This story is set in Chigwell Row, Essex and Canary Wharf, London in England. It’s is for you to decide if it is factual or just a work of fiction.
For the past three days, I haven’t been feeling well, but fortunately, those were my regular days off from work. I am employed as a corporate security officer, working twelve-hour night shifts. The shift pattern I adhere to is exceptionally demanding: seven consecutive twelve-hour night shifts, succeeded by three nights off, then another seven night shifts, and finally, four nights off.
For a little over five years, I have been trapped in this relentless and demanding routine, where work consumes more of my time than myself or my family. Presently, I have been granted a respite from work for the past three nights, yet the embrace of rest has eluded me. The relentless deprivation of sleep has exacted a toll on my weary body, causing tremors to course through me and my heart to race relentlessly. Even though the temperature hovers at a cool 13 or 14 degrees Celsius, I find myself drenched in sweat, battling to catch my breath.
On Friday 13th of May 2022, I managed to gathered the strength to pick up my mobile phone resting on the nightstand beside my bed. When I opened the crypto app, my heart skipped a beat at the sight of the shocking value displayed on the screen: $0.35. This tiny amount on the screen represented the total worth of my crypto assets.
As my thoughts became increasingly nonsensical, dizziness overcame me, signaling the onset of a panic attack. I carefully returned my mobile phone to its place on the nightstand, longing for the solace of sleep. With closed eyes, I nestled under the duvet, positioning one arm beneath my pillow.
Over two hours passed whilst I lay in bed, my wife had already departed for work. I glanced at my mobile phone to check the time, realizing I had to rise and prepare for my own workday. Despite lacking the desire to go, I understood that remaining at home would only invite a panic attack.
I resolved to feign normalcy, not wanting anyone to perceive my inner turmoil. Explaining my condition and its cause felt burdensome and unnecessary. The image of $0.35 haunted my mind once more, and I double-checked the crypto app to confirm the figure.
The realization struck me with such force that I nearly fainted. I prayed for a positive outcome mingled with the desperate hope that this was all a dreadful dream. The weight of my emotions and the undeniable evidence before me affirmed the grim reality.
This nightmare commenced on Tuesday, May 10th 2022. It was on that fateful day I first opened the crypto app on my mobile and beheld the staggering figure of $648,500. My eyes couldn’t comprehend it, prompting me to verify Luna’s price on another crypto app: $25.94 per coin. My portfolio boasted 25,000 Luna coins.
The previous instance I checked the crypto app was on Tuesday, April 5th 2022. At that time, Luna coin held a value of $88.76, and my holdings were valued at $2,219,000. The sheer magnitude of my Luna coin assets surpassed $2.2 million. I had become a crypto billionaire in the digital world.
However, the sight of the figure $648,500 triggered a wave of sickness within me. I initially attributed it to a market correction, believing that the price would soon rebound. Nevertheless, on Wednesday, May 11th 2022, the price of Luna plummeted to $14.24, drastically reducing the total value of my holdings to $356,000.
The loss from the figure I witnessed on April 5th 2022, amounted to a staggering $1,863,000. Panic set in, and disbelief washed over me. Although I had read numerous accounts of crypto and financial losses online, I never anticipated experiencing it myself.
As my crypto portfolio dwindled before my eyes, a sense of illness enveloped me. I found myself at a loss for what to do or whom to seek guidance from. Desperately clinging to hope, I yearned for the prices to reverse course and climb once more.
Tragically, on Thursday, May 12th 2022, the price of Luna plummeted even further to $0.88. My holding of 25,000 coins now possessed a mere value of $22,000. Gazing at the figure displayed on the app, silent tears streamed down my face. My chest tightened, and an overwhelming restlessness consumed me. Perspiration formed as I struggled to ascertain the next course of action.
Throughout that night, sleep remained elusive as I found myself in a desperate state. I clung to prayers and hopes that things would return to normal. My heart yearned for my crypto portfolio to surpass $1 million once again, and I made a solemn vow to withdraw my funds and bid farewell to crypto investing forever.
