CryptoClause

Elderly Man Loses Over £65,000 to Crypto Scam — But There’s a Bittersweet Ending
A 73-year-old grandfather was nearly plunged into life-altering debt after falling victim to sophisticated crypto scammers — not once, but twice.
📞 It Started With a Phone Call…
The victim was lured in by a too-good-to-be-true crypto investment opportunity via a cold call. Persuaded by the scammers’ convincing tactics, he lost £14,500 in the first wave of the scam.
🕵️‍♂️ Then Came “Gabriel” — A False Savior
In his lowest moments, the man received a second call. This time, the scammer pretended to be from a fraud recovery firm, claiming he could help retrieve the lost funds.
“He persistently chased me — even when I was on holiday,” said the victim. “I should have hung up, but he sounded so professional.”
Over the next month, “Gabriel” convinced the man to send another £66,500 from his business account. Each payment was disguised as a necessary step to recover his money, with fake emails and documents backing their story.
He even took out four personal loans to pay these bogus "fees"—a move that left him mentally distressed, emotionally broken, and financially cornered.
❌ The Moment of Truth
After sending a final payment of £7,500, the elderly man waited in vain. The promised funds never came. “That’s when I knew. I’d been scammed again,” he said.
Ashamed and emotionally drained, he didn’t tell anyone—embarrassment and fear held him back.
✅ The Bittersweet Ending: A Glimmer of Hope
Luckily, he found the National Fraud Helpline (NFH) solicitors, who stepped in and recovered every penny from his bank, Co-Op Bank.
“I thought I’d lost the lot. I was amazed when I got the call that I’d been refunded. I cried.”
⚠️ Lessons for All:
Scammers target the vulnerable — especially the elderly — using pressure, fake urgency, and emotional manipulation.
Always verify before sending money—especially when cold-called or contacted online.
Banks and authorities must do more to question suspicious high-value transfers.
Fraud recovery scams are increasingly common: scammers pretending to help you recover your money, just to steal more.
💬 Have elderly family members or friends? Talk to them about these scams. Share this story. It might save someone.
#Cryptoscam #FinancialAwareness #BitcoinSCAM #CryptoSafety #CryptoClause

Elderly Man Loses Over £65,000 to Crypto Scam — But There’s a Bittersweet Ending
A 73-year-old grandfather was nearly plunged into life-altering debt after falling victim to sophisticated crypto scammers — not once, but twice.
📞 It Started With a Phone Call…
The victim was lured in by a too-good-to-be-true crypto investment opportunity via a cold call. Persuaded by the scammers’ convincing tactics, he lost £14,500 in the first wave of the scam.
🕵️‍♂️ Then Came “Gabriel” — A False Savior
In his lowest moments, the man received a second call. This time, the scammer pretended to be from a fraud recovery firm, claiming he could help retrieve the lost funds.
“He persistently chased me — even when I was on holiday,” said the victim. “I should have hung up, but he sounded so professional.”
Over the next month, “Gabriel” convinced the man to send another £66,500 from his business account. Each payment was disguised as a necessary step to recover his money, with fake emails and documents backing their story.
He even took out four personal loans to pay these bogus "fees"—a move that left him mentally distressed, emotionally broken, and financially cornered.
❌ The Moment of Truth
After sending a final payment of £7,500, the elderly man waited in vain. The promised funds never came. “That’s when I knew. I’d been scammed again,” he said.
Ashamed and emotionally drained, he didn’t tell anyone—embarrassment and fear held him back.
✅ The Bittersweet Ending: A Glimmer of Hope
Luckily, he found the National Fraud Helpline (NFH) solicitors, who stepped in and recovered every penny from his bank, Co-Op Bank.
“I thought I’d lost the lot. I was amazed when I got the call that I’d been refunded. I cried.”
⚠️ Lessons for All:
Scammers target the vulnerable — especially the elderly — using pressure, fake urgency, and emotional manipulation.
Always verify before sending money—especially when cold-called or contacted online.
Banks and authorities must do more to question suspicious high-value transfers.
Fraud recovery scams are increasingly common: scammers pretending to help you recover your money, just to steal more.
💬 Have elderly family members or friends? Talk to them about these scams. Share this story. It might save someone.
#Cryptoscam #FinancialAwareness #CryptoSafety #CryptoClause

📰 Danbury, Connecticut — A 19-year-old man from Connecticut has pleaded guilty to his role in a massive $245 million Bitcoin theft, one of the largest known crypto heists in the U.S. to date.
Veer Chetal, a resident of Danbury, was admitted to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, according to court documents unsealed this week in Washington, D.C. The charges stem from an August 2023 scam that resulted in the theft of approximately 4,100 Bitcoins from a Washington-based victim.
Authorities revealed that shortly after the theft, Chetal’s parents were kidnapped and assaulted in what investigators believe was a targeted retaliation or extortion attempt. The attackers reportedly forced the couple out of their Lamborghini SUV, assaulted them, and attempted to coerce their son into releasing funds.

Thanks to nearby witnesses and a swift police response, four suspects were arrested on the scene, while two others were apprehended at a nearby Airbnb rental. The attack ultimately failed, but it underscored the high stakes and danger surrounding illicit crypto schemes.

Lavish Spending and a Luxury Lifestyle

Following the heist, Chetal and his co-conspirators allegedly spent millions on luxury items, including cars, jewelry, mansions, and club parties, according to court filings. The suspect was residing in Brunswick, New Jersey, at the time of his arrest. During the raid, federal agents recovered:

Over $500,000 in cash
High-end jewelry and designer watches
Luxury clothing
And approximately $39 million in digital assets

Cooperation and Ongoing Investigations

Chetal entered a guilty plea in November 2024 and has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. Authorities said he is expected to testify against his co-defendants, a decision that could reduce his sentence. However, Chetal’s legal troubles may be far from over.

Prosecutors are investigating his involvement in 50 other thefts totaling over $3 million between November 2023 and September 2024, including a separate $2 million crypto theft he allegedly failed to disclose.

Deportation Possible

Federal agents indicated that deportation may be on the table as part of the criminal proceedings. His immigration status was not disclosed in court documents.

Co-Defendants and Apologies

During court proceedings, one co-defendant, Michael Rivas, apologized, claiming he acted under pressure and in hopes of receiving a portion of the stolen funds. Legal representatives for the group are working to negotiate plea deals in light of the significant evidence gathered. #CryptoClause