short version:
The Landlord Scam just keeps getting scammier. I have spent most of my adult life here and worked very hard to be here and make my life here.
The Landlord Scam - a saga that I've been embroiled in here in Taiwan is a labyrinthine narrative, rife with injustice and marked by a series of distressing incidents that I feel compelled to recount in painstaking detail. Through this comprehensive account, I hope to shed light on the depths of the malfeasance I've endured.
First and foremost, it's imperative to cast a harsh light on the landlord involved in this sordid tale. Her behavior has been nothing short of malicious and vindictive, leaving me no choice but to label her as a reprehensible figure. To give you a glimpse into the depths of her depravity, one chilling incident: she resorted to threatening my friend Patrick. He called me, deeply shaken and afraid to associate with me in any way, resulting in a strain on everyone. This was not an isolated occurrence but rather a flagrant act of intimidation that shook me to my core. Her brazenness did not stop there; she responded to my friend Vanessa telling her that she was afraid I might kill myself by sending her a picture indicating how she had upped the insurance coverage in case of suicide. Where I come from, promoting or encouraging harm or suicide in this way is considered morally reprehensible and can result in legal consequences. Sending or bragging about an increased insurance policy in the event of suicide, the way she did, is morally objectionable, and frankly, it just feels stupid to explain this. Hence, the medical psychosis I have is no surprise. Maybe in Taiwan, me calling her 'a real piece of shit' would get me in more of a legal mess than the deplorably wicked and unconscionable scumbag response she had when Vanessa told her to go easier on me because I may commit suicide. I suppose calling her a real piece of shit by asking 'what is she, a real piece of shit?' is totally fine though... THINK - It’s not illegal yet...
Making clear your hopes for me and regard for me as she has done with such scummy despicable actions should fall under harassment, threats, or even criminal charges. This is just one example where she demonstrates a shocking lack of empathy and an outright disregard for basic human decency. This is not a person driven by a sense of justice; it is someone who operates in the shadows, taking advantage of others' vulnerability, or more simply put, the Taiwan landlord scammy scumbag Bela, and you will have to wait for me to be in Canada before this sentence includes her full contact and identification details.
The toll of this harrowing experience extends far beyond the scope of these threats and intimidation tactics. It has exacted a profound psychological toll on my well-being. The incessant stress and psychological torment I've endured during this tumultuous period have resulted in missed work and severe disruptions to my life and livelihood. These punitive measures, imposed on me for sharing my rental agreement – a mistake I promptly rectified by removing it once I recognized its inappropriateness – have been nothing short of unjust and disproportionate.
At the heart of this convoluted narrative lies the landlord's blatant failure to uphold her end of the contractual agreement. Her conspicuous absence at the mediation session I diligently arranged serves as a stark testament to her unwillingness to meet her contractual obligations. Instead of shouldering responsibility for her actions, she shifted the blame onto the courthouse, accusing them of incompletely forgetting her call the day before, all while conveniently evading accountability. I would like to suggest that it is also very likely she was waiting to catch me sharing the rental contract so she could sue me and we hear the cash register of ill-gotten gains go cha-ching! by the looks of the way things have been going for her thus far with regard to the absurd selective enforcement a judicial system that couldn't be working much better for her than if she were paying them herself or had them all under some twisted South East Asian witch's spell. This text would be missing something, and I mean this with all due respect to the judicial system, judges, staff, and so on, but Good Lord! For Shame!!!
Regarding the matter of remorse, it's crucial to understand the timeline of events. My feelings of regret were profound and sincere, expressed a year and a half ago when I became acutely aware of my mistake. To expect me to maintain a sense of remorse for such an extended period, especially considering the looming threat of a $175,000 judgment handed down while I was rendered unable to defend myself, is not only unreasonable but also deeply unjust. The injustice that has been perpetrated against me is a heavy burden to bear, one that has only grown heavier with time.
There was one question mentioned with regard to the realtor Webber. I remember when I was in the court that day, the judge asking me to agree that indeed Weber and Bella had not come to a conclusion on the dispute with what to do with the rolling metal gate. I thought it was rather peculiar because anyone who ever said anything to that whore of a woman that I can recall most certainly had nothing but a dispute or maybe even a law case or a threat of one on their hands, but it was puzzling as to why the judge thought it would be necessary to mention this to me. I do not see how what Webber suggested to Bella, that she should fix the rolling metal gate because it's dangerous, and Bella disagreeing with Weber, has anything to do with me wishing to live in a place with basic levels of privacy and security anyone would give their pet dog. A door that locks and window blinds people can't look through all day or night long. This has nothing to do, I repeat, this has nothing to do with the rolling metal gate.
