wow888 slot

A COUPLE who nearly risked bankruptcy on an investment saw their fortunes change and now run a pub inside a converted double decker bus. James Hay, 40, and partner Charley Base, 39, always dreamt of running their own business together but had never found the right opportunity. The couple almost signed on a brick and mortar pub lease in early 2020 before “easing off the gas” due to the pandemic. This decision, James reckons, likely saved them around £100,000 and from a potential bankruptcy . Now, they run their pub Ludo's from inside an old double decker bus. James, originally from Portsmouth, couldn't believe his luck when he found out the previous lease on the bus was ending. It was being shared at the time by brewery Earth as a taproom as well as a board game café during the day. However, after they moved out, it gave the perfect opportunity for James and Charley to move in and swoop up the desirable site. Taking over the lease, the couple injected £20,000 into restoring the bus from its previous state. That included a professional beer system installation, new fridges, and a general refresh to the bus interior. Most read in Motors The result is a cosy and warm environment that would make any pubgoer feel at home. Charley, a comedy act booker, and James regularly run comedy nights on the top floor of the bus, as well as live music, and pub quizzes. We went along to one music event and spoke to those attending, as well as one of the performers. Fi, 25, described the concert as an "ethereal experience" atop the "beautiful" bus. She said the uniqueness of sitting aboard a former bus to listen to musicians created a "culturally enriching" environment for the audience. Sa-ad, 20, loved the "intimate" feel of the bus and jokingly remarked at how it's the "nicest experience" you can have on a bus anywhere. He added: "You have a lot of unique venues in London but this one tops them all. “It’s such an intimate venue. There’s nowhere for the performer to go other than in the audience. "You really form a better connection. It’s such an interesting venue combined with its care for its performers. “It’s something gimmicky that cares." All of the guests we spoke to said they will definitely be back at the unique venue. Porteous , 25, who performed at the show, said: “It was so wholesome. “It’s so surreal to have something so silent. You’re literally face to face. It’s amazing, it’s really really beautiful." Converting the bus When the couple inherited the Volvo bus, it had already had some of its interior altered in order to accommodate Earth's tap room. But James admitted it did need some "love" to bring it up to the standard for Ludo's. The pair set ahead and invested around £20,000 into new furnishings, beer equipment, and styling for the pub . The couple gave the motor a fresh lick of paint and adorned it with their own signs to give the bus its snazzy look. But it was not just the outside of the bus that needed a new lease of life. Inside, the team set to bring a warm and cosy feel to the 28-year-old bus. This meant installing new lights and lamps, and smartening up the seating and tables. The result is a bright and fashionable upstairs that plays host to comedians and live musicians throughout the week. The lower deck of the bus also required a lot of work to build the venue's bar. The bare bones interior was showered with a new bar top, colourful furnishings, and a warm design to create the ultimate cosy pub feel. James said the inspiration for the conversion came from his inadvertent first project from when the pair lived together on a canal boat . They had transformed their former home in Manchester into a liveable space. This first conversion gave them the itch to undertake an even bigger project, which ended up being Ludo's. Speaking about the cost of the bus conversion, despite its high initial price, James said the pair now enjoy a "healthy" cash flow from a mixture of patrons. The entrepreneur added that he wanted to make a venue that straddles that middle crowd of those that feel they can't go to cheap "older" style pubs but desire that homely, cosy, and affordable feel. Ludo's also pushes a major sustainability and independent front, stocking a selection of local beers as well as homemade cakes. READ MORE SUN STORIES James believes it's what puts Ludo's a cut above a standard pub and hopes it will attract more environmentally conscious patrons. On top of this, he wants Ludo's to play its part in showcasing sustainable business.wow888 slot 。

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has provided a temporary relief to Chairperson Rashmi Saluja amid a fight for the control of Religare Enterprises Ltd. In an order on Dec. 18, the court halted an annual general meeting of Religare that was scheduled to take place on Dec. 31. A bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vijay Kumar also stayed the Reserve Bank of India's approval of the Burman family's open offer, which would allow them to acquire a 26% stake in the company. The order comes as a relief to Saluja as the decision on her reappointment has been delayed due to the court's intervention. The Burman family, which is the largest shareholder of the company, has been seeking to oust Saluja, raising questions about the future leadership and control of Religare. The high court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Vijayant Mishra for protecting the interests of minority shareholders of Religare. Mishra argued that the proposed acquisition by the Burman family could lead to control being concentrated in the hands of