On Friday, May 13th 2022, the game was over. Luna’s value plummeted to a minuscule $0.000014, reducing my holding of 25,000 coins to a mere $0.35 in worth. Tears welled up and cascaded down my cheeks as I stared at the figure displayed on the app. My crypto dream lay irreparably shattered. The once substantial value of my portfolio, amounting to $2,219,000, had disintegrated into a mere $0.35.
Silently, I bore the burden of this loss, unable to disclose it to my family. I had toiled diligently to amass a crypto fortune exceeding $2.2 million, and now there was nothing left to show for it. The weight of this truth pressed upon me, and the only solace lay in sharing my pain. I could no longer bear the agony alone; I needed to release it and make sense of the events that unfolded. Despite the lingering denial, I found the courage within me to confront reality and seek a path forward.
Even though I wasn’t ready to reveal the situation to my family at that moment, I understood that it was essential to confide in someone about it. This article serves as the medium through which I express what has transpired. I can no longer endure the suffering in silence.
My aspirations of owning my own property and gradually reducing my work hours, eventually leading to quitting my job, had been utterly shattered. The dream I held dear was now in ruins.
In the past, I had experimented with forex trading and stock trading, only to encounter substantial losses. I had made a solemn vow to steer clear of financial trading.
However, in 2017, my interest in stocks was reignited when I engaged in a conversation with Ritoban Chakrabarti, a trader at the investment bank where I worked as a security officer. He advised me to adopt a strategy of buying and holding stocks, cautioning against day trading. He emphasized that the trading platforms available to the general public often featured narrow spreads, resembling roulette tables with additional zeros. The odds were vastly stacked in favor of the house, making it significantly more likely for the house to win than the player. It mattered not whether one bet on red or black; the house held an advantage amplified by those extra zeros.
The trading platforms utilized by my investment bank offered a far more equitable playing field, akin to a roulette table without zero slots. These discussions with Ritoban had tremendously enhanced my comprehension of the financial markets. Consequently, in early 2018, I commenced a journey of purchasing and holding stocks in various companies.
Month after month, I diligently invested $300 in stocks, witnessing remarkable growth in my portfolio. By March 2020, its value had surged to slightly over $45,000. Sensing the impending lockdown due to the pandemic, I swiftly withdrew all the funds from my stock portfolio.
Simultaneously, I had been accumulating a cryptocurrency portfolio. Through a multi-level structured Bitcoin mining program, I managed to amass over 100 Bitcoins at one point. Sensing the program’s imminent collapse, I swiftly withdrew 8 Bitcoins into a crypto wallet.
Using the profits earned from my stock portfolio, I ventured into purchasing more Bitcoins and Ethereum. Additionally, I achieved notable gains by investing in the altcoin Shiba Inu. Furthermore, I held various other cryptocurrencies, a few of which exhibited appreciating values.
In January 2022, I made the decision to convert all the cryptocurrencies I held into Bitcoin and Ethereum. Consequently, I ended up with 15 Bitcoins and 131 Ethereum.
Then, on Tuesday, February 22nd 2022, I found myself embarking on a substantial gamble with the Luna cryptocurrency. Fueled by optimistic predictions surrounding its price, I succumbed to the allure of taking this risk.
With 15 Bitcoins valued at $575,355 and 131 Ethereum valued at $340,207, I possessed a total of $915,562 to allocate. In pursuit of acquiring 25,000 Luna coins, priced at $922,000, I contributed an additional $6,438 to meet the required balance. This daring move stood as one of the most significant risks I had ever taken.
Financial struggles had plagued me for years, stemming from regrettable business decisions of my own making. I took full responsibility for the predicament I found myself in, yearning for an avenue of escape.
My objective rested on the investment in those 25,000 Luna coins surpassing $1 million. Once this milestone was achieved, I planned to withdraw the funds and resolve my financial woes.
