In January 2017, one such victim met a trafficker who was charismatic, funny and engaging. This meeting sparked what seemed like a hot leading investment prospect. The potential victim thought he would be able to clear his mortgage after investing £34,000 in Bitcoin. Unfortunately, this decision opened them up to a nest of lies, which plunged them into a catastrophic monetary sinkhole.
The conman vanished during the summer months but returned in September 2017, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the victim’s recent inheritance and ongoing home renovations. This sense of familiarity, though disconcerting, was alarming enough to convince the victim to stay on the line. The man, purporting to be based in London, promised the victim that his investment advice would deliver high profits.
By December 2023, the victim was met with a stark reality. Instead, an email notification told them that their case against the man was being closed, due to inadequate evidence. But the most painful revelation awaited the victim on New Year’s Eve. That’s when they realized that they had been completely duped.
“I will add you to my portfolio, then you will get more for your investment because wealthy people don’t spend money, they invest.” – Name and address supplied
The victim’s path to realizing he had been duped was paved with sadness and shame. As the parent of two sons, they experienced an even deeper sense of failure for failing to protect their emotional well-being. “The emotional impact of the fraud was crushing. It became particularly insufferable when I learned that the man shamefully disappeared a second time, once the facts eventually emerged.
After conducting personal detective work, the victim discovered that the man actually resided in Wales, far from his alleged London home. This newfound knowledge only exacerbated their sense of betrayal and befuddlement.