Sitting at the kitchen table, Matt reflects on the recent months. “When I learned it was suicide, I knew it was due to the scam,” he reveals.
“Our father was always positive until six months ago. This scam crushed him,” Matt continues, surrounded by fields and stables at Adrienne’s northern Virginia horse farm, where the family has gathered often since their father’s tragic death.
Dennis Jones, 82, known for his activism and love of running and photography, spent his retirement helping refugees and debating politics online. Divorced for years, he withdrew from family life to befriend “Jessie” on Facebook. Over months, she persuaded him to invest in crypto, draining his savings until there was nothing left.
In early March, his children tried to intervene, planning for him to move in with Adrienne’s family for support. But when they couldn’t reach him for a scheduled meeting, Matt discovered Dennis had taken his own life before they could help him recover from the devastating scam.
Dennis fell victim to a vast criminal enterprise mostly based in Southeast Asia, where gangs operate “pig butchering” scams. These scams involve building false identities online to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, resulting in billions of dollars stolen annually from Americans.
Erin West, a prosecutor in Santa Clara County, describes the scams as among the most destructive crimes she’s seen in her career. With law enforcement battling to stop them, social media platforms like WhatsApp and dating apps have become hunting grounds for scammers, exploiting victims’ desires for connection or financial gain.
Despite efforts by tech companies and law enforcement, the scams persist, with criminals often trafficking victims to Southeast Asia to work in conditions akin to slavery. The scale of the criminal operations, shielded by complex international networks, makes prosecution difficult.
Carina’s experience on Bumble illustrates how scammers manipulate emotions for financial gain. Claiming wealth and affection, her scammer coerced her into significant investments, leaving her emotionally shattered and financially ruined when she realized it was all a lie.
For families like Dennis’, the aftermath is a painful reckoning with the human cost of these crimes. Adrienne and Matt hope that sharing their father’s story will raise awareness and prevent others from suffering similar fates.
As the battle against these scams continues, the Jones family urges vigilance and support for victims, knowing firsthand the devastation left behind by those who exploit trust and manipulate emotions for profit.
