Love (and Fraud) in the Time of Covid

Dear Friends,

I am currently in a state of financial despair, humiliation, fear, and anxiety due to many factors over the past three-plus years. However, my financial hardship is not my entire story—just a chapter. I can only escape this situation by budgeting the little income I have (Social Security & a pension) and asking my community for help, which is incredibly difficult for me. I have always valued my independence, having made my life on my own (with the help of my family), and have done pretty well for myself. I was able to retire, buy a sweet bungalow in the Palm Springs area, and move from San Francisco to the South—all on my own.

Asking for help as someone humbled by life's curveballs is a big step for me. I was always the one “paying it forward” and offering my home as a refuge for friends having a rough time, while also throwing some GREAT parties over the years. Many cherished memories.

**How did I end up in this situation?**

Early in the pandemic, I found myself working from home, my laptop a fragile lifeline to the world beyond my four walls. During this time, I had daily encounters with handsome young men online (they found me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!) who convinced me they were interested in me as a “person” with something to offer them (beyond my very skinny wallet). Most were liars and scam artists that I ended up blocking and reporting, but there were two men I found intriguing—attractive, smart, engaging, articulate, and kind—at the time.

There was Paul, an Aussie designer living in San Diego, and Arthur, a sweet French businessman in Santa Monica. Little did I know that these seemingly promising connections would lead me down a treacherous path—one paved with crypto investments and other dubious escapades.

They both had great stories to share and made me feel good about myself. But flattery and appearances can be deceiving. Beneath their alluring selves lay a darker truth. Arthur, it turned out, was more interested in my crypto wallet than my heart. His investment schemes were convoluted and taxing.

As for Paul, his handsome exterior masked a penchant for gaslighting and emotional sabotage. He chipped away at my self-worth, leaving me questioning my choices and my very existence.

I emerged from this digital drama with more than just a broken heart. My finances resembled a crypto bear market—plummeting, volatile, and utterly wrecked. IRA accounts vanished and annuities evaporated. All that remained were the echoes of their deceitful promises and the bitter taste of betrayal.

It is exhausting to wake up in a panic every morning, trying to stretch my fixed income to cover all the essentials of life. I have taken advantage of the services offered to Coachella Valley seniors who have been victims of fraud and scams. I have reported the multiple scams and fraud to the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI. However, I am just another statistic for their cybercrime reporting, with no promise of recovering any of the money I lost.

But fear not, for my story does not end in despair. I, the survivor of crypto heartbreak, have learned valuable lessons through much therapy and lots of journaling. Recognize a scam before it becomes present in my life. (Need advice? Please message me.)

More importantly, help is always available—I just have to ask for it. There is no shame in admitting one needs assistance (this has been a difficult lesson for me to learn).

Right now, more than ever before, I need help for all the “extras” that aren’t covered by my monthly income, primarily professional and legal fees for:

- Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing – multiple court and legal fees;

- IRS tax relief, enrolling in the IRS Fresh Start program which involves a tax attorney;

- BTC recovery services – there is a chance I will recover part of my crypto investment, and I am working with a crypto recovery specialist, but this costs money.

Your help will go a long way in my recovery from a debilitating experience. I promise to return to the Greg of old—committed to my community and acts of kindness, always willing to pay it forward.

And as for love? Well, I’ve decided to invest in self-love, community bonds, and the occasional Netflix binge. Because, my friends, the greatest currency is the one we carry within—a portfolio of resilience, humor, and the ability to laugh at our own misadventures. Bring on my fat queer kid!

I do hope you can help. Thank you!