Love, money and deception - Marie's fight against an online fraudster | DW Documentary

Summary

Marie, a German woman, fell victim to an online romance scam, losing 130,000 euros to a man using a fake identity. Her journey to Nigeria for justice unfolds as she uncovers the scammer's true identity and faces him in court. Despite the emotional turmoil and legal setbacks, Marie's determination to confront her scammer and seek restitution is a testament to her resilience. The story highlights the psychological impact of such scams and the complexities of international cybercrime.

Takeaways

• 💔 Marie, a German woman, lost 130,000 euros in a 'romance scam' where she was deceived by a man using a fake identity.
• 🎣 The scammer used a typical 'catfishing' approach, making Marie believe in a genuine relationship before exploiting her financially.
• 📝 Marie has records of all the transfers she made under the scammer's pressure, amounting to substantial losses.
• 🕵️‍♀️ Despite the odds, Marie managed to uncover the scammer's true identity, which led her to seek justice in Nigeria.
• 📅 The scam began in 2018 with an innocent-looking message on Instagram, escalating into a deep emotional connection.
• 👤 The scammer portrayed himself as a divorced businessman with children, leveraging Marie's trust and vulnerability.
• 💰 The scammer manipulated Marie psychologically, initially asking for small amounts of money and gradually increasing the demands.
• 🇳🇬 Marie's pursuit of justice led her to Nigeria, where she faced unexpected delays and adjournments in the court process.
• 🗣️ Marie's experience with the German police was initially unsupportive, highlighting the challenges faced by scam victims in seeking help.
• 🔍 Marie's determination led her to gather evidence and expose the scammer's network, even engaging with Nigeria's financial crimes authority, EFCC.
• 🎨 The ordeal deeply affected Marie emotionally, using painting as a therapeutic outlet to regain her sense of self and clarity.
• 🔮 The script also delves into the cultural aspects of scamming in Nigeria, including the role of 'Juju' practices and the community of 'Yahoo Boys'.

Q & A

Who is Marie and what happened to her?

Marie is a German woman who lost 130,000 euros in an online 'romance scam'. She fell in love with a man using a fake identity, which is a typical scam known as 'catfishing' where fraudsters trick victims into believing they've found true love and then cheat them out of their money.

What is the significance of Marie working out the scammer's true identity?

Marie managed to identify her scammer's true identity, which is a rare achievement for victims of such scams. This allowed her to seek justice and confront the scammer in a Nigerian court, which is an unusual step that most victims are unable to take.

Why did Marie travel to Nigeria?

Marie traveled to Nigeria to seek justice for the money she lost in the scam. She came to a court in Nigeria to confront the man who scammed her and to possibly recover her lost funds.

What was Marie's initial impression of the man she met online?

Marie initially found the man charming and apologetic, as he introduced himself as a businessman wanting to collaborate with her. She was flattered by his compliments and didn't initially contemplate that the relationship might be fake.

How did the scammer manipulate Marie psychologically?

The scammer manipulated Marie by ghosting her after she questioned his request for money, causing her to worry and feel anxious. This psychological tactic made her more susceptible to his demands and less likely to question his actions.

What was the scammer's strategy to gain Marie's trust?

The scammer's strategy included sending fake documents like a passport, promising to pay her back quickly, and sharing personal stories to create an emotional bond. He also used the tactic of 'conquest mode', showering her with compliments to make her feel special.

What challenges did Marie face in the Nigerian court?

Marie faced delays and adjournments in the Nigerian court, which initially did not sit on the day she expected. She also had to deal with the uncertainty of whether the scammer would show up for their arranged meeting.

How did Marie's experience with the police in Germany affect her?

Marie's experience with the police in Germany was negative; they did not take her situation seriously and even made fun of her, which added to her feelings of guilt and self-criticism.

What role did the Nigerian EFCC play in Marie's case?

The Nigerian EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) was informed by Marie about the scammer and his network. They arrested the scammer, and their involvement helped expose the scam operation.

What is the significance of the Juju priest in the scammer's life?

The Juju priest is significant in the scammer's life as they provide spiritual support and prayers for the success of their fraudulent business. The priest is seen as a 'spiritual father' figure who can influence outcomes through rituals and prayers.

What was the outcome of Marie's court hearing in Nigeria?

