My mom spent $3000 on a stock market app called CM Group

I can’t find any info on this app, and my mom found it through a man online. She says she’s already made a $300 profit, but I don’t believe it. When I tried to withdraw the money, it said you can only take it out in some kind of coin and gave me a QR code. Scanning it just led me to a random code on Google: 0xee03013a4acb27467c4b8378e50a07ef0fb45da5. I’m sure it’s a scam, but my mom doesn’t believe me and thinks this guy will give her $20,000. She’s even accused me of not supporting her. I’m at a loss on what to do.

There’s not much you can do except try to protect your own assets and keep showing her why it’s a scam. Sadly, it sounds like she might need to learn the hard way.

Auden said:
There’s not much you can do except try to protect your own assets and keep showing her why it’s a scam. Sadly, it sounds like she might need to learn the hard way.

She doesn’t listen to anything I say, and it’s exhausting. I feel sad and tired.

Merritt said:

Auden said:
There’s not much you can do except try to protect your own assets and keep showing her why it’s a scam. Sadly, it sounds like she might need to learn the hard way.

She doesn’t listen to anything I say, and it’s exhausting. I feel sad and tired.

Maybe if she tries to wire money at the bank, you could go with her and explain the situation to the bank staff. Hearing it from them might make her reconsider.

Merritt said:

Auden said:
There’s not much you can do except try to protect your own assets and keep showing her why it’s a scam. Sadly, it sounds like she might need to learn the hard way.

She doesn’t listen to anything I say, and it’s exhausting. I feel sad and tired.

Maybe some YouTube videos explaining the scam could help. She might be more receptive if it’s from someone else.

Auden said:

Merritt said:
Auden said:
There’s not much you can do except try to protect your own assets and keep showing her why it’s a scam. Sadly, it sounds like she might need to learn the hard way.

She doesn’t listen to anything I say, and it’s exhausting. I feel sad and tired.

Maybe some YouTube videos explaining the scam could help. She might be more receptive if it’s from someone else.

Maybe a news story on a channel she likes would work too.

Merritt said:

Auden said:
There’s not much you can do except try to protect your own assets and keep showing her why it’s a scam. Sadly, it sounds like she might need to learn the hard way.

She doesn’t listen to anything I say, and it’s exhausting. I feel sad and tired.

Unfortunately, you’ve done what you can. She’s an adult. People usually realize it’s a scam when they can’t withdraw their fake profits. Real platforms don’t ask for withdrawal fees.

Merritt said:

Auden said:
There’s not much you can do except try to protect your own assets and keep showing her why it’s a scam. Sadly, it sounds like she might need to learn the hard way.

She doesn’t listen to anything I say, and it’s exhausting. I feel sad and tired.

The QR code sounds like it’s for a Bitcoin wallet. You’d need a Bitcoin wallet to get the money.

That being said, this is definitely a scam. They’ll let her withdraw small amounts at first to build trust. But once she deposits a larger amount, she won’t be able to withdraw anymore without paying ‘fees’ or ‘taxes,’ and the account will get ‘frozen.’ All the ‘profits’ are just numbers in the app, not real money.

If she sends $20k, it’ll be gone forever.

You’re not ‘validating her feelings,’ but she’s also not ‘validating your facts,’ and facts matter more with money. Show her links on crypto scams. The problem is that victims convince themselves it’s real, even when shown evidence.

Adi said:
You’re not ‘validating her feelings,’ but she’s also not ‘validating your facts,’ and facts matter more with money. Show her links on crypto scams. The problem is that victims convince themselves it’s real, even when shown evidence.

Could you share some links? I’m not sure where to find them.

Merritt said:

Adi said:
You’re not ‘validating her feelings,’ but she’s also not ‘validating your facts,’ and facts matter more with money. Show her links on crypto scams. The problem is that victims convince themselves it’s real, even when shown evidence.

Could you share some links? I’m not sure where to find them.

