Survivors Remember
- It was not your fault!
- You are a survivor!
- You are stronger than you know!
- You are not alone!
- Axios! You are worthy!
- Vera! It’s all true!
To get help, please visit ScamVictimsSupport.org and sign up for the SCARS Institute Support & Recovery Program at support.AgainstScams.org
My Scam Victim Story/Survivor Story #78
Pig Butchering Scam/Crypto Investment Scam
Survivor’s Country: USA
This is the original victim’s story, enhanced by the SCARS Institute Editorial Team to improve comprehension, readability, and continuity. The names were changed to protect the survivor’s identity.
WARNING: THIS SCAM VICTIM/SURVIVOR’S STORY MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME PEOPLE. DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
ADVERTENCIA: LA HISTORIA DE ESTA VÍCTIMA/SOBREVIVIENTE DE ESTAFA PUEDE SER INSENSIBLE PARA ALGUNAS PERSONAS. SE RECOMIENDA DISCRECIÓN.
If you need help, join our free SCARS Institute Support and Recovery Program at support.AgainstScams.org
Si necesita ayuda, únase a nuestro Programa gratuito de Apoyo y Recuperación del Instituto SCARS en support.AgainstScams.org
My Scam Victim Story
It all started with a glimmer of hope. I had been looking for ways to secure my financial future, especially after a tough few years of unsteady income. In early 2025, I stumbled across a crypto exchange called Crynet at crynet5.cc. The website looked polished, with sleek graphics and promises of high returns on cryptocurrency investments. I had heard about the crypto boom, and though I was new to it, I thought this could be my chance to build something substantial. The site displayed a wallet balance that made my heart race: over $91,000 in USDT. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It felt like I had struck gold, and for a moment, I imagined a life free of financial worry, maybe even a dream vacation or a down payment on a house.
I had been led to Crynet through a friendly online contact I met on a social media platform. His name was Daniel, and he seemed genuine, sharing stories about his own success in crypto trading. Over weeks, we built a rapport. He told me about his family, his struggles, and how Crynet had changed his life. I trusted him. He guided me through the process of signing up, transferring my initial investment of $5,000, and watching my balance grow. Seeing that $91,000 figure on the screen felt like validation. I thought I was finally getting ahead. But when I tried to withdraw some of the funds to test the system, the site wouldn’t let me. A pop-up message claimed I needed to verify my account further. My stomach sank. Something didn’t feel right.
I reached out to Daniel, hoping for reassurance, but his tone shifted. He urged me to stay calm, saying I just needed to pay a small fee to unlock withdrawals. That’s when I started to suspect Crynet was a scam site impersonating a real company. I did some digging and found no credible information about Crynet online, just a few vague mentions that seemed suspicious. The request for additional fees—$2,000 to “release” my funds—was a glaring red flag. I had read about pig-butchering scams, where fraudsters build trust over time, fatten up your hopes with fake profits, and then demand more money before disappearing. The pieces started to fit together, and I felt a wave of nausea. I had been played.
The realization hit me like a tidal wave. That $91,000 balance was nothing but a mirage, a cruel trick to keep me hooked. My initial $5,000 was likely gone, funneled into the hands of criminals who had no intention of letting me see a dime. I felt foolish, betrayed, and angry, mostly at myself. How could I have been so naive? I replayed every conversation with Daniel, searching for clues I missed. His charm, his patience, it was all part of the act. I later learned that “Daniel” was likely a fake identity, possibly a team of scammers working together to manipulate people like me. The shame was overwhelming. I didn’t want to tell anyone, not my friends, not my family. I felt like I had failed them by falling for this.
But the silence only made things worse. The anger turned inward, and I couldn’t sleep, haunted by the thought of my lost savings. I knew I had to act. I reported the scam to local law enforcement, though I held little hope of recovering my money. The officer I spoke with was kind but realistic, explaining that crypto scams are notoriously hard to trace. Still, reporting it felt like a small step toward reclaiming control. I also reached out to a support group for scam victims, something I found through the SCARS Institute. At first, I hesitated, worried about judgment, but sharing my story with others who had been through the same thing was a lifeline. Hearing their experiences helped me see that I wasn’t alone, and more importantly, that I wasn’t to blame. These scammers were skilled manipulators, preying on trust and hope.
Through the support group, I learned about the tactics used in pig-butchering scams, which helped me understand how I had been targeted. I also started working with a counselor to process the trauma. The betrayal had shaken my ability to trust, not just others but myself. Slowly, I began to rebuild. I focused on small steps: educating myself about online safety, setting new financial goals, and reconnecting with my loved ones. I told my sister about the scam, and her support meant the world. She didn’t judge me; she just listened. That vulnerability, though terrifying, was a turning point.
Looking back, I see Crynet for what it was: a cruel illusion designed to exploit my dreams. The $91,000 balance was a lie, but the lessons I’ve learned are real. I’m still healing, and some days the shame creeps back, but I’m stronger now. I share my story to warn others, hoping it might spare someone else the pain I went through. The SCARS Institute has been a guide, reminding me that recovery is possible, even after betrayal. I’m not defined by the scam. I’m a survivor, and I’m moving forward, one step at a time.
How did this story impact you?
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If you need support, please join our free SCARS Institute Scam Survivor’s School Recovery Program at www.SCARSeducation.org
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PLEASE NOTE:
In the case of Scam Survivor’s Stories: The SCARS Institute displays this story to help recent scam victims. We are authorized to display this story and in this form or edition is copyright © Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. All rights reserved. The specific survivor’s identity has been anonymized for their protection. Photos are generated and are not of the real person.
In the case of the Criminal’s Stories: The SCARS Institute presents the Criminal Stories to assist scam victims in understanding that criminals are real individuals, despite their terrible actions, and we can gain valuable insights from their experiences to prevent crime and identify these schemes as they emerge. We aim to support victims and survivors in releasing the emotions they harbor toward the criminals, fostering a path toward potential forgiveness over time.
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish. Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors’ experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started For New Victims of Relationship Scams: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- For Scam Victims Advocates: www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
More Survivor Stories
More Criminal Stories
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
SCARS Institute articles can help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org and www.ScamsNOW.com
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on SCARS Institute websites are for information & education only
The information provided in SCARS Institute articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
Thank you for sharing your story. And I am glad you have received support and are doing better. Each one of your efforts is valuable and worth of praise.