Is my friend getting scammed?

My friend started investing in cryptocurrency and the "verified" agent leading him on telegram, I feel, might be a scammer. The agent sent him a screenshot of him attempting to send his profits but it was never received on their end due to delays. But he claims that he needs to send money to a broker to access his profits.

A lot of this feels wrong and I'm asking you guys if you can help. Also he had to get links to access a cryptocurrency that's not traded on metamask or any other apps. I don't know if anyone here ever had an agent guide them through telegram and deposit money to receive their profits.

I don't know much about crypto, telegram or investing apps. I just don't want him getting hurt.

And should he consider it impossible to get his money back from a scammer if it's in crypto? Should I tell him that he's being scammed?