Searel Investment Alliance Scam Investigation: Chobes Digital Asset Center, Caleb Mercer and $1.2 Million Investor Warning
Washington State’s Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) published an investor warning on March 18, 2026, concerning Searel Investment Alliance Ltd., Chobes Digital Asset Center Ltd., and an individual using the name Caleb Mercer.
The complaint describes purported AI-generated stock tips, investments through Coinbase and bank wires, an SBL token offering, and a promised 700% return. The investor reportedly became unable to withdraw funds after refusing to make an additional $80,000 investment.
Reported loss in DFI scam tracker
$1,200,642
Initial deposits described
$8,000
Subsequent investment
$73,455
Additional investment demanded
$80,000
Promised return
700%
The $1,200,642 reported loss is not reconciled with the individual deposits described in the public narrative. DFI has not independently verified the allegations or losses.
dfi.wa.gov
Searel Investment Alliance Scam Investigation: Chobes Digital Asset Center, Caleb Mercer and $1.2 Million Investor Warning
Searel Investment Alliance Ltd., a purported artificial intelligence investment organization, and Chobes Digital Asset Center Ltd., an associated cryptocurrency trading platform, have been identified in an official investor warning published by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).
The warning, dated March 18, 2026, describes complaints involving an investment operation that promoted AI-generated stock recommendations, cryptocurrency trading, SBL tokens, and unusually high investment returns.
The regulator identifies an individual using the name Caleb Mercer as Searel’s purported founder.
Another individual, identified as Chloe Sinclair, reportedly communicated with an investor through WhatsApp.
According to Washington DFI, the investor initially transferred $3,000 through Coinbase and made two additional bank wires of $2,400 and $2,600.
The investor subsequently entered a one-month partnership agreement and transferred another $73,455.
When the agreement approached expiration, Searel reportedly encouraged the investor to enter a new arrangement involving an additional $80,000 investment and a promised 700% return.
The investor’s bank flagged the attempted $80,000 wire for possible fraud.
After the transfer failed, Chobes allegedly informed the investor that the funds already held in the account would remain frozen until the additional investment was made.
The investor declined to send more money and reportedly remained unable to withdraw the existing investment.
Washington DFI’s scam tracker lists a reported loss of $1,200,642, although the public narrative does not explain how that figure relates to the individual deposits described.
The regulator has not independently verified the allegations or reported losses.
This Cyb3rsect investigation examines Searel Investment Alliance, Chobes Digital Asset Center, Caleb Mercer, the SBL token promotion, the MARY artificial intelligence claims, and the warning signs associated with the reported withdrawal restrictions.
What Is Searel Investment Alliance Ltd.?
Searel Investment Alliance Ltd. presented itself as an investment organization offering opportunities supported by artificial intelligence.
According to Washington DFI, Searel claimed to be an innovative investment company founded by Caleb Mercer.
The company was associated with the website:
searel.com
Searel reportedly communicated with prospective investors through WhatsApp and provided stock recommendations that it described as generated by artificial intelligence.
The organization also promoted investment opportunities involving a token called SBL.
The public warning does not independently establish that Searel’s AI technology performed as advertised or that its investment recommendations were supported by genuine trading activity.
A professional-looking investment website, claims of sophisticated technology, or incorporation documents do not by themselves establish regulatory authorization.
What Is Chobes Digital Asset Center Ltd.?
Chobes Digital Asset Center Ltd. was the purported cryptocurrency trading platform associated with Searel.
Washington DFI identifies the following websites:
chobes.com
chobes.org
The regulator’s alert title also refers to Chobes Digital Trading Asset Center Ltd., while its complaint narrative and subject listing use Chobes Digital Asset Center Ltd.
Both names should be understood in the context of the same regulatory warning, without assuming that the variation establishes a separate legal entity.
According to the complaint, Searel introduced the investor to Chobes as its trading platform.
The investor then transferred funds to participate in the investment opportunity.
However, the public warning does not independently establish that Chobes executed genuine securities or cryptocurrency transactions.
It also does not verify that the account balances displayed by the platform represented assets available for withdrawal.
Washington DFI’s Official Warning
On March 18, 2026, Washington DFI’s Securities Division published an alert concerning Searel Investment Alliance and Chobes Digital Asset Center.
The regulator states that it received multiple complaints regarding Searel.
The public warning describes an investor who communicated with individuals associated with the organization through WhatsApp.
The investor received purported AI-generated stock tips, opened an account through Chobes, and transferred money into the investment arrangement.
The complaint subsequently describes an SBL token offering, a one-month partnership agreement, and a second proposed agreement promising a 700% return.
