From ABC7 New York · · 1m 30s
Retiree loses $500,000 in pig butcher scam twice
San Francisco retiree Adan Look loses $500,000 in pig butchering scam, then falls for same scam again.
In brief
San Francisco retiree Adan Look loses $500,000 in pig butchering scam, then falls for same scam again. San Francisco retiree Adan Look lost $500,000 in pig butchering scam, then fell for the same scam again. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
First scam
San Francisco retiree Adan Look lost $500,000 in pig butchering scam.
“This is her. This is her picture”
Second scam
Adan Look falls for same scam online after losing money.
“Vicky”
Vicky's story
Vicky claims to be Army combat medic in Kuwait, wants to be caretaker.
“She is my queen. I'm her king”
First scam details
Adan lost $500,000 to fake crypto investment with Annie.
“Annie told him she'd made millions investing in cryptocurrency”
Second scam attempts
Adan sent $1,000 via Zelle and $1,000 in Apple gift cards.
“I sent her a little bit, but nothing like the other person”
Scam investigation
7 On Your Side found Vicky's identity fake through reverse image search.
“She's fake. OK”
Army verification
Army confirmed Vicky's military identity does not exist.
“We are extremely confident that the alleged service member under that name does not exist”
Scammer's tactics
Scammers use fake military identities and buy pictures for scams.
“They have scripts that they use, and they buy pictures”
Scammer's response
Vicky texted Adan she was not real after scam exposed.
“You're not really you”
New scam
Adan met new person Suzy who claims to be real.
“Have a good night. Hope you sleep well. Have a sweet dream, darling”
Scam impact
Adan and son remain torn apart by scams with no legal protection.
“Laws don't allow family members to intervene without permission from the victim”
Scam prevention
7 On Your Side helped banks and Apple stores stop scams.
“I called the loan officer. I was like, 'The guy's being scammed'”
Scammer's origin
Scammers operate from Nigeria with organized networks.
“He's been talking to someone like you for six months”
Current status
Adan blocked Vicky but met new scam target Suzy.
“I feel good, but sad. Information is powerful”
The key point
San Francisco retiree Adan Look lost $500,000 in pig butchering scam, then fell for the same scam again.
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