I never thought I would be the one falling for a scam. It started when I saw an advertisement on social media for a cryptocurrency investment platform promising high returns. The website looked professional, and they had testimonials from people claiming to have made incredible profits. I was skeptical at first, but after speaking with a so-called financial advisor who seemed knowledgeable and trustworthy, I decided to invest a small amount. Within a week, I saw my balance double. Encouraged by these returns, I invested more—eventually putting in my entire savings of $15,000.

Everything seemed fine until I tried to withdraw my profits. The website required me to pay a “processing fee,” which raised some red flags, but since I had already invested so much, I went ahead and paid it. Then they demanded additional verification fees. It was only when I did some research that I realized I had been scammed. The website disappeared overnight, and the contact numbers were disconnected. I filed a complaint with the authorities, but I knew my money was gone. It was a devastating experience that taught me a painful lesson—if an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is.