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SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ In Memoriam: Boyati Miskun
Indonesian Worker Kills Self After Internet Lover Scammed Her
From Our Archive: August 2015
Instead Of Finding Her Soulmate Online, She Lost $49,000 And Eventually Her Life.
Indonesian domestic worker Boyati Miskun was found dead on July 22, hanging on the stairway in her employer’s building in Ngau Tau Kok.
But months before, she had sought help from the Indonesian consulate and Helpers for Domestic Helpers (HDH) because Internet scammers from Africa were threatening her.
Miskun, age 42, hung herself after she was plunged into financial debts amounting to at least HK$ 49,000 just to pay the scammers.
Police cleared it was suicide and sent her body back to Indonesia.
“We’re afraid this involves international scammers because Boyati has sent the money to somebody in Ghana, Africa and to somebody else in Indonesia,” said Betty Wagner, the HDH officer who handled her case when Boyati went to the NGO asking help.
It Was All For Romance
In 2011, Boyati thought she found her soul mate when a scammer called.
A certain “David Mark,” who claimed to be a member of the US Army said he found Boyati’s handbag in Hong Kong International Airport and that it contained copies of her personal documents.
“Mark nicely asked Boyati to be more careful next time and, since then, they started to chat daily and became internet couple,” said Wagner.
Boyati fell head over heels for Mark. For more than four years, Boyati and her Internet lover used Facebook, emails, and telephone to chat at least once every day.
Boyati told HDH that they only chatted about personal things and Mark never once asked for money like what other Internet scammers would do.
As a domestic worker coming from a poor family, Boyati could not help seeing Mark as her “prince charming.”
Boyati started to change her email and Facebook into “Boyati Mark” and called the scammer “my husband.”
Although they never saw each other, not even by video chat, Boyati genuinely believed there was a handsome US Army man who loved her dearly.
Then, the scam began. In end of 2014, Mark suddenly said he was going to retire and that he wanted to spend his life in Indonesia.
Therefore, he used his Army salary to buy 75 kg of gold in Ghana, Africa and put the ‘gold certificate’ under Boyati’s name. The gold, Mark claimed, would soon be sent from Ghana to Boyati’s home in Indonesia.
Then another email came. This time, a certain Captain Samuel Friday asked Boyati for US$4,200, and then US$ 17,000 to pay “customs clearance tax.”
More threatening emails arrived, forcing Boyati to send the money so that she would not lose “the gold.” The more Captain Friday asked, the more she sent.
But in March 2015, Boyati was told that she failed to pay all of the ‘custom clearance tax.” Captain Friday emailed her that they took the gold back to Ghana and will send it to Hong Kong instead. This time, threats came.
Boyati was led to believe that she had to pay a British man called Christ Powell another US$17,000 for “customs clearance tax” to bring the gold to Hong Kong. Mr. Powell sent an email, threatening to kill Boyati and make it appear “like suicide if she refused.”
Filled with fear, Boyati went to the Indonesian consulate and HDH. She said she also received emails from “Hong Kong Security Board” which supposedly wanted her deported, murder threats from “Gold Security,” and a person who claimed to be a British diplomat and who accused her of “stealing tax money.”
Until the end, Boyati believed David Mark was innocent.
“She got angry when I said Mark is part of the scammers, and that it was impossible for anybody to send 75 kilos of gold to someone he only knew on the Internet,” said Indonesian Vice Consul Rafail Walangitan.
When an Indonesian consul visited her in Ngau Tau Kok two days in a row, Boyati was plunged into depression and refused to believe that she was scammed. All she wanted was to meet Captain Friday, to ask what happened to her gold.
“She also refused to change her phone number, email, and Facebook to ‘break up’ with Mark,” said Rafail.
Boyati later ignored calls from the Consulate and HDH. A month went by until she was found dead. “It was hard, she just did not want to listen,” said Rafail.
We will always honor and remember those that died as a result of scamming!
SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated.
Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org
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If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ In Memoriam: Boyati Miskun
Indonesian Worker Kills Self After Internet Lover Scammed Her
From Our Archive: August 2015
Instead Of Finding Her Soulmate Online, She Lost $49,000 And Eventually Her Life.