The investor’s bank flagged an attempted $80,000 transfer.
When that payment failed, Chobes allegedly froze the investor’s account until the additional investment was completed.
The regulator categorizes the complaint as involving pig-butchering scams and advance-fee scams.
The warning is not a criminal conviction or final judicial finding against the named parties.
Who Is Caleb Mercer?
Caleb Mercer is the name used by the person identified as Searel Investment Alliance’s purported founder.
According to Washington DFI, the investor communicated with someone using this name through WhatsApp.
A claimed founder or senior investment professional can influence how investors perceive an unfamiliar platform.
The individual may appear to provide leadership, expertise, and credibility.
However, the public warning does not independently verify Caleb Mercer’s legal identity, professional qualifications, or regulatory authorization.
It would therefore be inappropriate to assume that an unrelated person with the same name was involved.
For an affected investor, the relevant evidence includes the specific WhatsApp account, phone number, profile details, and investment statements associated with the identity.
These records are more useful than the name alone.
Who Is Chloe Sinclair?
Chloe Sinclair is another individual named in the regulatory complaint.
According to Washington DFI, Sinclair communicated with the investor and later claimed that she would contribute $150,000 to help the investor generate a higher return.
This representation is significant because it may have encouraged the investor to believe that additional financial support was available.
However, the public warning does not establish that Sinclair actually transferred $150,000.
The reported amount should be treated as a claim made during the investment discussions, not as a verified deposit.
The warning also does not independently establish Sinclair’s legal identity.
Investigators should preserve the original communications and distinguish statements about promised contributions from actual financial transfers.
How the Searel Investment Opportunity Began
The investor reportedly communicated with Caleb Mercer and Chloe Sinclair through WhatsApp.
Searel initially provided stock recommendations that were described as generated using artificial intelligence.
AI-based financial analysis is a real area of financial technology.
However, claims that a system generates profitable trading signals should be supported by independently verifiable evidence.
The public warning does not identify the underlying AI model, its historical performance, or independently audited trading results.
After receiving the recommendations, the investor was introduced to Chobes Digital Asset Center.
This progression is important.
The investor was first exposed to purported financial expertise and then directed toward a specific trading platform.
A platform recommended by an apparently knowledgeable contact may seem more credible, even when its ownership and authorization have not been independently verified.
The First $8,000 in Reported Deposits
According to Washington DFI, the investor initially deposited $3,000 into Chobes through Coinbase.
The investor subsequently made two smaller wire transfers:
- $2,400
- $2,600
Together, these three deposits total $8,000.
The use of both a cryptocurrency exchange and bank wires is an important feature of the complaint.
Different payment methods create different types of financial evidence.
Cryptocurrency transactions may be recorded on public blockchains, while bank wires are documented through financial institutions.
A case-specific investigation should preserve both types of records.
The DFI warning does not publish the receiving cryptocurrency wallet addresses, bank beneficiary information, or complete transaction histories associated with these deposits.
Why Coinbase Was Involved
Coinbase is a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange.
The complaint states that the investor used Coinbase for the initial $3,000 investment.
That does not mean Coinbase operated Searel or Chobes, endorsed the investment, or participated in the alleged misconduct.
A legitimate exchange can be used to purchase cryptocurrency that is subsequently transferred to an unrelated destination.
Once an investor sends assets to an external wallet, the recipient may be outside the exchange’s control.
For this reason, the legitimacy of a cryptocurrency exchange should not be confused with the legitimacy of a third-party investment platform.
The critical question is where the assets were transferred and who controlled the destination.
The SBL Token Investment Opportunity
Shortly after the initial deposits, Searel reportedly contacted the investor about a new token offering called SBL.
According to Washington DFI, a whitepaper posted on Searel’s website claimed that investments in the token would be used to develop an artificial intelligence system called MARY.
A token whitepaper may describe a project’s technology, funding objectives, distribution model, and proposed benefits.
However, publishing a whitepaper does not establish that a token has genuine market value or that the project can deliver its promises.
The public warning does not independently verify the existence of a functioning SBL token market.
It also does not publish a token contract address or establish that investors received freely transferable digital assets.
Those questions would require technical and financial evidence beyond promotional materials.
What Was the MARY Super Brain Lifeform System?
The Searel whitepaper reportedly described MARY as a Super Brain Lifeform system.
This name formed part of the investment promotion surrounding the SBL token.
Artificial intelligence terminology can make an investment opportunity appear innovative and technically advanced.
However, an investment project’s claimed use of AI does not eliminate financial risk.
