You're not the only one got scammed with platforms as you mentioned... My self got scammed few months ago by the organization for traveling, same story as yours, get all my friends in to it, my family, I make the first $$$ and never get paid ... We must be careful what we are get involved with. However, Steemit is the right place to be and right thing to do ... lets forget on everything and keep steemit :) Love you Steem folks