Short answer If someone you trusted online introduced you to crypto investing, showed profits, guided your deposits, and now your funds are gone— there is a strong chance you were targeted through social-engineering investment fraud, sometimes called relationship-based investment scams. In these cases: Trust is the delivery system—not the investment. What’s actually happening These scams usually don’t start with money. They start with connection. The person may have: • started with casual conversation • messaged you consistently • shown interest in your life • acted supportive or experienced • shared “their own” trading success • made investing look normal and easy Nothing feels like a scam at first. That’s what makes it effective. Then the investment phase begins Eventually they introduce: • crypto investing • copy trading • private trading groups • insider opportunities • “safe platforms” • account managers or mentors They may ask you to send: • Tether • Bitcoin • Ethereum Sometimes directly to a wallet.…