Reddit Scam Pattern
Trust-based grooming leading to financial losses
4 reports · first seen 13 July 2026 · last seen 14 July 2026
Victims are drawn into fraudulent investment schemes, romance scams, or extortion through relationships built on manufactured trust — via coaching groups, online romance, or fear-based coercion. Money is extracted gradually, with victims often reluctant to report due to emotional involvement or threats.
How the scam works
Relationship grooming across coaching networks, dating platforms, and social media funnelling victims into Ponzi schemes, fake trading platforms, or ongoing extortion payments.
Member posts on Reddit (4)
- US- Friend flew to Nigeria to marry a man she met online.
A woman met a man online, visited Nigeria twice, married him, and has been sending him money throughout the relationship.
reddit · 13 July 2026 · romance_scam
- Cartel scam questions
A victim paid $2,000 to scammers posing as a cartel and continued receiving threats of violence against their family after refusing further payments.
reddit · 14 July 2026 · advance_fee
- Has anyone heard of meridiees.com (Alpha)? Looking for advice
A man met a woman online who introduced him to a fake trading platform and encouraged him to invest heavily and take out a loan.
reddit · 13 July 2026 · investment_fraud
- I lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in Ponzi schemes. Has anyone recovered emotionally or financially?
Victim lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in Ponzi schemes introduced through a trusted investment coaching group, seeking emotional and financial recovery advice.
reddit · 5 July 2026 · investment_fraud