My 96-Hour Goose Chase

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A few days ago, I embarked on a journey I never imagined I would experience. It all started with a simple goal: to clear a small debt that had been weighing on me. I thought that taking a small loan would be the best solution to get back on my feet and settle everything. Little did I know that this decision would lead me into a 96-hour goose chase that cost me time, money, and trust.

I began my search for a loan online, and after some browsing, I came across a Finance company that seemed legitimate. I reached out to them, eager to resolve my situation. After completing all the necessary forms on their website, they informed me that my credit score was low and, therefore, I wouldn't be approved for the loan unless I paid an upfront amount equal to one month's repayment (450 AED). They assured me that this amount would be refunded once the loan was processed and credited to my account.

Naively, I rushed to the ATM to deposit the requested amount. Here's a breakdown of what followed:

First Red Flag:

1. Initial Payment (AED 450)

I was instructed by the company's so-called Audit Manager Ancya Ahamed(WhatsApp number: 0586343168) to transfer AED 442 to an account. The payment was made with the assurance that the loan amount would be credited to my account.

Bank Details:

  • Bank Name:   FAB
  • Account Holder Name: Ghulam Rasool Muhammad Rasheed
  • Account Number: 9381485890390001
  • IBAN: AE560359381485890390001

Second Red Flag:

2. Additional Payment (AED 1530)

After the initial transaction, I received a message from their customer service team Safwan Ahmed with WhatsApp number 971589164925 claiming there had been an error in the account details I provided. They then requested I pay a penalty fee of AED 1530 to clear the frozen amount from the bank. A different account number was provided. I complied, still believing that the loan would be processed and the money refunded.

Bank Details:

  • Bank Name: FAB
  • Account Holder Name: Dhirendra Giri Kashi Giri
  • Account Number: 1191006152236001
  • IBAN: AE700351191006152236001

Last Red Flag:

3. Tax Charges (AED 610)

To my surprise, I was then asked to pay AED 610 for tax charges, this time to an account at Adcb. Despite my growing suspicions, I paid the requested amount, thinking this was the final step before receiving the loan.

Bank Details:

  • Bank Name: ADCB
  • Account Holder Name: Pritam Mishra
  • Account Number: 13917219920001
  • IBAN: AE870030013917219920001

In total, I had paid AED 2,590.00 across these three transactions. At this point, the loan was nowhere in sight, and I was told I needed to pay an additional AED 305.58 to cover further fees. That’s when I realized I was caught in a scam.

I had initially sought a loan to clear a debt, but now I was in a deeper financial hole, having paid almost three times the amount I originally needed. I immediately requested a refund, but my requests were ignored. Realizing I had to take action, I reported the case to the police.

However, the process didn’t end there. To document the entire situation, I was advised to translate all communications into Arabic and consult a lawyer to file criminal charges. The stress, frustration, and hopelessness I felt during those 96 hours were overwhelming.

This experience serves as a harsh reminder of how easily we can fall prey to online scams, especially when vulnerable and desperate. My 96-hour goose chase was not just about losing money—it was about losing trust and feeling helpless in the face of dishonesty. What started as a simple attempt to clear a small debt turned into a costly, time-consuming nightmare. I now find myself in an even worse financial position, dealing with an additional loss of AED 2,590.00, and still without the promised loan.

I hope my story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone in a similar situation. Always be cautious when seeking financial assistance online, especially when promises sound too good to be true.

If you're ever in doubt, seek advice from trusted friends or professionals before making any payments. Be careful, and don’t let desperation cloud your judgment.

#ScamAwareness #LoanScam #FinancialLessons #TrustYourInstincts #BeCarefulOnline

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 13, 2024 at 1:42 PM

    So sorry to hear about your experience in the hand of this scams and thank you for sharing this for us to learn from it.

    ReplyDelete

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