Lendz.net and Paul Peterson are a ****

I app**** for a loan of $25 000 with Lendz.net in late January of 2023 and I was instantly approved. After sending my banking details and other information as per their request they told me that before I could only receive my loan after paying them legal charges of $550. I was immediately disappointed as at the time I was not working and I could not ask for assistance from anyone from my family as both my parents are unemployed and I am the first born out of 5 children.

Fast forward to April of 2023, I managed to gather a bit of money and tried to negotiate with Paul Peterson, who is the financial accountant at Lendz.net on whether there was any way that I could decrease the legal charges. After awhile, Paul and myself eventually reached an agreement and he reassured and confirmed in 2 separate emails that I could pay $300 now and I would receive my loan then the remaining $250 could be paid after receiving my loan. I did as he said and I actually paid a total of $309.68 in bitcoin. After sending Paul the POP, he turns around and tells me that the management at Lendz.net did not agree to the agreement and that in order for me to receive my loan I need to pay the remaining $250. I have even gone as far as asking for a full refund of the payment that I made however as usual Paul sent an email belittling and insulting me telling me that I will never receive a refund.

I am honestly so hurt by the actions of Paul Peterson and Lendz.net as thanks to them my school fees are outstanding and I will not be allowed to write exams until my school fees are up to date. Also bare in mind that my first exam is on the 31st of May 2023. What makes this matter worse for me is the fact that Paul took advantage of me and my current home situation as I told him before we had an agreement that it would not make sense for me to pay them the $300 now especially when I do not know if I'll be able to pay the remaining $250 as I have an unstable income as there are some months that I don't receive anything at all. I also truly believe that Paul Peterson fooled me into paying $309.68 knowing very well that I could not receive a refund and that the management at Lendz.net would not agree to the agreement we had as when I called him out for not taking accountability and being *********** he played victim and made it seem as though I was insulting him with hurtful words when indeed it was him to was belittling me.

I truly believe that companies that charge people upfront fees especially when applying for loans need to be stopped as this is how majority of people get ****med as well as none of them even bother to include on their websites that they charge upfront fees. They only bother to inform you after giving you false hope and after you have gone through all the effort of signing a contract.