The real tragedy of scams isn’t just the money lost, it’s the trust that’s shattered, the shame victims carry, and the long road to recovery they must face.
84 year old Dennis Jones, a father living in Virginia befriended and started talking to a woman on Facebook going by the name “Jessie” in a time he withdrew from his family. The person Dennis spoke with was a part of a Chinese gang with a multi billion dollar scam industry in Southeast Asia. Jones was one of the victims they targeted. Over a few months, they built a close relationship. “Jessie” convinced Dennis to invest in crypto. She demanded more and more until all the money was gone. In March, Jones’ family scheduled a meeting to help Dennis get back on his feet after the scam. When he didn’t show up his family later found out that he took his own life.
Dennis Jones’ story is just one of the many examples of scamming that happens every year to people. Victims face more than just losing money, victims say they feel embarrassed and ashamed that they struggle paying for food and bills, which has a big toll on their credit scores.
Going on with life in general was difficult for Jones. Recovery is different for everyone, many taking it each step at a time.
A KHS student interviewed for the cougar claw whose father was a victim of a scam,
“It’s the worst thing to go through and hard to get rid of because scammers will always find a way to scam”
“It will always get better” – Kenia Peña says when asked about her father’s story the time he was scammed.
It’s important to always beware of scams and never fall for them even if they seem trustworthy. To prevent falling victim to scams, it’s essential to stay vigilant and skeptical, especially when dealing with unsolicited communications. Always verify the identity of the sender or caller before providing any personal or financial information. Be cautious of high-pressure tactics or offers that seem too good to be true; these are often red flags. Make sure websites are secure and never click on suspicious links or attachments. Trust your instincts if something feels off, it probably is.
