Con Artist

con artist

noun, informal

a person who cheats or tricks others by persuading them to believe something that is not true.

"the debonair con artist lives by scamming rich women"  (that’s their example, BTW…)

“You might think you can spot a con artist because he's someone you instinctively "don't trust." But the term con artist is short for confidence artist -- they gain your confidence just long enough to get their hands on your money.”

That’s what he is.  When I asked a family member, ‘What is it that I see in him?  He’s not all that.’  She answered with, “Charisma.” 

So I tried yet again to send him messages saying, ‘I really don’t want to ruin your life.  Please reconsider by making payments or whatever you need to do.’  He said, “You have a money problem or what?  Take me to court.”  Really?  It’s like that?  He’s sure of himself.  Arrogant little shit.

With a great deal of thought, I am going to register a case, but not with a lawyer.  They are just another layer of bullshit in my opinion.  Lawyers in Kuwait aren’t the same as they are other places in the world.  And if you thought they were shady in other places in the world – Kuwait makes other lawyers in the world look like angels. 

I called a friend to verify exactly what date our business deal took place.  She and her husband witnessed the money changing hands because Asshole was there.  It was about a week before he dumped me.  That week was when things started to go bad.   Like him accusing me of being controlling; him spending a lot more time with friends and a lot less with me.  And now that I know him – I can tell his lying tone of voice and he was using that one. 

Those who know me have asked what is really motivating me to register a case (“It’s not money, then what?”)  Well, it’s like this.  Up until last week, I thought it was all my fault.  My confidence was brought down to a point where I really thought I was to blame for the break up.  I was too difficult.  too stubborn.  Too controlling.  

(Thank God, I'm not stupid enough to take out a loan in my name for him like he asked me to do - as he wanted a LEXUS.... It really pissed him off when I refused.  I was really a "difficult woman" then....)

He was a “good man who wanted a good woman.”  Yup.  He wants a good woman:  800 on one social media account that I found and more on others.  What is the definition of a “good woman”?  His next mark, most likely.

Having found the accounts, I could see that he never took us seriously.  It was all planned to get money.   There was no mention of me anywhere, yet there was a whole lot of poignant poetry for other women.  There were references during the timeframe when we were together.  Times when he had me absolutely convinced that his love was real.  I was totally confident at one point; ergo the con artist.  He painted a really nice picture of what our life was going to be like; then took the money and ran.  

I can afford to drop it.  Let it go. Move on.  But no.  Not gonna do it.  I get into a rage every time I think of his smarmy, laughing-at-me attitude.  It delights him that he got away with it. 

My question is this:  How many Kuwaiti girl/women is he doing this to?  On his social media accounts, they are all young and pretty.  Some are married. He mentioned to me that a married woman had “helped him” before with money (in other words – gave him money), but that her husband had put a recording device in her car and busted them.  Her dad told her to go back to her husband (they have 2 children).  I found her through his Twitter account and all her tweets are about how heartbroken she is.  I think I’m pretty worldly. I’ve been through a lot of BS with a lot of unscrupulous people.  I fell for his shit.  What about these girls?  They’re not going to go to the police and file cases.  They would be embarrassed. Their families would be embarrassed. They would just let it go.  I don’t have those restrictions.  Zero fucks given.

I talked to his dad and he told me to do whatever I want. His words were, “put him in the fire.” So obviously, he knows what kind of a scumbag his son is.  His sister still isn’t talking to me.  I will miss her.

Things are starting to click in my head.  Little details that are coming back; warning signs that I should have picked up on.  Like the time he took me to the movies and a bunch of his friends were going.  One of the friends told him (in Arabic, probably thinking that I wouldn’t understand) to, “… get her to pay for us.”  Obviously, he’s been bragging.  Other times, he got really angry when I saw what was on his phone screen or asked where he was.  Supposedly, at the time, he said that he was taking it for a lack of privacy.  But he over reacted every time I questioned him on anything. 

Con artist usually move on quickly to the next mark because they know their victims are getting suspicious.  That’s what happened.  As soon as the business deal was over, asshole went looking for a way out.   He found something small and made it huge and flipped it on me.  How do liars do it?  They practice.  A LOT. 

Some of you might think I’m saddened by all this.  Nope.  I got over that feeling.  I’m angry.  REALLY angry.  Angry at myself.  Angry at him. And that is what is going to propel me to do something about it. Legally. He made a conscious decision to work my conscience and win my trust.  I’m making a conscious decision to nail his ass.

The great thing is that I have exact addresses, copies of all his IDs, witnesses, and more.  All the evidence I need.