URGENT UPDATE: Entrepreneur Erik Bergman has revealed that he fell victim to a sophisticated crypto scam over the weekend, losing an astounding $1.25 million. The incident began when Bergman believed he was investing alongside popular YouTube personalities, including MrBeast and Mark Rober, in a charitable initiative.
The 37-year-old founder of Great.com and co-founder of Catena Media took to X to share his distressing experience, stating, “I just got scammed for $1.25 million. I feel ashamed and stupid.” The ordeal started innocently enough when Bergman received a genuine call from MrBeast and Rober, inviting him to support their Team Water initiative, aimed at building wells in Africa. After conducting research on the global water crisis, he pledged $1 million, feeling proud to contribute to the cause.
However, the situation took a dark turn when scammers posing as representatives from Team Water contacted him via WhatsApp, enticing him with an exclusive trip to Africa alongside other top donors. They added him to a group chat that appeared to include MrBeast, Rober, and several supposed billionaires.
Bergman described feeling like “a 13-year-old boy wanting to fit in,” as he hesitated to send messages in the chat for fear of appearing “uncool.” The deception escalated when the impersonator of MrBeast pitched a secret crypto opportunity, claiming to have partnered with Coinbase for a new coin launch. Members of the chat, whom Bergman believed to be real celebrities, expressed enthusiasm and encouraged each other to invest.
Motivated by the excitement, Bergman and a friend wired $500,000 initially, followed by another $750,000. It wasn’t until he noticed discrepancies, like an American influencer using a British phone number, that he paused and reached out to the real MrBeast. The YouTuber’s response was blunt: “Wow, I don’t know what to say… please tell me you didn’t send them any money.”
Realizing he had sent the $1.25 million to scammers, Bergman faced the harsh truth that the entire group chat, planned trip, and investment opportunity were fabricated. Despite this staggering loss, he emphasizes the importance of sharing his experience to combat feelings of shame. Bergman remains proud of his original donation to Team Water and believes in the cause.
In his post, he mentioned a previous scam that cost him $3,000 at age 20, a loss that haunted him in silence for years. Determined not to let shame control him this time, he confided in his wife, parents, brother, and close friends, receiving overwhelming support. “Remember that shame can only live in the shadows. Tell people about your shame, and I promise that the feeling will change,” he urged.
This alarming incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing sophistication of scams in the digital age. As Bergman’s story unfolds, it highlights both the emotional and financial toll such deceptions can take on individuals, prompting a larger conversation about awareness and security in online transactions. Authorities continue to investigate the scam, urging others to remain vigilant against similar schemes.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.