Fraud//A Destructive path

 It is not every path we take in life that will lead to a glorious end. Some choices we take may look good at the beginning but the end result can be destruction. This is a reality that many people ignore until it is too late. In today’s society, especially among the youths of my generation, there is this troubling trend that shows how far people are willing to go in search of quick wealth. Instead of working genuinely and patiently to earn a living, many choose fraudulent activities and some even go as far as involving themselves in diabolical practices forgetting that there is always a repercussion for every action. The question I always ask myself is why the so much trend? why is there such a strong urge to chase money by any means? Is it because of peer pressure, the desire to belong, or simply a lack of contentment? Whatever the reason may be, the truth is that the love for quick money has pushed many young people into dangerous paths. They want to enjoy the wealth that others have without putting in the necessary effort. Unfortunately, this desire blinds them to the long term consequences of their actions.  Fraud is not just a crime against individuals, it is also a form of silent destruction. I personally see fraudulent acts as another kind of murder. It may not involve carrying a gun to shoot someone or using a dagger to stab someone, but the results are equally devastating. People have lost their life savings, their hopes and their peace of mind because of fraud. Some people who are victims of fraud could not handle the shock and pain, leading them to depression and in some cases, suicide. Some families are left broken because because of the wickedness of others who decide to enrich themselves at the expense of innocent lives. I recall the painful story of my dad’s friend, a man who had worked and served for many years in service and retired. After waiting for three years to finally receive his retirement entitlement, he was defrauded by scammers who took everything from him. The shock was too heavy for him to bear. He fell into depression which later led to a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. His family is now struggling, not only to pay medical bills but also to survive without the money that was meant to secure their future. When I think of such cases and other cases of people who were victims of fraud, I cannot help but believe that people who engage in fraudulent activities deserve to face the same kind of judgment as murderers. They may not kill directly with weapons, but their actions has lead to death, sickness and untold suffering of many people. I apologize if I'm using harsh words that may go against the rules of the community, but sometimes I recognize the seriousness of the damage caused my such people.  One thing that baffle me about those who engage in these acts especially the youths within my country is how they fail to see the hidden dangers of their choices. You cannot receive anything from the devil and expect it to come without a price. The enemy never gives freely. There is always a demand in return, and usually, the demand is far more costly than the gain. Sadly, many young people go to the extreme of involving themselves in occult practices, seeking quick wealth without considering the heavy consequences that follow. I have seen examples that back my claim. Two friends I knew personally were victims of such repercussion. Both of them had once enjoyed sudden wealth after getting involved in fraudulent and diabolical acts. But the time came when the demands of their source of wealth became too heavy to meet. They were asked to sacrifice their parents as a condition to keep their riches. When they could not fulfill this, their lives took tragic turns. One died suddenly, while the other lost his sanity and wandered in madness. There is no gain in pursuing wealth through fraud or diabolical acts. Even if temporary riches come, they come with sorrow, loss, regret and lack of peace. The path may look bright at first, but it never leads to a glorious end.