What's the worst scam you've fallen for (or gotten close to falling for)?

When I was younger, like 15/16, I was working a job in a stone quarry during my spring break. Long days, hot sun but all cash and made decent money.

One of my neighbors whom I would briefly speak to all the time wanted to borrow some money. I think it was $400 or something. At that age, I wanted to help out and I wanted seem cool, so I lent it. He asked for a bit more and more and eventually it ended up to about $1100. My neighbor said their paycheck was coming 'next week' and could easily pay me back.

Next week never came. I followed up with the neighbor and they said something happened to their paycheck but the money was coming. He then said a showing of good faith, he'd give me his payslip as proof and that I needed to get it back to him so I he cash he check. Stupid me knew something to was up but because I was naiive and impressionable, I told him I trusted him and I'll await the money.

I managed to get his number and I called to follow up again, but he had some girl answer the phone and when I asked to speak to him, she said, "Oh he's getting cookies right now..."

A week later the phone was disconnected and then I didn't see him for a while. I then moved out of the neighborhood.

Eventually I saw him a few years later and mentioned about the money that he owed me but he 'wasn't sure what I was talking about'. I long since before then realized the money was gone. Expensive lesson but that's a story of how I got scammed.