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Mark Steel, an engineer from England who is a VP at Swe-Dish Satellite Systems in Sterling, VA, did something horrible to me, and the fallout from what he did still affects me years later.
In 2001, I placed an ad online for a wealthy philanthropist. I was desperate for someone to help me... a doctor had done the wrong surgery on me, operating on more than a dozen of the wrong parts of my body, causing pain & disfigurement, and throwing me into a deep depression. I lost my business because of the depression, I was a single mother who didn't get any child support, and I didn't have money for a lawyer to sue the doctor (because of California's limit on pain & suffering damages, lawyers here will only take catastrophic injury cases on contingency).
Mark answered the ad, telling me that he was very wealthy, having sold his high tech business for more than $50 million.in the days after the dot com boom in Silicon Valley, this was a believable story. He promised me a large sum of money as a gift, no strings attached, and he put that promise in writing. He said it would be just a couple of weeks before he would give me the money.
And every couple of weeks that was extended to a couple more weeks, but he always had very plausible explanations, and told me not to worry. Meanwhile, we started dating, and I grew to really care for him. (And later when it became clear that I might not get any money at all, I still wanted to see him, so it wasn't just about the money). The weeks grew to months, I was behind on my rent, but Mark kept promising me the money was going to be available soon. I told my landlord the situation that Mark told me, and he was kind enough to let my daughter and I stay even though I was months in arrears. There was enough of Mark's story that checked out, (he worked at Lumenis, and was a founder of a company called Uniigo) so at that point I still believed him, and I also had to believe him because of my situation and psychological state. Mark talked about taking me and my daughter back to England with him and talked about having a future together.
A friend of mine was very suspicious when I told him of all this, but I said to him that if Mark was lying to me, that would mean that he was an evil man to do this to me, and I couldn't believe that could be the case, so he had to be telling me the truth. Little did I know...
Mark told me that his soon to be ex-wife had a business that was being sued for product liability, and because of that his accounts were frozen. Later, I found out there was no such company. And the company that he supposedly sold for $50+ million did not exist either, nor did the $3 million house. From what I have since been able to trace, he lived in a modest apartment in downtown San Jose.
My daughter and I were finally evicted from our apartment. Mark was well aware of this - I talked to him as we were being evicted. But he still kept to his story. Because I needed money then and Mark was still assuring me that he would eventually give me the money, I settled with the doctor out of court, just accepting a modest amount of money. But 6 months later the most severe injuries became apparent, it turned out that I would need more than $75K for surgery, and the damage to my knees might be permanant. But now because I signed a release, I could no longer sue.
Mark did other things to me that can only be described as cruel psychological manipulation. Several times he would call and tell me to get ready, that he had a surprise trip planned for us, so I would pack and wait for him for hours, only to have him call at the last minute to say that he was so sorry, he was called away on business. Other times he would tell me he had a present for me, but that he had forgotten to bring it with him, but the present was never mentioned again.
Finally I found evidence of Mark's lies, and I confronted him and told him I was going to expose him to his family. He then told me that he had just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. At first I didn't believe him, but being the masterful liar that he is, he finally convinced me that it was true. (You may think that I'm an idiot, but if you have never been a victim of a con artist, you don't know how skillful they are at playing you).
Well, now Mark seems to have made a miraculous recovery from death. I found him recently on the internet and discovered that he had this job with Swe-Dish. I told him how horrendous my life has been since I last saw him in 2002. I have had 11 painful surgeries, I still need 3 or 4 more, none of them are covered by insurance because they are considered experimental. I am still in constant pain, I can hardly sleep, but for 6 years I have had to work 7 days a week just to pay for more surgery. I asked him for $50K to pay for my surgery, which is a small fraction of what he originally promised me, but he has ignored my request.
So I think everyone should be warned about what this man is really like. What kind of man takes advantage of a desperate single mother?
She is correct! I was his wife for 10 years and I can attest to that! His lies are very credible and he is able to win anyone and everyone with just words. Beware of him!
Seriously? What a fool for asking and believing in a free ride.
Do you have a picture of this guy?
And where does he live now?
He is now working on a single/widow mother of 3 in Fairfax, VA
Is this enough info on him?
Mark Steel
/contact author of the post for more information/
What a bunch of stupid women. Obviously the one who wrote the complaint was nothing but a gold digging prositute, sleeping with married men for money because she couldn't work...booohooo. His ex-wife obviously upset he sleep with another women and then divorced. 10 years, long time to be lied too don't you think (says a lot about you). Sara your right on target, there is never a free ride in life...stupid women who don't know how to take care of themselves. LOL...single/widow Mom of three...lets try again people...Divorce mother of 2 and the last I knew she is just fine. Lastly what a stupid person posting someones info. online, registered strictly for that reason...what a loser you need to get a life.
