URGENT UPDATE: A Scots author, Paul Henderson, has fallen victim to a devastating publishing scam, losing nearly £5,000 as he sought to share his harrowing experience with Covid-19. The 60-year-old, who was two hours from death and spent 30 days in an induced coma, is now fighting to recover from the emotional fallout of this crime.
Henderson, from Heriot in the Scottish Borders, contracted the virus in March 2020, leading to severe complications including double pneumonia and pleurisy. After regaining consciousness, he faced the daunting task of relearning basic skills and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder due to his traumatic hospital experience.
His journey of survival inspired him to pen a book titled ‘They’re Trying to Kill Me’, focusing on the vivid hallucinations he experienced during his coma. “I started to write page after page as I remembered more and more things,” Henderson explained, detailing nightmares of being chased by gangsters and subjected to horrific scenarios.
In a desperate bid to publish his story, Henderson turned to an online company that promised exposure on Times Square billboards. He made five payments totaling £5,000 between July 2022 and February 2023. However, the company soon demanded additional funds, threatening to publish his book anonymously unless he complied. Realizing he had been duped, Henderson connected with other victims online who had faced similar scams.
“I was really gutted. I felt like giving up the book,” he said. The scam robbed him not only of his hard-earned money but also of a planned 30th wedding anniversary trip to Morocco. “I felt terrible telling my wife the news,” he added.
Determined to recover his losses, Henderson contacted the National Fraud Helpline. Their legal team successfully reclaimed nearly £3,000 from his bank, Santander, which had failed to question the suspicious payments. Adam Beach, a lawyer from the National Fraud Helpline, expressed relief at the recovery, stating, “Scammers have no scruples and will take advantage of anyone they can.”
Henderson’s book was eventually published in June 2023 by a legitimate firm, Michael Terence Publishing, at a much lower cost of £750. This experience has heightened awareness about self-publishing scams, especially as authors face increasing challenges in securing traditional book deals.
Henderson urges fellow writers to exercise caution: “I would advise anyone looking to publish their work to be incredibly careful before sending money.”
As this story develops, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities many face in the quest to share their stories. The emotional toll of such scams is profound, leaving victims not just financially compromised but also mentally strained. Henderson’s resilience in the face of such adversity remains a beacon of hope for others navigating similar challenges.
