Erik Bergman’s $1.25 Million Crypto Scam Experience
Erik Bergman Victimized in Sophisticated Crypto Scam
Erik Bergman, the co-founder of Great.com and a recognized entrepreneur, recently disclosed that he was defrauded in an elaborate cryptocurrency scam that cost him $1.25 million. The scam involved deception linked to reputed YouTube personalities and high-profile figures.
A Personal Admission of Shame
The 37-year-old philanthropist and investor shared his experience on social media platform X, candidly expressing his feelings of shame and frustration. He admitted, “I was scammed out of $1.25 million. I feel ashamed and foolish.”
The Scam’s Beginning: A Genuine Appeal
The incident began when Bergman received a legitimate phone call from popular YouTubers MrBeast and Mark Rober. They invited him to support their charitable Team Water campaign, focused on constructing wells in Africa. Motivated by the cause, Bergman pledged a generous $1 million donation, which was publicly acknowledged by MrBeast. This fueled Bergman’s pride and commitment to the initiative.
Scammers Imitating Well-Known Figures
Shortly after, Bergman was contacted by fraudsters impersonating Team Water representatives through WhatsApp. They invited him to participate in an exclusive trip to Africa, supposedly alongside other top donors. They included him in a group chat that appeared to have MrBeast, Mark Rober, prominent billionaires, and popular streamers involved.
Bergman confessed he felt like an eager teenager wanting to belong and was cautious when interacting in the chat, trying not to appear “uncool.”
The Deceptive Crypto Investment Pitch
The scam escalated when an impostor of MrBeast presented a secret cryptocurrency investment opportunity, falsely claiming a partnership with Coinbase on a new coin launch. The group chat, believed by Bergman to consist of legitimate billionaires and influencers, buzzed with excitement and encouragement to invest.
Influencers in the chat, actually impersonators, expressed intent to participate, which intensified the pressure. Succumbing to the hype, Bergman and a friend transferred $500,000 initially, then later added another $750,000 to wallet addresses provided by the scammers.
Realization and Confrontation
Eventually, Bergman noticed inconsistencies, such as an American influencer using a British phone number, which raised suspicions. Acting on this, he contacted the real MrBeast, who was surprised and anxious to learn about the payments.
When Bergman admitted to having transferred $1.25 million, it became clear that the entire trip, group, and investment opportunity were fabrications.
Choosing Openness Over Secrecy
Despite the financial loss, Bergman decided to be transparent about his experience to combat feelings of shame. He affirmed his ongoing support for the genuine Team Water cause and remains proud of his original contribution.
This was not Bergman’s first encounter with scams; he recalled being defrauded of $3,000 at age 20, an amount he felt too ashamed to reveal for years. This time, however, he confided in his wife, parents, brother, and close friends, receiving emotional support.
He shared a poignant message from his brother: “Shame can only survive in silence. Speak about your shame, and its power fades away.” Bergman described the scam as “very skillfully orchestrated,” underlining the importance of awareness and openness.
