Is there really such a thing as Free Crypto - Bitcoin scam!

callerIDapp_user

Got a SMS from the number 00153. The number itself seems strange, but then the message was even stranger.  I think it's a cryptocurrency scammer who's trying to lure unsuspecting individuals with promises of free Bitcoin. Not 100% sure what to think. Another person on the caller ID app I use said they were offered free crypto by signing up through a link provided in the message. However, these messages are not always the same. The tellows app had this one other case, so I'm hoping to get more clarity. Seems these sms's are designed to deceive and steal personal information or even money, not sure how, from people?

Brie

they called you.  and they're giving something away.  it's a scam.

soolin

I'm not entirely sure what your question is, but these scams are very common and obviously it is best never to engage with a scammer. Just block them. 

Albermarle

 I think it's a cryptocurrency scammer who's trying to lure unsuspecting individuals with promises of free Bitcoin. Not 100% sure what to think

Well I am 100% sure what I think.

Free Bitcoin offer , What could possibly go wrong.........

Pollycat

callerIDapp_user said:

Got a SMS from the number 00153. The number itself seems strange, but then the message was even stranger.  I think it's a cryptocurrency scammer who's trying to lure unsuspecting individuals with promises of free Bitcoin. Not 100% sure what to think. Another person on the caller ID app I use said they were offered free crypto by signing up through a link provided in the message. However, these messages are not always the same. The tellows app had this one other case, so I'm hoping to get more clarity. Seems these sms's are designed to deceive and steal personal information or even money, not sure how, from people?

You're not sure what to think?
Really?
Then you're a scammer's dream target.

MorningcoffeeIV

callerIDapp_user said:

Seems these sms's are designed to deceive and steal personal information or even money, not sure how, from people?

By sending them to people who aren't sure what to think and who then send them their money to buy non existent bitcoin.

You're halfway to being in that group of people. Now is the time to stop before you join them fully.

callerIDapp_user

Thanks for your feedback, this is helpful. My questions revolves around the uncertainty, as I have seen many legitimate popup Ads in the past where Cryptocurrency Exchanges give you free Bitcoin for signing up. But, I will go with all ya'll leading on this, and assume it's probably a scam if they SMS or call me out of the blue like that.
For reference: tellows. com / num / 00153

Pollycat

callerIDapp_user said:

Thanks for your feedback, this is helpful. My questions revolves around the uncertainty, as I have seen many legitimate popup Ads in the past where Cryptocurrency Exchanges give you free Bitcoin for signing up. But, I will go with all ya'll leading on this, and assume it's probably a scam if they SMS or call me out of the blue like that.
For reference: tellows. com / num / 00153

Might be helpful for you to read this MSE article:
30 ways to stop scams: MoneySavingExpert

I never respond to cold calls, either online, on my phone or at my door.

If I'm thinking about new windows or a new drive, I'll do my research and decide who I want to do the job. It won't be some random who's got hold of my phone number or email address. Or a chancer in a white van driving around my neighbourhood.

caprikid1

Which bit of this is a scam ? The offer of free Bitcoin or Bitcoin ? or Both ?

Albermarle

callerIDapp_user said:

Thanks for your feedback, this is helpful. My questions revolves around the uncertainty, as I have seen many legitimate popup Ads in the past where Cryptocurrency Exchanges give you free Bitcoin for signing up. But, I will go with all ya'll leading on this, and assume it's probably a scam if they SMS or call me out of the blue like that.
For reference: tellows. com / num / 00153

Even apparently legit crypto exchanges have a habit of crashing and burning.

Exodi

For the record, I agree with 100% of the comments in this thread - that this is obviously a scam.

As you seem to be unsure how it could be a scam when they're the ones offering you free bitcoin, here's several ways I'm aware of:

1. 'You just have to pay the fee' - usually a scammer will set up a fake website which shows that you have a large (fake) balance of bitcoins they've gifted to you, and all you have to do is pay the withdrawal fee, or tax charges, or account opening fee, or something similar, and it's all they need to process the withdrawal for you. Obviously the funds never materialise because they never existed.

2. 'Wow your investments are doing so good!' - similar to the above, the scammer will set up a fake website, but this time encourage you to invest in it (perhaps with additional lucrative incentives). They will then show your investments in BTC as being wildly successful, encouraging you to invest more money. The more sophisticated ones even allow 'small withdrawals' at the start to build user trust. At some point the victim tries to withdraw their massively increased wealth, to find out they can't (and oftentimes drawn along with another scam inline with the above).

3. 'You send me 1 bitcoin, I send you 2' - the scammer (often fronting as a reputable source) offers to send you a multiple of the bitcoin you send them, which they obviously never do. This was more common in the past and features photoshopped and 'out of context' clips of celebrities (e.g. Elon Musk, Bill Gates, etc) claiming to want to 'give back' by offering to double/triple/etc any deposits received from people.

These are some of the few I'm aware of, but there are countless variations.

Nonetheless, being cold approached by someone offering bitcoin should have sent so many alarm bells ringing you should be deaf.