What a disgusting human being you are, l wmom. you have no idea what my situation was and all that I went through, and here you are calling me names, none of which are accurate (do you know how to read and comprehend what you read?). you have no right to judge me.
Lets simplify the situation for you:
You placed an add for a wealthy philanthropist to help you out with money because of xy & z. A man claiming to be wealthy answered your add and promised you money, a few weeks led to more. You "had a relationship with him". He promised you vacations and presents...you continued on in hopes he would "take care" of you (your reason for placing an add for a wealthy philanthropist) it never panned out. One lie after another...a man lying to women about how much money they had to impress or this case get sex. Wow, I have never heard of this? Again, what a fool for asking and believing in a free ride. You can blame no one but yourself for being a "victim". You said even without receiving the money you continued on in this relationship and it is pretty obvious that it did not work out. Could you be a little bitter, placing a complaint in 2008 when it happened how long ago? Do you not see how obvious it is you are a gold digger and got what you deserved. Take it as a lesson in life, no free rides and to place an add for a wealthy philanthropist, well...your only asking to be lied to and taken advantage of. The man who ends up paying you 50k, well he will be the victim and in this case you would persuade him "you care deeply for him, not his money". Who is disgusting?
If I am wrong please someone point a wealthy philanthropist who will give this women 50k just because. Oh and this a loaner car, my Ferrari is in the shop... ;o)
You are really dense, wmom. I am not a gold digger. I needed help. there is nothing wrong with asking for help when you are in a desperate situation. but there is something wrong with a woman who reads a story like that, and instead of condemning a guy who lied, not for sex, but because he is a sick f*k who likes to manipulate people, instead you condemn his victim. and sex was not even part of the deal. he said he was giving me the money, no strings attached. we were just friends for months before we became romantically involved.
LOL...Not condemning his "victim" only pointing out what a stupid women you are. Dense...ok, I'm not the one who got screwd and has to beg for money from men in exchange for "friendship", smartness ;o)
Exactly desperate situation...you placed an add for someone to help, ISO Wealthy Man who would give me money no strings attached (sex excluded unless it "happens"). He may be a liar and sick f**K like some men looking for a fling but who is the stupid f**k that accepted it and continued on everytime even after you found out. Take responsibility for your life, you create it not others. Spending how many years stalking him in hopes he'll pay you 50k for experimental surgeries, writting complaints about him in hopes of what? I can tell you he wouldn't waste a moments thought on you.
Here is a paragraph I found that may help you:
Quality of Life
Inspiring Ideas on Taking Responsibility for Our Lives
It's What You Do With It
It is not so much what happens to each of us that determines our quality of life, but rather our reaction to what happens. Though we may have no choice in unexpected events that happen to us, we most certainly have choice in how we interpret what happens, and in what we choose to do about it. These choices make all the difference in how we experience our lives and world.
Neither does what we own play a major role in quality of life. One person with all the money and possessions in the world may have a miserable life, while another in the lowest income bracket may absolutely love their life. It is what we do with what we own that affects our level of satisfaction and joy in life. It's not what you possess or what happens to you in life that matters, but rather what you do with it.
Every moment something is happening in our lives. And every moment we make interpretations or judgments about what happens. By choosing to become more conscious of how we react to what happens, we can shift towards what we really want in our lives. Rather than following habitual, reactive patterns which lead to more of the same, we can recognize and transform our old habits to move powerfully in the direction of creating the life we really want. Yet to do this, we must first find the courage to look at some of the disempowering, often unconscious patterns which get in the way and don't serve to increase our quality of life.
Transform Yourself From Victim to Creator
You are given many opportunities in life to choose to be a victim or to be a creator. When you choose to be a victim, the world is a cold and harsh place. "They" did things to you which caused all of your pain and suffering. "They" are wrong and bad, and life is rotten as long as "they" are around. "They" might be one or more individuals in your family or community. It might be the terrible politicians or your boss or the evil cabal of the power elite that rules the world. Or you may blame yourself for all your problems, thus internalizing your victimization. The essence is that victims feel a need to blame someone for all their problems, whether it is themselves or others, because that someone is ruining their lives and world. And the trutQuality of Life
Inspiring Ideas on Taking Responsibility for Our Lives
Oh one other thing...you may claim it was just him manipulating you but we all know what the goal of it was...SEX
did it, got the t-shirt and tossed it (happens)
LOL Brenda your our backup music
WMOM you are a really pathetic woman who spends her time writing vicious and lengthy posts to someone you totally misjudge and know nothing about. I bet you are as ugly on the outside as you are on the inside. I posted this because I live by the Golden Rule. I wish someone had warned about me about this man, so I am warning others. Already two women have contacted me because this predator was trying the same scam on them. This is my last comment to you - you are not worth my time.
