A Grand Bend resident is hoping for a Christmas miracle to recover funds and spread awareness after she lost over $70,000 in a cryptocurrency scam.
Tabetha Burley told Sarnia News Today she began investing in a fraudulent platform in September 2024.
"I began investing just a little bit into this platform. When I say a little bit, it was under $100 because every seven days you could withdraw into a crypto wallet, and I did that twice," she said. "That seemed fine. So I kept putting more money in."
However, when Burley tried to withdraw funds in December 2024, the process had changed.
"You had to either purchase a card -- like a Visa card -- for $5,000 or $10,000. Then it was just more money, more money needed," she said.
Burley said she realized she was in trouble when she tried to make a final withdrawal in September 2025.
As is the case with scams, Burley said those involved were very persuasive.
"I was just so hopeful. I guess when there's good people like myself on the other end, it's hard to fathom that they're okay doing this to so many people," she said.
The local real estate broker became aware of the platform after seeing it online and speaking with someone who claimed to be an Ontario realtor.
"We had been talking online... But I had actually watched not only him, but a few other people that were involved in this platform, for seven months before I even put any money in," she said.
Burley filed a report with Lambton OPP and contacted her bank, but she was not prepared for the response.
"[The bank] asked me one of three questions, and the first one was, did you knowingly make all of these transfers? I was honest and said 'yes'. They treat e-transfers like cash so once it's gone, it's gone."
Ideally, Burley said she'd like to see banks and police agencies work together more to prevent these types of situations.
At this point, Burley said she doesn't know the exact amount lost but knows it was over $70,000.
The reason Burley started investing in this platform to begin with was to save enough money for her "driving journey".
"It's something I've always wanted to do and I just finally took the bull by the horns, I guess," she said. "It's just been a long process and I'm still on that journey."
Burley has cerebral palsy so the process to obtain a driver's licence is longer and more costly with medical assessments, medical rehabilitation, and a Young Drivers course. After which, vehicle modifications would be required.
"My hope was to gain my profit to be able to have that there, and then it turned into a disaster," she said.
Two of Burley's friends started a GoFundMe campaign to support her goal.
As of December 4, over $1,300 had been raised.
Lambton OPP has provided a list of prevention tips for people to consider.
Be skeptical of unsolicited offers – Fraudsters often contact victims through social media, email, or phone, claiming to represent investment firms or crypto platforms.
Verify before investing – Research the company, check registration with securities regulators, and confirm legitimacy through official channels.
Avoid “guaranteed” profits – No legitimate investment can promise risk-free or extremely high returns.
Never send money or crypto to unknown parties – Once transferred, cryptocurrency is nearly impossible to recover.
Use reputable exchanges and wallets – Only use well-known, regulated platforms for trading or storing digital assets.
Watch for pressure tactics – Scammers often create urgency or secrecy, urging immediate investment decisions.
Secure your accounts – Use strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and never share private keys.
Consult a trusted source – Speak with a financial advisor or OPP before making significant investments.
