Hello
Last month I agreed to meet with someone who was allegedly selling a bunch of unwanted baby items and appeared to be in a much worse situation that I am. She told me she urgently needed the money to leave a bad living situation, and i believed her story fully.
Although I didn’t particularly intend on buying everything this woman was offering, i felt sympathetic towards her and decided she needed the help more than i was so I agreed to meet her.
I drove a long distance from my home, and am currently pregnant myself with my first baby, which I have been planning and preparing for on my own since January.
I was reasonably tired when i arrived at the agreed location. however, this woman was nowhere to be seen. Instead, 3 men met me, and they were frightening, unwelcoming and intimidating. The driver was demanding me hand over my money so he could “recount it was all there first,” before he would “show me the baby items” to which I said I wasn’t comfortable with and couldnt even see a single baby item with him.
I questioned where the woman was I thought I was meeting with, and wasn’t given any obvious reply, so begun backing away from their vehicle and looking around for a pedestrian or somewhere i could safely run to. Suddenly, though, all 3 men turned on me, blocked me off the footpath and got out of their vehicle while cornering me.
It was as soon as i spotted they had pulled out weapons from behind their backs that i was terrified and knew they were taking my money no matter what.
They said that the consequences for me would be worse if i made them mad, so I grabbed my savings from my bag and threw it up in the air, while turning and running fast.
I reported the incident of course although Police have said there would be little they can do because all the correspondence from this person was wiped online the second after and i failed to get a license plate for the driver.
It’s not the money that robbed me the most, it’s my confidence and sense of security. I have since found myself scared of cars that drive past me, and I struggle to get to sleep with ease.
I contracted COVID-19 soon after this event and suffered due to being immunosuppressive while pregnant. Despite now being mostly recovered, I have had to remain off work to care for my elderly father, who also contracted the virus and since developed a secondary lung infection.
I really try to better myself and make the most of any situation, so I don’t see myself as a victim of life or expect anyone’s pity. I saved hard for the money that i had put aside for my unborn baby and I feel I am at fault for not better thinking before taking a risk in meeting a total stranger alone.
However, I am desperate to find some help out there for my baby because i am scared I’m running out of time to earn back that money and work enough to save extra before i am due in August and will have to take time off work following the baby’s birth.
I’m not sure if my story is unique. I am sure many women are as deserving. Still, I would be forever grateful if anyone would help me, even just in some small measure, and I thank you sincerely for your kindness.