Description

I am writing to you urgently to report a distressing incident that I recently experienced, which has had a profound impact on my life. From 23.03.2024 to 02.04.2024, I fell victim to an online job scam perpetrated by individuals falsely claiming to represent the reputable USA based company "HOUZZ." This unfortunate situation has resulted in a significant financial loss of approximately 8500 euros, which covers my tuition fees and living expenses for my ongoing master's degree at Haaga-Helia UAS in Finland. The scammers, posing as representatives of Houzz, lured me into their scheme by claiming that Houzz was testing a new digital project in Finland and planning to establish an office in the country. They directed me to a fake website, "https://www.houzz.agency," which they used as a platform to carry out their fraudulent activities. Here are the key steps of the scam that I encountered: Initial Contact: I was initially contacted by a person claiming to be from Houzz via WhatsApp. They presented themselves as an advisor named Rebecca Rogers and provided a Finland-based phone number: "+358 46 8990771." Fake Websites: The scammers directed me to their fraudulent website "https://www.houzz.agency," which they falsely represented as part of Houzz's official operations. Job Training: I was given fake job training tasks, such as promoting vendors' products and uploading fabricated transaction data on the scam platform. Financial Loss: The scam progressed with requests for cryptocurrency payments, leading to substantial financial losses amounting to 8500 euros. Psychological Impact: This ordeal caused me severe mental trauma, leading to emotional distress and self-harm. I have all the necessary evidence, including communication screenshots, transaction records, and other relevant documentation, to support this investigation. I am deeply concerned about the personal information I shared during this scam, including my name, bank account details, nationality, and age, which may be exploited by the perpetrators. I have taken immediate steps to ensure my safety by relocating to India temporarily to receive necessary mental health care and support from my family. I kindly request your urgent assistance in resolving this matter, recovering the unlawfully taken funds, and pursuing legal actions against the individuals behind this scam. I am fully committed to cooperating with your investigation and providing any additional information or assistance required. Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious issue. I look forward to your swift response and support in rectifying this unfortunate situation.