The court hearing in Nigeria went well for Marie, as she was able to present her evidence and make her statement. Although the man had not yet been found guilty, Marie felt a sense of relief and release from the ordeal.

Outlines

00:00

💔 Marie's Ordeal: Falling Victim to a Romance Scam

Marie, a German woman, lost 130,000 euros to an online romance scam. The scammer, using a fake identity, manipulated her emotions and coerced her into transferring money. After discovering his true identity in Nigeria, she seeks justice, traveling to Abuja for a court confrontation. The psychological manipulation she experienced left her feeling isolated and deceived, as she recounted the scammer's tactics and her gradual realization of the fraud.

05:04

⏳ A Delayed Justice: The Nigerian Court System

Marie arrives in Nigeria, only to face delays in the court proceedings. The court session is postponed due to the judge’s absence, leaving Marie frustrated after traveling from Germany. Despite the setback, she receives a call from the scammer, arranging to meet later. The uncertainty of whether the man will show up adds to her anxiety, reflecting the ongoing psychological warfare he wields over her.

10:06

🚨 A Flawed System: Marie's Frustration with Police Inaction

Marie reflects on her initial attempts to seek help from the police, who dismissed her concerns and belittled her. She criticizes the slow and ineffective investigation process, highlighting the challenges of international cooperation in fraud cases. Her encounter with law enforcement left her feeling abandoned and exacerbated her feelings of foolishness and regret for falling victim to the scam.

15:09

🖌️ Finding Peace Through Art: Marie's Healing Journey

Marie uses painting as a way to cope with her trauma, describing it as emerging from the fog of deception. She recounts how she began to see through the scammer’s lies, eventually gathering enough evidence to expose him. Her determination led her to involve Nigeria’s financial crimes authority, resulting in the arrest of the scammer. Despite the emotional toll, Marie's perseverance in uncovering the truth marks a significant step in her recovery.

20:14

🔮 The Power of Juju: Confronting Superstition and Fear

Marie delves into the cultural practice of juju in Nigeria, particularly its influence on scammers. After receiving threats involving a voodoo curse, she visits a juju priest to understand the ritualistic elements. The experience, though unsettling, diminishes her fear, allowing her to continue her pursuit of justice. Meanwhile, her guide, Solomon, interacts with local scammers to gain insight into their operations, providing a glimpse into the criminal underworld.

25:15

⚖️ Facing the Scammer: The Final Confrontation in Court

Marie returns to Abuja for the rescheduled court hearing, where she must present her evidence against the scammer. The emotional intensity of confronting someone she once trusted is palpable, as she seeks to reclaim her dignity. The court proceedings mark a crucial moment in her quest for justice, offering a sense of release and closure. Marie’s experience in Nigeria challenges her preconceived notions, restoring her faith in the possibility of recovering her lost money and moving forward with her life.

Keywords

💡Romance Scam

A romance scam is a type of fraud where perpetrators create fake identities to form emotional connections with victims, ultimately deceiving them into sending money. In the video, Marie fell victim to a romance scam, losing 130,000 euros to a man who pretended to be a businessman from Italy and the US but was actually based in Nigeria.

💡Catfishing

Catfishing refers to the act of pretending to be someone else by using false identities on the internet, often to deceive others into forming a relationship. The term is used in the script to describe the scammer's method of tricking Marie into a fake online relationship, which is a central theme of the video.

💡Fraudster

A fraudster is an individual who commits fraudulent activities, particularly for personal gain or to deceive others. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe the scammer who cheated Marie out of her money, emphasizing the criminal aspect of the scam.

💡Psychological Manipulation

Psychological manipulation is the act of influencing someone's thoughts or behavior for one's own advantage, often through deceit or coercion. The script describes how the scammer used psychological manipulation to exploit Marie's vulnerabilities, such as her depression and desire for companionship.

💡Out-of-Court Settlement

An out-of-court settlement is a resolution of a legal dispute where the parties involved agree to settle the matter privately, without going to trial. The video mentions Marie and the scammer agreeing to meet with their lawyers to discuss an out-of-court settlement, which is a significant step in her quest for justice.

💡Victim Support Organization

A victim support organization is a group or charity that provides assistance to victims of crime, often offering emotional support, advice, and resources. In the script, Marie meets with Karl Fraass from the German victim support organization 'Weißer Ring', highlighting the role such organizations play in helping victims cope with their experiences.

