A sad story of a 72 Y.O Grandma who lost here life savings and inheritance

[Lucius]

We're not living in illusions.
Taking advantage over someone else is really normal, almost everyone in this world gaining from someone else's suffering. Example like a family who want to pay medical bills, so they're forced to sell their house as fast as possible even though they're in loss. However, the rich will bargain in order to get the lowest price, this will make the family suffering since the rich know they really want to sell their house.

I would not agree that this is true, because we are not all the same and we do not want to reach the goal no matter what. On a personal level, I have no intention of making anyone suffer because of my success, but can I say with certainty that the chocolate I bought today is not the result of the exploitation of workers somewhere in Africa, or that any product I have is not the result of slave labor?

Not only are they difficult to catch, but when they are caught, they usually receive some minimal punishments that motivate others to try the same as them. If someone has the idea that he can steal millions of $, and get away with a couple of years in prison and then go out and enjoy his treasure, then he will do it.

That's true and sad at the same time. For example, in Norway, if you commit a crime, you'll end up in Halden Prison, Norway for free while so many people in other countries work hard to have at least 20% of benefits that prisoners get in Norway.
By the way, that system should be changed. I hope if someone is from Spain can confirm this. I have friends in Spain who told me that in Barcelona, thieves steal smartphones from people and they don't get punished, police does nothing, stops them for five minutes and then sets them free. This isn't liberalism anymore, it's something different that's completely insane.

Scandinavians are known to have hotel-level prisons, which I always attributed to their high standard of living - although it never seemed logical to me that someone convicted of serious crimes would pay his debt to society in such a way. If we look at the example of Singapore, which is also a country/city with a very high standard and their prisons, believe me that being in such a prison is really a big punishment considering the conditions in their prisons.

I don't know if that's true for Spain, but I wouldn't be surprised - because they do it in other EU countries too, the jails are simply full and there are practically no penalties for petty theft. When you add migrants to that, then for serious crimes you get deportation and EUR 1000 instead of prison, although I read that Sweden will surpass Germany in this regard and even give EUR 30 000 to those who decide to leave the country.

[Maslate]

I would not agree that this is true, because we are not all the same and we do not want to reach the goal no matter what. On a personal level, I have no intention of making anyone suffer because of my success, but can I say with certainty that the chocolate I bought today is not the result of the exploitation of workers somewhere in Africa, or that any product I have is not the result of slave labor?

When she said "we," she must’ve been talking about the criminals who will do anything to scam people. I’m glad to see someone like you fighting fair in this world - we need more of that. It’s all about spreading love and not taking advantage of each other, because that’s just greediness, and it’s a big sin.

Even though we don’t like what they’re doing, it’s a reality we have to face. We don’t want to be victims, especially not our families. So, as part of this crypto community, since we’re aware of the scams out there, the least we can do is help educate others.

[Synchronice]

Scandinavians are known to have hotel-level prisons, which I always attributed to their high standard of living - although it never seemed logical to me that someone convicted of serious crimes would pay his debt to society in such a way. If we look at the example of Singapore, which is also a country/city with a very high standard and their prisons, believe me that being in such a prison is really a big punishment considering the conditions in their prisons.

I don't know if that's true for Spain, but I wouldn't be surprised - because they do it in other EU countries too, the jails are simply full and there are practically no penalties for petty theft. When you add migrants to that, then for serious crimes you get deportation and EUR 1000 instead of prison, although I read that Sweden will surpass Germany in this regard and even give EUR 30 000 to those who decide to leave the country.

Yes, that didn't seem logical for me but later I found an explanation about that, which makes real sense. What should be the aim of prison, to punish the person and destroy mentally, make him even worse or to change the vision of the person and make him a better one? Norway chooses to improve the person instead of punishing. I was reading on Norwegian subreddit that people who commit crime and end up in Norway's prisons, when they come out, most of them start job or business and money that was spent on these prisoners, finally gets returned back by these people working real jobs, starting businesses and paying taxes back. So, it makes sense but it only makes in a country where the overall image of people's mentality is good. Such an attitude won't make sense in 3rd world countries (sorry about that everyone but that's true).
If you open such a prison in El Salvador for example, everyone will try to commit crime to live in such conditions.

