"Earnings on comments" - how scammers lured a Carpathian woman out of 13,000 hryvnias via Telegram
The classic scheme with gradual withdrawal: first small payments, then «investments» in crypto — and disappearance after a large transfer
The classic scheme with gradual withdrawal: first small payments, then «investments» in crypto — and disappearance after a large transfer
A resident of Ivano-Frankivsk region lost 13,000 hryvnias after falling for a well-developed scam on messengers. Details became known from the materials of the court proceedings of the Kolomyia City District Court.
Stage one: trust
On November 5, 2023, the woman received a WhatsApp message. An unknown person offered to «earn money without investment» — she had to leave comments and likes on social networks, take screenshots of the work done, and receive payment.
After the first completed task, the woman actually received 100 hryvnias. The scheme looked quite realistic.
Communication took place mainly on Telegram — with the «administrator» and the «director.» Everyone spoke Ukrainian.
Stage two: «investments»
Once basic trust was established, the «director» stepped in. He offered a new way to make money — transferring money into cryptocurrency and withdrawing it with interest.
The woman decided to try and on November 6, she transferred 500 hryvnias. After some time, she was returned 650 hryvnias. Then she was offered to invest another 1,000 — again returned with a «profit.»
The scheme worked time and time again: small amounts were returned, appetite grew.
Stage three: disappearance
On November 11 at 6:43 p.m., the woman transferred 2,600 hryvnias — the funds were later returned by the bank. And at 7:23 p.m., she made a key transfer — 13,000 hryvnias to the card provided by the fraudsters.
After that, there was silence. No one answered the calls, read the messages, or appeared on any of the messengers. The money was not returned.
How to avoid falling for such a scheme
This scheme is called «pig butchering.» The victim is gradually «fed» with trust and small payments, and then a large sum is taken.
A few markers that should raise concerns:
- An offer from a stranger via messenger — this is not how legitimate employers recruit
- Earnings «without investment» that suddenly require investment
- Payments returned with interest are a classic way to build trust before a big scam.
- Lack of real contacts — communication exclusively through correspondence, without phone numbers and verified accounts
The Kolomyia City District Court issued a ruling granting the police access to the mobile operator’s data — investigators will receive information about the connection of the number used by the fraudsters for the period from November 11, 2023. Proceedings have been opened under the article on fraud (Part 1 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