💡Juju

Juju refers to various forms of traditional African religion involving witchcraft and the use of amulets and charms for protection or to cause harm. In the video, Marie visits a Juju priest to understand the cultural context of the threats she received, showing the cultural aspects intertwined with the scam.

💡Yahoo Boys

Yahoo Boys is a term used in Nigeria to describe young men involved in internet fraud, often using romance scams to deceive foreigners. The video script introduces a group of Yahoo Boys, providing insight into the social phenomenon and the operations behind such scams.

💡Emotional Dependency

Emotional dependency is a state where an individual relies heavily on another person for emotional support or validation. The script describes how Marie became emotionally dependent on the scammer, which played a significant role in her susceptibility to the scam.

💡Faith and Spirituality

Faith and spirituality are concepts related to belief in a higher power or the spiritual aspect of human experience. Marie's faith is highlighted in the video as a source of strength and a means to cope with her ordeal, showing the personal and emotional journey she undergoes.

💡Cybercriminal

A cybercriminal is an individual who commits crimes using the internet, such as hacking, identity theft, or online scams. The term is used in the script to describe the scammer and to reflect on the broader issue of cybercrime, which is a central theme of the video.

Highlights

Marie, a German woman, lost 130,000 euros in an online romance scam and seeks justice in Nigeria.

The scam, known as 'catfishing', involved a man using a fake identity to trick Marie into believing in a romantic relationship.

Marie provides records of the money transfers she made under the scammer's psychological manipulation.

Despite the odds, Marie discovers the scammer's true identity, revealing he is in Nigeria, not a businessman from Italy and the US.

Marie's emotional journey is highlighted as she prepares to confront the scammer in person in a Nigerian court.

The initial court date is adjourned, illustrating the challenges and delays in the pursuit of justice.

Marie's encounter with the scammer at the courthouse, where he promises to meet but doesn't show up, demonstrates his deceitful nature.

An out-of-court settlement is considered, but the scammer's reliability remains uncertain.

Marie's experience with the German victim support organization 'White Ring' shows the emotional impact of being scammed.

Marie's first contact with the police was met with dismissive attitudes, highlighting the lack of understanding of online scams.

The complexity of international cybercrime investigations is underscored by the slow response and need for treaties.

Marie's visit to Nigeria includes a meeting with a Juju priest, revealing the cultural aspects tied to scamming practices.

The scammer eventually shows up for an out-of-court discussion, a significant step in Marie's pursuit for retribution.

Marie's emotional healing process is depicted through her painting, symbolizing her journey out of the scam's fog.

Marie's persistence leads to the scammer's increasing carelessness, providing clues to his true identity.

The scammer's network is exposed through a distinctive fountain in a video, leading to his arrest by Nigeria's EFCC.

Marie's visit to Benin City exposes the scamming workshops and the 'Yahoo Boys' culture, offering insight into their operations.

An anonymous interview with a scammer boss reveals the business model and emotional conflict of the scammers.

Marie's court appearance in Abuja is a pivotal moment, where she seeks to regain her dignity and confront the scammer.

Marie's successful court statement signifies a release and a step towards overcoming her fears and the scam's effects.

The prosecutor and Marie's new lawyer offer support, indicating the importance of a strong legal team in such cases.

Marie's reflections on her experience in Nigeria and the people she met challenge the stereotypes associated with the country.

The hope for the recovery of Marie's money and the pursuit of justice concludes the narrative on a positive note.

Transcripts

This is Marie

a German woman who lost 130,000 euros

in an online “romance scam”.

She’s come to a court in Nigeria seeking justice.

In 2018, Marie fell in love online

with a man using a fake identity.

It was a typical romance scam sometimes called “catfishing”.

Fraudsters make victims believe they’ve found true love

then cheat them out of their money.

These are all records of the transfers I made.

I felt under enormous pressure.

1,750, 1,000, 1,400, 1,900... I feel completely stupid.

It’s unbelievable what you end up doing in that situation.

Most victims never see their money again,

and many perpetrators never get caught.

But Marie managed to do something few victims can:

she worked out her scammer’s true identity.

He was supposedly a businessman with a good life from Italy and the US.

When I exposed him, I found out he was in Nigeria.

Now, Marie is set to meet the man in person for the first time

in court in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

I'm really nervous, because I'm about to look him in the eyes.

