Veteran Reflects on Being Duped by Crypto Scam
“It’s hard to wrap my mind around how this happened. I’ve been duped,” Dunaway shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Explaining it to my wife and family was difficult; it’s embarrassing and painful. I just want to hide from it all.”
Despite his feelings of shame, Dunaway is determined to raise awareness about the increasing risks of cybercrimes involving cryptocurrency. A recent FBI report revealed that in 2024, victims of investment fraud related to cryptocurrency reported losses exceeding $6.5 billion.
Scammers Exploit Vulnerable Victims
Online fraud is rapidly growing, especially targeting individuals over 60. Many victims choose to stay silent due to shame, leading to further victimization.
Dunaway began his investment journey like many others, but a WhatsApp message from someone named Sophei Van Buren in March shifted his focus to cryptocurrency. Seeing the digital currency akin to the early days of Amazon and Google, he was intrigued.
Building Trust Through Manipulation
Initially, Van Buren engaged with him casually and even flirted at times, creating a sense of comfort. According to reports, she facilitated small transactions, claiming that a team of analysts was guiding his trades. Dunaway experienced significant gains, including a withdrawal of $20,000, leading him to believe he was making wise investments.
However, when he attempted to withdraw his funds last week, he found the account empty. Scammers had deceived him with fake screens and buttons that misled him about the available balance.
Seeking Justice
Upon realizing the scam, Dunaway promptly contacted the police, who informed him that the funds were likely offshore. They are hopeful that the FBI can trace the money and link it to other fraudulent activities. While recovering the money is uncertain, authorities emphasized that some victims have managed to reclaim their losses years later.
Life After the Scam
Dunaway, along with his wife Mindy, who has battled cancer for years, is now facing financial uncertainty. Their family has set up a GoFundMe page to help recover the lost funds, aiming for a $35,000 goal. Any excess donations will be directed to support other victims of cryptocurrency scams. Reflecting on their challenges, Mindy remarked, “This experience is as tough as my cancer treatment.” But Jerry reassured, “We learned to survive then, and we’ll survive this too.”