Nor does it prove that the technology exists or can generate extraordinary returns.
Washington DFI does not independently confirm MARY’s capabilities, development status, or financial performance.
The appropriate conclusion is that MARY was presented as the proposed purpose of the SBL token offering.
Its advertised capabilities remain unverified in the public warning.
The One-Month Partnership Agreement
According to Washington DFI, the investor signed a one-month partnership agreement involving Searel and Chobes.
The investor then transferred an additional $73,455.
This increased the total of the individually described deposits to $81,455.
The agreement reportedly established an investment period of one month.
The public warning does not reproduce the complete agreement or identify every contractual provision.
A signed agreement may create an impression of legal formality, but it does not establish that the underlying investment is genuine.
An investor should be able to verify the identity of the contracting parties, understand the investment risks, and confirm the legal status of the service.
The existence of a partnership agreement is not proof that funds are held safely or that promised returns will be paid.
The Proposed $80,000 Renewal
Shortly before the original agreement expired, Searel reportedly encouraged the investor to renew the investment arrangement.
This time, the investor was asked to contribute $80,000.
According to Washington DFI, the proposed agreement stipulated a 700% return.
Such a return claim is extraordinary.
A promise of several times the original investment over a short period should be treated as a major warning sign.
Financial markets involve uncertainty, and unusually high promised returns require especially strong independent verification.
The public warning does not establish that the 700% return was achievable or that any genuine trading strategy could support it.
The return should be described as a promise attributed to the proposed agreement, not as a verified investment outcome.
Chloe Sinclair’s Claimed $150,000 Contribution
During the renewal discussions, Chloe Sinclair reportedly told the investor that she would deposit $150,000 to help generate a higher return.
This claim may have made the proposed investment appear more attractive.
A purported contribution from an adviser or another participant can create the impression that the investor is not bearing the financial risk alone.
However, the DFI warning does not verify that Sinclair transferred the money.
It also does not explain the proposed arrangement for distributing profits or losses.
The $150,000 should not be added to the investor’s confirmed deposits.
It was a reported promise of financial participation, not an independently verified transfer.
The Bank Flagged the $80,000 Wire
The investor attempted to send the requested $80,000 through a bank wire.
According to Washington DFI, the bank flagged the transfer for potential fraud.
The wire did not go through.
This is one of the most significant details in the complaint.
Financial institutions may review unusual transfers, especially when they involve unfamiliar beneficiaries or potentially fraudulent investment arrangements.
A bank’s fraud warning does not establish that a crime occurred.
However, it provides an important opportunity to verify the recipient and reconsider the proposed payment.
In this case, the investor informed Chobes that the wire had failed.
The platform’s alleged response created the next major concern.
Chobes Allegedly Froze the Investor’s Funds
After the attempted $80,000 wire failed, Chobes reportedly told the investor that all funds in the account would be frozen until the additional investment was completed.
This is a serious warning sign.
An investment platform’s requirement that a customer make a new investment before withdrawing existing funds is fundamentally different from an ordinary request for identity verification.
The complaint describes a situation in which the investor’s existing money became inaccessible because the investor had not completed a further deposit.
According to Washington DFI, the investor refused to send more funds and remained unable to withdraw the investment.
The regulator does not independently verify the platform’s stated justification for freezing the account.
It also does not establish that the proposed $80,000 was ultimately transferred.
Why This Resembles Advance-Fee Fraud
Washington DFI categorizes the complaint as an advance-fee scam.
Advance-fee fraud involves demanding an additional payment before releasing funds or providing a promised financial benefit.
The requested payment may be described as a tax, compliance charge, verification deposit, loan repayment, or other obligation.
In the Searel complaint, the additional $80,000 was presented as a renewed investment rather than a conventional withdrawal fee.
Nevertheless, the alleged condition was that the investor could not access existing funds without completing the new payment.
That mechanism is consistent with the concern underlying advance-fee fraud warnings.
The investor was reportedly asked to increase financial exposure to regain access to an existing investment.
Understanding the Reported $1,200,642 Loss
Washington DFI’s scam tracker lists a reported loss of $1,200,642.
However, the public narrative provides a smaller set of individually described deposits:
- $3,000 initial investment
- $2,400 bank wire
- $2,600 bank wire
- $73,455 subsequent investment
These total $81,455.
The warning also describes an attempted $80,000 transfer that the bank flagged and that did not go through.
It further reports Chloe Sinclair’s promise to contribute $150,000, but does not establish that the contribution occurred.
The public warning does not reconcile these figures with the reported $1,200,642 loss.
It would therefore be misleading to describe the individually documented deposits as totaling $1.2 million.
The reported loss and the described transfers should remain clearly distinguished until additional financial records explain the difference.
Searel’s Washington Corporate Registration
Washington DFI reports that Searel filed incorporation documents in Washington State.
However, the regulator states that some information in the documents did not appear legitimate.
It also observed that the incorporation date was inconsistent with claims made by Searel.
These findings are important because company registration records can be used in investment promotions to create an appearance of credibility.
A business may present incorporation documents as evidence that it is established, recognized, or government-approved.
However, filing corporate paperwork does not establish that an investment company is licensed to offer securities or manage customer investments.
Investors should verify the specific financial authorization required for the services being offered.
FinCEN Money Services Business Registration
Washington DFI also reports that Searel and Chobes registered as Money Services Businesses through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, commonly known as FinCEN.
The regulator emphasizes that MSB registration is not a financial license.
This distinction is essential.
A business appearing in an MSB registration database has not necessarily received authorization to provide investment advice, operate a securities brokerage, or offer the particular investment products it promotes.
Registration should not be confused with regulatory endorsement.
Washington DFI specifically warns that fraudulent businesses may use corporate filings and MSB registrations to create an appearance of legitimacy.
Investors should independently verify licensing claims through the relevant financial regulator.
Is Searel Connected to Other Investment Alliances?
Washington DFI has published separate warnings involving other investment alliances and digital asset centers that share certain features with the Searel and Chobes complaint.
These include Miqesia Investment Alliance and Beuce Digital Asset Center.
Across the warnings, regulators describe recurring elements such as AI-related investment claims, SBL tokens, MARY technology, partnership agreements, and unusual withdrawal conditions.
These similarities may be relevant when examining whether multiple websites or organizations followed a common promotional structure.
However, similarities alone do not establish common ownership or control.
An investigation should distinguish documented connections from patterns that merely warrant further examination.
Investors should not assume that every organization using similar terminology is operated by the same individuals without supporting evidence.
Why WhatsApp Investment Advice Requires Verification
The investor reportedly communicated with Caleb Mercer and Chloe Sinclair through WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is a legitimate messaging service.
Its use is not evidence of wrongdoing.
However, investment discussions conducted entirely through private messaging may create verification challenges.
A contact may claim to be a financial professional without providing independently verifiable credentials.
Messages may contain payment instructions, return promises, or explanations for account restrictions.
Investors should verify the legal identity and regulatory status of anyone offering investment advice.
They should also preserve the complete conversation history.
Original messages can help establish the sequence of events and the representations made before each financial transfer.
Is Searel Investment Alliance Legitimate or a Scam?
The available regulatory evidence raises substantial concerns.
Washington DFI has issued an official warning identifying Searel Investment Alliance and Chobes Digital Asset Center.
The complaint describes AI-generated stock tips, SBL token promotions, a one-month investment agreement, an extraordinary 700% promised return, and a requirement to make an additional $80,000 investment before existing funds could be withdrawn.
The regulator also raises concerns about corporate registration information and the presentation of FinCEN MSB registration.
Its scam tracker lists a reported loss of $1,200,642.
However, the allegations and losses have not been independently verified.
The evidence-based conclusion is that Searel Investment Alliance and Chobes Digital Asset Center are subjects of a documented regulatory warning involving suspected investment and advance-fee fraud.
The warning is not a final criminal conviction against an identified operator.
What Evidence Should Searel and Chobes Investors Preserve?
Anyone who invested through Searel or Chobes should preserve original financial records and communications.
Important evidence includes:
- WhatsApp conversations with individuals using the names Caleb Mercer and Chloe Sinclair
- The exact Searel and Chobes website addresses
- Account registration emails and login records
- AI-generated stock recommendations
- Promotional materials describing the SBL token
- The MARY Super Brain Lifeform whitepaper
- The original one-month partnership agreement
- The proposed renewal agreement
- Records of the initial $3,000 Coinbase investment
- Confirmations for the $2,400 and $2,600 bank wires
- Records of the additional $73,455 investment
- The bank’s warning concerning the attempted $80,000 transfer
- Messages concerning Chloe Sinclair’s proposed $150,000 contribution
- Screenshots of displayed investment balances
- Communications announcing the account freeze
- Withdrawal requests and rejection messages
- Corporate registration and FinCEN documents presented by the platform
Original message exports and complete financial records are preferable to isolated screenshots.
Never provide cryptocurrency wallet recovery phrases, private keys, passwords, or authentication codes to anyone offering investigative assistance.
Can Funds Sent to Searel or Chobes Be Traced?
