i got scammed…. twice.

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1

just a little bit about me before i start. i’m 19 this year and still a student. a bit of a long story but please read and help me i’m so stressed because of this.

i’m not sure where to begin. really i feel quite stupid and naive for having this happen to me twice. started last year february. i saw a job which let me earn quick money and was desperate so i took it. watched some videos and earned bits of money here and there. then later on there was an investment opportunity which allowed me to earn more money. the first time i tried it it worked fine i got the money back and even more with it. second time after i sent the money i suddenly had to send more (which i didnt have) and ended up asking a friend to lend me some money. after that something went wrong and suddenly i had to send another $1K+, which i didnt have since my bank was basically almost empty by then, had used all my money in the investment. my friends told me to just let go of the $700 i had paid (which was all the money i had) and to file a police report. i did, the police never got back to me, never got the $700 back. my parents weren’t exactly mad, mum called my mistake silly and was disappointed, but hoped id learn from it. dad as well. i slowly saved back the $700 for the next 6 months ish.

fast foward to this year, i was scrolling on instagram when i saw an ad for earning money through watching tiktok videos. me being desperate obviously i clicked on it (you wldve thought id have learned by now). earned about $120, but was told by the bot that was giving me instructions that the minimum withdrawal was $500. later was introduced to this telegram channel, where there was supposedly a way of earning a lot of money, namely amounts starting from $29 000. (who wouldn’t be attracted to it :sob::sob:) this guy, timothy jolliffe, claimed to be a broker who was developing a bot that would help to trade investments on crypto some thousand times per minute, essentially doing what a normal trader would do but much faster. the guy sent me a cryptocurrency wallet and asked me to deposit the money there. minimum amount was $110 but i was a little greedy and put $117. take note i only had about $200 odd in my bank account when i made this transaction. who knows what i was thinking. after the transaction, i was told his team was getting to work, and was updated on the process. when it was finally ready. disaster struck. the guy told me i had to pay $611 to activate my account…. obviously i don’t have $611 in my bank account right so that’s where the story ends. me with my $117 lost, a mere $95 in my bank account and my parents refusing to give me last week’s allowance because my grandma gave me the same amount when i saw her on a couple days ago.

i asked my brother if he was willing to lend me the $600, but he knows of the previous scam and refused because he doesn’t want me making stupid decisions. i asked the broker for some verification of his identify and credentials and he sent me a certificate showing that he is a certified cryptocurrency broker. i feel like i trust the guy but im not sure if its better to just stop here and see how to fend for myself with the remaining money i have left….

if anyone here has been scammed before or can offer some advice or opinions on what i should do or the situation, please help

update:
the guy said he cld ask his lawyer to write up a contract guaranteeing me the money and so i asked him to and this morning he sent a picture of it. went to go google the lawyer guy turns out he’s legit he works for some law firm overseas and the contract said in case of non compliance the European Court of Auditors is authorized to bring the executing citizen to administrative liability.

with this new info is it still best not to continue? what should i do

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Dear @manda1

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us in such detail. Your willingness to open up and discuss the challenges you’ve faced is truly appreciated. Please know that your story matters, and we value every word you’ve written.:grinning:

It’s completely understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed by these experiences. It takes courage to share your story, especially when it involves feeling vulnerable and making mistakes. Please know that you’re not alone, and it’s okay to seek guidance and support.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge your bravery in opening up about what happened. It takes strength to admit when things haven’t gone as planned, and your willingness to share your story shows that you’re taking responsibility for your actions. Well done :clap:t4: :clap:t4:

Let’s also acknowledge the emotional toll this has taken on you. Feeling stupid or naive is a common response to falling victim to scams, but it’s crucial to recognise that scammers are skilled at exploiting vulnerabilities and manipulating individuals, regardless of their intelligence or experience. Even PM Lee has been a victim of a scam too.

Moving forward, here are some steps you can consider:

Cease Further Transactions: Given the circumstances, it’s advisable to refrain from engaging in any further transactions with the individual named Timothy Jolliffe or any similar offers. The request for additional funds to activate your account raises red flags and aligns with the patterns of previous scams you’ve encountered.

Verify Credentials Independently: While the certificate provided by Timothy Jolliffe may appear legitimate, it’s crucial to independently verify his credentials and the legitimacy of his brokerage. Reach out to reputable financial authorities or regulatory bodies to confirm his status as a certified cryptocurrency broker. Exercise caution and skepticism until you can verify his credibility beyond doubt. You may also want to get your family members involved to confirm the legitimacy of the brokerage.

Report the Scam: Fill out the ‘Report a Scam’ form and if possible share all communications and transactions with Timothy Jolliffe, including the certificate he provided. Reporting the scam not only assists in potentially recovering lost funds but also helps prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.

