When Joe A. from Shelton, Conn., received a text about a crypto investment opportunity, he thought it was his chance to rebuild after a divorce. Instead, he lost every dollar he had. Joe’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of how easy it is to fall for an online investment scam that promises quick success and easy money.

Joe has allowed Cyberguy to tell his powerful story so that others can learn from his experience and protect themselves from similar scams. Here is how it all went down and how you can protect yourself from falling into the same trap.

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HOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLET

After his account access vanished, scammers allegedly demanded more cash to “reactivate” it. By then, Joe’s retirement savings were wiped out. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

How the online investment scam began

In August, Joe got a message from a company calling itself “ZAP Solutions.” They promised that if he invested $30,000, he’d soon have $368,000 in returns. It sounded like a smart move. Like many victims, Joe believed the pitch because it seemed professional and legitimate.

But soon, he was led deeper into a trap. Each “short-term investment” required another wire transfer. Before he knew it, Joe had sent every penny, his 401K, IRA, and other investments.

When the investment scam fell apart 

The moment Joe was locked out of his account, panic set in. The scammers demanded more money to “reactivate” it. By the end, Joe had lost $228,000.

His mother, Carol, was devastated when she found out. 

“I was shocked,” she said. “He showed us the screenshots, the messages, he emptied everything.”

Joe and his family filed a police report with local authorities and contacted the FBI. But according to officers, recovery is unlikely. 

“They told us there’s no way to get it back,” Carol said. “These cyber stalkers move the money too fast.”

The bigger picture: Online investment scams are rising 

Joe’s story isn’t unique. The FBI reports that cyber criminals have stolen more than $50 billion from Americans in just five years. Scammers prey on emotion, targeting people who are hopeful, lonely, or in transition.

“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Joe said, stating a phrase we all should remember.

How to protect yourself from online investment scams

Staying safe starts with awareness and consistent action. Cybercriminals are getting more creative, so protecting your finances means staying alert every step of the way. Follow these proven steps to safeguard your accounts and identity.

1) Research before you invest

Always verify any investment opportunity before sending money. Look up the company through official government or financial websites, such as the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database or FINRA’s BrokerCheck. Read reviews, confirm licenses and search for scam alerts online.

2) Be suspicious of unsolicited messages and use strong antivirus software

If a text, email or social media message promises high returns, stop and think. Legitimate firms never cold-contact people about investment offers. Delete suspicious messages immediately and never click on links from unknown sources. Install and regularly update strong antivirus software on all your devices. This can block phishing attempts, malicious downloads, and fake investment platforms designed to steal your data.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

SCAMMERS NOW IMPERSONATE COWORKERS, STEAL EMAIL THREADS IN CONVINCING PHISHING ATTACKS

Joe’s mother says the family filed police and FBI reports, but recovery is unlikely as criminals move money fast across borders and accounts. (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)

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3) Check email addresses and website domains

Scammers often use domains that look almost identical to real ones. Double-check for misspellings, extra letters or unusual web extensions like “.co” or “.biz.” If you’re unsure, search for the official company site separately in your browser.

4) Never wire money to strangers

Once you wire money to a scammer, recovery is nearly impossible. Never send money to someone you’ve only met online, even if they claim to represent a reputable company. Always confirm payment details through verified sources.

5) Talk to a trusted financial advisor

Before you invest large sums, get a second opinion from a licensed financial advisor. A professional can spot red flags and unrealistic promises that you might overlook.

6) Use a data removal service

Protect your personal information by using a data removal or privacy service that scrubs your phone number, address and other details from people-search sites. This reduces the chance of scammers finding and targeting you.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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7) Enroll in an identity theft protection service

If scammers have your personal details, they could try to open credit cards or loans in your name. Enrolling in a reputable identity theft protection service adds another layer of security by monitoring your credit and alerting you to suspicious activity.

Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

FBI WARNS SENIORS ABOUT BILLION-DOLLAR SCAM DRAINING RETIREMENT FUNDS, EXPERT SAYS AI DRIVING IT

From antivirus and data-removal services to identity-theft monitoring, CyberGuy shares concrete steps to block phishing, verify firms and protect your money. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

8) Report suspicious activity immediately

If you believe you’ve been targeted or scammed, act fast. Contact your local police department, your bank and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Quick action can sometimes limit further loss or help investigators trace the fraud.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Joe’s story is painful, but it’s also powerful. His honesty may stop someone else from losing everything. Online scams thrive when people stay silent, but sharing stories like Joe’s helps others stay alert. So before you trust anyone promising quick profits online, take a pause, verify everything and remember Joe’s story because one moment of caution could save you from a lifetime of regret.

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Have you ever received an investment offer that seemed too good to be true? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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A new chapter in trucking has begun. Waabi, the leader in physical artificial intelligence, has revealed a major milestone in autonomous trucking, integrating the Waabi Driver with the Volvo VNL Autonomous. Together, these technologies mark a major step toward delivering an autonomous solution that is safe and supports broad commercial deployment.

This joint autonomous trucking solution also integrates NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX Thor and Hyperion 10 architecture. 

