THE SCAMMER'S GAME

I received a message on my business Instagram page around 11 pm, just as I was about to drift off to sleep. The sender, a stranger, inquired about my services, and I replied, expecting a potential transaction. Our conversation flowed smoothly, and he placed an order for delivery the following day.

As we chatted, he expressed his desire to meet me in person, citing his curiosity about the person behind the business. I agreed, and we arranged to meet at a shop in town. When I arrived, he greeted me with a charming smile and sparkling white teeth. We conversed in his car, discussing business and the economy. He offered to buy me lunch, and I accepted.

Our conversation lasted over an hour, and before parting ways, he asked if we could stay in touch, despite having no immediate business together. I agreed, and we began a friendship that eventually led to him confessing his love for me. I asked for time to consider his feelings, but he grew impatient, insisting on daily meetings and constant communication.

One evening, he begged me to visit him, claiming he wanted to show me where he lived. We drove to a fuel station, where he encountered issues with his mobile payment. He asked if I could cover the GHC765 fuel cost, promising to reimburse me later. I hesitated but eventually agreed.

As we arrived at his residence, a luxurious house that seemed newly occupied, I felt a sense of unease. He cooked dinner, served with wine, and encouraged me to drink more. I declined, sensing something was amiss.

When I prepared to leave, he begged me to stay overnight, citing loneliness and a desire for companionship. I relented, but only after he assured me of his good intentions.

The next morning, we ventured out to purchase essentials, but he encountered another "financial emergency." He asked me to cover the GHC1,200 cost, promising to refund me later. I realized too late that I had fallen into a scammer's trap.

As I left his house, I felt relieved to have escaped unscathed, but my wallet was lighter by GHC600. I never heard from him again, and he blocked me on social media.

A week later, I visited his "residence" with a friend, only to discover it was an Airbnb. We laughed at the absurdity of the situation, and I realized I had dodged a bullet.