Focus on Building Financial Literacy: Use this experience as an opportunity to educate yourself about financial literacy and online safety. Learning how to identify potential scams and make informed financial decisions will empower you to protect yourself in the future.

Pause and Reflect: It’s crucial to take a moment to catch your breath and gather your thoughts. You’ve experienced a lot, and it’s completely okay to give yourself permission to process your emotions. Remember to be gentle with yourself during this time. Consider slowing down and taking the opportunity to reflect on the underlying motivations behind your desire to earn money quickly. Journaling can be a helpful tool for exploring these thoughts and understanding your intentions more deeply. Here are three journal prompts to help you reflect on your experiences:

  • Reflect on your financial goals: Take some time to consider what you hope to achieve financially in the short-term and long term. Ask yourself questions such as:

    • What are my current financial priorities?
    • What do I hope to accomplish with the money I earn?
    • Are there any underlying motivations driving my desire for quick money?

  • Explore your risk tolerance: Reflect on your comfort level with financial risk and decision-making. Consider the following questions:

    • How do I feel about taking risks when it comes to money?
    • Have I considered the potential consequences before making financial decisions?
    • What factors influence my willingness to take risks in financial matters?

  • Examine your relationship with money: Take a deeper look at your beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding money. Journal about the following:

    • What messages about money have I internalised from my upbringing or society?
    • How do I feel when I have money versus when I don’t?
    • Are there any patterns or habits in my financial behaviour that I’d like to change or improve?

These prompts can help you gain insight into your financial mindset and motivations, allowing you to make more informed decisions about your finances in the future.

Remember @manda1 you’re not defined by your mistakes. Every setback is an opportunity for growth and learning. It’s okay to ask for help, and there are people who care about you and want to support you through this. You have the resilience to overcome this challenge, and brighter days are ahead.

I hope the above has been helpful and if you’d like more resources or if there is anything else you’d like to share with us, please do. We’re here to listen to you, your feelings are valid and you matter! :grinning:

Warm regards,
Cool Breeze =)

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Hello there,
Sorry to hear of your experience. I am replying to you as someone who had experienced something similar in nature to your plight.

My advice would be to cut your losses and cut off contact with individuals of such sort. As much as the monetary benefits are attractive to you, they are created to lure unsuspecting individuals who see it as an innocuous and harmless advertisement on social media.

The hard fact is this: Easy money always comes with a catch, so do think twice before and determine whether it is genuine.

I’d say you’d have to tough it out for the time being unless you would have the time to work part-time to earn back the money.

Do not get me wrong on this; we all make mistakes in life, and this is part of life’s experiences for you to take in and learn and grow from there.

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thank you so much, i appreciate the support. i just edited my post with an update, do you think you could read it and share your thoughts?

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thank you, i really appreciate the advice. i just edited my post with an update, do you think you could read it and share your thoughts?

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Hello there.

I am sorry to break it to you, but as how you have described, genuine or not, it sounds like a common ploy that starts with them extracting small amounts of money from you first to earn your trust, as well as to keep your interest with them. The amount of money will start to snowball and you have to cough out far more than the $117 dollars that you placed at the very start. It’s a wild goose chase they may end up with you at the end of your rope.

I will strongly advise you to cut your losses right now, instead of chasing this, where you may never see the silver lining in the end. You can recoup that $117 in a few weeks, but can bear the thought of being penniless if you keep on going?

You still have a chance to turn things around, but unfortunately, you have to tough it out now, since you’ve already parted with that cash.

Do not even think of borrowing money from your friends, That is the worst way to ruin your friendships and your friends’ finances. Period.

Also, I would suggest to safeguard yourself by changing your bank account login details, should you have provided those individuals so that they cannot do any more harm to you, period.

I hope this advice serves you well and as a reminder that money is hard-earned.

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Hey @manda1

Sounds to me that a part of you is hoping for this to be legitimate and for you to earn money quickly and there is a part of you that is still doubtful. Something about the reply you got has raised a red flag for you. Well done on hitting pause and seeking support. :clap:t4:

I’d like you to reflect on the following questions:

1.) Are you aware of any law that guarantees someone money?
2.) What’s the evidence that the lawyer’s write-up is valid in a court of law?
3.) Is google alone a sufficient way of confirming the law firm? Can people create fake websites and information?
4.) What do you understand about the European Court of Auditors? Have they got any legal power?

  • A quick check and I found this: As the EU’s independent external auditor, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) looks after the interests of EU taxpayers . It does not have legal powers, but works to improve the European Commission’s management of the EU budget and reports on EU finances.

  • What meaning can you make from the above paragraph?

5.) What holds you back from sharing the information you got in your update with your brother and parents?

Upon reflecting on the above questions, what do you think now?

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