Yesterday, my day started in a way I could never have imagined. My phone rang early in the morning, and I saw it was one of my closest friends. I could tell something was wrong by the tone of his voice; he sounded rattled, even scared. He had just been the target of a scam, and though he managed to avoid falling for it, the experience shook him deeply—and it left me questioning a lot of things.
It all started with a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be a police officer and told my friend that his phone number was involved in some suspicious activities. When my friend, rightfully, said this couldn’t be true, the caller suggested that his identity might have been stolen and was being used for illegal purposes. The caller sounded serious, convincing, and even had details about my friend’s PII’s—like his Aadhar number and bank account. He was told he needed to resolve this “case” either by traveling to Mumbai or joining a video call. Feeling anxious, he chose the video call.
On the video call, he was shown what looked like a real police station. A man, pretending to be a high-ranking officer, informed him that his bank accounts would be frozen due to the “criminal activities” linked to his details. He was then asked to transfer all his money to a “secure” account to keep it safe. At this point, my friend realised something wasn’t right, confronted them, cut the call and blocked the number immediately. When he told me what had happened, I was horrified—not only by the scam itself but by the lengths to which people would go for money.
Out of curiosity, I searched online and discovered that this type of scam is not rare. With the rise of technology, criminals are finding newer, smarter ways to deceive people, using fake identities, deepfake videos, and voice manipulation to trick people into handing over their money.
When Did Money Become the Focus?
This incident got me thinking: why has money become the root of so much trouble? Sure, we all need money for basic needs like food, shelter, and health. But beyond that, why has it become the main focus of our lives?
Money started as a way to make life easier. Before money, people relied on bartering, trading items like food or livestock for other essentials. Eventually, coins and paper money were introduced, then digital currencies and cryptocurrencies. Each step simplified exchanges, yet somewhere along the line, money stopped being just a tool and became the ultimate goal. Today, it feels like our lives revolve around earning, saving, and spending money—even when it comes at the expense of our happiness and well-being.
Take luxury items, for example. A Rolex watch and a regular watch serve the same purpose: they tell the time. Yet society attaches enormous value to brands like Rolex, making them symbols of status and success. When you wear one, people may see you as wealthy or accomplished. But isn’t it strange? The watch itself hasn’t done anything; it’s our perception of wealth that makes it valuable.
Wealth and the Pyramid of Society
If we picture wealth as a pyramid, the very top is occupied by a small number of extremely wealthy people who control most of the world’s resources. Meanwhile, the rest of us—millions of ordinary people—make up the base. This gap between the ultra-rich and everyone else is massive and keeps growing. And this division has created a society where people are often judged by the weight of their wallets.
Consider how banks treat someone with $1,000 versus someone with $1 million. Not just banks—many places tend to treat the wealthy with utmost respect, as if their wealth alone makes them more admirable. It’s not that being rich is wrong; the point here is the gap in treatment, the different standards we apply based on someone’s financial worth.
Does Money Actually Lead to Happiness?
There’s a common belief that money can buy happiness, but it’s not that simple. Sure, having enough money to live comfortably can reduce stress and provide security. But beyond a certain point, the endless pursuit of more money can lead to stress, long work hours, and strained relationships.
How many stories have we heard about families torn apart by inheritance battles or people who sacrificed friendships, health, and family time in pursuit of money? People often push themselves harder and harder, hoping that if they earn a little more, they’ll finally be happy. But once they reach that “more,” it never seems to be enough. The cycle goes on, and in the end, this endless chase often leaves people feeling empty.
The Cost of Our Obsession with Money
Our society has become so focused on money and fame that it’s changing our values. Companies prioritize profits over people, and many of us, consciously or not, evaluate others based on their financial worth. This obsession has serious consequences. People lie, cheat, and sometimes even harm others just to get more. The recent scam that targeted my friend is a clear example of how far people will go for money. The criminals on the other end of that call didn’t care about his life or peace of mind. To them, he was just a potential source of cash.
What’s happening to us as a society? Have we lost our moral compass? Every day, we see people fighting, hurting each other, and destroying the environment—all in the name of money.
Finding Balance: A Healthier Approach to Money
Maybe it’s time to rethink our relationship with money. Instead of viewing it as the ultimate goal, we could see it as a tool to help us live well, connect with others, and create meaningful experiences. Money can make life more comfortable, but it can’t buy true happiness, health, or a sense of purpose.
Imagine if we focused on what truly matters: spending time with loved ones, helping those in need, pursuing passions, and finding joy in simple things. If more of us valued these over financial success, perhaps we’d live in a world with less fear, fewer scams, and more kindness.
In the end, money is just paper and numbers. Its true value lies in what we choose to do with it. So let’s use it wisely—to support each other, to spread joy, and to live fully, instead of letting it dictate our lives.
