Consumer complaint received 2026-06-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I was a victim of a big financial fraud and psychological manipulation by a woman called herself XXXX, she presented herself as spiritual healer and I was induced to pay large amount of money in total of over {$60000.00} : {$33000.00} through credit cards, {$5000.00} in cash I took a loan from XXXX XXXX as she told me and handed to her .The rest over ) XXXX I paid her in cash through my savings, my monthly salary, I sold my stock investments for {$6000.00} and gave her in cash, she asked me and instructed to go to XXXX XXXX jewelry to a specific booth and buy a gold coin and necklace, she called the seller to make sure I bought it, then the next day she returned him products and take money back. Also she sent me to XXXX XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Fl to buy a gold necklace and bracelet, then we met and she took it from me. She always asked me to pay her in cash in red envelope, gift cards, send money to her XXXX account XXXX XXXX, buy gold items and give her money in cash to buy gold tabernacles ( boxes ) to burry negative stuff as she said. She never showed me none of those gold tabernacles in real life only on her phone a picture. I understand the transactions were physically completed by me in person. However, all these transactions occurred while I was actively, constantly for 5 months being manipulated and controlled by sophisticated scammers, I was constantly asking to meet with one of them XXXX at apartment she stays in XXXX XXXX XXXX, Fl it was happening for the whole month of XXXX XXXX I have proof of my multiple parking payments. XXXX said I had a bad curse on me and my family as well and only she can remove it, then she said my brother is thinking to suicide and even if ask hes not gon na tell me. And that my lovely grandma is about to pass away in XXXX XXXX XXXX and I need to say her bye over the phone, as to travel for me outside of US will be dangerous now. The she said my personal life isnt good and she can pray a lot for my happiness relationships wise and very soon to marriage with kids and it all will come naturally to me in a few months once we finish the job. Also she promised me a well paid new job. None of these promises happened. It all were false promises based on manipulation, fear, pressure, guilt .. XXXX always communicated via text messages and phone calls, sometimes she said she very sick or very tired cant talk, cant explain, just said I need to trust her and do whatever she said, and her friend XXXX would text me only from XXXX phone, sending me very long confusing messages demanding escalated payments and creating emergencies. XXXX also directed my actions in real time as a part of a fraud scheme. This was not a normal consumer purchases made for my own use or benefit.I was deceived into believing the purchases were necessary and legitimate. She would sent me to nearest mall her place which is in XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX, staying with me on the line and then after purchasing all the gift cards at XXXX and XXXX each one of $ XXXX,, then I called her or texted that I was able to do it and I would retuned to her and gave it to her .Sje sent me a few times to purchase them .. XXXX said its very important to pay for her work now, dont worry about large amounts, money will come to me naturally very soon, just focus on her work, my bright future awaits for me in XXXX XXXX XXXX and her friend XXXX subjected me to intense psychological pressure, fear, urgency, and coercion and later guilt and XXXX instructed me exactly where to go, what gift cards to buy and what to do with the information afterward.In XXXX XXXXXX/XX/year> she started to put a lot of fear on me and manipulation regarding my immigration documents, she told she had a strong vision that I will be detained and deported and insist on me not to travel nowotherwise I will be stuck outside of the US for a long period of time. She said she need to work to pray for this matter asap and I need to pay more money for another gold tabernacle like XXXX At the time, I did not understand I was the victim of a scam, she gained my trust, sent me very warm text messages every day, I was believing shes my best friend My apparent authorization of the transactions was obtained through fraudulent deception and manipulation. I kindly asking you reconsider this matter under any applicable scam victim protection, fraud investigation procedures, goodwill reimbursement policies or exceptions for coerced transactions.These purchases were highly unusual compared to my normal spending behavior or involved large value gift cards purchases commonly associated with fraud activity. Now is XXXX XXXX I still feel emotional trauma caused by this financial fraud, I keep working with psychologist. Please take all the details into consideration, she talked very sweet to me on text messages but demanding money through phone calls and personal meeting ... Im prepared to provide text messages screen shots, parking payments, timelines and any additional information requested.Let me know if need need any. Regards, XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation