The father of Lester Domínguez, a young Cuban, has once again reached out for assistance this Thursday in securing a surgery that could significantly improve the severe aftereffects his son has been suffering since a machete attack in 2023.
Dennis Domínguez announced on Facebook that over $13,000, previously tied up in a campaign linked to an alleged scam, has been successfully recovered after the account was frozen.
He explained that family members and close friends are renewing efforts to either secure a legitimate humanitarian visa or gather enough funds for Lester to receive surgical treatment outside Cuba.
Challenges and Hopes for International Surgery
According to Dennis, the recovery of the money happened following the freezing of the account associated with the questioned campaign. This information comes solely from the father and has not been independently verified. The new GoFundMe campaign suggests that the money never reached the young Cuban.
"Ultimately, it was a scam, a scheme that didn't succeed, because they froze the account, and through claims, they managed to recover the money donated for his cause, exceeding $13,000 USD," Dennis stated.
The alleged scam began in early August when a woman named Loraine from Las Vegas contacted Lester, initially offering him a phone and later claiming she had secured a humanitarian visa for him to travel to the United States. The authenticity of that visa was also questioned.
Public Alert and Emotional Toll
As doubts increased, Dennis publicly warned people against sending more money through the donation link. Days later, the family openly called out the deceit. A relative, Orion Cheo, urged donors to report the charges to their banks to reclaim their funds.
Lester himself released a video acknowledging the situation: "It seems I'm falling victim to a scam. I have nothing certain, no evidence, but everything is a bit confusing, and I'm asking you not to share the donation account link I posted a few days ago."
Dennis succinctly described the emotional impact on his son: "Now the boy is devastated." He added, "We apologize for the scam to Lester's supporters, who were seeking to improve the child's health, which continues to deteriorate, with self-esteem at rock bottom."
The Attack and Its Aftermath
Lester Domínguez Ortiz was 16 years old when he was attacked with a machete in San Germán, Holguín, on March 21, 2023, during a robbery where his phone was stolen.
The blow to his neck resulted in a spinal cord injury that left him in a wheelchair. His medical journey included severe complications such as mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy, bedsores, pneumonia, and bacterial infections.
In August 2025, Cuban doctors confirmed that he could undergo surgery to correct his vertebrae issue, but the operation never materialized due to a lack of resources. This led the family to explore the possibility of a surgery abroad, estimated to require at least $30,000.
This Thursday's announcement marks the family's attempt to resume that path following the significant setback of the alleged scam, hoping the recovered funds and a new legitimate campaign can bring Lester closer to the surgery he has awaited for over three years.
FAQs on Lester Domínguez's Situation and Surgery Efforts
What happened to Lester Domínguez in 2023?
Lester Domínguez was attacked with a machete in March 2023 in San Germán, Holguín, during a robbery, which resulted in a severe spinal cord injury leaving him in a wheelchair.
How was the alleged scam involving Lester Domínguez uncovered?
The scam was revealed when doubts arose about the authenticity of a humanitarian visa promised by a woman named Loraine. Dennis Domínguez publicly warned against further donations, leading to the family denouncing the scam.
What are the current efforts to help Lester Domínguez?
The family is actively seeking either a legitimate humanitarian visa or sufficient funds to allow Lester to undergo surgery abroad, with the hope of raising at least $30,000.