MrBeast offers $100,000 reward in Catena co-founder scam
Summary
YouTube star MrBeast has offered a $100,000 reward for information that could lead to arrests after Catena Media co-founder Erik Bergman lost $1.25m in a sophisticated cryptocurrency “pig butchering” scam. Scammers impersonated high-profile figures — including MrBeast, Mark Rober, Ed Craven and Adin Ross — using fake group chats to build trust and pressure victims into investing in a fraudulent crypto project. Bergman has published chat logs, phone numbers and blockchain transaction hashes and is inviting tips via Great.com, where the reward can be claimed.
Key Points
- Erik Bergman was defrauded of $1.25m in an elaborate crypto “pig butchering” scheme that used impersonation and staged group chats.
- Scammers posed as celebrities (MrBeast, Mark Rober, Ed Craven, Adin Ross) to create credibility and social pressure.
- MrBeast has publicly offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to arrests; his team is also providing support beyond the cash reward.
- Bergman has released comprehensive evidence — chat logs, six phone numbers and blockchain transaction hashes for $750,000 and $500,000 payments — and asks the public to submit tips via Great.com.
- Bergman criticised the Swedish police for a perceived lack of engagement despite the seven-figure loss; Coinbase’s security team has offered support after their brand was misused.
- Bergman is turning his shame into activism, aiming to raise awareness and help other victims come forward.
Content summary
The scammers created parallel chat conversations and deliberately used tactics that manipulated social proof and urgency. In one instance a fake investor was initially rejected then allowed in at a higher price — a manoeuvre that convinced Bergman to invest again and prompted others to follow. After realising what had happened, Bergman publicly shared his experience and the evidence, hoping exposure will help locate the perpetrators and recover funds. The story gained significant attention on social media, prompting MrBeast’s reward announcement and extra support from his team.
Context and relevance
This incident is a high-profile example of evolving crypto scams that combine social engineering with impersonation of trusted figures. As influencers and public philanthropists increasingly interact with crypto projects, the risk of targeted fraud rises. The case also highlights gaps in cross-border law enforcement response and the role private actors and platform security teams can play in investigations and victim support.
Why should I read this?
Because it shows exactly how modern crypto cons work — clever, emotional and built to exploit trust. If you follow influencers, invest in crypto or manage public profiles, this is a neat warning: don’t assume a celebrity name in chat equals legitimacy. Also, if you’ve got any tip, it might actually help catch criminals and get money back.
Author note
Punchy and important: a seven-figure scam hit a well-known philanthropist, and a major influencer has put real money behind finding the culprits. Read the evidence Bergman shared if you want to understand the scam mechanics or can contribute a lead — this isn’t just clickbait.
Source
Source: https://next.io/news/people/mrbeast-offers-reward-catena-co-founder-scam/