Marie’s ordeal began in 2018, with a short message.

I set my Instagram account to public to reach more people for my business.

A short time later I got a message that said:

Hello, beautiful.

Hope I don't bother you.

I thought it was nice because he apologized for disturbing me.

So we started chatting.

That was the first picture he sent me.

He introduced himself as a businessman who wanted to collaborate with me.

This is him with his son.

At this point it got more personal

and pretty quickly he told me his backstory,

that he was divorced and caring for his children.

Then this kind of picture came along.

He quickly went into conquest mode, telling me I was beautiful,

that I was such a strong woman.

Of course, I was flattered.

To begin with I didn’t want to contemplate

that it might not be real.

Marie was suffering from depression

at the time but didn’t want to burden her family.

The man saw his chance.

He suggested trips to the Bahamas and other places.

I loved the idea of going to the States or having coffee

with him by the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Stuff like that.

Marie gradually began to trust the man.

Before long, they were chatting every day.

Then he asked her for money.

All my alarm bells were ringing.

I thought: Oh, he wants money.

But I was shocked because it wasn’t like that,

it didn’t feel like it could actually be a scam.

He was like, no, how can you say that?

You should know me by now.

After that he ghosted me and didn't get in touch.

Which made me worry.

That's how he was able to manipulate me, psychologically.

Marie asked for a copy of his passport as security.

I didn’t notice that it was fake.

He promised to pay her back quickly.

I thought, okay

it’s “just” 1200.

Not that that’s nothing.

But it would just be a one-time thing.

But things didn’t stop there

Back in Nigeria, the court case is supposed to have begun.

I’m just waiting here on my own.

Marie's lawyer is also wondering why things aren’t getting underway.

What is happening?

As you can see the court is not sitting today.

The judge is in a conference and all cases slated

for today have been adjourned.

The registrar is giving us a date in November.

So we will have to write an application

to the court for an earlier date.

There’ll be no hearing today,

even though Marie traveled all the way from Germany.

Wow.

It’s very different to Germany.

And nobody seems that upset or bothered about it.

It seems Marie may have missed her chance to confront her online scammer.

But then this happens:

Hey, how are you?

Where are you?

At the courthouse.

Where are you?

I want to see you.

Come to me.

Whereabouts are you?

Come to Courtroom 12.

He just called and asked where I was.

And I asked him the same thing.

He said he was in the courthouse and wanted to know which room I was in.

He's on his way.

I’m nervous.

My heart’s pounding.

But the minutes tick by, and the man doesn’t appear.

That’s not him.

More lies.

This psychological warfare is typical for him.

He gets in touch, promises something and then doesn't come through.

Hello, where are you?

You want to talk to me?

Yes, I want to see you.

I want to look into your eyes.

Okay.

You bring your lawyer also.

Okay, bye.

Bye.

See you.

Marie and the man agree to meet in the evening.

Together with their lawyers, they’ll discuss an out-of-court settlement.

But there’s no knowing whether he’ll actually show up.

Before leaving for Nigeria,

Marie met with Karl Fraass

from a German victim support organization called Weisser Ring

or “White Ring”.

She told him about her experience.

To begin with I might have been emotionally dependent.

Then it turned into something more like being a prisoner.

I wanted to get out, but I couldn't.

One thing’s for certain.

You’re not to blame in the slightest.

We work on so many criminal cases and we know that every perpetrator

is specially trained when it comes to the way they talk to you

and everything else.

They charm you.

They make you feel secure.

He was there at a time when I needed help, when I wasn’t doing well.

He filled the void I was feeling.

He knew what he was doing.

He groomed you.

I felt paralysed.

Everything hurt…

You’ve been through so much.

Sorry.

No need to apologize.

I have such respect for what you’ve decided to do.

If everyone had that courage, the scammers wouldn't stand a chance.

You have to pass on your knowledge to the general public.

Marie first contacted the police at the end of 2018.

But they didn’t take her seriously.

Now, she’s decided to try again.

Hello.

I’m Officer Kraus.

Can I sit?

Of course.

Back then the policeman couldn't do anything about my situation.

He couldn’t help me, and in fact he made fun of me.

That was a real slap in the face,

because I knew myself that I’d been stupid,

and I’d already been really critical of myself.

To then hear the police say,

You’ve been such a silly girl

It wasn’t what I would have expected.