I wish I could understand more Chinese because, after a whole year of trying to achieve some basic level of privacy (window blinds) and security (a door that locks), it has turned into an argument about the color of curtains or the fabric of curtains almost masterfully. I have never seen someone as skilled at this kind of maneuver, shifting the attention and causing everything to come to a standstill and disagreement, the way I have seen this old pro do. It is actually quite simple to break the spell. I have been stating since the first video, and let there be no mistake about it, that I am clearly upset for my safety and wish to at least have a modicum of privacy and security. What I believe was the main issue all along would, of course, be my basic privacy and security needs were not simply refused, like anything anyone ever tries to argue. I may be going out on a limb here, but to suppose she would be in an argument about how many napkins she got with her fast-food order, creating a brawl, and threatening to sue the staff just to help with digestion, could be something that has quite possibly actually happened a few times, but I digress.
There is a difference between what I wish I could understand and am beginning to gather some information that somehow she has the narrative that there was a dispute about the rolling metal gate. This is about a rental contract that was published so my friends could more easily see it than emailing it to all of them. It was my landlord not fulfilling the basic privacy and security needs that anyone would expect. Logic would not see any future in a country that could do selective enforcement like this, my instincts for survival and safety or just having the ability to do business! This should not be how my time ends here. Dreams to despair and impending imprisonment, marked by unrelenting challenges posed by a heartless landlord and a legal system that appears to be in their pocket. It is so heartbreaking for me to realize, in my heart of hearts, that enduring all of this nonsense could just be me hanging on to the hope that somehow there will be a Christmas miracle that rectifies everything. There would be nothing smart to stay or invest any more time in a place with a judicial system that could fail as spectacularly as this. I simply do not feel safe in Taiwan, and honestly, who would? If I am sentenced to jail or paying a fine, I have to choose jail. In the same way I would pay a traffic violation, because I can appreciate that indeed I had violated the laws and there is a logical reason we have laws and rules to follow. I would rather go to jail and eat the rice and vegetables the government feeds me than pay any more money to this thieving crook of a landlord or to a government that fails to discern this spectacularly. I cannot use words to express just how sad this logical and really the only conclusion has been for me, and it just makes me sick to my stomach to even think about leaving my home never to return.
Ross Cline 柯受恩
www.rosscline.com
04.2311.1614
+886-975-474-889
iLearn.tw
台灣台中市西區
美村路一段630號二樓
See https://iLearn.tw/landlord
See https://iLearn.tw/landlord
50+ videos documenting
the past three-year ordeal,
spanning from July 2020 to today.
Longer and Original Version
The Landlord Scam just keeps getting scammier. I have spent most of my adult life here and worked very hard to be here and make my life here.
The Landlord Scam - a saga that I've been embroiled in here in Taiwan is a labyrinthine narrative, rife with injustice and marked by a series of distressing incidents that I feel compelled to recount in painstaking detail. Through this comprehensive account, I hope to shed light on the depths of the malfeasance I've endured.
First and foremost, it's imperative to cast a harsh light on the landlord involved in this sordid tale. Her behavior has been nothing short of malicious and vindictive, leaving me no choice but to label her as a reprehensible figure. To give you a glimpse into the depths of her depravity, one chilling incident: she resorted to threatening my friend Patrick. He called me, deeply shaken and afraid to associate with me in any way, resulting in a strain on everyone. This was not an isolated occurrence but rather a flagrant act of intimidation that shook me to my core. Her brazenness did not stop there; she responded to my friend Vanessa telling her that she was afraid I might kill myself by sending her a picture indicating how she had upped the insurance coverage in case of suicide. Where I come from, promoting or encouraging harm or suicide in this way is considered morally reprehensible and can result in legal consequences. Sending or bragging about an increased insurance policy in the event of suicide, the way she did, is morally objectionable, and frankly, it just feels stupid to explain this. Hence, the medical psychosis I have is no surprise. Maybe in Taiwan, me calling her 'a real piece of shit' would get me in more of a legal mess than the deplorably wicked and unconscionable scumbag response she had when Vanessa told her to go easier on me because I may commit suicide. I suppose calling her a real piece of shit by asking 'what is she, a real piece of shit?' is totally fine though... THINK - It’s not illegal yet...
Making clear your hopes for me and regard for me as she has done with such scummy despicable actions should fall under harassment, threats, or even criminal charges. This is just one example where she demonstrates a shocking lack of empathy and an outright disregard for basic human decency. This is not a person driven by a sense of justice; it is someone who operates in the shadows, taking advantage of others' vulnerability, or more simply put, the Taiwan landlord scammy scumbag Bela, and you will have to wait for me to be in Canada before this sentence includes her full contact and identification details.
