Cryptocurrency has unlocked a new frontier of financial freedom—but with it, a new wave of sophisticated scams. One that’s been gaining attention is the DML Markets scam, allegedly run by someone going by the name Steph Lewis, who targets victims through Facebook. This scam fits squarely into what’s known as a “pig butchering” scheme—where victims are “fattened up” with fake profits before being financially slaughtered.
Recently, I came across a real case involving a woman from Michigan, who was lured into this scam and eventually helped by a recovery firm to regain some of her stolen funds. Her story, along with what I uncovered in my research, is something everyone should read—especially if you’re investing (or thinking about investing) in crypto.
🐖 What is Pig Butchering?
Let’s start with the term. Pig butchering (originally from the Chinese phrase “sha zhu pan”) is a scam that uses emotional manipulation and trust-building tactics over time. Scammers “fatten up” the victim by showing fake returns on small initial investments, then pressure them to invest more—sometimes tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. When the victim tries to withdraw? Everything vanishes.
It’s part emotional abuse, part financial crime, and all too real.
🎯 The Setup: Who Is “Steph Lewis”?
The scam reportedly begins with a Facebook message from someone who looks successful, friendly, and financially savvy—usually posing as a crypto investor or consultant. In this case, the name used was Steph Lewis, but that’s almost certainly an alias, and the profile is likely fake, built with stolen photos and fabricated content.
The scammer starts chatting, offering tips and insights into “safe, high-return investments” in crypto, then introduces a platform called DML Markets. On the surface, it looks like a professional trading site. It has charts, dashboards, even customer support. But it’s a facade.
🧪 The Trap: How the Scam Works
Here’s how the DML Markets scam plays out, step by step:
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Initial Investment
You’re encouraged to invest a small amount—maybe $500 or $1,000. Everything looks legit. The platform shows it growing quickly. -
False Confidence
You’re allowed to withdraw a bit of your “profit,” which makes it feel real. This is where many victims start telling friends, family, or even borrowing money to go bigger. -
Bigger Investments
You’re told that larger profits require larger investments. Many victims pour in tens of thousands—some even their life savings. -
Sudden Problems
When you try to withdraw a large amount, you hit a wall. You’re told you need to pay a “release fee,” or “tax,” or that your account is under review. -
The Disappearance
After the last payment is made, poof—the site stops working, support goes dark, and “Steph Lewis” deletes or blocks you.
💔 A Real Story from Michigan
One victim, a woman from Michigan, lost nearly $38,000 after weeks of engaging with Steph Lewis. She was emotionally and financially drained—and felt deeply embarrassed. She initially didn’t report it, like many victims, out of shame.
Luckily, she found her way to ST9 Investigations, a private cyber-investigation firm. Their team traced the crypto transactions through blockchain analysis, coordinated with crypto exchanges, and helped her recover a portion of her funds. It wasn’t everything—but it was more than most ever get back.
Her story highlights two things:
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These scams are incredibly convincing and emotionally manipulative.
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There is hope for victims—but only if they act quickly.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For
Whether it’s DML Markets or any other platform, here are the top red flags to stay alert for:
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💬 Unsolicited investment advice via Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp
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🚀 Promises of guaranteed, high profits with low risk
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🏦 Unlicensed platforms with no traceable ownership
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⛔ Delays or excuses when trying to withdraw funds
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🧾 Demands for extra payments to “unlock” your own money
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👤 A person who avoids video calls or in-depth questions
If it sounds too good to be true—it probably is.
🛡 What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you think you’ve fallen for a scam like this, do not panic—but act fast:
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Stop sending money — even if they promise your funds will be released.
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Save everything — screenshots, messages, transaction IDs, crypto wallet addresses.
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Report the scam to:
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Your local police or cybercrime unit
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Notify your bank or crypto platform — they may be able to help freeze accounts or flag suspicious wallets.
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Consider professional recovery assistance — firms like ST9 Investigations have helped real victims claw back what seemed unrecoverable.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The DML Markets scam is just one of many variations of crypto investment frauds spreading through social media. Scammers are smart, patient, and increasingly convincing. But with education, awareness, and prompt action, you can protect yourself—and maybe even help someone else avoid becoming a victim.
Always remember:
📈 Legitimate investing is slow, transparent, and regulated.
🚨 Scams are fast, secretive, and full of pressure tactics.
Stay smart. Stay skeptical. And share this with anyone you care about who’s even thinking about investing online.
Have you been contacted by someone offering crypto investments through Facebook or Instagram? Drop a comment or reach out—we’re compiling real stories to raise awareness.