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AI TRUCK SYSTEM MATCHES TOP HUMAN DRIVERS IN MASSIVE SAFETY SHOWDOWN WITH PERFECT SCORES

Waabi integrates its Waabi Driver with Volvo’s VNL Autonomous, signaling a push toward safe, scalable Level 4 trucking. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

How this AI-powered autonomous truck was built for scale

In early 2025, Waabi and Volvo Autonomous Solutions announced a long-term partnership to develop and deploy autonomous trucks.

Volvo’s New River Valley plant in Virginia is producing the VNL Autonomous with six critical redundant or back-up systems — including dual braking, steering, communication, computing, power, energy storage and motion control — which are key to safe operations without a driver in the seat. 

Waabi provides the Waabi Driver, an end-to-end AI model that learns from experience and adapts to new conditions. The company also uses its advanced simulator, Waabi World, to expose the AI to millions of realistic driving situations before it reaches the road. Waabi calls this approach “physical AI,” which allows it to generalize across different environments safely.

“The future of autonomous trucking depends on technology that is safe, scalable, and built for customer needs,” said Raquel Urtasun, Founder and CEO of Waabi. “Together with Volvo and NVIDIA, we’re leading autonomous freight into a safer and more efficient era.”

WOULD YOU BUY THE WORLD’S FIRST PERSONAL ROBOCAR?

Volvo’s New River Valley plant builds the VNL Autonomous with six redundant systems to enable driverless operations. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Why the AI-powered autonomous truck matters for freight

The U.S. freight market continues to face growing demand and a shortage of qualified drivers. AI-powered autonomous trucks offer one of the most promising solutions to keep goods moving. By integrating the self-driving technologies of partners like Aurora Innovation and Waabi into the Volvo VNL Autonomous on the pilot line at its New River Facility in Virginia, Volvo Autonomous Solutions is able to deliver autonomous trucks with OEM-grade quality and consistency.

Nils Jaeger, President of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, said the partnership is helping build the broader ecosystem needed for commercial deployment. 

“Autonomy has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in the transport industry, including safety, efficiency, and capacity,” he said.

The collaboration also draws strength from NVIDIA’s computing platform. 

“Self-driving is one of the first frontiers in which we will see physical AI become a reality,” said Rishi Dhall, Vice President of Automotive at NVIDIA. “Our purpose-built compute platform complements Waabi’s pioneering end-to-end verifiable trucking system, and it’s coming to life on the VNL Autonomous. Level 4 autonomy in trucking is happening now.”

Concerns and challenges facing AI-powered trucks

Despite the excitement, driverless freight faces real challenges. Safety remains the top concern as trucks encounter unpredictable weather, road debris and human drivers. While simulation can prepare AI for millions of events, regulators are still defining how to certify systems for nationwide deployment.

The shift toward automation also raises economic questions. Trucking employs millions of drivers across the United States, and experts predict that job roles will evolve as fleets adopt autonomous systems. Labor groups and state officials are calling for retraining programs to help workers transition into new positions that support automation.

Data privacy and cybersecurity are growing priorities too. These trucks depend on constant cloud connectivity, which makes them potential targets for hackers.

Public perception could also influence how fast adoption moves. Many people like the idea of innovation but hesitate to share the road with fully autonomous vehicles. Building trust will require transparency, safety trials and a strong performance record on open highways.

THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY WILL BE PAVED BY AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING

Volvo and Waabi say their integrated platform targets broad commercial deployment as U.S. freight demand grows. (Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)

What comes next for the AI-powered autonomous truck

Volvo and Waabi have already completed the integration of the Waabi Driver with the Volvo VNL Autonomous. The companies describe this milestone as a key step toward Level 4 autonomous operation, meaning the truck will be able to drive itself without human intervention under defined conditions.

This collaboration builds on Volvo Group Venture Capital’s early investment in Waabi in 2023 and its later participation in Waabi’s $200 million Series B funding round in 2024. That support helped set the stage for this integration and for future broad commercial deployment.

Shahrukh Kazmi, Chief Product Officer at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, said Waabi’s technology fits perfectly into Volvo’s platform. 

“We are excited to integrate Waabi’s cutting-edge system into our autonomous truck and jointly develop a safe, efficient, and scalable transport solution,” he said.

What this means to you

If you depend on deliveries or shop online, driverless freight could soon shape how products reach your home. These AI-powered trucks can operate longer hours than human drivers, reducing shipping delays and potentially lowering transportation costs.

Automation could also make highways safer by cutting down on fatigue-related crashes. With fewer disruptions from freight incidents, travel may become smoother for everyone sharing the road.

This collaboration highlights how artificial intelligence is moving from theory to production lines and changing the way goods move across America.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The road ahead for self-driving freight looks both exciting and uncertain. The progress made by AI-powered trucks shows how far automation has come in solving real challenges like driver shortages and delivery delays. At the same time, it sparks debate about safety, employment and trust in technology. As this shift continues, clear communication and responsible testing will help the public feel more confident sharing the road with these trucks. Change is already rolling out, and how we respond today will define the future of transportation.

When fully autonomous trucks start traveling highways nationwide, will the promise of faster and safer freight outweigh the economic and social changes that follow? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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