The toll of this harrowing experience extends far beyond the scope of these threats and intimidation tactics. It has exacted a profound psychological toll on my well-being. The incessant stress and psychological torment I've endured during this tumultuous period have resulted in missed work and severe disruptions to my life and livelihood. These punitive measures, imposed on me for sharing my rental agreement – a mistake I promptly rectified by removing it once I recognized its inappropriateness – have been nothing short of unjust and disproportionate.
At the heart of this convoluted narrative lies the landlord's blatant failure to uphold her end of the contractual agreement. Her conspicuous absence at the mediation session I diligently arranged serves as a stark testament to her unwillingness to meet her contractual obligations. Instead of shouldering responsibility for her actions, she shifted the blame onto the courthouse, accusing them of incompletely forgetting her call the day before, all while conveniently evading accountability. I would like to suggest that it is also very likely she was waiting to catch me sharing the rental contract so she could sue me and we hear the cash register of ill-gotten gains go cha-ching! by the looks of the way things have been going for her thus far with regard to the absurd selective enforcement a judicial system that couldn't be working much better for her than if she were paying them herself or had them all under some twisted South East Asian witch's spell. This text would be missing something, and I mean this with all due respect to the judicial system, judges, staff, and so on, but Good Lord! For Shame!!!
Regarding the matter of remorse, it's crucial to understand the timeline of events. My feelings of regret were profound and sincere, expressed a year and a half ago when I became acutely aware of my mistake. To expect me to maintain a sense of remorse for such an extended period, especially considering the looming threat of a $175,000 judgment handed down while I was rendered unable to defend myself, is not only unreasonable but also deeply unjust. The injustice that has been perpetrated against me is a heavy burden to bear, one that has only grown heavier with time.
There was one question mentioned with regard to the realtor Webber. I remember when I was in the court that day, the judge asking me to agree that indeed Weber and Bella had not come to a conclusion on the dispute with what to do with the rolling metal gate. I thought it was rather peculiar because anyone who ever said anything to that whore of a woman that I can recall most certainly had nothing but a dispute or maybe even a law case or a threat of one on their hands, but it was puzzling as to why the judge thought it would be necessary to mention this to me. I do not see how what Webber suggested to Bella, that she should fix the rolling metal gate because it's dangerous, and Bella disagreeing with Weber, has anything to do with me wishing to live in a place with basic levels of privacy and security anyone would give their pet dog. A door that locks and window blinds people can't look through all day or night long. This has nothing to do, I repeat, this has nothing to do with the rolling metal gate.
I wish I could understand more Chinese because, after a whole year of trying to achieve some basic level of privacy (window blinds) and security (a door that locks), it has turned into an argument about the color of curtains or the fabric of curtains almost masterfully. I have never seen someone as skilled at this kind of maneuver, shifting the attention and causing everything to come to a standstill and disagreement, the way I have seen this old pro do. It is actually quite simple to break the spell. I have been stating since the first video, and let there be no mistake about it, that I am clearly upset for my safety and wish to at least have a modicum of privacy and security. What I believe was the main issue all along would, of course, be my basic privacy and security needs were not simply refused, like anything anyone ever tries to argue. I may be going out on a limb here, but to suppose she would be in an argument about how many napkins she got with her fast-food order, creating a brawl, and threatening to sue the staff just to help with digestion, could be something that has quite possibly actually happened a few times, but I digress.
There is a difference between what I wish I could understand and am beginning to gather some information that somehow she has the narrative that there was a dispute about the rolling metal gate. This is about a rental contract that was published so my friends could more easily see it than emailing it to all of them. It was my landlord not fulfilling the basic privacy and security needs that anyone would expect. Logic would not see any future in a country that could do selective enforcement like this, my instincts for survival and safety or just having the ability to do business! This should not be how my time ends here. Dreams to despair and impending imprisonment, marked by unrelenting challenges posed by a heartless landlord and a legal system that appears to be in their pocket. It is so heartbreaking for me to realize, in my heart of hearts, that enduring all of this nonsense could just be me hanging on to the hope that somehow there will be a Christmas miracle that rectifies everything. There would be nothing smart to stay or invest any more time in a place with a judicial system that could fail as spectacularly as this. I simply do not feel safe in Taiwan, and honestly, who would? If I am sentenced to jail or paying a fine, I have to choose jail. In the same way I would pay a traffic violation, because I can appreciate that indeed I had violated the laws and there is a logical reason we have laws and rules to follow. I would rather go to jail and eat the rice and vegetables the government feeds me than pay any more money to this thieving crook of a landlord or to a government that fails to discern this spectacularly. I cannot use words to express just how sad this logical and really the only conclusion has been for me, and it just makes me sick to my stomach to even think about leaving my home never to return.
