Melissa Cintron / Sammy Davids

Met Melissa Cintron on a dating website two years ago. Usual thing, fell in love very quickly with semi-pornographic studio and real life pictures in the mix. Suspicions were raised and she claimed to be an aspiring model to put my mind at ease. In her previous relationship her boyfriend had beaten her and got another woman pregnant. She left him, hence dating site presence.

Her background: Born in San Francisco to Hispanic parents. Father died, mother re-married Nigerian businessman and moved the family to Lagos. Only she fell out with her remaining family staying in Lagos with her uncle Austin while they moved to Abuja. Wanted to get out of Lagos and live with me in Dubai, but Nigerian and US passport expired.

Network background: uncle Austin's best friend is a man named Sammy Davids. He's married to Seun and they have a new born son named Michael. Says he's in Malaysia (KL) now working to bring his family from Lagos.

Sammy's role: My contact when sending Western Union transfers to Melissa via a number of aliases. Was always on hand when Melissa would disappear to offer an excuse - usually no internet or power, numerous hospital stays for malaria. Obviously all paid for by me. Tried a number of sub-scams with me such as setting up a bank account for him here in Dubai, and wanted to transfer trust funds (see below) online to a friend's account in the US to enable Melissa to leave Lagos quickly. The fund had not matured. This was his plan to illegally release funds.

Timeline: Two years pretty much to the day Austin visited Abuja on business. Fell sick and was admitted to hospital there. Turns out it's cancer. Melissa visits from time to time with Sammy who pays air fare and hotel. Uncle dies leaving $30K in trust for her. She calls it 'our money'. Now she is really alone and has to go and live with Sammy and Seun. Can't get a menial job because she's 'white' and won't commit to a job in her chosen degree (Film and Production) because she wanted to come and live with me.

First request for funds comes, but 'just like $100 to live on honey'. From there money was sent regularly to pay for passports and air tickets. But, when she was due to fly, something always happened. Her uncle died; she fell sick with malaria numerous times; and finally, last week, Melissa, Seun and baby Michael were involved in a 'terrible' road accident on the way to the airport.

I cottoned on a while ago and knew if she didn't come this time that was it. Luckily I didn't send funds for her ticket, but said I'd pay by card once she was at check-in. She didn't turn up (see road traffic accident). When I finally got hold of Sammy and told him the game was up he became very abusive and threatened me - his son had died and it was mine and Melissa's fault.

I guess I spent not more than $7K over the two years, while she had $30K in trust waiting for us - the anti-scam if you like. So this not about losing money. For me it's the emotional investment over two years, and the depths people will go to to extort money. I don't want anyone else to go through what I have been through. These people are ruthless and have time. Be careful for what you wish for. Don't put yourself through it.

I'll post some pics of 'Melissa Cintron'. If you come across these people please notify this website.