I got scammed thrice and the biggest amount was in 2020 that amounted to PhP 12,500.00 ($250). I repeat, THRICE! The first one was PhP 8000 ($160) but not really a scam but an insurance I was forced to get while the other one was an online purchase of PhP 3250 ($65) but I got it back so not too painful for the other two.

So, here’s my most heartbreaking scam story. The scammer introduced herself as Jo Ann. These scammers steal identities of real good people so be careful on that part when accusing someone.

1. The offer is too good to be true.

I wanted a Samsung Note which was being sold for PhP25-30K ($500-600) second hand at that time. I have been buying from this website (OLX now Carousell) for so long even online and was never scammed that when I saw this posting of this phone at PhP12.5K, I was like…OMG! I found a good deal, I would save half the price! And it was too good to be true but I gave in!

2. They will try to build your trust.

I texted the seller shown on the screenshot. She told me she was studying medicine in the one of the most prestigious universities for medical students in the Philippine. She used kind words and even added me on Facebook. I saw that she has 2000 friends and had been to several medical missions and there she gained my trust. She even sent me IMEI of the phone and it was searchable!

3. They do not want to do a meet up.

But, the amount was too big for me not to do a meet up. So, I asked her if we can meet even at her place if she was too busy. But, she said she was on a medical mission far away and the phone was with her so she will just ship it. And, because she gained my full trust already, I said yes. At this point I still didn’t have any clue that this was a scam.

4. It uses urgency tactic.

I was so happy I found a good deal for the phone of my dreams. The scammer messaged me that she was packing the phone already but would want to get the payment first. She told me that the medical mission would move to another island with no connection nor a shipping courier so she said if I can send the payment. Of course, it was a very good deal I couldn’t afford to lose so I gave in again to the urgency. She sent me the details where I would send the money. And a photo of the shipping label on the “box of the phone”. And that was the beginning of a mistake. I sent the money — PhP 12,500! Half of my one month’s salary!

5. You will be blocked after the transaction.

I sent the money and then she told me she will ship it immediately. I was so happy and looking forward to that parcel that never came. The next day, I messaged her asking if she already sent the package and she never replied and I couldn’t access her Facebook account which apparently because I got blocked. And, it dawned me, I got scammed.

Our family was financially struggling at that time and I cried for a month for being so stupid. I couldn’t talk about it and I just let myself feel what I was supposed to feel.

If you are going through this, I am telling you, it will be ok soon. You may feel dumb at that moment and it is completely normal. You are not dumb, you just got blinded. And in time, your heart will heal and the universe will give you double if not triple of what you lost. And I hope that the lesson you learned from this experience will make you wiser and not fall again into the scam trap.

Forgive yourself. This is out of your control now. Focus on what you have control over with.

These days, there’s a lot of scamming technique I am just witnessing from other people like:

• pretending your bank is calling you to access your details, never give your bank details especially the three digit number at the back of your card.
• text message that you won and you have to click the link to give your details.
• a message that your parcel was stuck in one of the places and the only way to get it moving is for you to pay a small amount using your card and therefore allowing scammers to get your bank details.

Bottom-line, do not give your bank and personal details on the phone or a link sent by an unknown number. As much as possible if you are buying an expensive stuff, do a meet up and go with someone during that meet up.