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Just when I thought thing everything in my life was getting better I have had to take another knock

Posted , 4 users are following.

michael_37726
michael_37726

Hi everyone

I have been on hear a lot recently talking about coming off my meds after 32 years and it been really hard but now completely off for two weeks and was starting to feel better and more positive about my future then something really bad has happened today and knocked me sideways. I have found out that I have been the victim of a scam, it's all a bit of a long story so I will try to keep it short and simple. Just over a year ago I joined a Internet dating site and found someone that was very interested in me which was great because I have been single since my divorce 15 years ago. We messages each other all the time and arranged to meet up somewhere but she said it would be best to leave it for a week as she had to go on a so called busness trip to Malaysia as she has a fashion design company and was going there to buy some fabrics. Anyway I sad that's fine and looking forward to meeting up when you are back home, then I didn't hear from her for 2days and thought it odd as she was messaging me about 4 times a day before that. When she did message me she said that she was having problems with customs because she was suppose to pay export tax for her goods and they wouldn't let her out of the country till she had payed for it. She said that she didn't have enough money to pay for it and asked if I would be able to help so I said ok how much will you need and she said 8k. I said I don't have that kind of money so said in sorry but that's not possable. Then the next day she sad she had been to the British consulate and they was helping her. To cut a long story short she then said that she would just have to pay a fine then pay the tax when she was home so now only needed £800 for the fine so I sent it to her and she sent me her flight details as was coming home the next couple of days. I went to the airport as she asked me to meet her there and start our so called romance. She never arrived I then got a message saying that because of what happen with customs ect she had to pay more money for the flight as she had missed the original one and needed another £200 to get another flight. I sent the money and to cut a long story short she says she is still there and been there for over a year now coming up with reasons that one problem has lead to another and needing money all the time and like a mug I keeped sending it to her 10k so far. I have found out through some investigations that she is a scammer using the sweetheart scam as that call it at the fraud office. All that money I sent was from loans I took out and I have lost the lot and now have to pay it back with massive interest and I'm out of work and don't have a penny so I just don't know what the bloody hell to do I feel completely broken and want to end my life to be honest. It's not just the money it the fact that I have been so bloody foolish and was thinking with my heart and not my head. According to the fraud office this is what they do, they make out they love you and send a photo of themselves but actually the photo is not really them it's some other very attractive lady and then the trap is laid. I'm completely devistated and especially at Xmas time, I can't even afford to buy my sons card let alone a present. Sorry this is all so long and boring but I felt I needed to talk about it to people that care 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • lucy159
    lucy159 michael_37726

    Posted

    This really is a terrible thing that has happened to you...and it's easy to look back and see what you could have done differently. I think the only thing you can do is walk away and be thankful that you are a good person unlike this scammer!! You can't change the past, only learn from it and be wiser in the future. This doesn't mean closing your heart, just being a bit more cautious. I hope you manage to get your financial situation sorted eventually. I'm sure you're not the only person who has fallen victim to people like this - we all need to be loved - and if the scam didn't work then the fraudsters wouldn't use it - lots of people have been fooled like this so remember you're not alone x
    • michael_37726
      michael_37726 lucy159

      Posted

      Thanks Lucy

      It's a shame that there are such nasty people in this world especially ones that take advantage of vulnerable people like us that suffer with this illness. I just can't believe that someone can be evil enough to do such a thing to me when I had told her about all my issues with depression, anxiety and also the fact that I'm a recovering alcoholic. She saw me as a soft touch and used that to her advantage I suppose. To be honest I actually feel sorry for her because she must have some kind if mental problem to do this to men. Maybe she is a drug addict or something and that's the real reason she does this, I suppose I will never know. Still I have learnt my lesson know and will never send money to someone I have never met in person. It's just been the most awfull year for me because not only that has happened to me I am self employed and have had two clients not pay me for the work I done for them so have also lost a lot of money in earnings on too of all this. I just have to find the strength to get through this and not end up hitting the bottle because that will be the end of me for sure 

  • linda13954
    linda13954 michael_37726

    Posted

    Mike,

    Just when you think life can't get worse, it does!

    There are many scammers out and people who are good hearted enough to give them what they ask for with hopes that it will work out for them in return.

    You sound like a very good person and unfortunately have been taken advantage of.  Such a shame.  Tomorrow is another day and with each new day comes new surprises.  I hope you may find some golden surprises to keep you going.

    • michael_37726
      michael_37726 linda13954

      Posted

      Thanks Linda

      I guess I have to try hard to move on from this and put it down to a very bad experience 

  • lucy159
    lucy159 michael_37726

    Posted

    Good luck Michael, you've come along way and overcome so many challenges that I bet you're strong enough to cope with this smile
    • michael_37726
      michael_37726 lucy159

      Posted

      Yes I will get through this I'm not going to let that b"""rd ruin my life 
  • anne240
    anne240 michael_37726

    Posted

    Michael I am so very sorry.  We read about this thing a lot, but never expect it to happen to us.  I can't believe there are such nasty people in this world. 

    I have given up going on internet dating sites as they are such a disappointment.  We look for love, of course we do.  Hard being alone.  Well I am resigned to being alone now.  You may still find love, I hope so. 

    • michael_37726
      michael_37726 anne240

      Posted

      Please don't resign yourself to being alone, after what I have been through I have been thinking the same thing but hell no why should I let that nasty bitch put me off. There are some very nasty people out there but there are also some very nice ones too. So don't give up, being depressed is a very lonely thing as it is so I think it's better to have someone nice that cares about you and someone that you can share your problems with rather than just struggling along on your own x
    • michael_37726
      michael_37726 anne240

      Posted

      You asked about what the herbalist recommends well the thing is I don't really know because I had a consultation with her and told her all about my history with depression and anxiety and that I have stopped all my meds recently. She made up a bottle of herbal tincture for me but didn't say what was in it she just said that all the ingredient are known to help. In fact I would be interested to know what's in it myself so am going to ask on my next appointment.ps she did mention about it containing St. John's wort as she was a bit concerned about me having it as it has a small amount of alcohol in it and I'm a recovering alcoholic and she was worried that it might set of a craving for me to drink again. She said it should be ok if I dilute the tincture in hot water as it burns the alcohol off so I said that fine. I know it will be ok as I have had food that has been cooked in wine before and it hasn't affected me in any way 
    • anne240
      anne240 michael_37726

      Posted

      I am finding over the counter tablets with passion flower, valerian and hops is helping me.  I tried St John's Wort and 5HTP, but they did not have any effect.  I take quite a few other supplements, and am coping well after being on anti depressants for over 20 years. Been without medication for 17 months now, which is the longest I have gone before the depression returned. 

      Hope the tincture helps you Michael.  Wouldn't that be great? 

      I do hope too that you are getting over that nasty episode.  I find loneliness very difficult to deal with.

    • anne240
      anne240 michael_37726

      Posted

      I have children and grandchildren and a dear friend, so not entirely alone.  I also have my dear cat who is a comfort.  It is another heartbeat in the house, so IU don't feel entirely alone.
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