“Stephanie Robert” – Suspected crypto scam using hijacked social media profile

How scammers use social media platforms

• Posts on popular Facebook accounts may recommend traders or investment coaches such as “Stephanie Robert” (see Picture 1.)  These accounts have, however, been compromised or hijacked.
• Researching “Stephanie Robert” shows a profile page on en.everybodywiki.com, (see Picture 2).  
• “Stephanie” appears to be friendly and knowledgeable about cryptocurrency trading. She helps victims open trading accounts and asks them to transfer a very small amount of cryptocurrency as a trial.
• After the trial trade, account balances appear to grow considerably.
• The trading appears simple, with full access to the trading platform/exchange via phone, with confidence gained from the initial trial.
• “Stephanie” says current market trends may not last long, so further trades are made.
• Within hours, accounts show big profits, prompting victims to try and withdraw their money.
• They are then asked to pay “coaching fees” and “PIN set-up fees” along with a “cryptocurrency trading tax” - all required before the trading platform/exchange will process withdrawals.
• Suspicions from victims are met with assurances and messages from the original “musician”, who says the trading platform is genuine.
• Eventually, account balances fall to zero with no money paid out. 
• The original “Stephanie” can no longer be contacted, with her social media profiles gone. 
• The website hosting the trading platform is also gone - now rebranded and moved to another website/platform.