Unveiling the Unexpected: A Tale of Trust and Deception

Hey Lovely Readers!

Remember last week when I promised you a story? Well, here it is!

Have you ever stopped to think about why we often blame the government for corruption? In reality, sometimes our problems are much closer to home, and it's a lesson I recently learned through a surprising family ordeal.

It all started when my elder brother noticed some unusual transactions draining funds from my mom's account. Intrigued, I decided to investigate further.

Last month, after my mom returned from visiting her children, all seemed well until I received a shocking call from my sister. She casually mentioned that our dear Mamito (Mom) was running low on cash. This immediately set off alarms in my head because I had been keeping a close eye on her account, and the numbers weren't adding up.

I quickly called my mom to inquire about her recent spending, and to my surprise, she confirmed only minor expenses. Something was amiss, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Putting on my metaphorical CIA cap, I enlisted the help of my sister-in-law, and together, we obtained a bank statement from the concerned bank and promptly blocked Mamito's ATM card. As we scrutinized the statement, the mystery unraveled before our eyes.

A peculiar USSD transaction and an unfamiliar name emerged. I questioned my mom and brother about the name, and shockingly, they recognized it. The culprit? None other than my mom's trusted neighbor, a person she treated like a son, who operated a POS business.

Confrontation ensued, with drama that I won't delve into for personal reasons. Ultimately, the young man and his family agreed to repay the entire amount he had stolen from my dear Mamito.

Upon further investigation, it became clear that every time Mamito used the POS, the young man would request her phone. Unbeknownst to her, he would utilize it to carry out USSD transactions. In some instances, he would withdraw double the amount Mamito intended and promptly delete the alert from her phone.

This incident serves as a stark reminder to always guide our elderly parents on how to use ATM cards at POS points. It's crucial to caution them against handing over their phones to vendors or anyone, regardless of how trustworthy they may seem.

So, let's stay vigilant and protect our loved ones from unexpected betrayals. Until next time, take care! 🌟

XoXo

Anurheeka.