Lol...I know this "predator" very well thanks for the warning...hmm two sides to every story, you call him a liar and he calls you a gold digger. You wanted money he wanted no strings attached. I know all about you...and really think your a sad person and worth letting everyone else know. What he did was wrong but what you did was just as wrong, get it. But alase, I can see you will never learn and will write vicous and lengthy post claiming your a victim for how long 8yrs 10 yrs 20 yrs?, poor you...sad you. Yes my modeling career is done and I cannot even stand to look at myself in the mirror Im so ugly(hehe).
Oh and as far as the golden rule...yes...for all gold diggers out there looking for a free ride ISO of a wealthy philanthropist watch out for this guy...he'll give you what you desire.
So ladies what have we learned today-- No free rides, stay in school, be independent, check your drs credentials before they screw up your knees, save the money you get from your settlement for a rainy day, don't forget to remove you makeup at night and always get payment upfront before you sleep with them.
Love You, it's been great fun but I must go pack for my vacation! xx
(closing song-- turn to Brenda)
ah ha ha that is perfect! ;o)
pretty good read. thanks!
You really have to be kidding. YOU are responsible for YOUR actions. No one places an ad for a "wealthy philanthropist" and is serious. Stop whining.
LOL..Ditto...evasgramma!.I agree with WMOM! Though i feel bad for His Victim..you could have been smarter than that though! ..You chose to what you want to be and who you are and what where you want to be in life...apparently your choices wasn't great neither smart..s*** happens!
I have to agree with WMOM on this one. All the more proof why staying in school is better than pushing out kids.
To wmom: for your information, I went to college, and I did check the doctors credentials, he is a well known stanford doctor. and I did not get any settlement - the doctor is totally corrupt, and he got his friend from stanford, a superior court judge, to fix the trial. I did nothing wrong and this happened to me. I needed money for experimental surgery. I was a victim, #, and instead of attacking this evil doctor, you attack me! you are a heartless jerk, and I hope your karma catches up to you. if anyone deserves bad things to happen to them in life, it is you!
I found this site by accident whilst looking up an old friend, Mark Steel, now this may be another Mark Steel altogether, but I think not .we were both electronics engineers in the royal air force from '79 -'93, we went through tech training together from eraly '85 to mid '85 then posted to the same squadron, he was married with 2 children at the time but met some one else while detached to the north of England, he susequently divorced his wife and married the other girl, moving to a unit closer . I was his best man and he is god parent to my eldest son who is now 23. he has 2 children by this lady whom is still a long distance friend, he had a job for a micro wave company, in Luton, England travelling all over the world, during his travels he met another women I forget where but I seem to recall latin American also something about suffering cancer, this would have been at least 20 years ago, I have had no contact but assumed he was doing very well for himself, if it is the same person then I think you'll see a longer term pattern.I had no reason to feel badly towards him, people break up but he did do the dirty on his last wife here, to my knowledge he has no contact with any of his children, the first would be in their late 20's at least I have a couple of photo's dating back to around 87-88 along with one taken at his wedding I will download, by the way I knew him as Mark Tedder, he originates from Exeter in Devon, England
And you will never be meeting your new granddaughter mark. ###
Well I am wife number 2 and was married to him for 10 years [protected] so wud love to know who the first person who commented was?! His first wife had 2 kids, I have 2 kids and now a grand daughter that he doesn't even bother with or financially support! He married his next wife ( number 3) while he was still married to me, commiting bigamy!
He has lied and cheated throughout his life and safe to say he will probably be cheating on wife number 4, who has also had 2 children by him.
As for saying he has cancer, it certainly isn't the first time this story has been told. Even saying members of his family had died when they were alive and kicking!
To quote the words of his father. "He is not ill, he is a pathological lier"
I am one of his daughters and non of this surpirses me in the slightest . I now have a child, and he's still popping out kids as far as we know he is now on his 7th child me been number 3. He always lies, full of false promises. I have never known a man talking so much ### in all my life . All he is bothered about is flashing his cash to his fancy piece, all he does is cheat. I changed my surname because I am that ashamed of him.
He's off living the high life in Florida, spoiling the kids he has with his now 4th wife( hats of there's not more ) the kids get everything and when he left he left my mum with nothing .
Complete waste of space. Total sperm doner
If anybody wants to no any more I am on Facebook under the name Karis Irving . From carlisle