"They were going to pay for everything, the apartment, for rent for everything; all we were going to pay for was food," said scam victim Javier Angel.
The men had heard through word of mouth about work at a fishery in Alaska that paid $18--20 dollars an hour. But they were told the trip would cost them $500 dollars that would later be reimbursed. Neither Javier nor Gustavo had the money, so both sold their cars and said goodbye to their families.
Javier said, "I was all happy, I sold my car, took all my clothes, and for them to leave me in the side of the street with nothing... And coming back home and not even have a pair of socks to wear."
That's because, according to Javier, about an hour into the trip, the man they paid, pulled over at a gas station along HWY 99 in Madera County. He told them and another female traveler had to use the restroom because he wouldn't be stopping again until they reached Seattle.
Instead, the man left them, keeping their money and all their luggage.
"As soon as we got off, they just took off."
The Madera County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case. They hope surveillance cameras at the gas station and the Sanger Walmart may help lead them to the suspect.
Gustavo says that while he's angry about what happened, he's glad he and his friend had not been hurt.
"We knew we were taking a chance, but there's just no work around here," said Gustavo Castillo in Spanish, "I said goodbye to my wife and kids, I was so excited about that job"
The only thing Javier has left is the rosary his mother gave him to protect him on the trip that never happened. He's upset and embarrassed, but hopes other will learn from his experience.
Javier said, "The reason I called you guys is because I don't want this to happen to other people, because they left me with nothing."
