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This content is based on victim and potential victim accounts. Government agencies and legitimate business names and phone numbers are often used by scam artists to take advantage of people.
Description
I joined a WhatsApp trading group from an advertisement from YouTube/Instagram. The link took me too the WhatsApp trading group (BOTE Finacial Academy). They have an Assistant, Thalia Edwards, Fake name. and it is founded by Professor Paul Hoffman. They recommend that we trade on their preferred exchange (GeniZenith). I did a check on both organizations with has applied for FinCen MSB to make it seem they are ligit and SEC. But this is just part of their scam. They are not certified as I found out the hard way. They let you start out trading with a low amount but after they asked you to sign a contract for to participate in there Pioneer plan trading. They request you to choose a trading group on their plan which they start that each group has a profit range and you need to pay a commission percentage. Once you sign the contract you are not able to resend the contract and you must pay them commissions from an outside wallet to pay for your commissions and then they say you will be able to make withdrawal from your trade account. I refused to make an outside payment so they suspended my account until I sent payment of commissions.
Targeted Person's Location
CA, USA - 90631
Scammer Information
New York, NY - 10007
Unknown Email
Unknown Phone Number
https://www.botefinanceinstitute.com/
Scam Type
Investment
Learn More
Business name
BOTE Financial Academy
Date Reported
September 23, 2025
Scam ID
1065337
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