I was a love scam victim myself… met this guy on an app, thought I striked lottery (more like tomfoolery) when our conversations clicked and views aligned. I have never met him in person but we talked on the phone almost everyday over a month and he introduced me to this private investment project app saying we could earn more for the future. I was financially stable myself and was not looking into investments at all but I felt bad for rejecting what I thought was a kind act from someone who truly cares for me, so I took a step in and later did I know that that one tiny step costed my entire savings and multiple bank loans. Similar to a few other love scam topics I’ve came across here, the situation was all about entering the “wrong password” and having to deposit more money in to “unfreeze” my account. My only thought at that point of chaos was to “unfreeze” my account to get my funds back and I was so clouded by it that it didn’t occur to me that everything was all just an act. It was indeed terribly stupid of me to have brushed off all the red flags but it was only because I genuinely thought I met a good person in life.
It’s been exactly a year now since it happened and I am still trying to cope, but I sincerely do feel better. It’s been tough knowing that I can’t enjoy life as much now with all the debts that I need to pay off but I know this struggle will all end soon. I am just truly grateful to my family and few friends who know of my situation for their support and for assuring me that all that happened was not my fault.
It’s embarrassing even for me to call myself a love scam victim, but I really hope this topic at least raises some awareness and stops someone from getting love scammed.
I’m really sorry if you’re reading this after being in the same shoes as I did… I like to believe that we were “chosen” to deal with this only because we’re strong, so I hope you stay strong and please know that we can get through this together :,-)
Dear @user9774
Thank you for courageously sharing your lived experience of being a victim of a love scam. I think it is evident that you have shown a lot of strength getting through it.
I agree that such scams are designed to build trust and pressure people into decisions. When placed under duress and with the expectation that it is possible to fix the situation and get our money back, I see anyone in the same shoes would have reacted in the same way.
The fact that it has been a year and you are still pushing through, managing the debts, and slowly feeling better, says volumes about your determination to put this episode behind you. Even if life feels more limited right now, you are choosing to move forward, which is laudable.
It is also meaningful that you are sharing your story. That takes courage, and i believe it could genuinely help someone else learn from your experience and avoid going through the same thing. You are also giving hope to others who may be scam victims that recovery is possible through perseverance and support from family and friends.
dear @user9774
Just remember you are not alone, you have shown me courage and given light to many in the same plight. Those who given their trust and love shows how genuine their hearts are. A scam may be full of negativity, but its the price we paid that gives us strength and determination to move forward in life. I always think its fortunate that we only lose money and not health or life. I have paid the price for a few different scams myself, often end up blaming or beating myself up for naivety or greed, or too trusting too.
It’s tough to regain confidence again, but could only think that these are lessons in life i have to go through, its a high price to pay but I just bite it through, live frugally and not be so naive again. I’m glad that life showed me opportunities and opened doors to pick myself up again, I got a better job and a great partner, can’t complain much but to count my blessings and not be too curious about anything that sounds too good to be true.
I wish you the same, getting better with life and clearing all your debts very soon.
Dear @LotusSeed0516,
I absolutely agree with you that it’s fortunate we only lost our money, and not our health or life. Money can definitely be earned back, slowly but surely.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for sharing your story with me. I really shouldn’t be saying this.. but it’s so comforting to know that I’m not alone.
Let’s keep on biting through together!!