a few, potentially undermining the interests of over 73,000 minority shareholders. Religare Enterprises confirmed the court’s stay in a filing to the BSE and the National Stock Exchange on Thursday, saying that the notice for the AGM would remain on hold until further orders. The Burman family, through its entities, placed orders to acquire up to 1.73 crore equity shares, representing 5.27% of Religare's equity, at a maximum price of Rs 235 per share. This move is part of their strategy to surpass the 25% threshold, triggering an open offer obligation as required by regulations governing non-bank financial companies. While the RBI had given approval for the increase in shareholding, it has withheld approval for the proposed appointment of four new directors at this stage.3 Durable Dividend Stocks to Buy for a Lifetime of Passive Income

Giants' 10th straight loss showed once again that they need a young QB EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the Giants' franchise-record 10th straight loss proved anything, it's that New York could use a young franchise quarterback. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. Tom Canavan, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 3:17 PM Dec 23, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) juggles the ball leading to a New York Giants interception by cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) in the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the Giants' franchise-record 10th straight loss proved anything, it's that New York could use a young franchise quarterback. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. showed what a young QB can do on Sunday against the Giants, who need to learn from it. The No. 8 overall pick in the draft, Penix played a nearly flawless game in his first career start to help the Falcons thrash the woeful Giants 34-7 in their best performance in weeks. The Giants gambled in 2019 that Daniel Jones would be their franchise QB and it really never panned out. The one exception was the 2022 season, when the No. 6 overall pick had a career year and led New York to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff berth in the first season after Joe Schoen was hired as general manager and Brian Daboll was named coach. The Giants even won a playoff game. With the release of Jones last month, the Giants (2-13) are now a team without a quarterback who can perform at the level required of an NFL starter. Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock have split the last four starts but neither has provided much of a spark for the league's worst offense. Lock handed the Falcons the game with two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. To turn things around next season, the Giants must find a quarterback. “I’d say it’s very important,” Daboll said Monday. New York is going to have a high pick in the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in late April. It could even be the No. 1 overall selection. Choosing the right quarterback is going to be hard. There isn't a can't-miss choice in 2025 draft and forcing one early would be a mistake. Unless the Giants are convinced that Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe or someone else is the next franchise player, they have have so many needs that it would be better to wheel and deal and fill as many holes as possible. Even if the Giants take a quarterback in the second round, there's bound to be someone available who has a chance to be better than what they have now. What’s working The calendar. The season ends in less than two weeks. What needs help The franchise is in disarray, and a shakeup appears likely. Daboll's future as the coach is not bright, considering the current skid and two straight losing seasons. Schoen has to share the blame and so do co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, who hired the GM and coach. Stock up LB Darius Muasau. The sixth-round draft pick out of UCLA has started the last three games since Bobby Okereke (back) was hurt and eventually put on injured reserve last week. Muasau had 11 tackles Sunday along with a quarterback hit and a tackle for a loss. He made the defensive calls after LB Micah McFadden left with a neck injury. Stock down Lock. In his starts, Lock has had three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also lost a fumble on a strip-sack at Atlanta. Lock sustained a shoulder injury during the game and had an MRI on Monday. Injuries Besides Lock and McFadden, S Jason Pinnock (eye) also left the game. C John Michael Schmitz and RB Tyrone Tracy were evaluated for ankle injuries on Monday. Key number 1 — Thanks to the Raiders' victory over the Jaguars, the Giants will have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft with two more losses. Next steps For the ninth and final time, the Giants will try to find a way to win at MetLife Stadium. New York is 0-8 heading into Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Its only other winless season at home was in 1974 when New York played at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, while Giants Stadium was being built. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Tom Canavan, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Aiming for top seed, Lions play 49ers on road before closing regular season at home against Vikings Dec 23, 2024 4:03 PM Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs Dec 23, 2024 3:55 PM NFL Inactive Report Dec 23, 2024 3:54 PMASPI Stock News: Shareholder Rights Law Firm Robbins LLP Urges ASP Isotopes Inc. Stockholders ...

Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flightsStock up on these popular board games for your next get-together

Some dividends are more durable than others. That's due to a combination of the underlying company's financial strength and the resiliency of its business model. Companies with those characteristics make excellent ones to buy and hold for a lifetime of stable and growing dividend income. Many real estate investment trusts ( REITs ) have those durable traits, including Agree Realty ( ADC -0.51% ) , Stag Industrial ( STAG -0.39% ) , and Sun Communities ( SUI -1.32% ) . That makes them ideal for those seeking enduring income that should stand the test of time. A strong foundation Agree Realty has been the model of consistency over the years. The retail REIT has grown its dividend at a solid 5.7% annual rate during the past 10 years. Its dividend currently yields over 4%, putting it several times higher than the S&P 500 's ( ^GSPC 0.25% ) 1.2% yield. The company has built a very strong foundation. It focuses on owning freestanding properties leased to high-quality retailers (67.5% have investment-grade credit) in resilient sectors (e.g., grocery, home improvement, tire and auto service, and convenience stores). It utilizes long-term net leases or ground leases that provide predictable rental income because tenants cover all operating costs (including routine maintenance, building insurance, and real estate taxes). Agree Realty also has a very strong financial foundation. It has an excellent investment-grade credit rating backed by a low leverage ratio . That gives it the financial flexibility to continue acquiring income-generating retail properties. It also has a very conservative dividend payout ratio for a REIT, at 73% of its adjusted funds from operations ( FFO ). The company has a long growth runway ahead. It works directly with many high-quality retailers that still own over 168,000 locations. That should provide the REIT with a steady stream of sale-leaseback transactions in the coming years. Robust demand for this real estate Stag Industrial has also been very consistent over the years. The industrial REIT has increased its dividend every year since it came public in 2011. It also offers a dividend yield above 4%. The company owns a diversified portfolio of industrial real estate , like warehouses and light manufacturing facilities. It leases these properties to high-quality tenants under long-term agreements that escalate rents each year (2.8% on average in 2024). Demand for industrial properties is robust due to the growing adoption of e-commerce and onshoring of manufacturing. Because of that, it's capturing much higher rental rates once legacy leases expire (30% rental increases on new and renewal leases for the same space in 2024). Stag Industrial also has a low-leverage balance sheet and a conservative dividend payout ratio (73%). It's on track to generate about $100 million in post-dividend free cash flow this year, giving it additional cash to invest in acquiring more income-producing industrial properties. The company expects to acquire $500 million to $700 million of properties this year and has $4.2 billion of potential investments in its deal pipeline. Durable demand Sun Communities has never cut or suspended its dividend in its three decades as a public company. Meanwhile, the REIT has routinely increased its payments over the years, including the last eight in a row. The unique residential REIT currently yields 3%. The REIT focuses on properties off the beaten path from other real estate investors, like manufactured home communities, RV resorts, marinas, and holiday parks in the U.K. These properties benefit from very durable demand. For example, it's very expensive to relocate a manufactured home, which keeps residents in place. Meanwhile, demand for outside experiences is growing, which is driving demand for space at its RV parks and marinas. As a result of these factors, Sun Communities has delivered 20 straight years of rising same-store net operating income ( NOI ). Overall, NOI has increased at a 5.2% compound annual rate since 2000, faster than the REIT sector average (3.2%). Sun Communities complements its solid rental growth rate by making acquisitions and investing in expanding existing locations. For example, it has added marinas and U.K. holiday parks to its portfolio over the past several years. Meanwhile, when opportunities arise, it will acquire additional manufactured home communities and RV parks. The REIT has ample financial flexibility to continue expanding its portfolio thanks to its solid investment-grade balance sheet. Three rock-solid dividend stocks Agree Realty, Stag Industrial, and Sun Communities have long records of paying durable and growing dividends. The REITs back their payouts with resilient real estate portfolios and strong balance sheets. Because of that, they should be able to continue providing their investors with steadily rising income in the decades ahead.

