On August 10, 2024, I matched with a user named "Ellaria Zhang" on the dating app Hinge. She identified herself as a 31-year-old Singaporean living in Westminster, CO, and claimed to be a manager at a cosmetics import-export company called "Cecily Skincare." Her profile appeared genuine, featuring photos of an Asian woman and descriptions of a comfortable lifestyle, including owning a home and a car.
After matching, Ellaria suggested we move our conversation to Telegram. Our chats progressed naturally, and she mentioned her involvement in cryptocurrency trading. Being familiar with crypto, I saw this as a common interest. About a week into our conversations, she casually suggested I join her in her crypto investments. Her approach was patient and sincere at first, without any pressure.
Following her guidance, I invested $2,500 into a decentralized app (dApp) via Trust Wallet. The platform was called "Osl Max Digital Transactions". Despite some grammar issues on the site, I dismissed them as language differences from a region-specific platform. I saw a return of $475 within two days and was able to withdraw the earnings, which boosted my confidence.
After my third deposit—about halfway through my total investment—her behavior shifted. She became more insistent, urging me to invest larger amounts due to exclusive, time-sensitive opportunities. Over time, her tone grew aggressive, pressuring me to commit more funds.
I became suspicious after learning about the "pig butchering scam," which often involves prolonged interactions to build trust before defrauding the victim. To test my concerns, I attempted to withdraw funds from the platform without informing Ellaria. She soon indicated awareness of my withdrawal attempt, confirming my suspicion that she had access to the platform's back-end operations. I immediately stopped all deposits and focused on recovering my money.
Once I ceased depositing, Ellaria's demeanor changed drastically. She became hostile and coercive. I engaged with the platform, requesting a small withdrawal while promising to deposit more, hoping they would release my funds. Initially, they approved the withdrawal, citing a 24-hour holding period. However, afterward, they claimed their "risk control" department had flagged my account, requiring additional deposits to release my funds. At that point, it was clear I had been scammed.
My last communication with both Ellaria and the platform was on September 16, 2024. I can still access the website (https://web3.olmaxsc.com), where my account shows both the initial investment and alleged earnings, but withdrawals are blocked. I'm now waiting for the URL to become inactive and for access to my funds to vanish completely.