“I was scammed of almost $150,000 and weighed down by 8 bank debts”
By
Janelle Shi*
, 24 January 2022
Losing confidence in herself after falling prey to a scam, how would she ever start life anew?
More than three years ago, someone scammed me, making use of my kindness.
After establishing an online friendship with me, he sweet-talked me over a few weeks. Then he said that his wine business in Hong Kong was in trouble and asked to borrow money from me.
I let my guard down as I was transferring money to an account belonging to a Singapore bank. Then he got greedier and asked for more money.
“Do not give money to the man. He is a scammer!”
I did not tell anyone about this. I continued to send him money, fearing that I would not be able to retrieve the money I had sent earlier.
My mind was so clouded that I could not think straight. That was how the amount snowballed. I ended up losing close to $150,000 and owing debts to eight banks.
I travelled to Hong Kong to seek the truth.
One day as I was walking aimlessly along the streets, a man asked me for directions in English. I decided to show him the way to the restaurant.
As we were walking, he tried to tell me about Jesus, sharing his story of how God gave him new hope in life.
I told him that I was a Christian too, and shared in brief why I was in Hong Kong.
Then he told me: “Do not give money to the man. He is a scammer! There are many scammers functioning in this manner in Hong Kong.”
This divine encounter reinforced several red flags that had been raised in my mind.
The scam comes to light
Upon my return to Singapore, I received a screenshot of the scammer’s real identity from a friend who had conducted an identity search.
Surprisingly, I felt relieved rather than traumatised when the truth came to light. I made a police report that very day.
I could not explain the peace that I experienced. I could eat and sleep well and even work. I realised that this is the peace that God promises – a peace that transcends all human understanding.
However, I also started to question why such a misfortune had befallen me despite my faithfulness to God over the years. I felt like the character of Job in the Bible.
Three months after the truth was unveiled, I left church. I had lost all confidence in myself as a leader at church and at work.
My thoughts were filled with shame and guilt, and my spirit felt dead.
Surprised by love
I left church for three months, but continued to pray and went for healing sessions at another church.
I felt God touch my heart and spirit and fill me with His peace. He also showed me several things to distance myself from.
When I cried out to Him, God showed me three passages in the Bible, which I clung on to during that season.
1. Isaiah 61:3 — God’s promise that He would turn ashes to beauty.
2. John 14:27 – Surreal peace that I had never experienced before.
3. Acts 27 – Assurance that God would protect me in this storm just like how He had protected Paul when the apostle encountered a shipwreck.
At the time, I could not understand or picture what “beauty for ashes” meant. But as months went by, God surprised me by showing me His love and faithfulness in so many ways.
I was down to just $200 in cash when the scam was uncovered in July 2018.
As I prayed, God provided $2,000 in just two weeks: Within a week of putting up a spare room for rent, someone responded and paid me two months in rent. A fellow Christian also blessed me with $500.
My family, former church leaders and friends reached out to me and checked on my well-being every day. They also ensured that I had company every weekend. I was overwhelmed by their love, concern and help.
Finding life after death
Another turning point came when a friend passed on in December 2018.
On her deathbed, I felt prompted to lead a worship song. After we finished singing, her heartbeat dropped to zero.
On the final day of her wake, I asked God to give me a sign that she is safe at home with Him. A rainbow appeared directly above the venue. I was in awe of God’s presence and promise.
Reflecting on what had happened, I was thankful that God used me even though I was broken and lacked confidence. It woke my spirit, and I saw many blessings from God after that.
I also began to see God restore my life, turning ashes to beauty in many areas – my finances, my physical, emotional and spiritual health, and my work.
In 2019, I was given a very good bonus, and was also promoted and given multiple awards at my workplace. I also received recognition at national level.
My heart for those with special needs was inspired by that stranger in Hong Kong.
After all the mess that had happened in my life, a door opened for me to act on something that God had prompted me to do at work five years earlier. I was able to share this new idea and programme on nationwide platforms.
By 2020, I had settled into a new cell group and church. God led me to start a new mission in the new season of my life: Advocating for mental wellness and kindness, reaching out to victims of scams who are not coping well, and being a voice for the poor and people with special needs.
My heart for those with special needs was inspired by that stranger in Hong Kong. He had shared how God had given him hope despite his severe dyslexia and how God had restored his broken marriage.
In 2021, God also blessed me with a new home, saving me $200,000 in mortgage during the pandemic and a very competitive resale market. It was yet another example of how He provided for me.
I was the only potential buyer who viewed the unit right before the Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) measures kicked in. And as I stood along the corridor praying for a sign (unique birds) if I should buy the house, 25 pink-necked parakeets flew right past me.
I knew it had to be God. It was as if He had reserved this new house just for me.
As for the bank debts, I managed to clear them with a personal loan from my mother, saving me from paying interest.
Within two years, I was able to return the loan to my mum with my monthly salary and bonuses.
From scammed to secure
With God turning ashes to beauty in all areas of my life, I feel transformed and made new once again.
I have gained new opportunities, perspectives, purpose and mission, relationships, a house and so much more.
Loneliness can open up doors for us to be preyed on.
The scam has taught me several things.
Loneliness can open up doors for us to be preyed on, so it’s important to be emotionally and mentally healthy. We can also be kept safe when we belong to a spiritual family who can check in on us when we are feeling vulnerable.
But at the end of the day, it is only God can fully fill our empty hearts.
God does not promise us a life free from troubles, but He is faithful and promises that He will be with us and see us through if we keep our eyes on Him.
*Name has been changed to protect the writer’s privacy.
This is an adaptation of an article that first appeared in Thir.st.
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