SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — What started as a phone call ended with Jurek Wasowski’s life turned upside down.
“I am devastated,” Wasowski said, as he recalled the scam that changed his life.
It was in the summer when Wasowski’s phone rang.
“I never pick up unlisted calls, but t at this time, I was busy doing something and I pick[ed] up the phone,” he said.
Wasowski heard a sweet voice on the other end. They ended up bonding over their shared Slavic culture.
As an immigrant, he felt a connection. They ended up speaking on the phone twice, and then she encouraged him to start texting using the app Telegram.
The woman claimed her name was Lena and mentioned to Wasowski she is doing crypto trading.
Wasowski already had investments in cryptocurrency, but he was interested in learning more. She gained his trust and told him that she could teach him.
He said he initially started investing $800 and then put in much more after he saw his profits. By the end, he invested around $100,000.
Lena sent a number of pictures and videos reinforcing their friendship.