The police could have offered to help me then and there,

filed a complaint and encouraged me to file one.

If they’d acted properly back then,

I’d probably have got out of the situation much sooner

and I wouldn't have lost so much money.

I can tell you that if a complaint is made in this matter,

we will investigate.

That doesn’t answer the question of why the investigation

was so incredibly slow when I filed the complaint.

I couldn’t understand it, because I passed everything on to the police,

all the fake documents he sent me, chat transcripts and so on.

Why does the victim have to do the detective work themselves?

Why can’t the police do it?

As soon as it becomes about another country it gets very difficult,

because you need law-enforcement treaties.

We’re working on that, but sadly we’re not yet at the point

where we can call somebody in Nigeria and say,

We have this case here.

See what you can do.

In the German state of Bavaria, police received more than 450 reports

of online romance scams in 2023 alone.

All in all, scammers took around 5.3 million euros.

Faith has always been a part of my life where I can lift myself up

and draw strength.

I’ve lit a candle because I prayed for protection for the trip to Nigeria,

and also to give thanks that I made it through the last five years.

In Nigeria, the court hearing has been postponed

and Marie doesn't know whether the man she met online will show up

for their arranged meeting.

If she gets stood up again, her whole trip will have been in vain.

Does she think he’ll still come?

He might, but I’d say it’s unlikely.

I’ve been calling the lawyer who’s representing him,

hoping he could join us.

The lawyer has been giving me excuses and is no longer picking his phone up.

And that shows they were never serious with meeting.

Too bad.

I wrote that I’m here, but he hasn’t responded.

37 Durban Street.

OK, we’ll be there soon.

Thank you.

No problem.

Thank you.

Will he come? No! Really?

The lawyer said they will come.

He will come.

I'm expecting a tall man to walk in,

to be able to look him in the eyes and see that he is really lying.

And my biggest hope is that we can agree

that he’ll give me my money back as soon as possible.

This time, the man does show up together with his lawyer.

Both want their faces blurred on film.

It was a case of sitting opposite him and really giving him

a piece of my mind.

You could sense that he had done something bad.

He looked at the floor, he looked away.

He was subdued and quiet.

He used to shout at me when something didn’t happen the way he wanted.

Now he was like a dog with its tail between its legs.

I do actually think he showed remorse.

But it’s still not clear whether Marie will ever see her 130,000 euros again.

Marie is still dealing with the emotional effects

of what happened in 2018.

Painting allows me to get away from my problems and find peace.

I’m trying a picture where there’s a landscape emerging from the fog.

That's how you feel when you’re being scammed.

You’re enveloped in this fog.

And I’m beginning to emerge from it.

As the ordeal went on, Marie began to see things more clearly.

Later, when I knew he was a scammer, I asked for more and more photos.

It started getting ridiculous.

In this one he just photoshopped the head on top

it doesn’t look real at all.

At some point he was in hospital for an operation.

He sent this picture.

I called and emailed the hospital and they said

they didn’t know of any such patient.

That was a gut-punch.

But Marie kept playing along with her scammer.

She even gave him more money so as not to lose his trust.

Eventually, she persuaded him to have a video call.

And there was this guy looking at me.

I told you, I have to pay the fee, then you'll get your money back.

You pay 1,750 US dollars tomorrow and then you'll have it back soon.

The man got increasingly careless.

Marie was on the verge of discovering his true identity.

He was actually relieved that he no longer had to lie.

He sent me a whole lot of photos of himself, his family and friends.

He also sent a video.

In the video, he and his cousin

and some friends are walking by an elephant fountain.

The fountain is quite distinctive.

So I took a screen shot and used Google image search to find it.

It’s near Obiaruku in Delta State in Nigeria

a place called McCarthy Beach.

Marie was able to expose the man and his network.

She informed Nigeria’s financial crimes authority, the EFCC.

This is what the EFCC posted after they arrested him.

Back in Nigeria, Marie’s quest isn’t over yet.

We've come to Benin City because it's a hotbed of fraud.

You can even take workshops here to learn the best methods to scam people.

I’m here to get a sense of how it all works.

This is Solomon.

He’s going to help me stay safe, and also show me places

where there are scammers.

But first, Marie and Solomon decide to visit a Juju priest.

One of his friends got in touch and threatened me.

