$310K Lost in Ethfinance Crypto Scam Targeting LinkedIn Users, Washington Regulator Warns

An investor claims to have lost $310,000 to an allegedly fraudulent crypto trading platform after responding to an unsolicited LinkedIn connection request.

An investor in the United States has reportedly lost $310,000 after attempting to withdraw funds from an allegedly fraudulent crypto trading platform. The incident was highlighted by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Securities Division on June 13.

According to the DFI, the investor discovered the platform, called “Ethfinance,” through a random friend request on LinkedIn. The investor initially transferred a total of $310,000 from their DeFi (decentralized finance) wallet to Ethfinance, hoping to generate profits from crypto trading.

However, when the investor attempted to withdraw their initial investment and the reported profits, they were told to add more funds to complete the “smart contract” required for the withdrawal. The investor declined to send any further funds and subsequently found their account locked, rendering them unable to withdraw any money.

The incident appears to be an example of “Advance Fee Fraud,” a common scam that promises victims substantial returns or services in exchange for an upfront payment. Once the payment is made, the scammer either asks for more fees or disappears.

“The investor has been unable to withdraw any funds from his account, and his account is locked,” the DFI stated.

Notably, Ethfinance has been mentioned in previous complaints. According to the Washington DFI’s crypto scam tracker, a California resident reported losing over $165,000 after engaging with the same platform. The individual was approached by a stranger online who offered to teach them how to trade crypto options.

The scam escalated when the “CEO of Crypto Customer Service” on Telegram demanded 25% of the profits as “taxes” before any funds could be withdrawn. The investor realized they had been scammed when asked for this additional payment.

The Washington DFI issued multiple alerts on June 13, highlighting other allegedly fraudulent crypto platforms and a fraudulent investment management site. The DFI continues to monitor and investigate these scams.