SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Victim’s Stories: A Tale Of Warning From A Scam Victim
Once A Scammer Always A Scammer We Have Learned!
The following was posted as a comment on our website about never trusting scammers, even if they do pay you back!
We wanted to share it for everyone’s benefit!
A Tale Of Bank Fraud
By Dwight D.
[this was in response to another comment]This same thing has happened to me, a girl name Maria Lucki, supposedly from Amsterdam and Massachusetts (USA) but has proven to be a total fraud after squeezing me for about $300,000, paid by cash advances from my credit cards. She would then pay back my credit card companies with the online access I gave to her, using her “late father’s bank account”. She supposedly had about $60,000,000 in GOLD in a vault in Amsterdam that she could not redeem from her father’s estate unless she paid the storage fees, inheritance taxes and income taxes on the inheritance, none of which she could pay with funds from the sale of the gold, had to be cash, had to go to various accounts in the USA that would transfer to her through her shared bank account with her “uncle” in Dallas, Texas. She claimed she wanted to marry me and we would live happily every after, though we never met in person as of yet.
She paid back my credit card companies as soon as the cash transfer was made, from her father’s two accounts she supposedly had rights to, but no ATM card and no checks, so she could only make online payments. I was duped into thinking all was good because she was paying back my cards and it all looked legit due to that, but I got a rude awakening when suddenly the payments were reversed and I found myself on the hook for anywhere from $17,000 to $149,000 depending on the card. When I called each bank for answers how they could do this so late in the game (some where two months old already!), they said they have up to 90 days to cancel transactions if they were made from accounts that were unauthorized. Turns out she never had authorization , or that’s what she told my banks, anyway. So I’m on the hook for about $300,000 while she runs Scot-free, though I think there’s a team and I know she was doing business with men from Nigeria, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ohio, so it’s probably a ring of thieves with her as the head scammer. She uses the pics of a very famous Instagram model, who she claims stole her profile and pics and the Instagram site is run by her “ex-boyfriend” who supposedly stole about a million dollars from her as well; he’s in San Paolo , Brazil. The Instagram site is for Emanuelly Meclayne, with 490,000 followers. Maria Lucki (scammer) uses her photos when communicating and insists her identity was stolen by her boyfriend, who stole her pics when he broke up with her.
How could I be so foolish, you ask? She’s very, very crafty and slick. Fake driver’s license, fake passport, fake pictures, fake love notes, etc. She’s very guarded about letting out any ID because of her supposed identity theft. I thought she was legitimate when she started paying me back for about $35,000 I had initially lent to her. Much to my surprise I was totally scammed. She makes phone calls only when it appears she’s lost me entirely. Then when she talks I can barely understand her (she talks very fast and with a foreign accent which I think is African but it could be Dutch). She ends every sentence with “Baby” and “I love you so much”. She’s a talented negotiator and also very creative liar. The most obtuse stories of woe and abuse I’ve ever heard. Had me totally bamboozled despite friend’s warnings. I’m no dope, college educated, professional occupation, self employed for 30 years. I hope she is arrested and the whole lot that work with her, they must be making millions between myself and other victims as stupid as I was.
Some of the names she has working with her are: William Clark of Methuen, Masschusetts; Allen Barrett White of Dallas Texas; David Elliott, Iowa; Priscilla Barnett, North Carolina; john Noble, Ohio; as well as several corporate accounts I don’t have my hands on right now. All the money sent was via either Western Union (small amounts) or direct deposits to Bank of America accounts. She always wanted me to immediately send pics of the deposits to confirm they were made or electronic confirmations (if by Western Union). She claimed she could not open a checking account herself as she had ruined her credit with Bank of America when her boyfriend stole her identity and money and credit cards.
I am reporting her to the FBI of the USA and also on this site but I want to warn everyone: JUST BECAUSE SHE OR HE PAYS YOUR CREDIT CARD OFF, DOESN’T MEAN IT’S ACTUALLY PAID OFF. THE BANK CAN RESCIND THE PAYMENTS UP TO 90 DAYS AFTER THEY SUPPOSEDLY PROCESSED. I LEARNED THIS THE HARD WAY. DON’T THINK YOU’RE HOME FREE UNTIL 91 DAYS AFTER THE PAYMENT SUPPOSEDLY CLEARED THE BANK!!!
Thank you, Dwight, for an insightful retelling of your situation. We wish you all the best!
RSN Team
a division of SCARS
Miami Florida U.S.A.
Yes I too was scammed – doesn’t it bug the crap out of you?
END
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
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
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
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.
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