He told me that if I didn't pay, a voodoo priest

would curse me and my family.

It really upset me.

I was scared.

Marie’s decided to find out for herself what’s behind the practice.

First, the Juju priest demonstrates his supernatural powers.

To prove his power, they stuck two brooms together

and lifted me up with them,

even though you might expect them to come apart.

Of course I know the physics behind it.

It's not magic, just physics.

What would you like to do? Kill him?

I don’t want to hurt him.

We don’t want to harm them, she only wants her money back.

Juju rituals are common in Nigeria.

The significance that the juju priest has for the scammer

is the power that they get from the juju priest.

The priest is like their spiritual father.

They come to him in the name of business.

They say: Papa, I have a business, and I want you to help me,

to pray for this business to succeed

And the father he prays for them.

It seems that the man who cheated Marie out of her money

also has his own juju priest.

To break the spell, Marie is told to cook some yam.

The priest says that she’ll get her money back in three days.

It looks nice, but it doesn’t have much of an effect on me anymore.

The fear I felt before has subsided.

Let’s see if the magic works.

Maybe on Sunday when I’m in the plane I’ll check my bank account

and see that the money’s arrived.

Marie still wants to find out more about how the scammers operate.

But she has to cut short her trip to Benin City,

because there’s surprising news from Abuja…

The court will be sitting at 9am Nigerian time tomorrow.

I met with the judge today again, who said that her sitting is 9am.

We’ll see you tomorrow in court.

Thank you, bye.

Thank you.

It looks like the court hearing is happening after all,

so Marie is heading back to Abuja.

But her helper, Solomon, remains in Benin City.

He’s made contact with a group of scammers.

In Nigeria, they’re known as Yahoo Boys

a term for young men who want to make a quick buck online.

Their boss is willing to give an anonymous interview

about his business.

Hello.

Hello, gentlemen.

We just want to get information from you on these activities.

Here’s where we hustle.

We call it hustle.

These men work day and night.

Always at work on the internet.

We call it bombing.

Foreign clients.

These boys are looking for money.

I get them from anywhere, like from the streets.

In this country there’s no work.

So the youth are suffering on the streets.

So I want to make something for myself.

When the money comes, we share it 60, 40.

They take 40, I take 60.

I teach them what to tell the clients.

That’s how it works.

What’s your name?

My name is Tami.

Okay, I’m Howard.

She said,

‘Okay, nice name’

That’s how I would go about it, like you introduce yourself.

Hi, hello, how’re you doing?

You look beautiful.

How’s your day going?

The conversation starts from there.

We use false pictures.

Can you see Howard?

If they know you’re from Nigeria they will not respond to you.

They will not.

My real name is Thomas.

But I use Gina.

She’s a white lady.

We are not happy doing it.

Sometimes we feel sorry for them.

Most times we feel sorry for them.

Our hearts is not stone.

Sometimes we feel remorse of what we do.

Meanwhile, Marie is back in court in Abuja.

I’m weak at the knees, my heart is pounding.

I just hope I can get through it.

The man hasn’t yet been found guilty in court.

It feels strange because I have to present all the evidence.

And because there used to be sympathy and understanding and maybe also love.

But it’s clear he's been lying to me the whole time.

I gave him so many chances to tell the truth.

He never did.

Only little by little after I was able to prove I knew who he really was.

I trusted him and he took advantage of me.

I want my dignity back.

Before giving evidence in English,

Marie talks to the prosecutor and her new lawyer one more time.

I’ll do my best.

It won’t be good if I’m nervous and worked up and I can’t concentrate.

What will happen when I need to cry?

You cry, if you need to cry.

Take your time, just relax.

Sorry.

With the hearing about to start, we have to take our cameras outside.

Later that afternoon, Marie is relieved.

Her statement in court went well.

It was such a release.

Because I was finally able to let go of everything.

A week ago, I was still so scared to be here.

I still felt trapped.

But all the prejudices have evaporated.

Nigeria’s a really friendly country and I've met some great people.

I’m glad that she has had the experience,

because now she sees that not everybody in Nigeria

is a cybercriminal.

I’m really hopeful for the end of the case

because I believe we’ll be able to recover most

if not all of the moneys and also get justice in the case as well

Coming here has definitely been worth it.

Little by little, I’m getting back to being the old me,

the person I was before I was scammed.