On April 5th 2022, the price of Luna surged to $88.76. Consequently, my holding of 25,000 coins skyrocketed in value to $2,219,000. Over $2.2 million gleamed within my crypto portfolio.
Numerous opportune moments presented themselves along the way, instances where I could have capitalized on them. I cannot fathom why I refrained from pulling out the funds, especially when Bitcoin exceeded $60,000 in value. Taking such action could have provided a solution to my financial predicament.
The drastic plunge from $2.2 million to a mere $0.35 leaves me utterly devastated, and words fail to convey the intensity of my emotions. I am overwhelmed by the realization of my foolishness. I should have withdrawn the funds at the peak of $2.2 million and departed from the realm of crypto entirely.
The entirety of my life savings had been mercilessly obliterated, leaving me bereft of hope and shattering my aspirations of property ownership and debt clearance into irreparable fragments.
Even as tremors engulf my being, I find comfort in the resilience that has been ingrained in me through the numerous hardships I’ve faced throughout my life.
Overwhelmed by the sudden disappearance of my life savings, I summoned the strength to conceal my inner turmoil, all the while struggling to accept the reality that my hard-earned efforts had yielded nothing tangible. Words failed me as I attempted to convey the magnitude of what had transpired, leaving me without any plausible explanations. How could $2.2 million evaporate into thin air within a mere three days?
With the knowledge that my crypto fortune, once valued at $2.2 million, now dwindled to a meager $0.35, I proceeded with my work obligations. Desperately attempting to suppress thoughts of the lost wealth, I employed every possible means to distract my mind from the tormenting truth.
I stood before the towering glass facade of one of the world’s largest financial institutions, painfully aware that quitting my job was no longer an option. Night after night, I would be confined to these mind-numbing twelve-hour shifts, perpetually trapped within these walls.
Gazing through the transparent barrier of glass and steel, tears welled in my eyes, silently cascading down my cheeks. I couldn’t release my anguish aloud—was I truly this foolish? Had my cherished vision of attaining financial freedom been irretrievably shattered?
Throughout the long night, my thoughts remained consumed by the incredulous events that had transpired. It was unfathomable, the reality that the money had vanished, irreversibly lost beyond reclamation.
By the time Saturday, May 15th, 2022 arrived, I returned home shortly after 8:00 am. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon me, having endured the grueling twelve-hour shift. The usual respite of breakfast upon my arrival was now inconceivable. The weariness that permeated my body stemmed not from labor, but from the torment of my financial upheaval.
All I yearned for was the solace of sleep, a temporary respite from the haunting thoughts of lost wealth. Discarding my uniform, I slipped beneath the covers, desperately wishing for resolution and relief from the tumultuous storm that engulfed my mind.
Typically, it took me well over an hour to drift into sleep, hindered by the noise of passing cars and the intrusive sunlight permeating through my thin bedroom curtains. However, this morning was remarkably different; I surrendered to sleep instantaneously.
Dreams had eluded me for quite some time, at least those that I could recall upon waking. But during my seven-hour repose, an extraordinary dream unfolded, imprinted in my consciousness as if it had transpired in the waking realm.
In this dream, I witnessed the distressing loss of my wallet, a profound sorrow gripping me as I realized my bank cards and money were contained within it. As a sense of helplessness overcame me, I saw the wallet slip from my grasp, plummeting to the floor, and disappearing without a trace. Despite being aware of its inevitable fate, I frantically scoured the floor, tears streaming down my face, keenly feeling the pressing burden of providing for my family. The younger faces of my children stared at me with hopeful eyes, their innocence magnifying the weight of my responsibilities.
As I combed every inch of the floor, desperation and thoughts of hunger and destitution encroached upon my mind. Yet, unexpectedly, a figure draped in a luminous white robe tapped my shoulder, directing my attention to an object concealed beneath a verdant velvet cloth.
