Yeah I have been scammed more than twice. I recently got scammed of $46 worth of LTC. I wanted to sell my LTC for fiat in a hurry, so I got scammed.
It felt bad for a while but I got over it and I learned an important lesson. I just pray it doesn't repeat itself again.
Why you did not use exchanges...

I was once scammed in an investment site but only a small amount. Now, I am very vigilant if it give big interest.Something that promise too much return is a scam. Anonymous people or dummy that offer investment is a scam. Go with known people as possible, with known track record at least in my opinion, they are less to become a scam.