[SeanNieuwoudt]

I'm sorry about the situation you are in, but it is largely your fault.

Did you do any reference checks on previous work before you partnered with him? Did you meet up in person to validate his personality? Did you google him after speaking to him the first time?

The internet is rife with scammers, but in this case you DID actually receive two sites - albeit not extremely well built ones. Scammers would have generally taken your money and produced nothing at all.

just my 2cents...

[brudgers]

Nonsense. Based on the story, it was the intent of the other party to separate the OP from their money, and the other party apparently acted deliberately in ways intended to gain the OP's trust. Misplaced trust does not make someone responsible for the damage another person does to them, and naivety is what a grifter preys upon.

[jiganti]

This seems accurate. Looking back, he was adept at making unverifiable yet somewhat credible claims. I never asked for some substance, which is what I should have.