Georgia couple reportedly lost $802,000 in cryptocurrency scam using fake identity
A 74-year-old retired couple in Georgia reportedly lost $802,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam that used a fabricated identity and fake company credentials to appear legitimate. The scammer posed as an investment advisor and provided false documentation including a fake LinkedIn profile and website, before disappearing with the funds.
What happened
Jerry Dunaway, a 74-year-old Navy veteran in Gwinnett County, Georgia, reportedly lost $802,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam that began in March 2025. He was contacted on WhatsApp by a person claiming to be 'Sophei Van Buren' who engaged him in investment discussions and eventually directed him toward cryptocurrency trading.
The scammer provided a LinkedIn account and company website (FA-SOPHEI.COM) to appear legitimate and used the name of a real company's former CEO from Alliance of Angels. After initial successful withdrawals of $20,000, Dunaway attempted to withdraw funds from his cryptocurrency account and discovered the money was gone.
Reported impact
Dunaway reported losing $802,000. He described the emotional impact as difficult, stating he felt ashamed and embarrassed about having to explain the loss to his family.
Index analysis
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report documented nearly $893 million in AI-enabled scam losses reported by Americans. Georgia experienced 71 AI-related complaints totaling more than $10.4 million in reported losses in the prior year.
Governance controls
A Gwinnett police report was filed documenting the scam details and the scammer's tactics. Dunaway publicly warned others about the dangers of cryptocurrency scams and investment fraud.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.