EU countries are very stupid. They allow migration of people who have zero skills, zero knowledge and are violent, murderers. In Europe, if you work and pay taxes, you are simply stupid (government thinks so, not me) because the government will feed those lazy people with taxes that you pay. Basically, working class works hard every day and lazy, violent class gets all the benefits and free time.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

Well, scammers target people that has money, as long as you are rich and have some huge amount, you are a target to scammers. Some victims even die due to depression or even end up committing suicide. I watched an America movie lately titled "bee keeper" In the movie, there's a group of company whose job is just to scam people and rub them off their hard earned life saving and one of their victim took her life. It just mean that scammers go after anyone that can pay off well.

[Raflesia]

It's crazy because the amount taken is also very large for an individual and they are guiltlessly perpetrating this kind of scam on elderly people who should already be very comfortable with their retirement life.

But on the other hand it tells us a lot because at the end of the day there are still a lot of old people who have positive thoughts that are misused by some irresponsible people to gain dishonorable benefits by stealing using the technology they have. So in this case it should be a concern that we should not trust anyone too much and as much as possible we keep the closest people, especially our parents who always have a positive view of anyone because fraudsters like this do not know age or gender, when they act and try to drain their victims whoever it is, they will definitely do it without mercy.

[X-ray]

That's a great idea, but would the government really invest in that? A lot of times, the scam’s already done by the time the elderly even mention it, so it’s like trying to solve a case with slim chances of success. Education is key, if they’re using online transactions, they should also be aware of online scams. But who’s responsible for that? Honestly, it’d be easier if it started within the family. Someone younger who can easily pick up on the info and pass it along would be ideal.

I think they would, once they realizes that so much money going out of their country because of these scams, in 2021 alone $77 billion lost to scams worldwide, I'm sure number is going up every year.


don't know how much money lost from the scammers scamming the elderly exactly but I think the number is significant enough for any measure to prevent money loss due to scams becoming valid.

the problem with depending on family to avoid these scam is that, it just doesn't work, some family just don't care enough.

[SickDayIn]

It is sad, a lot for this criminals let money get in the way of their values and morals..I'd rather be a poor man with integrity. I do think the Government's have to invest money into cyber security training for the elderly. It's a shame for this lady.

[Helena Yu]

I would not agree that this is true, because we are not all the same and we do not want to reach the goal no matter what. On a personal level, I have no intention of making anyone suffer because of my success, but can I say with certainty that the chocolate I bought today is not the result of the exploitation of workers somewhere in Africa, or that any product I have is not the result of slave labor?

It depends.

If you know, aware, feel that the product you have is the result from exploitation, then you're indirectly taking advantage over someone. But if you didn't know, aware and feel, you're safe.

Note, I'm not saying you're bad, because almost everyone are like that, we're using the product from exploitation, so it doesn't mean I'm saying I'm a good person. Some people loss and some people earn, that's life.

This is like people who boycott the companies who not support Palestine, they claim if people use the product from companies who not support Palestine is indirectly supporting Israel.

[Lucius]

Yes, that didn't seem logical for me but later I found an explanation about that, which makes real sense. What should be the aim of prison, to punish the person and destroy mentally, make him even worse or to change the vision of the person and make him a better one? Norway chooses to improve the person instead of punishing. I was reading on Norwegian subreddit that people who commit crime and end up in Norway's prisons, when they come out, most of them start job or business and money that was spent on these prisoners, finally gets returned back by these people working real jobs, starting businesses and paying taxes back. So, it makes sense but it only makes in a country where the overall image of people's mentality is good. Such an attitude won't make sense in 3rd world countries (sorry about that everyone but that's true).
If you open such a prison in El Salvador for example, everyone will try to commit crime to live in such conditions.

If this approach gives results, then I guess it makes sense - although I'm not one of those who think that prisoners should have conditions like in the Middle Ages, but they should still feel like they're in a prison, not a hotel. However, I understand that the mentality of the Scandinavians is quite different from the rest of Europe because they do a lot of things differently than the rest.

