Manuel Gómez: A Victim of a Phone Scam
Name: Manuel Gómez
Country: Spain
Manuel Gómez, a 78-year-old retiree living in Madrid, Spain, enjoyed his peaceful days reading and strolling through the park. Like many seniors, Manuel wasn’t very familiar with the latest technology, but he felt comfortable using his landline phone to stay in touch with family and friends.
One day, he received a call from an unknown number. When he answered, a friendly voice introduced himself as “David Martínez,” a representative from a well-known technical services company. David explained that there was an urgent issue with Manuel’s internet connection and that, if not fixed immediately, he could lose access to his online banking account and emails.
David sounded professional and patient, which reassured Manuel. He was instructed to install a program on his computer to resolve the issue. Step by step, David guided Manuel through the process, asking him to enter specific commands. Trusting that he was speaking with a legitimate representative, Manuel followed all instructions.
What Manuel didn’t realize was that the program he installed gave scammers full remote access to his computer. David—or rather, the criminal behind the call—began browsing through Manuel’s files, accessing his bank account, and transferring all his savings to unknown accounts. Within minutes, Manuel had lost his life savings.
Manuel only discovered the fraud days later, when he went to the bank to withdraw money and found his account empty. Desperate, he called his children, who immediately reported the scam to the police. Unfortunately, investigations revealed that the money had been transferred to foreign accounts, making it almost impossible to recover.
Phone Scams Targeting Seniors
This type of scam is tragically common, targeting elderly individuals who may not be familiar with digital risks. Scammers exploit trust and lack of technical knowledge to steal a person’s entire savings.
How to Protect Yourself from Phone Scams
✔️ Be wary of unexpected calls – If someone calls claiming there is an urgent issue with your computer or bank account, hang up and verify directly with the company using an official phone number.
✔️ Never share personal or financial information – Do not provide bank details, passwords, or install software at the request of an unsolicited caller.
✔️ Check with a trusted family member or friend – If you receive a suspicious call, consult someone you trust before taking any action.
✔️ Report suspicious calls – If you suspect you have been scammed, report it to local authorities and your bank immediately.
Manuel Gómez’s story serves as a crucial reminder to stay alert and protect loved ones from phone scams. You can find more advice and report scams on sites like Noestafas, where the community works together to fight fraud and protect the most vulnerable.