Scammed

So when I wrote about how much I was looking forward to having adventures after all my pre-arrival drama, I had no idea that I still had quite a bit more excitement to go before I was to leave for Sweden unfortunately.

As some of you probably know by now, the lovely apartment we found in Lund turned out to be a Nigerian (go figure) rental scam. The landlord/scammer "Leyla" had pictures, a facebook profile, a real address, etc, but no actual apartment.

After wiring her over $800 for our security deposit and the first month's rent (a very stupid move in hindsight), we received an email saying her lawyer is insisting that we pay for all five months' rent. That is when the alarm bells started going off. In the middle of writing that there was no way I was going to send her that much money without seeing the place in person, I impusively googled her email address to see what would come up.

What I found was several websites (a swedish housing site, a much wiser exchange student blogger, and a site that warns people of scammers) saying to beware of a Leyla Pursharifi and the rental scam s/he has been running.

I felt physically sick. Not only had I lost a substantial amount of money that I did not budget for, but I was also leaving in two weeks without knowing where I would be living for the next five months. After calls to Western Union, my dad, and the Davis PD, it still did not feel real. The money was long gone, but I hoped that I would still be able to somehow get a room on campus (even though the deposit was due in June). I wrote my advisor a frantic email, and the next morning he told me that I would be able to have a room! So that was a huge relief, and I can see now that it was probably for the best that I was not supposed to live off campus.

The best part of this whole fisasco was that during the entire process of paying for tuition and figuring how much everything was going to cost, I was incredibly stressed out and anxious (ok, that wasn't the best part, but it's coming). I could not, for whatever reason, trust God with my finances. However, a day after we discovered that we got scammed, God completely took away all my worries about money. It is incredibly ironic that it took losing a bunch of money to realize that God is in control and that He is my provider, but that's what happened (although I definitely wish there was an easier way I could have learned that lesson!).

Here are the pictures of the very nice looking, completely fictional apartment.





And here are two emails that my Uncle and I sent, respectively, to Leyla after we found out.

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed in judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (Eccl. 12:13-14)


"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

"The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward." (Proverbs 11:18)

Please read the Bible verses I have written very carefully. Whoever you really are, God knows your name and address and even with your evil actions the Lord loves you and wants you to give your life to him. Turn to the Lord before your life ends and you face judgment. For the Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. May you be free from the lies and deceit that you have lived in and find your true freedom and riches in Jesus Christ. Instead of hurting, deceiving, and robbing people may you come to help your fellow man. May you have a change of mind that would come from a change of heart and may you give your life to Jesus. Turn from you evil friends and become a child of God and be a part of the family of God. He will forgive you and cleanse you if you truly repent and want to follow Him and walk in the light instead of darkness. "(You) will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of (your) yoke and rescue (you) from the hands of those who enslaved (you)." (Ezekiel 34:27)

"The Law (Bible) from your mouth (O Lord) is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." (Psalm 119:72)

I'll pray for you,
Rick
(Uncle of Rachel, a servant of God, who you deceived and stole from)

And mine (not quite as eloquent as my uncle):

"Leyla,"
Do not contact me any more. We know that you robbed us of our money. I was very hurt and angry, but I want you to know that I forgive you for stealing my money. I know that God will provide for me and that you will have to answer to Him someday. I will be praying for you-- there is so much more important things than money. it's not worth it.
Rachel