I got scammed!
A couple of people asked for the Vegas updates in my previous post so here we go!
Today I went exploring Vegas streets and took a long walk because the conference starts on Monday and I've got some time before that..
However, I got scammed!
I'm not sure if I should share this because it's kinda embarassing but I hope this can help that you won't fall at least in the same scam :D
Even though I've been in the make money online space for several years, I've never fallen into a scam online.
That being said, I've heard some people losing lots of money on various "get-rich-quick" scames.
The first Make Money Online opportunity that I found was Wealthy Affiliate and this has been 100% legitimate. In addition, Kyle's step-by-step training also helps to spot scams and I think that nobody who goes through it will most likely never fall into make money online scams in their lives.
And even though I've been traveling in +30 countries I've never been scammed before (if we don't count those taxi guys in Asia who charge a few dollars extra. For me it's fine to give them some extra because it's still 5 times cheaper than in my homecountry...)
But today I lost $100 to this shameless guy!
Have you ever heard of a "shell scam"? I hadn't but today I experienced it first-hand.
The idea is that the guy shuffles those 'shells' and you need to know where it is. But there's a little catch... You'll lose 100% of the time you play.
I went to look a guy because there were many people around him and I was like, "I'm never gonna play this game!"
The idea was like, You need to bet $100. If you know where the ball is, you win $100. If you guess wrong, you lose $100.
Then he had a few "team members" that pretended that it's possible to win in this game. I was thinking that they're probably in the same team because they looked as shady as the guy who was shuffling those 'shells'.
But then he was shouting, "You've got a FREE try! You've got a FREE try!"
And I was like, "Okay, I'm 110% sure where the ball is." Let me try it. But when I was reaching, the guy pushed my hand like, "Show me the money!"
Then I showed him $100 because I felt I'm so sure where the ball is.
10 seconds later, I realized that I just lost $100 to this scammer.
Later I realized that you can't even win in this game. Watch this video to understand why.
The only way for you to win in shell game is NOT to play it :D
Well, it was the first time for me to get scammed and hopefully the last one.
I treat it as a $100 lesson and if you're reading this at least you won't fall into this scam ever because you know that you can't win in this game. They have a team who is trying to cheat you.
I started thinking that you often lose if you make "quick decisions" with money.
I wasn't planning to play at all because it looked shady. But they somehow got me and in 10 seconds I lost it.
If you are looking for make money online programs that seem like "easy money", in 99,99% of the time they are scams.
Anyway, I've got good news also!
While I was getting scammed by that guy, I noticed that I made one $175 yearly sale at WA that covered the loss.
Stay safe and don't get scammed! :)
Greetings from Vegas
Roope "Don't fall into scams" Kiuttu
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Have you ever seen scams online or offline?
Leave your experiences and thoughts below so nobody won't fall into scams anymore! :)
Recent Comments
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Happened to me in London, a guy in the crowd was urging me on ( one of the team). and I fell for it. When I realised what had happened I kicked up a storm and threatened to call the cops. I was harassed by the team and given a few bucks back and told to go. I was then followed by one of the mob so it becomes a little scary.
I was young and stupid then now I am old and wise with experiences.
Hi Roope
Welcome to the real world. LOL
Laugh about it and move on. That is Las Vegas.
Have a beautiful day
Sylvia
Lol, I have been scammed so many times off-line and on-line to remember...Well at least your story ended on a positive note.
I hope those experiences have been thought you some lessons or at least you won't fall into same ones again :)
Now that is sad and funny at the same time! LOL LOL :( I asked a few of those guys to keep an eye on ya since you never been to Vegas before and all. Glad you can see the lesson in the shell game and can laugh about it.
This is one of the oldest "street scams" in the book. The people standing around and "winning" just before you, are actually part of the scam as well. It works well because it instills confidence that real people are earning real money, and that you can too.
These people only have to rip off 10 people, out of millions walking about in a day to be making pretty good money (several $100,000's per year). That is the approach some people take in life and this is the approach many scammers take online (ripping off a few people is easier than helping lots of people).
You always wonder what would happen if these same people put their talents to good use.
Stay safe man! lol
PS. This story will likely pay off for years, it can certainly be a story you use on your blog, and has offered you some newfound insight into scammers and schemers. $100 well spent perhaps, not really, but 5 years from now it may play out to your advantage.
Thanks for the insight Kyle, I love that positive attitude! You're right that spending $100 in this scam can pay off dividends in stories for years to come. :D
Better to fall for only a $100 scam than a $1000 one. There are many programs out there that have 1K+ upsells for membership sites or personal coaching. Just do your research before hand, no matter how much of a sure bet you think it is. The point of many of the free webinars (except Jay's of course) is to introduce you to something in order to upsell you later at the end of the webinar creating a sense of urgency. They do this so you won't take your time and look up whether they are legitimate or not. Even if it appears to be a low ticket offer, I wind up researching reviews on it anyway because chances are, somebody has either already profited from it or learned their lesson the hard way.
There's one sure way to win at the shell game, but you have to look tough enough not to mess with, because he has friends in the crowd.
As soon as he asks you which shell the pea is under, you say "the middle one" but at the same time you reach out and overturn the ones either side, showing them to be empty.
Then he has no choice but to overturn the middle one, palming the pea into it at the same time, showing you to be right.
You can only do it once!
Hmmm... that's interesting. Would be interesting to see how they react to that. I guess they try to have a way out of not paying.
Have you tried it?
No, they have no choice and they're realistic enough to realize that one person winning will bring in 5 more wanting to play. But they'll make sure no one does it again.
Yes, but I had a friend standing by my shoulder.
I see, that's interesting. Maybe we should go with WA Super Affiliates to try that, lol
Or maybe not... :D I guess it's better to stay far away from those guys.
I guess Vegas is the city of gambling. You could have just as easily lost it on the machines. Don't be too hard on yourself. Have a great time. Vegas is on my bucket list.
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Oh dear, seems it's easier to be scammed offline than on lately.
Have fun in Vegas.