My Scam Story #10

A Romance/Pig Butchering Scam Victim/Survivor’s Story

Survivor’s Origin: POLAND

This is the original victim’s story, enhanced by the SCARS Institute Editorial Team to improve comprehension, readability, and continuity.

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My Scam Story

On May 1, 2023, I received a message on Instagram from a man who introduced himself as Mark. He told me he was originally from Ulverston, England, but was temporarily in the USA on a work contract until June, specializing in building and automotive design. Additionally, Mark mentioned he owned a real estate agency and actively engaged in cryptocurrency trading through platforms associated with FOREX and FX Binary Mates. Initially, the interaction seemed friendly and casual, but it quickly intensified.

Within just five days, by May 6, our communication transitioned to WhatsApp and became more frequent and emotionally intense. Mark began making strong declarations of love, suggesting our connection was destined by fate. He expressed deep sentiments, claiming I was created by God specifically to be his wife and repeatedly emphasized that I was the true love of his life.

As our relationship grew more intimate, Mark began discussing future plans in great detail. He promised a new life together in the United States, insisting he would help me become financially independent. To facilitate this, he introduced me to an investment program. He asserted that this program would enable me to build enough financial strength to leave my husband and start a new life with him in America. We imagined long holidays, marriage, and managing a real estate business together. I was deeply invested emotionally and believed fully in the life he promised me.

Mark guided me through investing money into his proposed scheme. At first, the process seemed legitimate, as I observed initial profits appearing in my online profile. These profits appeared to multiply substantially, but every time I attempted to withdraw the earnings, there were unexpected complications. I was repeatedly asked to pay additional fees—supposedly necessary taxes, transaction charges, or account activation fees—to release my funds. Each time I complied, but no actual money ever arrived in my account.

Initially, I managed these transactions secretly, driven by promises and reassurances from Mark. As my personal funds were depleted, I began taking out loans to cover these escalating expenses, believing the investments would ultimately secure our future together. The situation worsened, forcing me into deeper and deeper debt. Eventually, I could no longer secure loans on my own. At this critical point, I had to seek financial support openly, which meant involving my husband. He was shocked and confused, unaware until then of my secretive investment activities.

While we awaited approval for a mortgage loan that required my husband’s consent, Mark claimed he traveled to Florida to personally oversee my investment account and ensure the profits would finally be transferred. He maintained consistent communication, continually reassuring me that everything would be resolved soon. When the mortgage loan was approved, I again transferred the required amount via an ATM, still hopeful, still believing in Mark’s promises. But yet again, the promised profits failed to materialize.

Throughout this period, our relationship seemed genuine and serious. Mark frequently discussed our future plans, even showing me engagement rings to choose from. He spoke openly about his desire to marry me soon and the beautiful life that awaited us. We even made detailed plans for an extended vacation, plans that unfortunately never came to fruition.

As months passed without receiving any returns, Mark began providing new excuses. He claimed he would gain full access to substantial earnings once he returned home to England. When the promised funds still did not appear, he began expressing financial difficulties himself. He asked me for money to cover various urgent needs, such as airfare to return home and additional fees to access his frozen accounts. Despite my growing doubts and financial strain, I felt emotionally trapped and continued providing him with the requested money.

Eventually, Mark’s repeated failures to deliver on promises became impossible to ignore. My debts had become overwhelming, and relationships with my husband and close friends were strained due to my secretive actions. Mark continued pleading with me, vowing he would prove his love, even dramatically suggesting he was willing to sacrifice his life for me. Despite my emotional attachment and the ongoing manipulation, I began to recognize the harsh truth of my situation.

Finally, overwhelmed by debt and emotional exhaustion, I reported the incident to the police. By then, I had lost approximately $45,000.00, a devastating financial and emotional blow. Despite blocking Mark multiple times, he persistently found ways to reconnect, repeatedly making promises to win me back.

Discovering that Mark had stolen another person’s identity added another painful layer to my trauma. Confronting the real profile of the innocent individual whose identity had been exploited intensified my grief and confusion. The realization that the person I had emotionally bonded with was not just fake but had involved someone else’s stolen identity made the experience even more devastating. I found myself repeatedly revisiting this real person’s social media account, struggling to accept the harsh reality.

To this day, I battle severe emotional distress and self-doubt. Coming to terms with being deceived and manipulated so profoundly has been incredibly challenging. My trust in others has been deeply damaged, and the emotional wounds remain open and painful. Sharing my story is difficult, but I hope it serves as a warning and offers comfort to others facing similar circumstances, letting them know they are not alone.

SCARS Institute Notes:

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