Police in South Africa are investigating a scam in which investors lost 1bn rand ($80m, £60m) after investing in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
A company called BTC Global had promised its clients that they would earn 2% per day, 14% a week and 50% in a month.
A notice on the company's website says its services have been suspended.
It blames Steven Twain, the company's primary trader, for not following through with paying the investors.
It says that it has not heard from him and cannot do anything until Mr Twain resurfaces.
However, police say the company encouraged the alleged scam.
Police investigator Yolisa Matakata said, "This may prove to be the tip of the iceberg with potentially thousands more yet to discover they've lost money."
Reuters says that local technology news website mybroadband.co.za reported in March that more than $50m was lost by investors in BTC Global.
Trading in Bitcoin has been growing on the African continent but authorities have been warning that it could be promoting illegal activities.
South Africa's central bank said on Thursday it was in the process of determining whether cryptocurrencies complied with its financial surveillance and exchange control regulations.
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