Help Me Recover from a Scammer

Hello,

My name is Michael F. and in 2019, I formed a business dealing in finance with someone named Don who lives in Brooklyn, NY and we had a lot of hopes to get it going. Unfortunately, the coronavirus came along in March 2020 and it wrecked our new startup due to the business closures. We tried to apply for financial assistance but were repeatedly denied. Also, we tried to get a PPP loan from the Small Business Administration but our application was rejected. I was only to make it through this period by deferring payments.

Since then, we tried several other ideas but we had limited success as the business plan we had no longer fit. And earlier this year, my business partner stopped responding to me altogether. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him for three months so far. I tried calling, texting, and emailing. There has been no answer to any of them. When calling him on the phone, he never picks up and his voicemail is full, therefore, I am not able to leave a voice message. I believe Don figured out there was nothing more to do and left me holding the bag, unfairly. He promised to pay me back for everything, (we have a signed contract too) but have not seen any money from him since last year. I was hoping something would bear fruit but alas, nothing

Meanwhile, I am stuck with all the bills from starting the company and I don’t have any substantial income coming in. I am trying to do gigs on the side but those aren’t nearly enough to cover the many thousands I’m in debt. The burden is so devastating that many bills are late and going into collections. It’s over a hundred thousand dollars in total debt so this is a deep hole that I’m very unsure I can get out on my own. My credit score is suffering as it’s already in the 500’s.

I could use anything you can spare.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request.

Michael F.