Edited By
Sofia Nakamoto

A troubling story is circulating as a growing number of people suspect an elaborate scam involving bitcoin and hefty sums of cash. A close friend of a man in Thailand claims to own 20 bitcoins. However, his request for financial help is raising red flags.
The story starts with a friend's friend in Thailand claiming to possess significant bitcoin wealth. The alleged owner needs funds to facilitate transfers while avoiding high taxes. Alarmingly, heβs requested β¬10,000 initially, then followed with an additional β¬20,000. This raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the situation.
"No bank needs more money to authorize the transfer,β remarked one concerned individual.
Despite the blurry identification documents provided and personal stories bonding them, skeptics argue that no legitimate owner of 20 bitcoins would need to raise such an extraordinary amount just to access their funds.
Feedback from forums indicates a unanimous warning:
Scam Alert: Users from various backgrounds agree this situation is a clear scam. "If someone has 20 BTC, they wouldn't be asking for money to transfer it," pointed one commentator.
Personal Experience: A user in Thailand with genuine bitcoin holdings confirmed they can easily transfer assets without extra deposits, highlighting the absurdity of the claims.
Lesson Learned: Several comments reflect on personal losses from scams and stress that these questionable schemes operate on "advanced fee frauds."
Interestingly, many people empathize with the victimβs plight while advising about necessary caution moving forward.
π΄ Warning from Experts: "100% guaranteed scam."
π Personal Losses: "I got scammed for β¬850,000 in a similar situation."
β Why It Matters: Deals requiring funds upfront for transacting assets typically indicate fraud.
The alarming trend of scams in the crypto world is escalating. It's crucial for people to recognize red flags and protect their finances from potentially devastating losses. Protecting one's assets is a priority, and vigilance is essential as stories like these unfold.
As the pace of bitcoin scams accelerates, thereβs a strong chance that more people will fall for similar ploys. Experts estimate that just under 70% of scams reported involve high-upfront fees, indicating a troubling trend. As awareness grows, itβs likely that scammers will become more sophisticated in their tactics, potentially involving deeper layers of deception. This could lead to an increase in reports of such crimes, especially as the interest in crypto continues to rise. With the current environment encouraging people to seek financial opportunities, their vulnerability may elevate the risks of encountering fraud.
This situation can draw an unexpected parallel to the tulip mania of the 17th century. Similar to the bitcoin hype today, tulip bulbs were once treated as investments with outrageous prices. While people believed they were on the cusp of massive wealth, many faced dire financial consequences when the market collapsed. Just as tulip investors failed to see the risk of their inflated assets, todayβs bitcoin enthusiasts must beware of scams exploiting their hopes for rapid returns. Understanding this lesson from the past can foster a more cautious approach to any investment, especially in the volatile world of cryptocurrency.