In an unexpected twist, two bitter poker rivals set aside their differences to expose a social engineering scam that exploited their mutual dislike. Benjamin “Blank Check Ben” Lee and “Wes Side” Wesley Fei found themselves embroiled in a complex web of deception. Their journey from rivals to allies in uncovering this elaborate scheme serves as a cautionary tale on the dangers of online fraud.

The Attacker Employed Clever Tactics

The story began on 4 September when a WordPress website titled “Uncovering Wesley” emerged. It claimed to be authored by someone who had fallen victim to a $250,000 cryptocurrency scam involving Wesley Fei in 2022. The blog also alleged that Wesley had sent individuals to burglarize the accuser’s home.

Benjamin Lee, an outspoken rival of Wesley, then received a message from the accuser via Instagram. The victim intended to expose Wesley’s alleged wrongdoings but claimed he first needed financial support as he had supposedly lost his entire life’s savings. Initially, Lee trusted his instincts and declined to get involved.

Lee’s Resistance Gradually Eroded as He Sent More Funds

A few months later, the accuser approached Lee again, revealing that Wesley had offered him $35,000 to unveil Lee as the “instigator of a character assassination campaign.” Concerned about the potential damage to his reputation, Lee decided to wire the other person $2,500, believing he was also an innocent victim.

The situation only escalated from there. The alleged victim presented himself as Russell Thamer, a London-based financial recruiter, and demanded more money. He offered evidence of Wesley’s involvement in immigration fraud for $100,000. Despite initial hesitation, Lee relented. However, Thamer pressed on, claiming he was facing threats, possibly from associates of Wesley.

He manipulated me with a victim story that exploited my sympathy and strong hatred for injustice. He also took advantage of my personal dislike for Wesley.

Benjamin “Blank Check Ben” Lee

Fearing for his safety, Lee hired a security firm and transferred an additional $28,000 in cryptocurrency to Thamer. However, the poker pro had grown suspicious, deciding to share his experiences with Ryan Feldman, co-owner of Hustler Casino Live. As Lee and Wesley compared notes, the two players discovered they had been manipulated against each other and that the supposed evidence did not exist.

The Scammer Is Still at Large

Thamer had attempted similar tactics on Wesley, who fortunately did not fall victim to the scam. In response to his role in the deception, Lee publicly apologized to Wesley. The two players’ shared ordeal brought them closer, and they have since put aside their differences and forged a budding friendship as viewers eagerly await their return on Hustler Casino Live.

I have already twice apologized to Wesley for my part in all this. His reputation has suffered for no reason other than that I was gullible enough to be manipulated by a fraudster.

Benjamin “Blank Check Ben” Lee

According to Lee’s latest tweets, Thamer continued to blackmail him, threatening to increase incriminating information. This ongoing story presents a stark reminder of the dangers of online fraud and social engineering, proving that nobody is safe from manipulation. However, the events also demonstrate the importance of vigilance and collaboration in uncovering and combating such fraudulent schemes.

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