Intrigued, I bent down and gingerly removed the cloth, revealing not only my recovered wallet but also an enigmatic wooden chest. With trembling hands, I retrieved my wallet, its safe return eliciting a mix of relief and wonder. But it was the contents of the chest that truly astonished me—an abundance of treasures awaited within. Gold bars gleamed, and colossal diamonds sparkled, casting radiant beams of light that danced like laser-focused streams of brilliance.
Mesmerized by the radiant beams, a cascade of images depicting my past losses and deceptions unfolded before my eyes. The memories flowed seamlessly, intertwining with the treasure, infusing the gold bars and diamonds with their essence.
Turning my gaze back to the enigmatic figure donned in white, an unspoken query formed within me, longing to understand the rightful owner of this extraordinary treasure. Without uttering a word, the figure placed a hand upon its heart and gestured toward the chest, then pointed directly at me. Instantly, comprehension washed over me—the treasure was a gift, bestowed upon me, and now it rightfully belonged in my possession.
A sense of strangeness pervaded my being, for dreams had eluded me for an indeterminate span of time. Nevertheless, I gathered myself, preparing for another day of work. Curiously, a profound calmness had settled within me, despite the staggering loss of $2.2 million within a mere 72 hours.
On Sunday, the 16th of May 2022, I found myself on shift alongside Rajesh. Engaging in conversations about stocks, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs became our customary routine. Rajesh stood as the sole colleague who shared my dedication to exploring innovative means of wealth creation in the financial markets.
“I’ve lost all my life savings in the Luna crash,” I confessed to Rajesh, baring the weight of my burden.
A wry smile graced Rajesh’s face as he retorted, “Every month, I lose my life savings when I settle my rent and bills.”
His response offered a surprising solace, for it revealed the shared struggle we both faced. Rajesh admonished me to confront the consequences of my gamble, to muster the strength to accept the harsh reality, and to seek the best path forward. The past, he emphasized, must be left behind as I forged a new future.
Fluctuating between various cryptocurrencies, my bank account witnessed a continuous influx of £20,000 ($24,500) to £45,000 ($55,000) each month. I avoided keeping excessive funds within the crypto accounts, sensing an impending imposition of restrictions on transactions between bank and crypto realms. Additionally, I aimed to establish a clear financial trail, prepared for potential inquiries regarding the origins of my wealth.
Though I confided in Rajesh about my losses, he remained unaware of the true magnitude of my downfall. He shared that he had once overseen a workforce of 30 employees in his own venture, but now found himself working as a security officer following the demise of his company.
Our backgrounds bore similarities, perhaps not in managing businesses as extensive as his, but both of us had endured unfortunate circumstances and made regrettable choices that led us to our current positions—grappling with the role of security officers to sustain ourselves and our loved ones.
During the time when my crypto portfolio still flourished, I possessed the confidence to embark on blogging endeavors and explore avenues for generating passive income through the vast realm of the internet. Deep down, I harbored the knowledge that I had accumulated sufficient resources to liberate myself from the relentless cycle of the rat race.
Amidst the catastrophic three-day downfall of my crypto holdings, I persisted in maintaining an appearance of normalcy on my blog, ensuring my family remained oblivious to the turmoil. My youngest son, immersed in his final year ‘A’ level exams, deserved an undisturbed focus to secure favorable results.
Post-midnight, I found myself gazing out from the confines of the glass and steel prison where I toiled, my attention fixated on the neighboring skyscrapers. These towering structures facilitated the exchange of billions of dollars daily, while here I was, shedding tears over a $2.2 million loss.
In an unexpected moment, a quote surfaced in my thoughts—a reflection by Marshall Field following the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871, as featured in Napoleon Hill’s renowned work, Think And Grow Rich:
“Gentlemen, on that very spot, I will build the world’s greatest store, no matter how many times it may burn down.” – Marshall Field
While the weight of a $2.2 million loss threatened to shatter my dreams of financial liberation, this quote stirred a realization within me. I could allow this incident to consume me or harness it as the driving force propelling me toward greater achievements.
They say, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Some individuals might succumb to despair after such a substantial financial setback, but I had endured enough losses throughout my life to persevere even in the face of this colossal blow.
