How does it feel to be scammed

[Rad1958]

I got talked into this managed investment account by a total stranger on the phone. Over a period of few months, I shelled out quiet a significant amount into the crypto currency  based account. About 2 weeks ago, the app that I used for monitoring the account balance, the trades on the account, etc. just disappeared, stopped working, crashed. I wrote some emails to this guy asking him what's going on, and got no reply.

This raised my suspicions and I lodged a report with cybercrime. But Nick (let's say his name is) called next morning and was very upset about my allegations, and explained away the trading platform crash as a temporary issue. He was just buying time. This morning his email address was deleted, and my account was not accessible online. Now I knew I've truly been had. 

I have obviously put the future of my family at a risk, frittered away my hard earned money. That's a bad feeling.

It feels strange that I was so trusting of this guy's tall promises that I so badly wanted it all to be true. 

It's the first day of the realisation, and I'm wondering if it's going to get better, or much worse before it gets better ? I keep swinging between a brief period where I feel I'm sinking, that empty feeling as if I'm not alive, and then a period where I feel as if nothing happened (is that denial) ?

[Sophie_M]

Hi Rad1958, 
  This sounds really difficult, and we're glad you could open up about it here. We hope you can find some comfort and understanding on the forums. This is a judgment-free space, so please feel free to share, knowing that you'll be met with understanding. We're sorry to hear how things have been, and we want you to know that we're here for you.  
  It sounds like you could do with talking things through, so please don’t hesitate to give the lovely Beyond Blue counsellors a call on 1300 22 4636 or speak to them on webchat here. 
  Kind regards, 
  Sophie M 

[Mark Z.]

Hi Rad1958，

I'm so sorry for what happened. It must be extremely frustrating.

I know you are blaming yourself but it's not your fault. These hateful scammers have spent many years studying the weaknesses of different groups of people, including psychological, cognitive, IT level and so on. They are constantly iterating their methods and techniques, so that anyone can be fooled.

All you can do is to use all legal means to protect yourself from the moment you realise this is a scam. Unfortunately you need to realise this can be a long fight and your money could be gone. The scammers may be located overseas.  I understand you've been under a lot of stress and self-blame, but you need to let yourself go for the things you can't do. If you still haven't shared this with your family, consider to do so. I know it's very hard but if you keep hiding from them, you might be more and more stressed.

As Sophie mentioned, professional psychological support is important. Ringing Beyondblue and having a chat with a professional is a good idea.

Mark

[geoff]

Hello Rad, I know the feeling as I was once scammed many years ago by someone who sounded like a realprofessional, fortunately the bank reimbursed me half of the money but I still lost $200, now I just hang up on people trying to convince me.

Approach your bank to see if they will give you back all/or some of the money and if they say 'well you accepted it etc' then tell them you would appreciate them coming in to help you.

Banks have a duty as they own billions of dollars.

Geoff.

Life Member.

[jaz28]

Hi Rad1958,

I am sorry this has happened, this must be a hard feeling. Scammers these days are finding more advanced ways to creep in and can be quite convincing. My partner nearly got scammed on marketplace the other day - a scammer told him he would pay via bank transfer and my partner can mail the product (an iPhone) interstate. The scammer even sent a fake bank transfer receipt. My partner had mailed the phone, but later that day I read over the email for my partner and could tell it was from a fake westpac email! Luckily my partner was able to contact Aus Post at the last minute to stop them from mailing it and he got the phone back. BUT he was very close to losing his money without realising it! It can happen to anyone, try not to beat yourself up about it. Use this as a lesson and a reminder to be extra careful when trusting someone with your money - especially if it sounds too good to be true! Some people have no heart and only want the money (your scammer). I would contact your bank/seek legal advice as others suggested! 

What's done is done, it is time to learn from this! 🙂

Jaz xx