Experiences of Romance Scams: Zenya’s story
Now my life is back on track. I am looking for my dream house. It has at least six rooms and is located next to water. I have found a lovely house by the river in Sipoo. A seaside house in Porvoo is also a great option. There is also a rather charming house by the water in Kirkkonummi.
My dream is coming true. My teenagers, Herman, and the girls will each have their own room. Having his own study is really important to Herman. Remote work is an important source of income.
Three years earlier. I briefly return to the moment when I was sitting in a hammock. Next to me is a cup of coffee and my crutches. My knee is swollen, and I am adjusting my orthosis. At the same time, however, a smile spreads across my lips, and I am happy about this moment because I have met Eemeli – a straightforward man from Savo who said that now we are going to get our lives back on track.
Investing in cryptocurrencies
Eemeli is full of good ideas. He has started investing in an American cryptocurrency investment company, but his credit rating has gone down and he has no money.
I am debt-free and my situation is reasonably good. We make a deal to get a good return. This is a good place to start. Of course, I think about this a second and even a third time, but Eemeli has evidence, documents, and information that the company is reliable.
He also finds me a contact person—a woman whose late husband made a good investment. Everything has gone well. The company is stable and reliable. However, it has changed its name several times.
And now we’re off.
The only problem is that the trading manager has changed, and the new trading manager, Herman, is a very precise guy. He used to work at Deutsche Bank. Herman knows his stuff, but he and Eemeli don’t get along. Herman wants me to be the contact person because my English is pretty good. Herman also seems really happy with that.
Now Eemeli is starting to understand the situation better, as I have been explaining how this process works. I feel really important. The company has approved me as a financier, and when we receive the proceeds, we will share them equally. Sounds good.
My first investment at the end of 2021: I have worked hard and paid the required fees strictly. Of course, it is surprising that the pace of paying again and again is so fast. There are various reasons for this; there are tax payments and various other additional costs that always require additional payments.
When the situation starts to become difficult to pay, Herman says, ”Just take out a quick loan if you can’t get a loan from a regular bank, because it’s worth it. The returns you’ll get are so great that you’ll never regret it.”
Feelings deepen
Our collaboration is profitable, and all customers are satisfied. Life continues. Herman becomes dear to me. Herman asks if I am single.
Well, I am.
I tell him that I cook for my daughter. He also has two daughters. Our relationship deepens.
It gets deeper and deeper. Eventually, Herman calls me his loving wife. He also wants to talk to my mother, who is in a nursing home and in poor health. He becomes part of my family.
Herman always asks how my children are doing. I am truly happy. I feel that we are developing the family connection I have been longing for.
I have found a partner—a sensible and determined man who will get our lives and finances in order. We will have a good and wonderful life.
Herman reminds me, ”Don’t look at houses that are too modest, because we need space and a good life.” It is, of course, amazing that nothing will come of our meeting.
I have paid off my first investment, after which Herman says, ”Start your own investment, it will be good for you. This will help you get your finances in order, and you can then claim your first investment for yourself as well.”
Endless payments
Once again, I’m doing the work. The whole of next year will be spent paying, paying, and paying all the required payments. I don’t notice how much my debt has grown. When it’s time to pay me for my second investment, the company sends me a notice: ”We can’t pay you because we’ve decided to combine your investments, so your returns will grow again, but this requires a little more money.”
I am shocked, and at this point I file a criminal report with the Finnish police. I also file a report with the US FBI. But I feel really alone when I look at the amount of my loans and realize that the list is quite extensive; it includes Avida, Saldo Bank, TF Bank, Big Bank, Bondora, and finally Bluestep Bank, which consolidates loans.
I don’t accept any quick loans in my normal life. I don’t even understand how I got into this situation. My only loans have been a mortgage and a car loan.
Herman says that he can’t come this year either because he has a business trip to Buckingham Palace – the best traders have been invited there. But he has a plan to come to Finland from there, contrary to company rules.
He had a plan, but it didn’t work out.
The reality of being a victim of fraud
In this situation, I look at myself and long for help. I am alone. I have lost myself. I have lost my self-esteem. I realize and understand that I am a victim of fraud. The police still consider the investment to be potentially genuine, but they give me the contact details for victim support (Rikosuhripäivystys), which refers me to Romance Scam Recovery Project.
I have kept this situation a secret. I have been scammed, and I have rebuilt my entire life. I finally dare to talk to one friend and then another. This is important to me, because I am starting to feel really bad.
I don’t know what to do.
In this situation, I understand that the loss is great. I have received a total of ten dollars from the company for the investments I made over three years. Foreclosure is imminent. I look at the district court papers. I have lost the equivalent of my small house, my plot of land, and my car. I don’t know how I will manage. The process is still very much ongoing.
Writer
Zenya, Expert by experience, Romance Scam Recovery Project