Internet Alliance a Medium of Cyber Crime?

I knew of a ‘Child Woman’ I wish to call her so ..because she was 40 years old, yet a very sweet child at heart. To say that she had her shares of sorrows and woes in life, would be an understatement. She possess character and inner strength, that comes rare in these times. She has all the  essence of true woman. Her soul reflects and comes through every overt act she does in life…Well now to continue with the incident…

She was in that phase, where, nothing was working out..She left her home and country and came to the States in-order to start a new life. She registered for a master’s course and thought she was all set in life. but unfortunately,  terribly lonely and longed to find true love. Therefore, she decided to signup on some matrimonial website. She wrote 

“I am looking for a reasonably good looking man should hold masters degree and possess high integrity…I hate lies and know it to be a vice rather than a virtue.” She did after a few days receive interest from an exceptionally handsome looking man, claiming to be an Engineer. in his early 40s. What more? He just hated all lies and avoided such people. He also wished that she Love God and believe in God. Otherwise, there was no going further. 

It was like her dream being answered..he courted her online, used to call her everyday, made her feel like a princess in fairy tales, very romantic just like the mills and boons types. She an humble not so beautiful, ordinary, next door girl.. He well established, Handsome romantic, loving and God fearing. She assumed they were in love and made plans for marriage and life after marriage..this poor girl..finally felt she was blessed. He motivated her to study, exercise and above all pray. She went to church regularly and prayed..went for long walks to keep fit, ate healthy and dared to hope again.

One day she received an email from her prince, He was stuck in a contract, his equipment broke, and he had to make payments to workers(laborers) who depend on him for wages..since he had no way and means to correct the error, he had to do this unpleasant thing ..ask her money to help. Obviously she being student said she had no money and was funding her education from bank loans… all said and done he worked his way through and she sent him money not much …in our times but too much for her ($2000) mind you , it was her tuition fees…The result he was very pleased and praised her and said all those lovely endearing words…and how he would protect her once he is done with his contract and came and met her. He promised her, she would never have to work another day of her life. He would take care of all her problems. Interestingly, after few days she again receives call saying..he still needed money as his employer, had to transfer huge funds… and it was taking a long time, he understood she had no means to help him more..but would highly appreciate, if she could borrow from some one and he would pay them later with interest. My friend being the emotional person she is, tried her level best..but no one wanted to help..She then sold some gold jewelry she had and managed to collect the money and sent him in all about( $6000).  Again he was very grateful and felt she was a precious jewel, which he could never afford to lose. 

By now all her friends were angry with her for behaving so foolishly, and not expected of her. She said ” I have taken this risk knowingly, I trust him and believe in his Love”. He will come to me she said. A man, who has so much of positivity and goodness in him cannot conceive to cheat. Finally she asked him to visit her…initially he made excuses about his very busy schedule later relented. She waited, spent some money to buy her a decent outfit, in order to qualify to his standards, cleaned her home and waited..He said he could not board the flight …and some urgent things had come up hence would not make the trip..but to hold on to his love and Trust him. One day he said he wanted to chat with her online. She consented. He made her promise that she would always love him..She said she would and did. He said that he needed her to believe that he loves her above everything she said she does..Then he went on to disclose…

“I am not the person you think I am ..I am X but Z and I live not in California as I earlier said, I live in Nigeria. I am not  a US Citizen, I do not live in the States. I am not a Civil Engineer, I am jobless. I am very sorry baby, this is unpardonable..but this was a scam to cheat you. There are 3 people involved. Mr. X is in UK . Me and Y are in Nigeria…”

“I love you so much so I had to confess, you see! Your innocence and love changed me. I could not deceive you anymore.. Please don’t hate me”

My friend was stunned her world broke down…she could not react…  That fraud broke her last will to live..She was in state of confusion…how could she be wrong ..how could God be wrong how could the words he spoke from the bible not touch him even once, while he was deceiving her? these were questions which I hope she finds answers to eventually..

But the fact is in the name of dating and matrimonial sites, there are some smart con artists, waiting for the next prey.. So friends when you do sign up if you do, Please insist on personal contact or to come on webcam. I wonder what is the solution and how one should bring these crooks to book. The first step is stay alert second I would suggest is immediately report to the concerned website owners, thirdly register a complaint in the cyber crime branch. 

NB: From every bad event there is a good result… as in this article, the girl’s innocence motivated the man to confess and reform from the practice of cheating people. God uses his best disciples to serve him… So sometimes our pain is worth it..Is it not??

Sd Reema