Description

I am sadly writing because I have been a victim of a scam/fraud by someone who had stole a friend of mine identity on facebook (his picture too) so at that time I didn't know that and the imposter ( who I thought was my friend) had me apply to the Corporation of National Community Service (CNCS) a Government Grant. And come to find out he and the Agent Richard Henry (the imposters friend) representing this Government Agency frauded me into sending $39,486.30 in gift cards over 2 years (Sept.14, 2020 thru Sept.29,2022)! After I finally saw my friend Sept.29, 2022, he said it was not him! Being scammed is an awful feeling and I feel pained and discombobulated everyday! I filed a police report in Blue Island, Illinois on 10/7/22, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on 10/18/22, Internet Fraud & Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) on 11/15/22 and the Illinois Attorney General Crime Victim Compensation Program on 11/3/22! Even this crime victim program stated on the police report that it was for violent crimes.....however I think it's violent in a serious unhealthy emotional way and can also become physically unhealthy from the distress and stress of losing money this way that I need at my senior age of 72! Even thou I used my ***** debit card to purchase the gift cards for payment to the Grant Service...***** BANK of whom I thought was insured for matters of this type has left themselves out in the form of "denied reimbursements due to "customer negligence" and have "counter-claimed" that Walgreens of where I purchased most gift cards with my ***** debit card are the merchant that should accommodate this matter! Walgreens has stated that I will not be eligible for any reimbursement as well ( after only checking the last card sent, no money was left on it)! Don't they have insurers of the debit/prepaid cards/Amex Gift Card (from Walgreens) issued by American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation for scams/fraud of this magnitude? I am so overwhelmed by this serious financial setback! Are there any other way/means to report this and recover my money? Will the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) help? I haven't gotten around to write them yet. Will the financial Ombudsman Service Help? I am drafting up a complaint letter to them. Aren't they over the Banks when their services are illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient? I'm suffering from this scam/fraud and it's causing mental anguish and emotional distress! God forbid, please HELP....FOR HEAVEN SAKE...I can't believe I was deceived like this!!