I don't know if this is some kind of custom in all northern countries, but I have seen that small children are left outside in cold weather, probably to strengthen their immunity - if someone did this in another country, the police and social services would probably get involved.

EU countries are very stupid. They allow migration of people who have zero skills, zero knowledge and are violent, murderers. In Europe, if you work and pay taxes, you are simply stupid (government thinks so, not me) because the government will feed those lazy people with taxes that you pay. Basically, working class works hard every day and lazy, violent class gets all the benefits and free time.

Unfortunately, this is a consequence of the disastrous demographic policy of almost the entire Western EU - they would not be able to function without foreign labor that does hard and dirty work - despite the fact that millions of people from the eastern member states have moved to the west. France, Germany and Sweden are already paying high prices for such policies, and some other countries are on the right track to experience the same.


@Helena Yu, one person cannot change anything on his own, but the change has to start from somewhere - I try to buy products that have fair trade labels and are not the result of destroying the environment - although I am also aware that such labels are very easily bought and misused.

[Mpamaegbu]

People who gamble with everything they have don't have much of a chance in life anyway...

Honestly, you're spot on on that. How on earth would anyone part with such huge funds without testing the waters first in bits. I've a policy of breaking down my funds on every P2P I do. My caution is even more on overdrive, so to say, when it's a first time on a site or exchange. Yes, like you said; it's her money and her rights over it but her action showed how she lacked financial literacy. By the way, at that age, I'm of the opinion that people showed be more concerned about living a stress-free life; not one they should still be chasing money and profit making, especially for those who already saved up.

[AsiaHODL]

It is a sad story, but seriously, how stupid can you be? Its usually a combination of greed and stupidity which enables the scammers to do their thing with people like this.

Having said that, yes scammers are nasty scum pieces of shit.

[Synchronice]

If this approach gives results, then I guess it makes sense - although I'm not one of those who think that prisoners should have conditions like in the Middle Ages, but they should still feel like they're in a prison, not a hotel. However, I understand that the mentality of the Scandinavians is quite different from the rest of Europe because they do a lot of things differently than the rest.

This approach works with original inhabitant of Norway because their mentality is different, their approach towards things are different. Such methods won't work in undeveloped and developing countries, such method won't work with Norway if they increase number of violent migrants. Such an approach only works when the whole society shares the same good mentality.

I don't know if this is some kind of custom in all northern countries, but I have seen that small children are left outside in cold weather, probably to strengthen their immunity - if someone did this in another country, the police and social services would probably get involved.

Yes, you are true. I have lived in Denmark for a year and some parents were leaving children outside in cold weather, that's really very common there and I like that idea. I'm not from Denmark, nor Scandinavian but my mom was doing the same and I grew up very healthy, don't know what's cold or illness. Maybe a coincidence, I don't know.

Unfortunately, this is a consequence of the disastrous demographic policy of almost the entire Western EU - they would not be able to function without foreign labor that does hard and dirty work - despite the fact that millions of people from the eastern member states have moved to the west. France, Germany and Sweden are already paying high prices for such policies, and some other countries are on the right track to experience the same.

Yes, these countries are paying high price for such policies. It's stupid, they let illegal and violent migrants with no skills and benefit to the society but they don't let people who want to legally come here and work, to even be a cheap labor but here because it's still better here than in their countries. On top of that, tax rate and social benefits should be changed to my mind. There are too many people on social benefits and do nothing while they can actually do some work.

[Zoomic]

This old woman is quite too old for that stress, there are lots of friendly investments she could have gone for which suits her mental capacity. Whoever advised this old woman to invest in bitcoin should have at least educated her on the security risks involved in investing in Bitcoin, at least she would have known better not to disclose sensitive information online. This can happen to anyone who doesn't really know much about scam tactics. Anyone who lacks basic understanding of how scammers steal from online investors will literally be putting his bitcoins online for scammers to take.

It is sad, a lot for this criminals let money get in the way of their values and morals..I'd rather be a poor man with integrity. I do think the Government's have to invest money into cyber security training for the elderly. It's a shame for this lady.

