Not every day do you learn a $100 lesson. That was exactly what happened to el_yoha10, a Cuban recent arrival in the United States, who shared on TikTok how he fell for a scam while at Walmart. In a video that mixes humor and resignation, he recounted his experience to warn others about this kind of deceit.
It all happened in the fishing section of the store when an older man, speaking in English, approached to offer a chain that he claimed was made of 14-carat gold. With “convincing” proof, like burning it and showing that it did not stick to a magnet, the man managed to get the young man to agree to pay him $100 for it, after a supposed discount from $200.
"I played the businessman," the creator says with an ironic tone, remembering how he withdrew money from the ATM thinking he had struck a great deal. However, when he got home and showed the chain to his family, his uncle, more experienced, explained that it was a common trick in the United States to sell costume jewelry as if it were gold.
"I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or swallow the chain," confessed the young man, who ultimately decided to take the situation with a sense of humor, although he regrets losing the money that he could have used for other things. "With 100 pesos, I could have paid for my cart at Shein, but well, you learn from mistakes," he added, advising others to "be cautious" in these situations, especially if they are new to the country.
The story of el_yoha10 generated dozens of comments on TikTok. Some supported him: "At least it was 100 and not 200," noted one user, while another added, "Well, it says 14 carats, just say it's gold and that's it." Others, however, humorously scolded him: "That's what you get for being so cheeky" or "Now you have to do the same and sell it."
This case is similar to another recent one involving a Cuban in Miami who was scammed with fake perfumes. As he recounted on his TikTok, he paid $100 for five bottles of "luxury perfumes" that turned out to be dyed water. Both cases highlight how newly arrived migrants can be targets of such scams, often due to a lack of awareness about these practices or placing too much trust in others.
For el_yoha10, the experience became just an anecdote. “Be careful, gentlemen; just as I fell, anyone can fall. The people here are smarter than you,” he concluded in his video, with a smile and a chain that now forms part of his collection... even if it isn't gold.
Frequently asked questions about scams targeting newly arrived Cubans in the United States
How was the Cuban scammed at Walmart?
The Cuban was scammed into purchasing a fake chain that he believed was made of 14-carat gold. A man approached him in the fishing section of Walmart, demonstrated that the chain did not stick to a magnet, and even burned it to convince him of its authenticity. In the end, the young man paid $100 for the chain, which turned out to be costume jewelry.
What types of scams are common for newly arrived Cubans in the United States?
Newly arrived Cubans often fall victim to scams involving the sale of fake products, such as jewelry, perfumes, and other items presented as luxury or authentic. These scams take advantage of the ignorance or excessive trust of individuals who have just arrived in the country.
How can migrants avoid falling victim to scams in the United States?
It is important for migrants to stay vigilant and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. Avoid purchasing products from strangers in unofficial locations, seek opinions from trusted individuals, and educate yourself about common scamming tactics to help prevent these situations.
What did the Cuban do after discovering that he had been scammed?
The Cuban decided to share his experience on TikTok to warn others about this type of scam. Although he regretted losing money, he chose to approach the situation with humor and advised others to be careful, especially if they are new to the country.
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