Have you ever been swindled? Seriously taken for a ride?
I have.
Some people don’t understand how it happens, and are skeptical. They read stories about Nevin Shapiro and Bernie Madoff and remark to themselves (about the victims) “Well, they should have paid more attention. They should have known better.”
I’m here to tell you – it happens to the best of us. I was young(er) and was taken advantage of in a similar fashion (financially). I should have known better. I should have. There was always a small element of “it’s too good to be true”. And of course it was. But I can understand how people could be sucked in the same way.
All it takes is that one person – man or woman – who can keep spinning the tale, leaving enough of a margin of error that doubt is erased. They’re usually born with that skill. I was even warned by a close friend of the shyster – but I was so deep I didn’t listen. Even if those people asked for some kind of assurance, I’m sure that they were lied to – as I was.
A lot of people were mad at this guy (who still to this day remains relatively secluded and hard to find). They asked me if they should “visit” him. Luckiliy, I was able to let it go.
I consider it one of my most expensive life lessons. Unfortunately, it was one that I had to learn for myself.
Every once in a while, I google the guy. Just to see what scam he’s up to now. I occasionally wonder if he ever thinks about what he’s done – and how he justified it to himself.