( ) has long been regarded as a cornerstone investment for those seeking stability, , and proven leadership in an unpredictable market. Founded and led by the legendary Prem Watsa, often dubbed the “Canadian Warren Buffett,” Fairfax’s reputation as a value investor’s dream has been built on decades of savvy decision-making. Under Watsa’s leadership, the company has consistently employed a value-based approach to investing. This discipline has enabled Fairfax to weather economic storms while capitalizing on undervalued opportunities. Fairfax stock’s ability to adapt to evolving markets while staying true to its core principles has made it a stronghold for patient, investors. Diversification leads to reliable returns One of the key reasons Fairfax stock has been such a reliable investment is its diverse portfolio. It spans property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and a wide range of global investments. The company’s insurance businesses generate steady cash flow through underwriting profits, which then fund its investment strategy. Fairfax is also exceptional in its underwriting discipline, consistently achieving combined ratios below 100%. In the third quarter of 2024, Fairfax reported a combined ratio of 93.9%, further underlining its operational efficiency. For Q3 2024, Fairfax stock reported net gains on investments totalling over $1.3 billion, driven by solid returns in both bonds and equity markets. Despite broader market volatility, Fairfax’s investments generated significant returns. These were complemented by strong premium growth in its insurance businesses. Gross premiums written rose by 13.9% year-over-year, driven in part by Fairfax stock’s strategic acquisitions such as its recent purchase of Gulf Insurance. These acquisitions have expanded Fairfax’s global footprint and premium base, positioning the company for future growth in emerging markets. Shares rising more and more What also sets Fairfax stock apart is its commitment to increasing shareholder value. The company has a strong track record of growing book value per share, a key metric that long-term investors watch closely. As of the third quarter of 2024, Fairfax’s book value per share stood at $1,033.18, an 11.7% increase year-to-date. This consistent growth reflects Fairfax stock’s disciplined capital allocation and ability to generate returns across market cycles. Plus, the company’s willingness to reward shareholders directly through dividends reinforces its appeal. In January 2024, Fairfax stock announced a significant 50% increase in its annual dividend, raising it to $15 per share – a testament to its commitment to delivering tangible value to shareholders. More to come Fairfax stock’s strong balance sheet further cements its reputation as a reliable long-term investment. As of the most recent quarter, the company reported $8.7 billion in cash, ensuring ample liquidity to weather any short-term challenges or seize investment opportunities as they arise. Its debt-to-equity ratio of 37.2% remains well within a manageable range, reflecting the company’s prudent approach to leveraging its capital. Coupled with steady cash flows from its insurance operations and growing investment income, Fairfax stock’s financial health is robust and well-positioned for sustainable growth. The future outlook for Fairfax stock is equally compelling. The company’s insurance operations continue to grow, benefiting from more disciplined insurance markets and an expanding premium base. Recent acquisitions, such as Gulf Insurance, have significantly increased Fairfax’s market share in regions poised for economic growth. On the investment side, Fairfax remains well-diversified across equities, fixed income, and alternative investments. This should allow it to capitalize on opportunities regardless of broader market conditions. Analysts have projected steady revenue growth for Fairfax over the coming years, with forecasts indicating a 3.2% annual increase. While short-term earnings may fluctuate due to investment gains or losses, Fairfax stock’s long-term strategy remains firmly intact, driven by its focus on value creation and disciplined capital management. Bottom line Ultimately, Fairfax Financial Holdings offers a rare combination of stability, growth, and value creation that is difficult to find elsewhere. Whether it’s the proven investment strategy, its impressive financial performance, or the visionary leadership of Prem Watsa, Fairfax stock provides all the hallmarks of a must-buy stock for long-term investors. For those willing to be patient, Fairfax represents not just a stock, but a legacy investment that continues to reward those who believe in its story.Retailers coax Black Friday shoppers into stores with big discounts giveawaysIn the dynamic world of finance, traders constantly seek innovative tools to gain a competitive advantage in the market. The Swap ProAir 400 Platform has gained significant attention, offering advanced algorithms and machine learning technologies designed to support smarter decision-making. Yet, in an era where scams and fraudulent platforms are on the rise, traders are understandably wary