See https://iLearn.tw/landlord
This text is available in 20 languages because apparently 2000 years of dynasty culture Chinese language style does and will require the help of what most think to be a common sense level of discernment. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
It is not too soon to do this and to take these measures. I am well within my right to react at this point, all things considered. Everything I've worked for these 14+ years, my permanent residency, driver's license, business, health care, and so on, are not worth a hill of beans if I am to be subjected to a judicial system that can fail me this spectacularly!
A nondisclosure clause is a legal provision used to prevent the disclosure of confidential or proprietary information. This contract had no such mention. I should have the right to some legal recourse when the landlord doesn't appear for the mediation I took the time to organize, making achieving a basic level of privacy and security that I would otherwise have. It's criminal to use intimidation tactics, like a screenshot of their increased insurance plan if in the event of suicide as a response to my friend Vanessa telling her that she may be driving me to commit suicide. This alone is a death threat. Coupled with realtors or her employees repeatedly coming around to tell me they're worried about my safety. After meeting her husband, who was obviously on edge or irate, screaming at me to "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!" when staying is my only option I could afford unless they refunded me my money. They offered 1/4 of the money back or even less; I call it robbery. So, I stayed because I really had no other choice. I am not going to be bullied into choosing to be robbed. A judicial system, with the landlord seemingly working in tandem to fleece the tenant is something so outlandish but here we are. I do not know what else to call it. If I had known it would be like this for me, I would've just given them the money back and realized there is no justice for someone who doesn't want to be robbed. What's a rental contract for if the landlord can change it to suit her liking at any time? What kind of landlord believes they can get away with such obtuse behavior? A Taiwan landlord. That's who. They are out of control. Now I understand completely why she acted so pompous and used the judicial system to bully my friends and threaten me. She knows damn well that they'll do anything she says, apparently. As hard as it is to believe, it seems quite evident. I don't know if she pays the judge directly, but at some point... 6 months in prison, all because of me sharing my rental agreement with friends a year and a half ago that I was extremely apologetic for at that time and promptly removed it. It was in a language (Chinese) that I can not even read nonetheless.
I believe the judge might still be under the impression that this is simply about a dispute with the rolling metal gate. It's not about that whatsoever. It's about my basic privacy and security needs that were never addressed and the coercive threats that followed by her employees. I'm still flabbergasted that nobody in the whole country stepped in and decided to take them to court and win lots of money pro bono style! I spent a lot of time creating the website to keep a record of all the sloppy and amateurish criminal bullshit I have been subjected to, and hoping that someone in this country might have the ability to articulate everything I've been through because of these crooks, but alas, no one can do anything but respond with 'I believe the penalty was too harsh' or 'yes, but you did break the law'. This is so stupid. I have a medical mental certificate to prove it. The coercion and threats against my life and well-being, the psychological toll this has taken, makes me want to also sue the judicial system for knowing damn well I have a medical mental disorder because of this, yet still hijacked and missed work thrown in jail third time to be scolded by the judge who knows this adaptive disorder is why I wasn't there, and still decided to lock me up for the afternoon, yelling at me like I'm a stupid kid in handcuffs, and then releasing me. At what point do you not need more evidence of the landlords having an obvious level of recourse that mere mortals have no access to in this country? If they don't work for the landlords, can anyone explain why I've been through so much hell and heartbreak and with no recourse? What they've done and put me through by using our judicial system, which we all pay taxes for, or so I thought. I know I sure did, and this must be criminal because I can tell you it certainly feels like I've been very much abused and tortured by these people. At what point is it not about teaching a foreigner to respect Taiwan law, and more about a landlord and judicial system fleecing the foreigner?
In conclusion, my emotions are complex, ranging from anger to frustration, but above all, they are rooted in a fervent desire for justice to be served. This narrative is not merely a recounting of personal experiences; it is a plea for fairness, accountability, and the righting of profound wrongs.
As Thomas Aquinas wisely stated, "He who is not angry when there is just cause for anger is immoral." My anger is not a reckless outburst; it is a call for justice, a passionate hope that the injustices I've faced will be acknowledged and rectified. It is a call to protect the rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their background, in the face of such egregious injustices.
THINK - It’s not illegal yet...
See https://iLearn.tw/landlord
50+ videos documenting the past three-year ordeal,
spanning from July 2020 to today.