The possibility of tracing funds depends on the payment methods used.
If cryptocurrency was transferred over a public blockchain, transaction hashes and receiving addresses may provide useful evidence.
An investigator may examine the original transfers and subsequent observable blockchain activity.
However, wallet addresses do not automatically reveal the identities of their controllers.
Where bank wires were used, relevant evidence includes the sending institution, receiving bank, beneficiary account details, payment references, and transaction confirmations.
The Searel complaint involves both cryptocurrency and bank transfers.
A complete financial reconstruction would therefore need to consider both types of records.
Washington DFI does not publish a completed tracing analysis or receiving wallet addresses for the reported investment.
It would be misleading to claim that the funds have already been traced or recovered.
What to Do If Chobes Freezes Your Account
If an investment platform refuses to release existing funds unless you make a new investment, preserve the exact message explaining the restriction.
Do not assume that sending additional money will restore access.
Contact the bank or cryptocurrency exchange involved in the transfers and report suspected fraud.
If a bank previously flagged a transaction, preserve the bank’s warning and related correspondence.
Independently verify any claimed financial license or regulatory registration.
Report suspected investment fraud to the appropriate regulator or law-enforcement agency.
U.S. investors may submit internet-enabled fraud reports to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Washington residents may also submit complaints to Washington DFI.
Be cautious of anyone subsequently promising guaranteed recovery in exchange for an upfront payment.
How Cyb3rsect Can Assist With a Searel Investigation
Cyb3rsect provides digital-investigation and blockchain-forensics services relevant to suspected cryptocurrency and online investment fraud.
For a Searel or Chobes-related case, an evidence review may begin with the investor’s WhatsApp communications, Coinbase records, bank wire confirmations, and investment agreements.
The objective is to reconstruct the investment timeline, identify independently verifiable payments, and document the representations made before each transfer.
A review may also examine the SBL token materials, MARY technology claims, and messages concerning the proposed 700% return.
Where transaction hashes and receiving wallet addresses are available, relevant blockchain activity may be examined for investigative leads.
Where bank wires were used, the available transaction records may help document the payment route.
Any findings should clearly distinguish confirmed evidence from unverified claims.
A forensic investigation may assist with evidence preservation and reporting, but it cannot guarantee recovery.
Contact Cyb3rsect About Searel and Chobes
If you invested through Searel Investment Alliance or Chobes Digital Asset Center and experienced withdrawal restrictions, preserve your original records.
Cyb3rsect can assess the available digital evidence and determine whether further examination may be appropriate.
Useful starting information includes bank wire confirmations, Coinbase transaction records, partnership agreements, SBL token materials, and messages involving Caleb Mercer or Chloe Sinclair.
Never provide private keys, wallet recovery phrases, or account passwords.
Contact Cyb3rsect to discuss an evidence-based review of a suspected cryptocurrency investment incident.
Final Assessment
The March 18, 2026 Washington DFI warning identifies Searel Investment Alliance Ltd., Chobes Digital Asset Center Ltd., and Caleb Mercer in a complaint involving suspected investment fraud.
The investor reportedly communicated with Caleb Mercer and Chloe Sinclair through WhatsApp.
After receiving purported AI-generated stock recommendations, the investor deposited money through Coinbase and bank wires.
The investment arrangement later expanded to include an SBL token offering associated with the proposed MARY Super Brain Lifeform system.
The investor entered a one-month partnership agreement and transferred an additional $73,455.
When the agreement approached expiration, Searel reportedly proposed a new $80,000 investment with a promised 700% return.
The investor’s bank flagged the attempted transfer.
Chobes allegedly responded by freezing the investor’s existing funds until the additional investment was made.
The investor refused to send more money and remained unable to withdraw.
Washington DFI lists a reported loss of $1,200,642, although the public narrative does not reconcile that amount with the individually described deposits.
The regulator has not independently verified the allegations or reported losses.
The case illustrates the risks associated with extraordinary investment promises, unverified AI trading claims, and withdrawal restrictions tied to additional deposits.
For affected investors, preserving original financial records and communications is essential.
Official Sources
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions — Searel Investment Alliance Ltd. and Chobes Digital Asset Center Ltd. Warning, March 18, 2026
Washington DFI — Consumer Information About Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets
https://dfi.wa.gov/consumers/virtual-currency
FINRA BrokerCheck
Editorial notice: This article summarizes a public regulatory complaint. It does not claim that Cyb3rsect independently verified the reported loss, identified the individuals using the names Caleb Mercer or Chloe Sinclair, established that the MARY AI system operated as advertised, or traced the investor’s funds.