about the platform’s authenticity and effectiveness. To provide a thorough evaluation of the Swap ProAir 400 Platform in 2024, it’s essential to focus on the critical factors that define its legitimacy and effectiveness. The first consideration is the platform’s track record and reputation: has it consistently delivered on its promises and offered genuine value to traders? Another vital aspect is transparency: does the platform openly share details about its algorithms and methodologies, or does it rely on vague and ambiguous descriptions of its operations? These elements are fundamental to assessing its credibility and utility. In addition, user feedback and reviews are crucial for evaluating the legitimacy and effectiveness of a trading platform. Positive testimonials from satisfied users often serve as a reliable indicator of the platform’s credibility and performance. On the other hand, frequent complaints about poor results or allegations of fraudulent practices are significant red flags that warrant careful consideration. The Swap ProAir 400 Platform claims to provide advanced tools and technologies tailored for traders. However, in 2024, conducting thorough research, practicing due diligence, and maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism remain crucial when assessing the credibility and effectiveness of any trading platform. Investors should carefully evaluate multiple aspects, such as transparency, user reviews, and track records, before committing their funds to platforms like Swap ProAir 400 . The Swap ProAir 400 Platform is the latest entrant in the trading arena, making waves in the financial world with its cutting-edge AI-driven trading system. In this review, we will delve into its standout features, explore the benefits it offers to traders, and assess the platform’s overall legitimacy and reliability. Reviews Summary The Swap ProAir 400 Platform has garnered praise from traders across the globe for its innovative approach to trading. Leveraging state-of-the-art AI technology, the platform empowers users to automate their trading strategies, potentially maximizing profits with minimal effort. As an AI-driven trading software, Swap ProAir 400 excels in analyzing market trends and executing trades on behalf of its users. Designed to simplify the trading process, it caters to both beginners and seasoned traders, helping them work toward their financial goals efficiently and effectively. How Swap ProAir 400 Platform Operates The Swap ProAir 400 Platform employs an advanced algorithm to analyze market data and execute trades in alignment with user-defined parameters. Its AI technology dynamically adjusts to evolving market conditions, striving to deliver optimal outcomes for its users. Key Features: • Demo Trading Account: Perfect for beginners to practice and understand the platform without risking real money. • Beginner-Friendly Interface: Simplifies trading for novice users with intuitive design and easy navigation. • Fast Withdrawals: Ensures users have quick access to their funds when needed. • Strong Security Measures: Prioritizes user data and transaction safety with robust security protocols. Is Swap ProAir 400 Platform Legitimate or a Scam? After extensive research and analysis, it is evident that the Swap ProAir 400 Platform is a legitimate and reliable trading tool. Tested by traders, the platform has consistently delivered promising results, making it a trusted option for those looking to automate their trading strategies. Key Details: • Minimum Deposit Requirement: To activate an account, users need to deposit a minimum of $250. The platform supports multiple payment methods and does not charge any deposit fees. • Customer Support: Swap ProAir 400 offers 24/7 customer support via phone and email, ensuring users can address any questions or concerns at any time. These features, along with its proven track record, position the platform as a credible choice for traders. Deposit Funds Traders can activate their Swap ProAir 400 Platform account by funding it with a minimum deposit of $250. The platform supports various payment methods, ensuring flexibility and secure transactions. Additionally, there are no deposit fees, providing a cost-effective start for users. Utilize the Demo Account The Swap ProAir 400 Platform recommends that users begin with a demo account to familiarize themselves with its features. This enables traders to explore the platform’s capabilities and test its functionality without putting real money at risk. Commence Trading After gaining confidence through the demo account, users can seamlessly transition to live trading on the Swap ProAir 400 Platform. The platform’s advanced AI algorithm will execute trades automatically, aligning with the user’s predefined preferences and adapting to real-time market conditions. Withdraw Funds Traders have the flexibility to withdraw their funds at any time on the Swap ProAir 400 Platform, which ensures fast and efficient processing. Fiat currency withdrawals are completed within 12–24 hours, while cryptocurrency withdrawals are processed instantly, providing users with prompt access to their funds.

Reilly scores 18 as Delaware downs Rider 72-66I t was around 1am when I discovered my impostor was watching me. I was sitting up in bed, scrolling on my phone through the list of people who had viewed my Instagram story. The audience was the same as it always was: friends, family and a smattering of followers I had picked up over the years. But a tug from my subconscious told me, this time, something was wrong. I scrolled back up and there it was: an account I had never seen before. Their profile photo was a selfie I had taken in a bookshop basement years ago. Have you ever walked by an unexpected mirror and jumped at your own reflection? That’s how it felt as I stared back at myself, unnerved by my sudden appearance. I brought the screen close to my face. The photo was old, from 2016, but it was a day I remembered well. I had just handed in my university dissertation and I was enjoying my newfound freedom. I had been ambling through Cardiff and had taken a snapshot in a mirror to mark the moment. My gold iPhone 5 looked tiny in my hand and I was wearing my favourite flannel shirt. These were familiar fragments of my life back then. Now, someone had seemingly come along and picked them up out of the bin. Was it just a glitch? A strange Meta mess-up that would reset if I clicked on their account? I would feel silly but relieved, then settle into bed with the world returned to how it was. But when I visited their page the image remained. According to Instagram, it now belonged to someone named Paweł Sibilski. Paweł had 691 followers and he was following more than 2,600 people. I couldn’t see who they were, or the four posts he had shared, because his profile was private. In his bio, written in Polish, he described himself as a developer and investor. There was a Facebook link beneath it. I tapped it with a curiosity that swelled into horror. Paweł’s Facebook was like a shrine devoted to my face. His profile photo was a selfie I had taken outside a pub in 2018. His cover photo, directly above it, was a shot of me wearing a hoodie on a frosty day in 2016. There was another photo where I was mid-expression, my hair blown sideways; I couldn’t even remember when that was taken. It was like watching footage of myself sleepwalking; there I was, all over his account, with no memory of how I got there. Panic set in. The account was mostly private, but I pieced together what I could. Every photo (besides a stock image of an empty bar) was a different closeup of me. Paweł had been uploading them since 2020, but they spanned almost a decade of my life. Hundreds of people had liked and commented on them, and Paweł had humbly thanked them. He was incredibly popular, with 4,600 Facebook friends (about six times more than I have on my own account) – and he had spent the last four years convincing them that he was really me. I thought of the hapless hero in Dostoevsky’s novel The Double, when Golyadkin encounters his beguiling doppelganger. The duplicate charms his way into Golyadkin’s life, wins over his colleagues and friends, and eventually replaces him. Golyadkin later loses grip of his identity and has a severe mental breakdown. I know this story because it was the subject of my dissertation, the same one I had handed in before taking that bookshop selfie. Did my impostor somehow know this? Had he read the book as well? What else were we sharing that I had once thought belonged only to me? Paweł’s Facebook account had a longer bio, again written in Polish. I used Google to translate the top line. “Bądź Zawsze Sobą,” it read. “Always be yourself.” I couldn’t decide if it was comical or violating. I was concerned, but also weirdly flattered. I couldn’t help feeling slightly buoyed up by the fact that I had been selected; that my photos were considered worth stealing. But who was Paweł, why had he chosen me and what had he done with my identity? M y impostor was more protective of my personal details than I had been in my online life. In order to see what else he had hijacked, I had to become his Facebook friend. A fresh wave of paranoia made me wonder if we were already connected. I rushed back to my private account and scanned my friends list. How well did I really know these people? In recent months I had tightened my social media security, but in the past I had recklessly accepted all requests. I’d had the same Facebook account for over 15 years, and Paweł had clearly been watching me for about half a decade. I tried to view my profile as one of my current 800 “friends” would see it. They would know the names of my family and pets, where I studied, where I worked, where my parents were buried, what my childhood looked like, where I lived, the places I had been and the places I was likely to visit again. It was a fraudster’s cheat sheet, a stalker’s dream. Paweł was accepting compliments about my face beneath my reproduced photos and passing them off as his own. He was clearly a crafty catfish, an online con artist who takes someone else’s images and pretends to be them to deceive others. I decided to give him the same treatment; I would make a fake account and try to catfish my own impostor. Creating an alias was harder than I expected. I