MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A sufferer of an $80,000 cryptocurrency rip-off sat with WREG to share his story and warn others.

Ricky Smith mentioned he doesn’t need anybody else to undergo what he’s experiencing.

“Folks watch out, please,” he mentioned. “I’m in a horrible state of affairs now as a result of I’ve no different belongings at this level. That was life financial savings.”

The 58-year-old mentioned he’s out $80,000 after he began investing in cryptocurrency. It started again in Could when he communicated with somebody on Fb. He additionally communicated with somebody on WhatsApp the place a girl linked him to the crypto funding.

Smith initially thought it regarded legit, however he now believes he was led to a bogus web site.

“So I made a decision to attempt it,” he mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘Okay I’ll attempt it simply to check the water’ and I’ll put $500 in there at first and see what occurs, you already know? And after I put $500 in there, there was a achieve, and I used to be capable of get it out. However the extra I saved placing in and I used to be gaining, I didn’t actually simply take it proper again out.”

He was inspired to maintain the account rising and put increasingly cash within the account.

“And earlier than you already know it, after I tried to take it down, they mentioned, ‘maintain up, you must pay taxes on this cash,” Smith mentioned.

Even after paying a number of tens of 1000’s, he was nonetheless informed he wanted to pay $48,000 to be a VIP member.

“I knew I used to be received at that time,” Smith mentioned.

Daniel Irwin with the Higher Enterprise Bureau of the Mid-South mentioned crypto scams are sometimes associated to investments. He mentioned somebody promising you a giant return must be a crimson flag.

“Crypto scams are rapidly turning into one of many greatest scams we see,” Irwin mentioned. “There’s nothing low danger about investments typically, particularly cryptocurrency investments.”

Smith has now began the lengthy course of to attempt to get a few of his a reimbursement.

“Scamming is actually actual out right here, and I’m one of many prime examples of why I wish to get this message out so no on else will be damage or get mistreated on this manner,” he mentioned.

Smith has filed a police report and contacted federal companies.

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