Catena Media Co-Founder Erik Bergman scammed for $1.25 million

Erik Bergman, the Swedish entrepreneur best known as Co-Founder of Malta-based affiliate marketing firm Catena Media and Founder of charity-driven gambling company Great.com, has revealed that he was scammed out of $1.25 million in an elaborate crypto fraud.

In a detailed post on social media platform X, Mr Bergman confessed: “I just got scammed for $1.25 million. I feel ashamed and stupid.”

The scheme began after what appeared to be a legitimate fundraising call from YouTubers MrBeast and Mark Rober, asking him to donate to Team Water, a campaign aimed at building wells in Africa. Having previously met them, Mr Bergman said he was surprised but decided to contribute. “I decide to donate $1 million. MrBeast gets excited about this and tweets to the world about the donation. I’m proud and excited to be a part of this amazing campaign!”

Erik from https://t.co/zqk5cPqDNX just donated 1,000,000 years of clean water 😀

KEEP DONATING TO TEAM WATER – https://t.co/ECmQ6pJq7o pic.twitter.com/F8XruU9u5u

— MrBeast (@MrBeast) August 9, 2025

The real donation was indeed received by Team Water, which on Monday (today) reached its $40 million fundraising goal. But soon after, fraudsters pretending to be part of the initiative lured Mr Bergman into a sophisticated WhatsApp scam.

He explained: “They invite me on a trip with the top donors to Africa. To see the wells being built and then stay for a few days for a wildlife safari. To go to Africa and see wells like this being built has long been a dream of mine. I’m excited to go! I immediately say yes.”

I just got scammed for $1.25 million.

I feel ashamed and stupid.

This story starts with me getting a phone call from @MrBeast and @MarkRober .

They ask me to donate money @teamwater. To build wells in Africa and help people get clean water.

I'm surprised by their call. We've… pic.twitter.com/ZQkTSovtqz

— Erik Bergman (@smilingerik) August 29, 2025

Added to a group chat with fake profiles of well-known billionaires and streamers, Mr Bergman described how peer pressure clouded his judgement. “I can’t believe I’m in this group. I feel like a 13-year-old boy wanting to fit in. I find myself writing a message… then deleting what I wrote because it didn’t feel cool enough. I broke so many of my own principles of how to make decisions.”

Over the course of a weekend, he transferred $1.25 million in cryptocurrency to wallets he believed were linked to an exclusive early investment in a new Coinbase coin. Only later did he realise the entire set-up – the chat, the donors, the investment offer, and even the supposed Africa trip – had all been fabricated.

He recalled the moment of realisation: “For the first time since this chat started, I call Jimmy just to confirm everything. And he says: ‘What are you talking about?’ That’s a punch to my stomach… I send him a print screen of the chat. He looks at it and says: ‘Wow, I don’t know what to say… please tell me you didn’t send them any money…’ And I reply: ‘1.25 million…’ The realisation sinks in. Oh f**k.”

Despite the devastating loss, Mr Bergman stressed the importance of openness. “The next time you feel shame, think of this story. Remember that shame can only live in the shadows. Tell people about your shame, and I promise that the feeling will change.”

Meanwhile, the real Team Water campaign – spearheaded by MrBeast and Mark Rober – confirmed it has now raised $40 million, giving two million people life-changing access to clean water for decades to come.