didn’t want to use a name that might belong to a real person, but the pseudonyms I came up with sounded ridiculous, like badly written 1950s detectives: would you accept a friend request from Eric Pistachio or Dirk Avalanche? I ended up using my middle name followed by the first syllable of my mother’s maiden name. I typed “cartoon character” into Google and used a popular result as my profile photo: an image of the anime ninja Naruto. For a cover photo I went with a generic woodland. It was as easy as that: a fake name and a fake face, made real by the internet. Facebook suggested some strangers I should add, so I sent them all requests to make me look more legitimate. I was surprised when dozens immediately accepted. How easily they had just let a catfish into their lives. I clicked on some of their profiles: family photos, career updates and tagged locations – I had access to the lot. I sent Paweł a friend request. It felt sticky and horrible, as if I was betraying myself and playing into his game. Here I was, dressed as a cartoon character while I asked a stranger for permission to look at myself. Everything was out of sync. I closed my laptop, laid down in bed and tried not to think about Golyadkin. The next morning I had 89 new friends, but Paweł wasn’t among them. He had either rejected or ignored my request. Had he somehow seen right through it? In a normal state I would have waited but I was too agitated for patience. I started drafting a message under my pseudonym. It was confrontational, so I dialled it back. I wanted answers, not to scare him off. I told him my name was Andrew, and that I knew he was using my photos, but I said I was more curious than annoyed and simply had some questions. I took a breath and clicked send. “This account can’t receive your message because they don’t allow new message requests from everyone.” I had stooped to the level of a catfish for nothing. In frustration I copied and pasted my message beneath one of his (my) photos. I took screenshots of his accounts and posted them to my Instagram story, to warn my friends and family. Then I took a selfie and pointed accusingly at the camera. My finger loomed large, close to the lens; on the tip I wrote, “Get your own face, Paweł.” My followers reacted just like I had, with a mix of shock and laughter. It was surreal but funny, wasn’t it? A troubling sort of compliment. I had so many messages that I almost missed one. It was sent in such a frantic state it was missing proper punctuation. “Hey do we know each other? Where do you know me from?” it read. It was Paweł. The fake innocence riled me up, along with the subtle accusation that I was somehow bothering him . He had a new profile photo now, a stock image of a silhouetted concert crowd. I told him who I was and that I wanted answers. He read this straight away and then the chat went dead for 12 minutes. “I think it’s only fair, don’t you?” I followed up. “You have been using my photos for many years without my knowledge and befriending lots of people posing as me. All I’m asking for is an explanation.” He started to type. He typed for a long time. The three dots promised some sort of closure, but his response when it came was disjointed and confusing – eight lines long without any full stops. Paweł later revealed he was translating everything I’d said into his native Polish, and I sensed he was also panicking. So I slowed down and asked him very basic questions. “Would you be happy to share your real name, or your age or general location?” “I’m a bit ashamed,” he replied, and seemed to mean it. He typed like an embarrassed child who had been caught stealing sweets. “How old are you?” I tried again. “I’m assuming you’re a man?” “Yes, that’s right, I’m a man. I gave my age as 25 – I’m generally a bit older.” “How much older than 25?” He was being coy, but I felt as if I was getting somewhere. The chat went silent again for a few minutes. “I live in Warsaw. I’m 42 years old, I have a wife, two children and, as you can see, a double personality.” I reeled back. I had assumed he was a young loner, not a family man. I imagined him now, messaging me while his kids played nearby. It creeped me out again. I tried to keep my questions straightforward and calm, so I didn’t scare him into silence, and slowly he began to reveal what he had done with my identity. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Paweł said he initially created the account because he wanted to make money. He had some sort of scheme I didn’t understand, but it involved selling products. He needed a photo of someone “handsome” to lure customers in. He had found me by chance as a Google result because of an old article I had written; then he had tracked down my social media. He had used my face because he thought no one would recognise it. “Pretty boy not very popular,” he wrote. “You are not a celebrity, you are not famous.” I was now being negged by my impostor. Paweł failed to make money from the account, but somewhere along the line he started to enjoy logging in as me. “I could be free. I wasn’t afraid of anyone,” he wrote. I almost felt sorry for him as he explained how he would come home from a tough, physical