Description

**Introduction** This complaint details fraudulent activity and significant financial losses I experienced while working for W Communications, a company claiming to be a digital marketing and PR agency. I am filing this complaint with Coinbase Support and your legal department due to the potential involvement of your platform in facilitating these fraudulent transactions involving cryptocurrency transfers. **Background** On April 1st, 2024, I was contacted by someone claiming to be an HR assistant from AK LLC, offering a work-from-home job related to product optimization. This led me to W Communications, where I received training and began "optimizing" products for them on April 2nd. The process involved depositing cryptocurrency (ETH) to complete tasks and supposedly earn a fixed salary and bonuses. All communication with W Communications occurred through WhatsApp with a "mentor" and "Customer Service" representatives. **The Scheme** W Communications explained the job as optimizing products for online platforms. The process involved depositing cryptocurrency (ETH, BTC, or USDT) to clear negative balances incurred during optimization tasks. Communication with "Customer Service" via WhatsApp was necessary for daily tasks and resolving negative balances. **Fraudulent Activity** On April 11th, 2024, I was contacted by someone named Catherine (UK phone number) claiming to be with W Communications' CS. Catherine offered to help me withdraw funds without additional deposits, which contradicted instructions from legitimate CS. Over the following days, I was misled by Catherine into transferring a total of $26,017.61 in ETH to an address she provided. On April 19th, I reported Catherine to W Communications, who confirmed she was a fake. They assured me they would recover the lost funds. **Further Complications** * **Unexpected Credit Score System:** After resolving the fraud, I attempted to withdraw funds. However, my account credit score had dropped due to the Catherine incident, restricting withdrawals until it reached 90%. W Communications instructed me to deposit additional funds totaling $180,000 to raise the score. * **Incorrect Withdrawal Address:** On April 25th, I deposited a significant amount for withdrawal, but W Communications claimed their AI system used an incorrect address due to human error. They proposed a lengthy recovery process or an "accelerated recovery" requiring a further 40% deposit as a "reward" for miners to recover the funds. * **Additional Funds Requested:** To expedite recovery, I deposited additional funds upon W Communications' and my "tutor's" advice. My requests for them to use the recovered funds to cover the remaining amount were denied. I have filed for a refund of the Tether reward deposit but have yet to receive confirmation. **Current Situation** As of May 10th, 2024, I have lost a significant amount of money through this apparent fraud scheme with W Communications. All of my funds remain inaccessible. I have filed complaints with relevant law enforcement agencies and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). **Request for Action** I am requesting Coinbase to investigate W Communications' business practices and potential involvement in facilitating these fraudulent transactions. Additionally, I request assistance in recovering the lost funds, totaling $330,568.88 (including the initial fraud by Catherine, the additional deposits to meet the credit score, and the lost withdrawal attempt). I submitted an online FRAUD complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Report number: ********* and with the City of Novi, Michigan Police Department with Officer ** *********** Report Reference number: *********** On 8th May, 2024 I filed a formal complaint with the Attorney General, State of Michigan, USA Complaint Identification Number: ********************, and with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) IC3 section. On May 9th, 2024 I met with Detective ****** ******** of the Novi Police Department and provided all the details of this FRAUD. **Evidence** I have documented the entire episode with screenshots of communication on WhatsApp, including chat backups and copies of all relevant transactions. I am prepared to provide this evidence to support my claims. **Conclusion** I urge Coinbase to take immediate action to protect myself and others from potentially falling victim to similar schemes. Following are the specific State and Federal laws that are applicable to my complaint. Background: On April 1st, 2024, I was contacted by someone named “Isabella” claiming to be an HR assistant from AK LLC, offering a work-from-home job related to product optimization. This led me to W Communications, where I received training and began "optimizing" products for them on April 2nd by my tutor Emily with registered WhatsApp number +44 7473 692590. The process involved depositing cryptocurrency (ETH) to complete tasks and supposedly earn a fixed salary and bonuses. All communication with W Communications occurred through WhatsApp with a "mentor" (Emily) and "Customer Service" representatives (CS) using various US phone numbers. Their contact numbers included: +1 (202) 369-3192, +1 (314) 203-8672, and +1 (626) 283-9952. The Scheme: Emily explained the job as optimizing products for online platforms like Amazon and eBay to increase their ranking. The process involved depositing cryptocurrency (ETH, BTC, or USDT) to clear negative balances incurred during optimization tasks. Communication with "Customer Service" (CS) via WhatsApp was necessary for daily tasks and resolving negative balances. Fraudulent Activity: On April 11th, 2024, I was contacted by someone named Catherine (UK phone number +44 7900 657619) claiming to be with W Communications' CS. Catherine offered to help me withdraw funds without additional deposits, which contradicted instructions from legitimate CS. Over the following days, I was misled by Catherine into transferring a total of $26,017.61 in ETH to an address she provided (******************************************). On April 19th, I reported Catherine to Emily, who confirmed she was a fake. W Communications' CS confirmed this and assured me they would recover the lost funds. Further Complications: · Unexpected Credit Score System: After resolving the fraud, I attempted to withdraw funds. However, my account credit score had dropped due to the Catherine incident, restricting withdrawals until it reached 90%. CS instructed me to deposit additional funds to raise the score, totaling $180,000. · Incorrect Withdrawal Address: On April 25th, I deposited $330,568.88 for withdrawal, but CS claimed the AI system used an incorrect address due to human error. Tether, the cryptocurrency company, was supposedly contacted for recovery, but the process involved a lengthy wait (712-1005 working days) or an "accelerated recovery" requiring a further 40% deposit as a "reward" for miners to recover the funds. · Additional Funds Requested: To expedite recovery, I deposited another $30,281.37 upon Emily's advice and these are her funds since she decided to help me with my situation. This leaves a remaining balance of $101,946.182 Tether required for Tether's "accelerated recovery." My requests for CS to use the recovered funds to cover the remaining amount were denied. I have filed for a refund of the Tether reward deposit on May 9th and have yet to receive confirmation of the refund to Emily’s crypto wallet. · Despite their initial assurances, W Communications has not recovered the funds lost due to Catherine's fraud. · My account balance supposedly reached $143,614.29 after several deposits to clear negative balances resulting from "combo products." · However, a "credit score" system within the W platform prevented me from withdrawing funds unless the score reached 90%. · To increase the score, W Communications required additional deposits totaling $180,000. · On April 23rd, a further deposit of $66,697.54 was made to my account by Emily to help reach the 90% score. · On April 25th, I deposited an additional $120,500, liquidating my daughter's college fund to meet the credit score requirement. · Finally, when attempting to withdraw the entire balance, I was informed of a supposed error where W Communications' AI system mistyped the withdrawal address, resulting in a loss of $330,568.88 USDT. · W Communications proposed an "accelerated recovery" process with Tether, requiring a 40% deposit ($132,227.552 USDT) as "reward money" for miners. Current Situation: As of May 10th, 2024, I have lost a significant amount of money ($330,568.88 USD) through this FRAUD scheme with W Communications. My W Platform tutor Emily sent Crypto ETH To Tether per CS request, in the amount of $30,281.37 USD as a deposit towards the 40% reward for miners to recover my alleged lost funds because of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) mistake of W Platform System. On May 9th I informed the W Communication CS to apply for the refund of the funds sent by Emily and they agreed. I have yet to receive any confirmation from W CS. ALL of my funds remain inaccessible.  Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, ***** ******* ******