It is better if these elderly ones are given properly security education before they even invest. Most of them may not even be mentally active for any form of investment which may lead to them losing all they laboured for to scammers.

[Knight Hider]

She wrote "no one has instructed me to do it" on that piece of paper. Every safety mechanism fails when you stop thinking.

[Lucius]

People who gamble with everything they have don't have much of a chance in life anyway...

Honestly, you're spot on on that. How on earth would anyone part with such huge funds without testing the waters first in bits. ~snip~

I don't see anything in this story other than a combination of complete ignorance and greed, because it's a nice sum of money that could be used to live comfortably as an additional source of income in addition to a pension - and if you really want to invest in something, then there are government bonds and the like where the risk is negligible, but the earnings are also very modest.

Another thing is very strange to me, and that is that this woman did not seek advice from anyone before she did this stupid thing - if she had only asked her children, neighbors or a friend for advice, something like this probably would not have happened to her.


@Synchronice, I often wonder if any of those EU bureaucrats have any brains in their heads considering the crazy decisions they make - instead of encouraging young families to have more children, they advocate breaking the foundation of human society, which is the family.

When you look at the fact that we have reached a situation where it is no longer normal to have more than 1-2 children and that the career comes before the family - then it is not surprising that the EU Commissioner for Demography says that the problems of demography will be solved literally by importing labor from some and more than the obvious incompatible countries.

[Btcdeybodi]

If grandma was taking care of the inheritance, being inexperienced in transactions, but being at that age, she should have had the experience and wisdom not to risk doing everything on her own.

Same as my thoughts as well because at that age doesn't require of her to take sensitive decisions that is related to money and since she was also making some investment for her grand children should have also made her to bring them in the picture instead of doing it at her will (though we can't tell if her grand children are of age), and possibly she can be making the investment in order to surprise her grand children in the future. This is also a lesson that there are some certain age one can reach, taking decisions on your own becomes very risky therefore, it will require confiding in a third party.

[Cartola]

This story is truly heartbreaking, knowing that a 72-year-old woman lost her entire life savings and inheritance, totaling $224,000, to crypto scammers. They used a deepfake video of Christopher Luxon, the New Zealand Prime Minister, to lure her in. She got interested and responded, which is where things took a dark turn. A scammer, pretending to be Adam Manolas, who claimed to be an expert investment adviser, convinced her to open accounts with Easy Crypto and Binance. She thought her Bitcoin was safe in her Binance wallet, but instead, it was sent to an account controlled by the scammers. Once they emptied her savings, they even took funds that were meant for her grandchildren. In one of their last calls, she overheard him say, "This woman has no money."

It's painful to see how these scammers target older people, especially those who aren't tech-savvy and are more vulnerable to these tricks. I can't even begin to imagine how our granny feels after losing everything she worked for and inherited. Some might find it too much to handle and could even consider taking their own lives because of it. These scammers are truly cruel, and they deserve to rot in hell.



Her message really shows the deep pain she's endured with her experience.

‘Evil will come to you’
In an email this week, Creasy castigated the scammers who stole her life savings, warning that “evil will come to you”.

“You told me you are known as ‘Money Manolas’,” she wrote. “Are you a thief?”

“If you entrusted me with your money I would pay you back when you asked for it.

“I hope your 74-year-old mother is safe from predators like you.”

Creasy told the Herald Luxon’s apparent endorsement was “the fishhook” for her investing. She’d believed her money was “safe and secure”.

It was devastating to learn she’d been tricked by criminals and that her retirement nest egg was gone.

“First of all I felt angry and then I felt foolish, then I felt really ashamed.”

source : https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/pensioner-loses-224k-after-being-tricked-by-ai-deepfake-christopher-luxon-cryptocurrency-investment-scam/

A sad story indeed, specialy for the amount of the financial damage.

Victims of all kind of scams usually feel so ashamed they simply don't talk about ir to family, friends or even the authorities - some crimes are not reported, don't go to the records and (also simply) go unpunished, encouraging the scammers.

We must take care and pay attention to our elderlies, always informing them about new kind of scams and make them aware the scammer will explore the victims vulnerability (lack of understanding) and any trait of greed they may have.