Reborn to Scam the Scammer Kingpin

"Hi, I'm Eric Cole. The dating app suggested we connect."

In my previous life, Eric used his daily sweet talk and fake investment screenshots to slowly take all my life's savings.

One million dollars. Ten years of my life went into that money.

When the investment platform disappeared, I ran to the police in a panic, only to learn I had fallen for a scam run from overseas.

My coworkers spread rumors that I was obsessed with marrying a rich man, and my boss used the scandal as an excuse to fire me.

Even as I died, I couldn't understand why giving someone my everything left me with nothing.

I drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out. Since I had been given another chance at life, I wasn't going to be anyone's victim this time.

I accepted the match on the dating app, and Eric messaged me almost instantly.

"Hi, Ms. Madeline Locke. It's nice to meet you. I looked through your profile, and I think we'd be a great match," he wrote.

"I'm 32 years old and work as a senior executive at an investment firm. My job keeps me busy, so I'm hoping to find a grounded woman to build a life with."

It was the same opening and carefully crafted persona.

In my previous life, I had nervously sent him a long introduction about myself. This time, I couldn't even be bothered to type a response.

I opened my photo gallery and found a picture I had secretly taken at an auction in my previous life while running an errand for my boss.

In the photo, a woman in an evening gown held up a bidding paddle, and an antique vase was displayed behind her.

I sent it with a short message. "I'm busy bidding. Don't bother me with small talk."

The other end went silent for five long minutes. I gave a quiet, mocking laugh.

For a bunch of scammers hiding in some overseas compound, nothing could be more tempting than an easy target suddenly flashing serious money.

Five minutes later, he finally replied. "My apologies, Ms. Locke. I didn't realize you were familiar with the auction world. I've been following today's Sunderby auction myself.

"That piece from the Cesteron period is quite remarkable. You have a very discerning eye."

He sounded knowledgeable, attentive, and sophisticated. He was testing me, trying to figure out how much money I really had.

I tossed my phone onto the couch and ignored him for the next two hours.

The screen kept lighting up, then going dark again.

"Ms. Locke, are you still busy?"

"Is the auction over? Did you win anything?"

"I collect art myself. Maybe we can talk about it sometime."

I poured myself a glass of wine and settled into a lounge chair on the balcony.

Finally, I sent him a voice message, keeping my tone lazy and casual.

"I just finished dealing with my ex-husband's estate, and I'm exhausted. Honestly, I'm sick of looking at all those antiques. I was only bidding for fun.

"Mr. Cole, if you're looking for some quiet, predictable woman, then we're not a match.

"I just got divorced. I've got more money than I know what to do with, and I'm bored out of my mind. I just want something exciting."

Once I sent it, I could almost picture Eric and his partners staring at their screens, seeing dollar signs. A newly divorced woman with a huge inheritance and a craving for excitement was the perfect target.

"I like your honesty, Ms. Locke. The whole 'grounded' thing is mostly for appearances. At our level, who doesn't want a real connection and a little excitement?" Eric replied.

He'd taken the bait.

For the next three days, I kept him guessing. He would send me ten messages, and I would answer one.

He sent me pictures from an exclusive party, so I answered with a video from a private yacht.

He finally made his move and brought up the investment that had ruined me in my previous life.

"Maddy, I've got access to a private investment opportunity that's usually reserved for a handful of major clients," he said.

"You mentioned having trouble deciding what to do with all your money. Why don't you put a little in and see how it goes? Your principal is guaranteed, and the daily returns are incredible."

Moments later, he sent me a link. I opened the poorly made app for the scam, which was surprisingly well disguised.

I smirked.

"Sure. I'll give it a try." Without hesitation, I transferred 100 thousand dollars into the account.

The next morning, the account showed a five-thousand-dollar profit.

Eric sent me a smug-looking meme. "See? I wasn't lying, right? That's just what you made from a small test. Imagine what you would earn if you put in serious money."

I stared at the 105-thousand-dollar balance with a hard look in my eyes. Then I withdrew every cent.

Two minutes later, my bank confirmed I had received the 105 thousand dollars. I immediately moved all the money to a separate account.

I didn't just want to keep him interested. I wanted him to keep wanting more.

The real game was just beginning.