let's play a game, shall we?

"I haven't seen it," she said. How's that even possible? I just sent the money like 15 minutes ago, how's she sure I didn't send it? Maybe it's her bank. All these new banks popping up everyday with little efficiency. Or maybe I sent it to the wrong bank. "Wait Mum, let me check," I tell her.

I'm sure I sent it to the right account. Didn't I?

Now where's that app? Open. Open.

What?!

Theo Regan Saunders?

I had mistyped my Mum's phone number aka account number with one single digit. That one zero spoilt this transaction. And the amount had zeros behind, how could I have not remembered zero instead of a nine? Let me check the app again or should I just wait 24 hours, maybe the transaction failed and there's no network? 24 hours is a long time. Mom needs that money now.

Since it's a phone number account, let me call this suspect.

Ring. Ring. Pause. Ring. Hello?

"Hi, I'm Alex. I sent 10 grand to your account by mistake. Could you please return the money?" Of course, I didn't know how to ask properly. Duh.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I never received any money from any Alex." The man said, his voice thicker than mine.

"I'm very sure the transaction was successful. Please check your account. I need the money for something important." I said, trying to give excuses for the man, so I can remain chill.

Scheiße! The man ended the call after denying the accusation. And that too, when I was still speaking. Calmly! I am pissed at his attitude and I could tell he was lying. Why's his name even Theo? I can't believe I'm sharing a name with this crook!

24 hours. 48 hours! 72!!

We need that money for Kaya's appendectomy. It's that urgent but this "Theodorant" isn't buying any of that. I don't want to lose my sister. This means I would have to borrow money. Ugh! The last thing I want to do!

Mom started getting worried. I am dead worried for my Kaya. And she fears she might lose her life. She is in so much pain. Too much pain for a 12 year old. I have no choice but to borrow so that's what I did. Lucky for us, Uncle Dave was understanding and even gave us more than we needed.

120 hours and my money's not sitting in my account. Okay, man. Let's play a game, shall we?

Mom says to just call my bank and ask them to restrict his account but where's the fun in that? This guy doesn't even know who sent the money but he'll know when I'm done with him. Let's teach this baddie a lesson.

Okay, I'll call this guy again but with a different number. I type his phone number into the VoIP app and wait for a few minutes before I call him back. Hello?

I don't say anything back and wait for another program to give me what I want.

"Analysing connection…" the program read. And like that I copy his IP address and feed it to another program, meant to get his location.

And waiiiiit! …..Wait! I know what you're thinking. I'm not unaliving him. I just want to know where the supposed suspect lives. Calm down. I'm not a murderer.

Okay, it says Des Moines, Iowa. Interessant!

Let the real fun begin.

Uhh, where's that USB? Okay. Found it! Now, which program is it? Oh, it's this one. Click.

After a few clicks I activated the spoofing tool, using SMS, so that I can pretend to be from his bank and get his details. Technically, I could be in trouble for doing this.

He must have received the text I sent him:

"Alert: Unusual activity detected on your account. Verify the recent transaction at www.bank-secure-login.com or risk suspension.”

Surprisingly, he clicked the link quickly. He didn't even waste any time! Dimwit. He just made it even easier and faster for me. So let's see: we have his details– encrypted. I enter his details and log in to his bank account. I should continue but coffee is important. Ahh, lecker! One cup of coffee down, now let's continue.

Ironically, this man has a lot of money in his account, why's he withholding my hard earned money?! That money can take care of four children, or more. Hmmm. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

I send my money back to myself first. Then send some to an orphanage I normally volunteer for, with the memo: "It's good to help people in need, right?" Um, saying some seems inappropriate. I sent many. Permit the English. Many many. Ha! And with that last click, the game's over.

Now I can send the money to its rightful owner. Next time, he'll let the poor breathe. Insert Maleficent laughter.

Disclaimer: I do not endorse or support such practices in any way. It's been included because it's essential to the story and for educational purposes only. Please do not attempt to copy any of these things.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay