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Watch out for scammers wanting you to invest in Bitcoin

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are an emerging trend, but with any new technology comes new scams.

Nicholas Nostro Jr. is a teacher.

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He said a man named "Donald" messaged him on Instagram.

"He said that he was some sort of CPA or advisor," Nostro told Action 9's Jason Stoogenke.  "Me being a teacher and everything, he was using that as my hardship and saying how much money I use to spend for supplies and everything."

"Donald" talked Nostro into investing $1,500 into Bitcoin and sent him to a website to watch his investment grow.

Nostro said one day, the site he was using said he was doing something illegal and had to pay penalties, or he wouldn't be able to touch any of his money.

So he paid hundreds more.

"Everything just stopped," Nostro said. "They have not even contacted me."

He told Stoogenke he lost more than $2,000.

FBI Special Agent Brian Cyprian specializes in cyber crimes.

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​​​​"I always say anything that can be used for good can also be used for bad," Cyprian told Stoogenke.  "You see a whole evolution of just technology, and as we come up to speed with more things that make our lives easier and more convenient, then criminals adapt, so they start to figure out the latest and greatest."

Cyprian also said the FBI is seeing more scammers wanting victims to pay using cryptocurrencies.

If you want to invest in a cryptocurrency, don't go through someone you don't know, especially if that person found you instead of the other way around. Check with a real financial advisor.