My path to the future would need to be built brick by brick. Monetary assets might elude me at present, yet I possessed a paramount resource—the ability to conceive ideas and back them with unwavering action.
Following an exhausting day at work on Tuesday, May 17th, 2022, a surge of newfound resilience washed over me. Fueled by the determination to attain financial freedom, I understood the weight of responsibility towards my family and vowed to remain steadfast in my pursuit without wavering.
Having enjoyed a peaceful four-hours of sleep, I rose at approximately 2:00 pm and engaged in a conversation with my elder son about our strategies for attaining financial independence. Although we still resided in council accommodation, I refused to let the weight of past regrets overshadow the possibilities of the present.
How I ended up living in council (local authority) accommodation is another story for another day. I had been blessed with a substantial amount of money, but my life started to turn upside down after a series of unfortunate events.
Now back to the current narrative, together, we brainstormed ideas and made a resolute decision—I would persist with my blog while my son embarked on launching his own YouTube channel, striving to expedite its monetization. Subsequently, he would lend his expertise to monetize my own YouTube channel.
My objective became clear: to support my son in achieving YouTube channel monetization within 12 months or less. I owed my family an immense debt of gratitude for standing by me through the adversities I’ve encountered throughout my life.
To assist in his endeavor, I proposed promoting his YouTube channel by leveraging my social media platforms. However, he preferred to initiate the promotion after the official launch.
I haven’t found the courage to reveal my loss to my family yet. Perhaps they will discover it through reading this story. I hope they come across it once I have established a significant monthly passive income using the internet.
Until now, my family likely believed I had a few thousand dollars invested in cryptocurrencies. I doubt they had any idea about the extent of my holdings, surpassing $2.2 million. Yet, dwelling on the vanished money and its past is futile, and I must now erase it from my thoughts and move forward.
After reading this, the responsibility falls upon you to discern the truth. Those who know me personally will discern it through the clues and my conduct during these challenging moments.
I understand the importance of moving past the mistake while cherishing the lessons learned. Undoubtedly, this has been an exceedingly costly error but an invaluable lesson.
I intend to leverage the knowledge gained from this experience to achieve financial freedom by creating internet-based passive income streams.
I understand the immense power of effective marketing in driving substantial online traffic and rapidly establishing a brand. One striking example is Andrew Tate, who has managed to dominate TikTok despite not having his own account. Various videos featuring him, along with fan accounts, have contributed to his widespread presence on the platform.
In just four months, Tate devised and executed a precise plan that yielded remarkable results, solidifying his dominance on TikTok.
Another inspiring story is that of Khaby Lame (Khabane Lame), who, after being laid off during the pandemic-related lockdown, has amassed over $5 million through TikTok.
These achievements demonstrate that anything is possible, fueling my own journey with an open mind. I firmly believe that I can attain financial freedom by harnessing the potential of the internet. While the exact path may be uncertain, I have unwavering confidence that it will ultimately materialize.
During Ramadan, my son embarked on his YouTube journey, acquainting himself with the process of video creation on the platform. Following our heartfelt conversation, he has decided to intensify his efforts and begin uploading more videos to his channel.
This time around, his primary focus is to monetize the channel. Initially, he envisioned achieving this milestone within a twelve-month timeframe. However, I encouraged him to set a more ambitious goal of accomplishing it in under six months. I am wholeheartedly committed to supporting him in every possible way to attain monetization for his channel.
I understand his desire to succeed independently and take sole credit for his accomplishments. As a parent, it is my responsibility to make amends for the losses we have experienced, without seeking recognition. I firmly believe that he will meet the YouTube monetization criteria soon.
In the coming period, my primary focus will be on diligently cutting down unnecessary expenses related to my online ventures. The loss of $2.2 million from my crypto portfolio has compelled me to pause and contemplate, coming to terms with the reality of what transpired. Now, I’m determined to craft a practical comeback plan for the future.
To ensure relevance and clarity, I have included specific dates in this article. It’s important to acknowledge that the cryptocurrency landscape might have undergone significant changes since May 2022, whenever you come across this information. I am eager to share my experiences from that financially uncertain period in my life, offering valuable insights into the challenges I faced and the lessons I learned.
This article serves as a testament to the events that unfolded in May 2022. One day, when I reflect on this story, I envision that I won’t harbor negative emotions arising from the loss anymore, as I believe I will have achieved a comfortable financial position in life.
In the present moment, I must remain composed and continue with my daily life. It’s essential that those close to me remain unaware of the magnitude of this loss. Despite being personally aware of the situation and feeling the pain, I must strive to act as if nothing has occurred.
Once I overcome this setback, I will emerge truly empowered. My belief in my own abilities will solidify, and I will progress towards viewing this incident as a chapter of the past. One bad chapter cannot conclude the story of my life, especially after I have decided to take a hold of the pen myself.
I am aware that some people might find it difficult to accept what I have experienced, and I have even thought about presenting it as a fictional story. I really wish that it was only a work of fiction. But I have to accept the facts and what has already happened. I’ve determined that I will still be able to achieve the goals that have been on my mind for a very long time despite this catastrophe.
At this very moment, my goal is to make something from this experience. My dreams and my intellect are the only resources I have because there is no capital available. A noteworthy success in my life would be turning this circumstance around.
I’m fortunate that I don’t owe $2.2 million in debt. Now that the money I’d worked so hard to accumulate is gone, I’m on my own to deal with the loss. I do have a few thousand dollars in debts to settle, but that is negligible in comparison to the extent of my overall loss.
Going through the emotions of having everything and then losing it all within just three days has given me profound insights into the financial world. It took nearly five years of unwavering dedication to build up $2.2 million, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye. This was not an easy come, easy go situation; it was the result of my hard-earned money slipping through my fingers like sand.
Despite having over $2.2 million in my crypto balance, I kept it concealed. My intention was to remain discreet until I had successfully cashed out the money.
I believed that my funds were secure and would transform my life, but the timing proved unfavorable. I must learn every possible lesson from this incident and use it as a stepping stone to move forward.
To reverse my circumstances and reignite my pursuit of financial freedom, I must take substantial action and rekindle my unwavering focus on my dreams.
The above was the story that I was going to publish in 2022, but the plan to build wealth using YouTube had come to an abrupt end. I am now updating this story in 2025.
My son was involved in a major car accident that led to him to depression, so he had to quit his YouTube Channel monetization journey.
I had also developed a major health concern, that led me to go through mental turmoil. I prayed everyday that this terminal health condition vanished. After 6 months of sincere prayer, the terminal health condition miraculously vanished.
We had gone through many testing incidents since I started writing this story. I have now decide to pick up the broken pieces and try and earn some additional income by monetizing my TikTok Channel.
Once I am earning a steady income from my TikTok Channel, I will focus on other ventures. I am working on getting accepted into TikTok’s creator rewards program and earning revenue from the videos that I upload to my TikTok Channel.
I will have to try and get out of this financial mess all by myself. My son is working on building his career and getting out of the mindset caused by the events spanning from 2022 to 2025.
At the time of updating this story, I have just over 22,000 follower on TikTok and I have not been able to monetize any of my videos yet. I am still working as a security officer to enable me to cover my living expense and provide for my family.
I am working on my TikTok Channel on a very part-time basis, as I work around 60 hours weekly at my security officer role. I’m just praying that I am able to get my TikTok Channel monetized, and start earning a substantial income from it very soon.
In life one day you can have everything and within a few days it can all vanish into thin air. The opposite can also have, one day you can have nothing and within a short time you can have everything you dreamed of having.
The lesson I have learned is to not feel pride once you have achieved your goal, but to feel grateful. Whatever you have has been gifted to you by the Almighty, it does not belong to you. It can disappear at anytime, the longer you are grateful, the longer it will last.
Written by Mujibur Rahman
– The End –
“This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.”
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