A Cuban living abroad has taken to social media to expose a scam he fell victim to while attempting to purchase an electric scooter for his brother on the island.
In a video that quickly gained traction, the young man shared his frustration over losing money sent through Zelle and criticized the lack of integrity and the challenges faced when investing in Cuba from abroad.
Known on TikTok as @yerovento, the man recounted how his brother had long requested a scooter, but he had always been hesitant due to the frequent thefts and violent incidents associated with these vehicles in Cuba.
Eventually, his mother decided to buy an electric scooter, considering its practicality for errands and the physical limitations of the intended recipient.
According to his account, when he attempted to transfer the funds via the Zelle app, he encountered a transfer limit. To overcome this, he sought assistance from a friend to complete the payment. However, after sending the money and sharing the receipt, the supposed sellers vanished.
"I got scammed; my brother's scooter is gone. I'm not investing another penny in Cuba," the young man declared, reaffirming his distrust of financial transactions within the country.
He described the incident as another example of the erosion of trust and values in Cuba and harshly criticized those who exploit Cubans living overseas.
"People in Cuba are disrespectful. Here we talk about freedom, and there they live in squalor, taking advantage of others' sacrifices," he added, visibly upset.
The video sparked hundreds of comments on TikTok, many offering support, while others shared similar experiences of sending money or investing on the island.
Challenges of Investing in Cuba for Overseas Cubans
What challenges do Cubans abroad face when investing in Cuba?
Cubans living overseas face challenges such as scams, lack of trust in financial transactions, and difficulties in transferring money due to restrictions and limits on applications like Zelle.
How did the scam involving the electric scooter unfold?
The scam occurred when the young man attempted to finalize the purchase by sending money through Zelle, faced transfer limits, and then involved a friend to complete the payment. After transferring the funds, the supposed sellers disappeared without delivering the scooter.
What was the reaction on social media to the scam incident?
The incident drew significant attention on TikTok, with many users expressing support for the victim and others sharing their own experiences of similar scams when attempting to send money or invest in Cuba.