How I Got Scammed on Zoosk.com: A Testimony by Ken Garry
My name is Ken Garry, and I’m here to share my story of how I got scammed on Zoosk.com. It’s a painful and humiliating experience, but I hope that by sharing my testimony, I can help others avoid the same fate. In total, I lost $97,000—money I had saved for my retirement, and the emotional toll has been just as devastating. Reclaim Every Penny Back
The Beginning: Finding Love Online
Like many people in today’s digital age, I turned to online dating in hopes of finding companionship. Zoosk.com seemed like a reputable platform, with many success stories and positive reviews. I signed up, created my profile, and began my search for a meaningful connection.
After a few weeks of casual chatting and a handful of unsuccessful matches, I received a message from a woman named Sophia. She was attractive, charming, and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me. We exchanged messages daily, and soon our conversations moved from Zoosk to email and text messaging.
Building Trust
Sophia told me she was from the United States but was currently working on a project in Nigeria. She was a civil engineer involved in constructing a large infrastructure project. Her job required frequent travel, but she was planning to return to the States soon. Our conversations were deep and meaningful, and I began to feel a strong emotional connection to her.
She shared pictures of herself, her work, and even her colleagues. She seemed real and trustworthy. Over the next few months, we spoke about everything—from our childhoods and families to our hopes and dreams for the future. I felt like I had finally found someone who understood me and shared my values and goals. Get Help
The First Request for Money
About three months into our relationship, Sophia told me about a financial problem she was facing. She explained that her project had hit a snag, and she needed $5,000 to cover some unexpected expenses. She assured me that it was a temporary setback and that she would pay me back as soon as possible. Given our emotional connection and her detailed stories about her work, I believed her.
I wired her the money, feeling good about helping someone I cared about. She was extremely grateful and promised to repay me soon.
Escalation of Requests
After that initial request, things began to spiral out of control. Sophia faced one financial crisis after another. There were issues with her project’s funding, her bank account was frozen, she needed to pay for emergency medical expenses, and so on. Each time, she had a plausible explanation and promised that repayment was just around the corner.
The amounts she asked for grew larger. $10,000 here, $15,000 there. She always had a compelling reason and a heartfelt plea. I found myself transferring money repeatedly, convinced that I was helping the woman I loved out of temporary trouble.
Red Flags and Denial
Friends and family began to express concern about the amount of money I was sending to Sophia. They urged me to stop, warning me that I might be getting scammed. I dismissed their concerns, convinced that Sophia was genuine and that our relationship was real. I even showed them some of her messages and pictures to prove that she was who she said she was.
Looking back, there were several red flags that I ignored. Sophia’s reluctance to video chat or speak on the phone, her consistent financial crises, and the fact that we had never met in person despite her promises to visit me all should have raised alarms. But I was blinded by my feelings for her and the desire to help.
The Final Blow
The breaking point came when Sophia claimed she needed $30,000 to finalize her project and secure her return to the United States. She painted a vivid picture of her dire situation and the consequences of not being able to complete her work. Despite my growing doubts, I wired her the money.
After that transfer, communication with Sophia became sporadic. She stopped responding to my messages and emails. Panic set in, and I realized that I might have been deceived all along. I reached out to Zoosk’s customer support, but there was little they could do. They advised me to report the incident to the authorities.
The Aftermath
When I finally came to terms with the fact that I had been scammed, I was devastated. I had lost $97,000—money that I had painstakingly saved for my retirement. The emotional betrayal was even worse. I felt humiliated and heartbroken.
I reported the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and my bank, but the chances of recovering my money were slim. The process of dealing with the authorities and trying to track down Sophia (if that was even her real name) was grueling and yielded no results.
Lessons Learned
In the end, my experience on Zoosk.com taught me some hard but valuable lessons:
- Be Skeptical: No matter how genuine someone seems online, always be skeptical of their intentions, especially if they start asking for money.
- Verify Identities: Insist on video calls and other forms of verification to ensure the person you’re speaking with is who they claim to be.
- Listen to Loved Ones: If friends or family express concerns, take them seriously. They might see red flags that you’re too emotionally invested to notice.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious behavior to the dating platform and authorities immediately.
My hope in sharing this story is to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams. Online dating can be a wonderful way to meet people, but it’s crucial to stay vigilant and protect yourself from potential fraud. The emotional and financial cost of being scammed is immense, and no one should have to endure what I went through.
Thank you for reading my testimony. Stay safe and be cautious in your online interactions.
