How it all began
Mark, a 38-year-old IT consultant from Finland, had never really been active on social media. But during the pandemic, loneliness drove him to join a popular international dating app.
Within a week, he matched with Elena, a stunning woman who claimed to be living in Monaco.
Elena’s profile wasn’t just glamorous — it was tasteful: no bikini shots, no party photos. Instead, she shared pictures of her at charity events, walking her dog, sipping coffee at seaside cafes.
Her bio read: “Seeking someone genuine. Life is short. Let’s make it count.”
💬 The emotional bond
From the very first message, Elena seemed different. She wasn’t pushy. She asked about Mark’s work, his family, his dreams. She talked about how she’d lost her husband two years earlier in a tragic car accident, and how she was rebuilding her life.
Mark felt connected. She seemed real. Grief, hope, sincerity — it was all there.
Within weeks, they were talking daily, sometimes for hours. They exchanged voice messages, and she sent him candid photos: her dog’s muddy paws after a walk, her breakfast plate, the view from her balcony.
💰 The crypto connection
One night, Elena confessed:
“There’s something I didn’t want to bring up… but I trust you. My late husband left me a small crypto portfolio. I’ve been learning to manage it, and it’s really helping me become independent again.”
She didn’t ask for money — not yet. Instead, she offered advice.
“Bitcoin is rising again. You should try. If you want, I can introduce you to my platform. It’s safe — I’d never risk your money.”
Mark hesitated, but she wasn’t forceful. Just supportive. Eventually, he agreed to try, just with €500.
Within a week, he saw his “account” grow to €700. Elena celebrated his success more than he did.
🚩 The slow scam unfolds
Mark started investing more — €2000, then €5000. Each time, the platform showed impressive returns. Elena even said she was investing alongside him, “to feel connected.”
When Mark decided to withdraw some profit, the platform required a “release fee” of €1000.
Elena reassured him: “That’s normal, I paid it too. It’s just security.”
But after paying, the withdrawal was blocked again — this time due to “international compliance verification”.
Every step brought a new fee:
- €2000 for compliance
- €1500 for tax clearance
- €3000 for transaction insurance
By now, Mark had invested over €20,000 — his savings.
💔 The truth unravels
When Mark insisted on a video call, Elena said her camera was broken. When he asked for proof of the platform’s legitimacy, she sent screenshots — but no official documents.
It was when a friend showed him a reverse image search of Elena’s profile photos (actually a Russian model’s public Instagram) that the illusion crumbled.
Elena vanished. The crypto platform went offline. And Mark was left not just with empty accounts, but with a shattered trust.
🚨 Moral of the story
👉 The new scams don’t always start with asking for money.
👉 They build trust first — with emotional authenticity, shared grief, and small wins.
👉 When love and financial advice mix: pause, question, and verify.