by Scamreturned » Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:08 am
Yesterday one of the lowest moments of my life, which I had thought passed long ago, came crashing back to me. I received an email from someone reminding me of a nude photo I had sent almost 5 years ago and the familiar threats to send it to friends, family and my school. My life has changed since being scammed, but the feelings of dread, shame and shock have all come back in a rush.
I made a post here when I was scammed, but couldn’t find it. Back then, I had been lulled into texting a nude picture of myself to a fake profile that contacted me first on Facebook. Over the course of some days, I panicked, wired money to my scammer and panicked some more as the threats didn’t stop. I eventually found this place and followed the steps, ignoring all messages and blocking and sure enough, the threats stopped and nobody ever saw the compromising photos.
Embarrassed and ashamed, I told no one except my Dad when the subject of my finances, having taken a big hit for me at the time from the scam, could not be ignored or reasonably explained other than by telling the truth. I quickly tried my best to move on and give it as little space in my mind as possible. Every now and then the memory would intrude, but it would soon pass and I would go on to live my life.
Receiving this email after 5 years has given this experience a nightmarish quality, especially considering the logical reassurance that scammers move on quickly. I’m staying calmer and smarter than last time (immediately deactivated FB, have replied to no emails, blocked email address and definitely not paid) but the questions remain buzzing in my head. When will they stop? Why is this happening again? Is this somebody I actually know harassing me behind a fake profile? Is it the same person or has my info been passed along? In another 5 years is the same thing going to happen again?
My experience tells me this will all pass without incident but emotionally I have a hard time reconciling all of this. My presence online now is larger than when it first happened- the faculty page for my school, YouTube videos of my performances on others channels (I’m a musician) a personal website. I’m in a pretty rough spot and just need a place to air my worries and see if this kind of case has ever happened to anyone else. I cant imagine telling any of this to anybody in real life. The shame is too much. Thank you to anybody who takes the time to read this. The idea that somebody may relate is at least comforting.