Who are we?
YOUR ADVOCATES AGAINST IDENTITY AND ROMANCE SCAMS
Victims of Identity Theft and Romance Scams (VOIRS) was created to protect victims and potential victims of Identiy and Romance Scams through education, and through direct action against social media platforms that profit from these crimes.
Each member of our board has been directly involved or victimized in one of these scams. Ophelia Kofa was victimized in a Romance scam, that impacted her entire family, and her sisters Joan Kofa and Lucia Sirleaf.
Christian Frank was victim of both Identity Theft and Romance Scams, when his identity was stolen and used to perpetrate Romance Scams. The crimes done using his identity are so widespread, that he has been attacked by people victimized by scammers using his identity, and held by authorities till his innocence was established.
Patrick Bermel’s brother was victimized twice in Romance Scams, which resulted in his suicidal depression and hospitalization. Every members has felt the pain of these experiences personally, and is dedicated to changing the system. And we believe real change comes through financial and political pressure. Advocacy is tremendously important, but a core goal of this advocacy is to take the fight to the social media companies and countries that profit off these crimes.
Because they are for-profit companies. we believe that it is the hit in the pocketbook that will inspire them to change their policies, more than anything else. That is why we plan to organize boycotts and class action lawsuits against these services. To hit them where it hurts. We have all felt the pain from the criminal actions taken on their platforms, and that they have profited from. And we believe they need to feel that pain financially.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OPHELIA K. KOFA
Ophelia is a campaigner/Fundraiser at the New Democratic Party in British Columbia with 14 years of experience in building relationships and exploring new fundraising opportunities that encourages people to contribute either by monetary donation or volunteering their time when needed. Her duties include attending daily briefings, keeping updated with the developments in British Columbia and other provinces as well,maintaining highest standards of politeness and professionalism while attending to phone calls, updating membership registration while fundraising and making sure members maintain their regular donations and inspiring new members / supporters to donate through effective communication and relationship development.
Ophelia earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Journalism from the Russian People’s Friendship University , Moscow , Russia. She also has a diploma from the Vancouver College of Counsellor Training In BC Canada with the specialization in Family and Community counselling. She served as a program co-ordinator at the BCHousing Tenant Association and was responsible for the planning, budgeting and overseeing all activities and the center
She loves to sing, dance , read, watch movies, cook ,and travel .
JOAN D. KOFA
Joan Deasio Kofa is a registered nurse, founder, and director of LCC- Love and Care for the Children organization, Bergen Norway.
She is a Norwegian, born in Monrovia Liberia.
She loves singing, reading, hiking, playing basketball and volleyball. She has a passion for helping others, especially children in need.
LUCIA ANN KOFA SIRLEAF
Lucia Ann is a registered health care worker currently based in Norway. She’s originally from Liberia but fled to Ghana with her family during the civil war in their country, Liberia. She’s a Liberian International gospel composer & artist. In her free time, she likes writing songs, singing and playing board tennis with her siblings. Her passion is to praise God through her music.
CHRISTIAN FRANK
Christian Frank was born in Liberia and he is of the Kru Tribe. He is currently self employed and drives part time for Uber .
Prior to working with Uber, Christian worked as a security officer for fifteen years with G4S in the United Kingdom and with Securitas based in the United States of America respectively. As a Security Officer, Christian was responsible for deterring criminal activities and enforcing rules on an assigned property or location. His duties also included protecting property, monitoring surveillance cameras and alarms, and patrolling areas to do security checks. Christian also did modelling and several TV commercials while living in Accra,Ghana.
When Christian is not behind the wheels, he goes fishing , listens to music and spends time with his family. He also loves to cook, travel, entertain and meet new friends.
PATRICK BERMEL
Patrick is a certified Clinical Counselor through the CURA institute, working actively with clients in the mental health and Wellness field, dealing with issues of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, addictions (like Romance Scams). He is also a presenter, and Video, Film, & Music Producer, and is planning a series of video campaigns for the non-profit association, to help create public awareness about Identiy and Romance Scams, and how to stay safe.
In his free time, Patrick likes making videos, working on his podcast show, writing & playing original music in his band Ardent Tribe (keyboards, vocals)
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