A young mother shares her heartbreaking experience of getting scammed, hoping others can avoid falling into the same trap.
How one phone call scammed a woman out of her life savings
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and even the most cautious individuals can be scammed.
This was the unfortunate reality for Amelia Mandeville-Marinaro, a 28-year-old mother on maternity leave, who lost her entire life savings in an elaborate phone scam.
On social media, a user who goes by @winnieandminnie0 shared a video on TikTok, showing that she lost her life savings in just one phone call.
Fighting back tears in her video, she said: “I know people will say, ‘How could you be so stupid? It’s obvious it’s a scam,’ but in the moment, it didn’t feel that way.”
The elaborate phone scam that left them broke
Amelia and her husband, Pete, never imagined they would fall victim to an elaborate phone scam. It all started when Pete received a call from an unknown number.
The caller, pretending to be a bank representative, claimed that Pete’s account had been compromised and urgent action was needed.
Trusting the caller, Pete texted Amelia, informing her of the situation while still on the call.
He then requested her bank details, which she hesitantly provided. Although hesitant, she eventually provided them.
Moments later, Amelia was instructed to authorize a payment to a so-called “secure account.”
Doubts arose when she saw a message in her online banking app stating that the bank was not currently contacting them. When she questioned this, Pete relayed the scammer’s explanation: the bank intentionally sent that message to “throw off” the hacker.
Despite feeling uneasy, Amelia went ahead and approved the transfer.
Almost instantly, she realized she had been scammed, describing the feeling as overwhelming regret.
“We were scammed, and it was our biggest mistake”
Breaking down in her TikTok video, Amelia admitted, “We’ve just paid someone all of our savings… it was silly, it was stupid of us” She was forced to pause the recording as the weight of the situation became unbearable.
She also emphasized how convincing the scammers were, explaining that they knew specific details about their accounts, making their claims seem legitimate.
Bank investigation underway after couple was scammed
Following the incident, Amelia revealed that the bank is now investigating the case, and she and Pete are hoping to recover their stolen funds.
Her message to others is clear: Anyone can be scammed, no matter how cautious they are. By sharing her story, she hopes others will recognize the warning signs before it’s too late.
How to avoid being scammed by phone fraudsters
To protect yourself from these increasingly sophisticated scams, always follow these key precautions:
- Never share bank details over the phone or via text.
- Verify with your bank by calling the official number on their website.
- Be skeptical of urgent requests—scammers often use pressure tactics.
- Check your banking app—most banks provide real-time fraud alerts.
- Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
Scammers are everywhere, but by staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself from getting scammed.