OCALA, Fla. – A 75-year-old man from Ocala, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said his troubles began with a single text message offering a flexible part-time job.
The text promised daily wages ranging from $50 to $3,000 for simple tasks like watching YouTube videos and liking them.
“In a matter of a month I could make a thousand, or a couple thousand dollars. That will support my income, that was my intention of it,” Dennis said.
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Dennis responded to the text saying he was interested.
They then asked him to switch the communication from text message to messaging on WhatsApp and Telegram.
Dennis started communicating with people he believed were his new business managers, Arabella Kensington and Antonio Rodriguez.
They both sent photos
The job was supposedly with Warner Brothers.
“They would pay me $3 for that particular one. Just for liking that,” Dennis said.
Dennis said the company even sent checks here and there for around $50.
Then came an opportunity to make more money.
Dennis’s “business managers” introduced him to the world of crypto. They had him download apps and taught him to trade, but he had to put up his own money first.
In one particular task if he invested $5,200, he was told his return would be $8,448.
Dennis went all in completing that task and many others.
Over the course of several months he spent about $15,000 of his own money via payment apps and Bitcoin, but never saw any returns.
“I don’t know where the money went. I have no clue. They denied having it,” Dennis said.
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He says after the first time sending a large amount and not getting a return, he suspected it was a scam, but he kept sending more money hoping he would get it back.
“They had my money and I wanted it back,” he said
The part-time job that was supposed to make him money instead cost him thousands.
“In my mind I wanted them to say, ‘OK, we’re going to reimburse you.’ They never said that,” he added.
Text message scams are common, but take different forms.
Many people have gotten text messages saying they owe money for tolls. It’s a ploy to get your money, your personal information, and sometimes both.
Dennis could report the crime, but law enforcement can’t do much. The people who commit these crimes are often in other countries.
This story serves as a warning: when you get random job offer texts, the best thing to do is delete them.
Remember, don’t fall for the scheme, don’t get ripped off, but if you do, email me at LBolden@wkmg.com.
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