Trifter

Well I guess we all are, but with a little knowledge; your next one will be more fun and full of memorable moments rather than regrets like it happened to one bloke and his dear wife.

Harry, 57, a qualified mechanical engineer had not gone on holiday for a decade. Last year together with his wife Suzie they jetted off to Africa to escape the winter season at home.

The day finally came and they could only anticipate what was ahead of them; the nice hotel, the wild life, the sun and the sand. It was a beautiful feeling.

It was a warm welcome for them as they checked into their hotel. There, everything was perfect. The sunny coast, the white sands, the warm waters and very friendly people, they couldn’t ask for more.

It was at the beach that they got another warm welcome from the beach boys. Harry and Suzie didn’t know much of the ocean, but there was nothing to worry about because the friendly beach boys offered to take them on a tour of the beach where the tide was far out. They showed them all sorts of ocean creatures, from coral reefs to the poisonous stone fish and sea cucumbers. It was a perfect way to start a holiday. They were both amazed by the beach boys’ knowledge of the ocean and the coast.

The two gentlemen, Jack and IB again offered to take them on even a bigger tour the following day; they were perplexed by the guys’ kindness and arranged the rendezvous. This time they were to venture outside the hotel to explore one of the small town and the village nearby.’ It’s hilarious’, they thought, as they walked in an expensive looking area mostly dominated by expatriates from all over the world. They giggled at each other admiring the good life they were seeing and swore that they too they would retire to such a place

‘And how do you get to own a house here?’ Suzie asked with a lot curiosity. ‘Simple, it’s easy and the land is very cheap’, one of the boys explained. Apparently, they knew the area councilor who helped foreigners to first acquire the land there, and then, allowed them to invest and build houses of their liking. The excitement had already got into Harry and Suzie. They couldn’t hide their joy as they listened to the boys telling them about the many friends they had helped get properties there.

They even arranged to meet one of the friends who would enlighten them more on life there. They had clearly fallen in love with the place and the next morning they went to meet their new friend.  Eddie was his name. Eddie happily explained to the couple how easy it was to invest there. ‘As you can see everyone likes this area, it’s beautiful and lovely and security here is just at the top’, he bragged.

Eddie a doctor continued to promise Suzie, who was a nurse, a job at his small clinic hospital he opened 3 years ago when he first moved there. Due to the confidence that was already created, they didn’t bother to ask to see the clinic hospital. As for Harry, he promised he would help him put up his own garage at a nearby small town, which would do very well. The couple was over the moon.

Suzie sometimes couldn’t help ask herself,’ Doesn’t this deal sound too good to be true?’ But Harry would immediately confirm that his instincts felt right about everything. She also didn’t want to be negative and therefore suppressed her doubts. They were tired of their ‘poor weather’ country and didn’t mind a change.

Throughout the night, Harry and Suzie did a lot negotiations and consultations. Finally they came up with a conclusion that once back to their country; they take early retirements and sell their house then go back and settle in Africa. That’s what they did.

After a very good deal for their 4 bed rooms house and life long pensions, the couple was back to  Africa. They excitedly caught up with all of their new friends there and after a few phone calls a meeting was arranged with the area councilor.
They were shown the land which to buy and put up their house.

Everything was hurriedly done and it was after price negotiations that the couple signed legal documents in front of the councilor and the lawyer he brought. It cost them a fortune to buy the land, put up the house and furnish it as well as expensive decorations.

They were now waiting to start their new life in Africa and planned to do it in style. On the day they were opening the house, they invited everyone they knew within their short stay there. They hired outside catering from the hotel to ensure the food was excellent and make everyone happy. The party was to start at 6pm but at 8pm: the area councilor, Eddie, IB and Jack had not showed up. Surprisingly, all their cell phones were off. 

After a long wait Harry and Suzie decided to continue with the party with the few people who were already there. Everything went fine and fun was in the air. But not for long, suddenly they heard a heavy knock on the door. It was the police.

The cops wanted to know whether they were Harry and Suzie and ‘Yes’ they replied. Then the unexpected happened. The couple was put under arrest for invading a private property. ‘Wait a minute, Is this supposed to be a big joke? Harry asked in disbelief. No this house has an owner and he’s right here with us. The couple produced all the paper work they had about the house but the alleged owner claimed that he had the original copies and theirs was faked.

They produced all the names of the people they dealt with during the land purchasing. But they were told no one knew those people. Even who was supposed to be the area councilor was not the real area councilor.

The alleged owner claimed he bought the land seven years ago and produced all the paper work before even claiming that he was the one who built the new house.

Harry and Suzie couldn’t believe their ears. It was devastating news for both of them. The people who had come for the party tried to intervene that they were sure that the house belonged to the couple. But were threatened to be witnesses in the court and explain what they know.
The alleged owner stood on his ground and even called the couple thieves.

No amount of pleading saved the poor couple. They were taken to the police station where they spent the night. They felt miserable.

The following day they recorded a statement with the police. The real area councilor was called in for them to establish whether he was the one whom they dealt with earlier. No he wasn’t. They confirmed.

That’s when it dawned to them that they had been conned. They couldn’t believe it. It was painful for them to bear. They were told that such cases were very common in that area. They were later released and filed a case.

Efforts to get the people who sold them the land were fruitless. The couple continued to seek justice but after a long struggle and high legal bills, they realized that justice was not forthcoming. And it was time for them to go back to their home country devastated, sick and confused.