated, Allison convinced her that this would be the “last task” before she could withdraw her money. However, every supposed final task was followed by yet another one. Eventually, when Monika attempted to send £1,596, her bank stepped in and blocked the payment. The platform then disappeared, confirming her worst fears—that she had been caught in a cryptocurrency scam.
Lessons Learned
Unfortunately, Monika’s experience is not an isolated incident. This case underscores the importance of fraud awareness and the need for robust fraud prevention measures. Fraudsters often lure victims in with promises of easy money, particularly in sectors like cryptocurrency, which is still relatively new and poorly understood by many.
Here are some critical fraud prevention tips to keep in mind:
- Be wary of unsolicited job offers: If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Fraudsters often use vague job descriptions and promises of high earnings to entice victims.
- Never send money to people you don’t know: Whether it’s for a job or an investment, avoid sending money to anyone you haven’t verified thoroughly.
- Research the company: Always look up the company offering the job or investment. If it’s legitimate, you should find verifiable information online.
- Use trusted communication platforms: Be suspicious if the communication moves to platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, which fraudsters often use to avoid detection.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels off, listen to your gut. Monika had doubts but continued because the fraudster reassured her. Don’t ignore red flags.
Action Fraud’s Response
Monika reported the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. However, Action Fraud has confirmed that Monika’s case has not been passed on for police investigation. Claire Webb, Acting Director of Action Fraud, explained: “Not all cases can be passed on for further investigation. Reports are assessed based on various criteria, and not every instance of fraud leads to a judicial outcome.”
Although Monika’s case was not passed to the police, Action Fraud stressed the importance of reporting scams. Every report contributes to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau’s (NFIB) efforts to develop intelligence that can help prevent future scams. In Monika’s case, her report may help authorities take down fraudulent websites and email addresses linked to similar scams.
Raising Awareness
Monika’s story highlights the growing risk of cryptocurrency scams and the importance of being vigilant. She expressed her concerns, stating: “I can’t be the only one being scammed like this. There are probably people out there losing their life savings. I don’t consider myself vulnerable, but I allowed someone to take advantage of me.”
Fraud awareness is critical in preventing others from falling into the same traps. With the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies and digital transactions, fraudsters are finding new ways to exploit victims. By sharing Monika’s experience and educating others, we can help prevent future victims from losing their hard-earned money to similar scams.