job, start drinking alcohol and slip into his online identity. “Then I opened up – I was you,” he wrote. “I could feel like someone else for a moment and express my opinion without fear of persecution.” This made me incredibly nervous. “What sort of opinions did you express using my profile photo?” “Generally you got nice opinions,” he said, as if he was unable to separate the two of us in his mind. The exception, he said, would be in talking to “someone, mainly a woman, who overdid it with plastic surgery. Then I wrote honestly that she was ruining her appearance, and because you are so handsome, they wondered if they were doing the right thing.” I felt a pang of helpless shock. Paweł was dressing up as me and haranguing women. I had viewed him as a low-risk fantasist, but he clearly had a cruel streak. Over the following days we continued to message, and Paweł’s revelations became more sinister. “Most girls wanted to have sex with you,” he wrote. “I also got some nude photos and videos, it was so nice.” He said he had used the account to start simultaneous romantic relationships with women who all thought they were talking to me. These lasted for up to six months at a time and ended only because Paweł refused to meet them in person. He said he still had their videos saved in a personal archive. “Did you feel bad that the people sending you nude images thought they were sending them to someone else?” I asked in disbelief, trying not to let my anger show. “Honestly I didn’t think about it, I was amused by the fact that they were so naive,” he wrote. “Maybe something is wrong with my psyche?” I had thought I was the main casualty of Paweł’s deception, but now it was clear that the real victims were the women he had tricked. I felt sickened that he had involved me in this. I asked if his wife knew. He said she almost caught him on the fake account once, but he convinced her it belonged to a friend. She had no idea about his second life and the string of women he had manipulated. “I feel guilty,” Paweł wrote. “It’s good you caught me because I wanted to end it for a long time, thank you.” “Were you worried about being found out?” I asked. “I have done nothing wrong to anyone. On the contrary, [as] you see for yourself, so many years and no one has reported me or anything,” he wrote, having recovered from his short-lived shame. “Can I still have your account for a while as you?” He claimed he was using the catfish account for “good” and acting as a “psychologist” for the people he had tricked, because he talked them through their problems. This just made them sound all the more vulnerable, and his actions all the more despicable. “I would like you to tell anyone you are still speaking to that you are not really me, and to close the account,” I wrote back. “OK, I will do that,” he replied finally. P aweł later told me he had deleted the profile, but I could see it was still intact. He had simply removed my images, leaving empty templates ready to be filled again. At one point Paweł unashamedly liked all of my recent Instagram photos. Part of me feared he had saved them for future use, then I remembered something he had said about AI being so convincing these days that you could use that to make a fake account instead. This was hardly reassuring. I asked Paweł if he would put me in touch with the women he had tricked. I didn’t know what I would say to them even if he agreed; I suppose I just wanted to check they were OK. He ignored this request, then eventually said he didn’t want them to know the truth. Without his help it was impossible to track them down; his friends and followers lists were still private. Even if I somehow gained access, he had amassed thousands of connections; I had no idea which of them, or how many, he had manipulated. I tried to shut Paweł’s account down by reporting it to Meta. I received an automatic response in seconds that said his profile didn’t go against their community standards so they wouldn’t remove it. I emailed Facebook support and tried Meta’s press office, asking about their stance on catfishing and what it would take to remove a fake account, but I received no response. I emailed the Metropolitan police, who advised me to report what had happened, but they told me they weren’t sure where it would sit as a criminal case because the impostor seemingly lived in Poland. It felt as if there was nothing I could do to stop him. I asked Paweł if he had a final comment about his actions. “That’s how it is in life – we don’t always do everything as it should be, it’s important to admit the mistake and change for the better,” he wrote. “I’m busy with work now and I got bored of pretending to be someone else.” Who knows if this, or anything he told me, was true. His Facebook account is still online. For years Paweł secretly followed me; now our roles have been reversed. I find myself occasionally searching his name and keeping tabs on his page, making sure those images are still empty and not filled in with updated photos of my face, or that of someone else completely oblivious to his deception.

None

AP Business SummaryBrief at 12:48 p.m. ESTHeavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights