“Emotionally & Financially Exploited”: A Dubai Expat Gets Swindled Out Of Thousands Of Dirhams.

Navigating relationships and genuine connections is no easy feat. That too in the digital age of catfishing, fake profiles and bots, crafty scammers have found ways to appear legit under false identities and con unsuspecting victims. It’s a story that has become all too familiar with many turning to social media to find love and for Shanette Mendoza, a 36-year-old woman from Trinidad and Tobago living in Dubai, it became a harsh reality. Shanette shared her harrowing experience of falling prey to a Dubai-based swindler. The man in question, referred to as “Mohammed” for anonymity, cunningly deceived Shanette, leaving her emotionally and financially devastated.

Their acquaintance began innocently enough in October 2021 when Shanette and Mohammed connected on Instagram. Despite her initial reservations about online dating, Shanette found herself drawn to Mohammed’s charm and apparent shared interests. Unbeknownst to her, Mohammed would later prove himself to be a master manipulator, utilizing tactics like love bombing and gaslighting to gain control.

She admits, “We had a lot of similar interests, and it really felt as if we had known each other before.” However, as the relationship progressed, red flags started to emerge. She describes the rollercoaster ride, saying, “He definitely love-bombed me in the beginning, then the gaslighting and manipulation came. He is a proper narcissist, and I didn’t know the traits of one until now.”

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As their friendship developed, Mohammed gradually revealed his alleged personal and financial hardships. Shanette then generously offered assistance, not suspecting the web of deceit that lay ahead.

She lent him money through various means, including the PYYPL app, cash withdrawals, and even her own credit card, amounting to a significant sum

She explains, “Knowing that I was in a position to assist, I proceeded to ask what I could do to help.” Little did she know that this would be the beginning of a financial drain.

Shanette even allowed Mohammed to stay at her apartment temporarily when he claimed to be facing homelessness

However, her hospitality was met with further manipulation and disregard for their agreement. Mohammed took advantage of her financial support, squandering money on lavish outings and demonstrating a complete lack of responsibility.

Despite numerous attempts to discuss repayment, Mohammed consistently avoided committing to a timeline. Shanette’s frustration mounted when she discovered him pursuing romantic interests with other women. Feeling used and disrespected, she cut off financial support and asked Mohammed to leave.

However, Mohammed failed to fulfill his obligations and ignored Shanette’s pleas for repayment. To make matters worse, unauthorized deductions were made from Shanette’s credit card, further burdening her financially. Seeking resolution, she contacted mutual friends and initiated an immigration check, revealing Mohammed’s overstayed residency visa.

Shanette approached a number of police stations across Dubai seeking help and filed the below complaint on the Dubai Police app.

Left emotionally shattered and financially exploited, Shanette courageously shares her story as a cautionary tale

Her aim is to raise awareness among Dubai residents, urging them to remain vigilant against such swindlers. While she seeks justice for her own ordeal, Shanette hopes her experience will prompt others to be cautious, protect their finances, and avoid falling victim to manipulative individuals like Mohammed.

*Disclaimer: The article has been written based on the provided statement. Names have been replaced for anonymity.

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