GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – A retired Georgia couple is warning others after losing their entire life savings—nearly $800,000—in an elaborate cryptocurrency scam that began with a message on WhatsApp.
What they’re saying:
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Jerry and Mindy Dunaway say the ordeal left them angry, embarrassed, and financially devastated.
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“I bought into it over time—hook, line, and sinker,” Jerry Dunaway said.
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At first, the offer appeared legitimate. A stranger contacted Jerry through WhatsApp, encouraging him to invest in cryptocurrency using a mobile trading app. The stranger made Jerry feel comfortable, and soon he was trading small amounts of money, seeing modest returns, and even able to withdraw funds—building his trust.
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“He got me trading early, small amounts, started getting bigger. I was able to take money out and use it for myself,” Jerry said.
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That trust crumbled last week when Jerry attempted to withdraw more money—and couldn’t. He called 911.
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Gwinnett County police explained that while the app he was using was real, the scammers had created an AI-generated “ghost site” that manipulated what he saw on the screen.
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“He was able to identify that what I was seeing on CryptoWallet wasn’t there,” Jerry recalled.
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The couple says roughly $800,000 is now gone.
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“We have to figure out how to pick up the pieces and move forward,” Jerry said.
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Though devastated, the Dunaways are speaking out to prevent others from falling victim.
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“These people are very good at what they do—they’ll use any tactic to pull you in,” said Mindy Dunaway. “Just be vigilant.”
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What’s next:
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They are working with Gwinnett County police, but investigators say in many cases like this, the victims rarely recover their funds.
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What you can do:
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The couple’s children have launched a GoFundMe to help them meet day-to-day expenses.
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The Source: FOX 5’s Denise Dillon spoke with Jerry and Mindy Dunaway for this article.
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