!crypto

Shai said:

Merritt said:
Adi said:
You’re not ‘validating her feelings,’ but she’s also not ‘validating your facts,’ and facts matter more with money. Show her links on crypto scams. The problem is that victims convince themselves it’s real, even when shown evidence.

Could you share some links? I’m not sure where to find them.

!crypto

Hi /u/Ok-Lingonberry-8261, AutoModerator here to explain the fake crypto wallet scam.

Fake crypto websites/apps are becoming more common. Scammers usually tell victims to buy crypto using legitimate exchanges and then send it to a scam wallet for ‘investment.’ The website shows fake profits, and when victims want to withdraw, they’re told they need to pay more for ‘fees’ or ‘taxes.’ All funds go to the scammer’s wallet, and any withdrawal attempt is fake.

Report Bitcoin scammers here: Chainabuse - View Reports. For Ethereum, report here: https://info.etherscan.com/report-address/. You can track crypto here: https://www.blockchain.com/explorer.

Merritt said:

Adi said:
You’re not ‘validating her feelings,’ but she’s also not ‘validating your facts,’ and facts matter more with money. Show her links on crypto scams. The problem is that victims convince themselves it’s real, even when shown evidence.

Could you share some links? I’m not sure where to find them.

Just Google or search on YouTube for ‘crypto investment scam.’

Merritt said:

Adi said:
You’re not ‘validating her feelings,’ but she’s also not ‘validating your facts,’ and facts matter more with money. Show her links on crypto scams. The problem is that victims convince themselves it’s real, even when shown evidence.

Could you share some links? I’m not sure where to find them.

Look on YouTube for crypto scam videos—there are good ones. You could also watch ‘Hunting Catfish,’ which is a good documentary.

You’re right; it’s a scam. There’s no real profit, and the money is gone. Ask her to withdraw the full $3,300 before putting in more money. They may let her withdraw some, but I doubt they’ll allow all of it. If she can’t get her money out, that might help convince her.

She might end up asking family for loans, so warn everyone. Also, this sounds like a pig butchering scam.

Oak said:
You’re right; it’s a scam. There’s no real profit, and the money is gone. Ask her to withdraw the full $3,300 before putting in more money. They may let her withdraw some, but I doubt they’ll allow all of it. If she can’t get her money out, that might help convince her.

She might end up asking family for loans, so warn everyone. Also, this sounds like a pig butchering scam.

Make sure she knows not to pay any ‘fees’ to try withdrawing that $3,300.

Oak said:
You’re right; it’s a scam. There’s no real profit, and the money is gone. Ask her to withdraw the full $3,300 before putting in more money. They may let her withdraw some, but I doubt they’ll allow all of it. If she can’t get her money out, that might help convince her.

She might end up asking family for loans, so warn everyone. Also, this sounds like a pig butchering scam.

Hi /u/Throwaway12467e357, AutoModerator here to explain the Pig Butchering scam.

This scam starts with gaining the victim’s trust, often through texts or online conversations. Once trust is built, scammers suggest investing, usually in crypto. Initially, the victim sees fake profits and may even withdraw small amounts. After investing more, they’ll get excuses why they can’t withdraw without paying ‘fees,’ but the account will never be unfrozen. All money is lost. Report to law enforcement, and don’t send more money.

Show her videos by Pleasant Green or Jim Browning on pig-butchering scams. Also, show her the FBI’s website about money mules. Explain that the $300 she ‘made’ is likely just her own money or stolen funds, and this can lead to legal trouble.

These scammers will eventually demand more ‘fees and taxes’ to withdraw the money. You should also quietly report the scam to the FBI.

Uma said:
Show her videos by Pleasant Green or Jim Browning on pig-butchering scams. Also, show her the FBI’s website about money mules. Explain that the $300 she ‘made’ is likely just her own money or stolen funds, and this can lead to legal trouble.

These scammers will eventually demand more ‘fees and taxes’ to withdraw the money. You should also quietly report the scam to the FBI.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll try it.

So some random guy online is going to send $20,000 to your mom’s account? You couldn’t make this up!