Bitcoin trading 'mentor' mines for gullible investors

Facebook posts falsely claim Bitcoin mining advice from a trader is making people rich. (AP PHOTO)

What was claimed

Bank transaction notifications show vast sums of money made by financial trader Joni Halverson.

Our verdict

False. The notifications are fake as are pictures of the supposed trader.

Australian and New Zealand Facebook users have shared screenshots of impressive earnings thanks to Bitcoin mining and investment help from a crypto trader named Joni Halverson.

But the earnings are not real. The screenshots do not show genuine bank transfers and Joni Halverson is not the woman shown in profile photos on her Facebook account (archived here).

AAP FactCheck has previously analysed dozens of Facebook accounts of supposed financial traders using deception and fake images to target users in the Pacific Islands (such as here, here, and here).

One account targeting people in Papua New Guinea scammed a victim out of more than 15,000 kina (about $A6000).

AAP FactCheck has since come across similar accounts, this time targeting users in Australia and New Zealand.

A screenshot of the Facebook account.
The Facebook account uses images reaped from Instagram.

Fx Joni Halverson claims to be a Los Angeles-based "Trader Educator" for a Bitcoin mining and cryptocurrency investment firm, who can help people earn $15,000 daily.

But the woman in the photos on the account, which has scant information or posts, is Hither Mann, a London-based venture capitalist. Ms Mann has no connection to the Halverson account.

The Facebook account’s profile picture is taken from this post on Ms Mann’s Instagram, and the cover photo is taken from this post.

Ms Mann has nothing to do with the Halverson account.

Halverson has been praised by several New Zealand-based Facebook users as their "mentor" who helped them earn tens of thousands of dollars through crypto "legal mining".

These users, whose accounts appear to have been hacked or duplicated, have posted images apparently showing text message alerts from ANZ bank informing them that their accounts had just received huge sums of money (see here, here, and here).

But an ANZ representative confirmed to AAP FactCheck in an email that the screenshots are fake.

The Verdict

The claim bank transaction notifications show vast sums of money made by financial trader Joni Halverson is false.

The transaction notifications are fake. Images of the supposed LA-based cryptocurrency educator are actually a London-based venture capitalist.

False — The claim is inaccurate.

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store