Elderly immigrant couple lose life savings after falling victim to devastating scam
The couple's son has launched a GoFundMe appeal in a desperate bid to recoup his parents' stolen money.
Great-grandmother loses life savings to scammer
A retired Chinese immigrant couple have fallen victim to a major online investment scam, resulting in the loss of their entire life savings.
The couple, Amos (78) and Yan (73), worked tirelessly for decades after immigrating to the United States in the 80s, only to find they are on the brink of losing their home.
Their son, Eric, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $250,000 to help save his parents' home.
The campaign shares the devastating details of the scam that has left the family in financial ruin.
As of today, the campaign has garnered around $59,000 in donations from sympathizers and well-wishers.
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Eric's GoFundMe post details the family's struggles, highlighting the sacrifices his parents made to build a life in the US and the devastating impact of the recent scam. The couple, already in retirement, faces an uncertain future as they grapple with the loss of their hard-earned savings.
The scam, now under investigation, targeted victims for high-level investments in a fictitious company named "UpUp Fashion" based in New York City.
In an interview with NextShark, Eric revealed that the scammers contacted his father on Aug. 3, posing as potential tour guides or advisors on living in the US. Despite initial denial, the scammers persisted in their efforts to befriend Amos, ultimately leading to conversations on the Chinese app, WeChat.
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The scammers floated the idea of trading with cryptocurrency, promising reliable returns.
Trusting the seemingly legitimate exchange interface set up by the scammers, Amos began investing small amounts. Over several months, he continued to make investments, believing it to be a genuine opportunity.
The crime came to light when the FBI informed the local Police Department about a bank account associated with scamming elderly individuals. The police, in turn, reached out to potential victims, including Amos, on Nov. 16.
It was at this point that Amos realized the deception, as he attempted to withdraw money from his accounts.
In an emotional Instagram post, Jessica, Eric's fiancée, expressed the profound impact the scam has had on their lives. She emphasized the cultural bonds and the significance of Eric's parents in her life, urging people to share the story and create awareness to prevent similar incidents from happening to other families.
The family is now relying on the generosity of friends, well-wishers, and the online community to help save Amos and Yan's home. Donations can be made through the GoFundMe campaign.
The couple's story serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by online scams, particularly those targeting vulnerable individuals in our communities. The link to the GoFundMe campaign can be found here.
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