When she finds out she has been scammed, she can hardly believe it. The emotional damage is significant. “It has led to a lot of pain and sadness.” Marloes is now doing other work because she has still not recovered from the blow.
She talks about how her trust in others became a weapon against her. “What makes you so beautiful as a person – that you are kind – is then used against you. I was very lonely after that.”
Many more victims
Marloes is by no means the only one who was duped by such a ‘freelance job‘. According to Roxy Meints-Spaargaren of the North Holland police, it is a growing problem.
“We also call this pig butcheringa form of investment and relationship fraud. Criminals play on emotions, mainly on the emotion of fear, but they also come up with confusing stories about the latest technologies.
She emphasizes that victims receive small financial successes, which makes them think it is correct. “But then there are obstacles along the way and people keep asking for more money. And this is the point where you are plucked bare.”