Main Takeaways
This article is the second in our series, Binance Anti-Scam Hero Stories, featuring exclusive interviews with scam victims across the globe whose funds Binance has successfully recovered.
Hamid, a veteran crypto enthusiast, fell prey to a trusted seller account online that was hacked and taken over by a scammer. Read the full story and learn how you can avoid similar traps.
When all else fails, discover the best course of action you can take to seek Binance Anti-Scam Refund support to maximize your chances of recovery.
Welcome to Binance Anti-Scam Hero Stories, a series showcasing the real-life experiences of Binance users who triumphed over scammers with the support of our dedicated teams. Through these accounts, you’ll witness how Binance's industry-leading security, proactive scam prevention measures, and commitment to justice turn victims into heroes.
Unlikely Victim: Hamid, a Professor in Robotics and Crypto Enthusiast
Hamid (name changed for privacy), an assistant professor with a PhD in robotics, takes pride in precision and caution – qualities he brings to both his research lab and personal endeavours. An enthusiast of blockchain technology since 2017, Hamid always felt confident in navigating the often-complex crypto space. He’d meticulously read smart contracts, double-check wallet addresses, and maintain a disciplined approach to securing his digital assets.
“I’ve always been very careful,” Hamid explained. “I knew exactly how scams happen and always made sure to read every detail before signing any smart contract. But still, a scam happened to me.”
The incident happened in early January 2025, not on a crypto trading site but on a niche forum for luxury home cinema systems. Hamid’s hobby is collecting premium-quality equipment for watching movies, a pursuit that quickly becomes expensive. A popular home cinema brand that Hamid favors often costs significantly more locally due to distributor markups, prompting enthusiasts like him to find international sellers online.
When Trust Gets Exploited
After years interacting on the forum, Hamid has come to believe that the community consisted of passionate, financially stable individuals who had no apparent motive for deceit. He knew everyone there and trusted them.
So when a longstanding forum member, active since 2007, advertised a 22-terabyte movie server of Hamid’s preferred brand with a four-year warranty for under $5,000 – nearly half the regular retail price – Hamid saw an opportunity.
“The user seemed credible, active since 2007 and part of a community where trust is fundamental,” Hamid recounted. “So I ignored some of my usual precautions.”
He didn’t use an escrow service or intermediary platform. Instead, Hamid directly transferred the funds – first a small amount as a test, then the remaining sum – in USDT, believing everything was legitimate.
“At first, everything seemed fine,” he said. “But then came delays in shipment, and my anxiety kicked in.”
Red Flags and Shocking Realizations
When the seller started delaying shipment, Hamid began scrutinizing the provided images of the product more closely. A reverse image search delivered a crushing realization.
“The images the scammer had sent me were actually posted months earlier on another forum,” Hamid explained. “He claimed the server was purchased in December 2023, but the images were already circulating online from July 2023. At that moment, I realized the scammer had been using fake images and that I’d been scammed.”
Hamid immediately contacted the forum administrators, two trusted Americans who confirmed his fears: the original user's account had been hacked by a scammer. Hamid was dealing not with a longstanding member of the community, but with a malicious actor who had broken into the trusted community. The forum moderators quickly blocked this account on Hamid’s prompting.
“I felt depressed,” Hamid admitted. “Emotionally, it was devastating. I couldn’t sleep, concentrate at work, or think clearly. Getting scammed shakes your trust in people deeply. It’s mentally exhausting.”
Scammer’s Critical Mistake
Fortunately, the scammer made one critical error: using a personal Binance account to receive the stolen funds.
“A friend of mine works for a blockchain investigation agency,” Hamid said. “He advised me to contact Binance immediately. That piece of advice turned out to be life-saving.”
Without delay, Hamid reached out to Binance’s customer support team. Binance promptly initiated an investigation, freezing the scammer’s account to prevent further damage.
The Relief of Recovery
Days later, Hamid received a heart-warming email. Binance’s fund recovery team had managed to track the stolen USDT, freeze the scammer’s account, and safely return the entire sum back to him.
“I felt overwhelming relief and gratitude,” Hamid shared, his voice brighter with joy. “When I saw that email confirming the money was credited back, there were no words to express my happiness.”
Hamid believes Binance’s swift response not only saved his finances but also restored his sense of security and faith in crypto platforms.
“Binance has won me forever,” he emphasized.
Lessons Learned and Advice to Others
Hamid now openly shares his experience online, posting the account of his ordeal on forums and social media to educate others on crypto scam prevention.
“The most important lesson is never to trust an online profile blindly, no matter how long-established it might appear. Accounts can be hacked, and scammers exploit that trust,” Hamid advised. “Use a centralized exchange like Binance when possible, at least then you have a chance of recovery and accountability.”
He stressed the importance of immediate action if scammed, urging others not to feel ashamed or remain silent.
“Even if you think there’s no chance, always report,” Hamid urged strongly. “It gives authorities data to track scammers and possibly recover funds. Your report might prevent someone else’s nightmare.”
Hamid also encourages continuous education on crypto security. Post-incident, he revisited Binance Academy’s resources, reinforcing security habits he thought he knew well.
“It’s easy to get complacent. Refreshing your knowledge regularly helps ensure you don’t overlook risks, no matter how experienced you think you are.”
Gratitude and Moving Forward
Reflecting on the incident, Hamid is grateful not only for his money being recovered but also for gaining valuable insights that he now shares to help protect others. His initial embarrassment at being scammed transformed into a sense of duty to educate the community.
“This story needs to be shared loudly because there are so many misconceptions about blockchain and crypto,” he asserted. “People need to know how to use this technology safely. Binance’s response shows exactly how crypto should be: secure, supportive, and trustworthy.”
Today, Hamid continues his crypto journey with a heightened sense of awareness and stronger security practices.
“I’ve shared my story widely, from friends to the original forum,” he concluded. “I want people to understand: scams can happen to anyone. But with the right support, education, and timely action, we can protect ourselves and each other.”
Experience Unmatched Security and Support with Binance
Your cryptocurrency journey deserves a platform you can trust. As highlighted in Hamid's story, Binance isn’t just a trading platform – it’s a reliable partner committed to protecting your investments. Whether you're trading, mining, or exploring the possibilities that digital assets offer, choose the platform that puts your safety and success first. Start your journey with Binance, a time-tested leader in the cryptocurrency world.