Actor Andrey Tkachenko Falls Victim to Bitcoin Investment Scam
In a distressing turn of events, the Russian actor Andrey Tkachenko has become the latest victim of a Bitcoin investment scam. According to a post on Telegram by Baza, a prominent Russian online news agency, Tkachenko was instructed by the scammer to deposit an additional 0.5 BTC in order to withdraw his initial investment.
Bitcoin FOMO
Tkachenko’s foray into cryptocurrency investment began in late 2021 when he was introduced to entrepreneur Grigory Muluzyan. Hoping for financial gains, Tkachenko trusted Muluzyan with 7.5 BTC and granted him access to his wallet. Initially, he received consistent returns amounting to 10% of his monthly income through cryptocurrency trading.
However, the venture took a downturn months later as profits dwindled. Tkachenko’s access to the account was abruptly blocked while filming in Yalta, Crimea, and 10 BTC were frozen. Muluzyan claimed this was due to restrictions in Crimea and demanded an additional 0.5 BTC to unlock the funds.
Behind The Scenes
In summer 2022, Tkachenko had the opportunity to buy shares in Muluzyan’s crypto business for $150,000. However, as the price of Bitcoin plummeted, Muluzyan advised him to sell his coins. Tkachenko soon discovered that his investments had disappeared and the promised cryptocurrency business seemed non-existent.
Frustrated, Tkachenko reported the incident to the police, realizing that he had been deceived out of approximately $262,000.
Celebrities and Crypto Scams
Tkachenko is not the only celebrity to fall victim to crypto scams. Last September, American actor Bill Murray had 119.2 ETH (approximately $185,000) stolen during his NFT charity auction. While some celebrities promote fraudulent crypto projects, others like Tkachenko face similar troubles.
Hot Take: The Importance of Due Diligence in Crypto Investments
Andrey Tkachenko’s unfortunate experience serves as a reminder of the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before making any investments in the crypto space. It is crucial to research and verify the credibility of individuals or platforms offering investment opportunities. Always be cautious when granting access to your cryptocurrency wallets and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Stay vigilant and informed to protect yourself from falling victim to scams and deception in the cryptocurrency world.