“Michael is typing…”

I quickly open our chat, watching as he sends the message through. We’ve been chatting for a week straight now. He’s really nice and attractive. On his profile, he says that he enjoys adventures and is always open to trying new things. I love that he’s so open and honest, he even gave me a few tips on my research paper but he doesn’t want to meet up or anything. He asked me to pay for his flight to come meet me and he told me he’s still sorting it out but it’s already been a few days.

“Hey, sorry for the late reply but the money didn’t go through, could you send it again?”

“How was your day?” he adds.

The money didn’t go through? I swear I saw the five hundred dollars disappear from my bank account.

“Are you sure? Haha, I swear I sent it,” I type, trying my best to appear as friendly. I hope he doesn’t get mad or anything.

“Yeah, if it’s an issue, I could try to pay half if that’s ok?”

“Sure!” I venmo him two hundred fifty dollars. After sending him the money, we continue chatting about my classes and what I’m doing for the day until he has to go to his job. I go onto my Venmo, checking my transactions. I swear the money went through the first time.

“You paid Michael Henry -$500.00”

“You paid Michael Henry -$250.00”

Did I just get scammed?