It's really dishearting to imagine how the victims feel after this. Being so vulnerable to someone you trust only to learn it was a ruse all along to scam you is probably one of the most awful feelings I can imagine, on top of the missing money.

It can take quite a bit of effort to convince them they've been scammed. The usual reaction is "You did what?! I was sending money to a loved one. How dare you!" They then have to give the sender a sense of the evidence they have, etc.

And some percentage never believe it and remain upset. And will then resend the money through other channels.