Hi everyone, just sharing my experience so you can avoid getting scammed like I did. (Thankfully, I got my money back through PayPal.)
Here’s what happened:
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How It Started
I came across a Reddit post related to something I was looking to get done. After messaging the user named KeepUp, they replied, stating they only work through Telegram—not Discord, Fiverr, or any other platform. According to them, their name was "well-recognized."
They sent me an invite to a Telegram group called APKVERSE, claiming it showcased all their work. I joined the group, and KeepUp requested full payment upfront via PayPal using the "Friends and Family" option. I declined and said, "No thanks."
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The Next Day
The following day, I received a message on Telegram from someone claiming to be APKVERSE, who said they were a different person altogether. They mentioned I had joined their group, and I explained that KeepUp had directed me there, claiming it was all their work.
APKVERSE told me KeepUp had been associated with them in the past but had stopped working with them a long time ago. I sent them screenshots of my conversation with KeepUp for clarification.
They assured me that KeepUp was no longer part of their admin team, even though KeepUp's username was clearly listed as an admin in the APKVERSE Telegram group. (This was obviously a red flag!)
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Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Despite my suspicions, I decided to give APKVERSE the benefit of the doubt due to the nature of the industry. APKVERSE also requested full payment upfront via PayPal Friends and Family, which I refused.
They assured me they wouldn’t tarnish their reputation for the sake of £50–£70 and agreed to accept payment through PayPal Goods and Services. To minimize my risk, I offered to pay a £20 deposit upfront and the remaining amount upon completion of the work.
They accepted, and I sent the £20 as Goods and Services. However, as soon as the payment went through, they stopped replying to my messages.
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Finding a Genuine Professional
While this was happening, I found someone reputable and genuine who successfully completed the work for me. They even mentioned they were aware of KeepUp and APKVERSE and has heard of simular stories.
KeepUp also goes by the name Don and reportedly used to have a Facebook page.
APKVERSE is sometimes referred to as APPVERSE.
Here’s what happened:
---
How It Started
I came across a Reddit post related to something I was looking to get done. After messaging the user named KeepUp, they replied, stating they only work through Telegram—not Discord, Fiverr, or any other platform. According to them, their name was "well-recognized."
They sent me an invite to a Telegram group called APKVERSE, claiming it showcased all their work. I joined the group, and KeepUp requested full payment upfront via PayPal using the "Friends and Family" option. I declined and said, "No thanks."
---
The Next Day
The following day, I received a message on Telegram from someone claiming to be APKVERSE, who said they were a different person altogether. They mentioned I had joined their group, and I explained that KeepUp had directed me there, claiming it was all their work.
APKVERSE told me KeepUp had been associated with them in the past but had stopped working with them a long time ago. I sent them screenshots of my conversation with KeepUp for clarification.
They assured me that KeepUp was no longer part of their admin team, even though KeepUp's username was clearly listed as an admin in the APKVERSE Telegram group. (This was obviously a red flag!)
---
Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Despite my suspicions, I decided to give APKVERSE the benefit of the doubt due to the nature of the industry. APKVERSE also requested full payment upfront via PayPal Friends and Family, which I refused.
They assured me they wouldn’t tarnish their reputation for the sake of £50–£70 and agreed to accept payment through PayPal Goods and Services. To minimize my risk, I offered to pay a £20 deposit upfront and the remaining amount upon completion of the work.
They accepted, and I sent the £20 as Goods and Services. However, as soon as the payment went through, they stopped replying to my messages.
---
Finding a Genuine Professional
While this was happening, I found someone reputable and genuine who successfully completed the work for me. They even mentioned they were aware of KeepUp and APKVERSE and has heard of simular stories.
KeepUp also goes by the name Don and reportedly used to have a Facebook page.
APKVERSE is sometimes referred to as APPVERSE.
