UPDATE: A Scots Covid survivor has lost nearly £5,000 in a shocking publishing scam while trying to share his near-death experience. Paul Henderson, 60, was just two hours from death during his battle with the virus in March 2020, spending 30 days in a coma and on life support.
Henderson, who lives in Heriot, Scotland, faced severe health challenges after contracting Covid-19, including organ failure and a tracheostomy. As part of his recovery, he began writing a book titled ‘They’re Trying to Kill Me’, detailing the horrifying hallucinations he endured during his coma. “I had these horrible dreams where lots of people were trying to kill me,” he recounted, illustrating the psychological toll of his ordeal.
In a desperate attempt to publish his story, Henderson fell victim to a fraudulent publishing firm, paying them in five installments from July to February. They promised extensive advertising, including on billboards in Times Square, but later demanded more money and threatened to publish his work anonymously. Realizing he’d been scammed, Henderson reached out to other victims who shared similar experiences.
“I was really gutted. I didn’t know what to do. I felt like giving up the book,” he said, reflecting on the emotional blow of the scam. The financial loss not only affected his publishing dreams but also derailed plans for a special 30th wedding anniversary trip to Morocco with his wife.
Henderson took action by contacting the National Fraud Helpline and solicitors to recover his funds from Santander, which had failed to question any of the payments. His efforts led to a refund of nearly £3,000 through a no win, no fee law firm. Adam Beach, a lawyer at the National Fraud Helpline, stated, “Scammers have no scruples and will take advantage of anyone they can.”
Despite the setback, Henderson’s book was eventually published in June by a legitimate UK-based publishing company, Michael Terence Publishing, at a cost of about £750.
As scammers increasingly target aspiring authors, officials urge caution. “With book deals increasingly hard to get, there are a number of self-publishing scams about. We would urge anyone to be incredibly careful before sending money,” Beach warned.
Henderson hopes his story will resonate with readers and serve as a cautionary tale for others. His journey from the brink of death to overcoming fraud reflects resilience and the power of storytelling.
