Chapter 3: Chapter 3
# Chapter 3
He complained that someone was tampering with his account and that he might end up deactivating it soon.
'' so how would we be communicating? '' I asked him.
'' why don't we move to WhatsApp, I think it'll be better that way and besides, the chances of my WhatsApp account being tampered with is very slim '' he replied and I felt rest assured.
'' sure, here's my number, +2349060974320 ''
I quickly sent my WhatsApp number to him and in less than 5 minutes I received a message from a number foreign number
'' +1 868-332-7926 { hi honey, it's me, Scott} ''
All my doubts and trust issues were cleared when I saw the number, this is really happening. He isn't fake at all.
We stopped talking on Facebook and concentrated on WhatsApp. Things went on as usual, we talked about his work, my training, life in Houston and quite a lot of things.
It was almost Christmas, people were busy getting things ready for themselves, friends and family. I had few days to finish my training, we (I and my other trainees ) were asked to make Christmas cakes as our final test. I was surfing the net, checking for some cake ideas I could use when I saw a message from someone I didn't know pop up on messenger, '' I need to talk to you about Scott Mills. It's really important ''.
I immediately abandon what I was checking and clicked on the message, anything about Scott was important to me.
The lady who sent the message was online at that moment, I quickly sent her a message '' what did you have to say about Scott? ''
'' my name is Monica, I don't mean to alarm you, I just want to help you, I don't want what happened to me to happen to you. What ever you wish to do with this information is your choice but I want to clear my conscience. Scott Mills is fake ''
What do you mean that? '' I asked, my heart was racing, I didn't understand what was going on. Was it some kind of prank?
'' please listen to all I have to say. It'll do you good '', Monica said
'' ok I'm all ears '' I replied trying my best to be calm. I went in an eatery, bought a bottle of water and a big piece of cake still watching the 3 dots indicating she was typing. I didn't even know what to expect
'' I'm Monica Griffith, I'm from Guyana, I met Scott Mills on Facebook about a year ago. He claimed to own an art gallery in Houston Texas and his mother and sister were at Florida, we became very close. He said he'd marry me and that he'll prepare for me to come over to Houston in 3 months, I was so excited that I'll start a new life. Everything went smoothly until he started asking for money. He said he came to Nigeria to do some things and that he ran out of money and can't touch his because the bank he uses wasn't in Nigeria
At first I sent 500 USD, 2 weeks later he asked again and I took part of my savings, this time a thousand dollars and sent. I've sent money up to 5 times to him, when I told my friend who once stayed at Nigeria about this, she said I should stop that he's a fraudster. I felt so stupid and disgusted with myself because I was too gullible and blind ' '..
'' I don't believe you. can I see a screenshot of the message you guys had and that of money paid '' I asked, I didn't know what to believe. It was too much to take in, I didn't know what I felt, pain, disbelief, fear
she sent the pictures to me, the name of the person the money was paid to was a Nigerian name. The bank's name was familiar, First Bank Nigeria.
This lady wasn't making things up, everything she said was true. She added that we weren't the only people who have fallen for the mysterious Scott Mills. '' If you want don't believe me, try making a video call when you guys are chatting or even a voice message, he won't respond. Ask him to make a 10 seconds video, saying your name, he won't do it because he'll get exposed '', Monica said.
'' how did you find me? '' I asked
'' 'people you may know' he's your mutual friend. I had to warn you in case he plans on duping you. My friend says people like him are called 'yahoo yahoo' ''.
I believed her.
Yahoo Yahoo is simply cyber crime. Yahoo boys are people who hack into people's account, be it bank, company, political stuff to commit fraudulent activities.
I couldn't say anything, I didn't even touch my cake. I lost my appetite, I had it wrapped up so I could eat it later. I felt numb, who was I talking with, if not Scott then who. I was too shocked to cry.
I never mention Monica to Scott, I wanted to give him the chance to prove me wrong.
'' let's have a video call babe, '' I said but he didn't respond. He ignored the message and kept saying what he was saying, something about his mom getting a new dog, I wasn't interested. I asked again and he bluntly said he won't. '' Why? ''
'' What does it matter if you see my face? ''
'' I just want to know how my boyfriend looks, I'm tired of looking at your profile, the picture seems old "
" look, it doesn't matter how I look. I have a friend at the embassy who's working on your documents, I'll give you his contact then you do whatever he wants"
Monica's words became clear to me now, 'Scott Mills is fake'.
I felt numb inside, I didn't confront him or say to him. I made him believe I was still in the dark, he kept talking about the scholarship and the rate at which my particulars were being done. I acted as if I was excited about coming to Houston.
He sent the number of the person who he claimed worked at the embassy, it was also a foreign number, how on Earth are they using a foreign number to defraud people on WhatsApp?
On Christmas day, I wasn't in a festive mood at all. While everyone were feasting and merrying, I snuck up to my room and revised for my exams. My brother must have noticed my mood and came to my room, '' Ukpono, what's wrong with you? Food is ready, come and take yours ''
'' I'm not hungry '' I mumbled
'' in case you forgot, it's Christmas ''
'' I know ''
'' there's fried rice and salad ''
'' I know ''
'' with fried chicken ''
'' I don't want ''
'' there's plenty soft drinks, wine, even palm wine ''
'' Ukeme is it by force to eat, leave me alone! ''
'' Ukpono are you okay? ''
'' get out now! ''
That night, 'Scott Mills' said he'll be very busy with my work and he won't be online for some days, '' sure, take your time '' I replied sarcastically. He could go to hell for all I care, I felt nothing towards him anymore, not even hate. I never heard from him for a whole year.
During that period, I did all I could to purge him from my system. Who is Scott Mills? And why do I have to destroy my life because of some fraudster? If it's my fate to get a foreign scholarship then I'll surely get it. That became my mantra, maybe if I said it more, I won't feel much pain.
I channelled all my energy preparing for JAMB, coming up March.
New year came and passed and so did my birthday, my family organised a small celebration for me. Valentine's day seemed like any other day for me.
my exams was in 3 weeks and I was fully prepared for it, I guess…
Time was flying at a very high speed and I was grateful. My examination day came and I was really ready this time, it was a 7 o'clock exams. I arrived the center about 20 minutes earlier, settled in, when it was time to start, I did it with confidence. They were 4 subjects for each candidate, according to what you're studying in the University. Mine were Use of English, literature in English, Government and Christian Religious Studies. I finished my 2 hours exams in less than an hour and left the hall before anyone else, our results were out in a week and I scored 266, the highest in my faculty that year.
In a month time, I received a congratulatory message from the school I applied, I'd been offered admission to study English education. I smiled, maybe this is what my fate really is. Throughout the remaining months, I did various things to pass the time, some financially beneficial, some for recreation.
Towards Christmas, I received a message from 'scott mills'. He was apologising for taking some time before reaching out to me, said my things were almost ready, it just needed some last minute touch.
He still believed I was stupid and naive and he could defraud me…