Indonesian domestic worker Boyati Miskun was found dead on July 22, hanging on the stairway in her employer’s building in Ngau Tau Kok.
But months before, she had sought help from the Indonesian consulate and Helpers for Domestic Helpers (HDH) because Internet scammers from Africa were threatening her.
Miskun, age 42, hung herself after she was plunged into financial debts amounting to at least HK$ 49,000 just to pay the scammers.
Police cleared it was suicide and sent her body back to Indonesia.
“We’re afraid this involves international scammers because Boyati has sent the money to somebody in Ghana, Africa and to somebody else in Indonesia,” said Betty Wagner, the HDH officer who handled her case when Boyati went to the NGO asking help.
It Was All For Romance
In 2011, Boyati thought she found her soul mate when a scammer called.
A certain “David Mark,” who claimed to be a member of the US Army said he found Boyati’s handbag in Hong Kong International Airport and that it contained copies of her personal documents.
“Mark nicely asked Boyati to be more careful next time and, since then, they started to chat daily and became internet couple,” said Wagner.
Boyati fell head over heels for Mark. For more than four years, Boyati and her Internet lover used Facebook, emails, and telephone to chat at least once every day.
Boyati told HDH that they only chatted about personal things and Mark never once asked for money like what other Internet scammers would do.
As a domestic worker coming from a poor family, Boyati could not help seeing Mark as her “prince charming.”
Boyati started to change her email and Facebook into “Boyati Mark” and called the scammer “my husband.”
Although they never saw each other, not even by video chat, Boyati genuinely believed there was a handsome US Army man who loved her dearly.
Then, the scam began. In end of 2014, Mark suddenly said he was going to retire and that he wanted to spend his life in Indonesia.
Therefore, he used his Army salary to buy 75 kg of gold in Ghana, Africa and put the ‘gold certificate’ under Boyati’s name. The gold, Mark claimed, would soon be sent from Ghana to Boyati’s home in Indonesia.
Then another email came. This time, a certain Captain Samuel Friday asked Boyati for US$4,200, and then US$ 17,000 to pay “customs clearance tax.”
More threatening emails arrived, forcing Boyati to send the money so that she would not lose “the gold.” The more Captain Friday asked, the more she sent.
But in March 2015, Boyati was told that she failed to pay all of the ‘custom clearance tax.” Captain Friday emailed her that they took the gold back to Ghana and will send it to Hong Kong instead. This time, threats came.
Boyati was led to believe that she had to pay a British man called Christ Powell another US$17,000 for “customs clearance tax” to bring the gold to Hong Kong. Mr. Powell sent an email, threatening to kill Boyati and make it appear “like suicide if she refused.”
Filled with fear, Boyati went to the Indonesian consulate and HDH. She said she also received emails from “Hong Kong Security Board” which supposedly wanted her deported, murder threats from “Gold Security,” and a person who claimed to be a British diplomat and who accused her of “stealing tax money.”
Until the end, Boyati believed David Mark was innocent.
“She got angry when I said Mark is part of the scammers, and that it was impossible for anybody to send 75 kilos of gold to someone he only knew on the Internet,” said Indonesian Vice Consul Rafail Walangitan.
When an Indonesian consul visited her in Ngau Tau Kok two days in a row, Boyati was plunged into depression and refused to believe that she was scammed. All she wanted was to meet Captain Friday, to ask what happened to her gold.
“She also refused to change her phone number, email, and Facebook to ‘break up’ with Mark,” said Rafail.
Boyati later ignored calls from the Consulate and HDH. A month went by until she was found dead. “It was hard, she just did not want to listen,” said Rafail.
We will always honor and remember those that died as a result of scamming!
SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: Boyati Miskun, Indonesian, Domestic Worker, Hong Kong, Suicide, Romance Scam Victim,
END
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Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
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All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide – SCARS/Romance Scams Now & SCARS/Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated (formerly the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams)
Legal Notices:
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.
SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated.
Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.