Found Alive WI - Ryan Borgwardt, 45, Green Lake, 11 Aug 2024 *evidence that he faked his death and is alive in Eastern Europe*

[Herat]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>

I wouldn't put Uzbekistan in with the Eastern Euroean group of countries.

It is really a Central Asian autocracy ruled by a corrupt president who essentially owns the petroleum and natural gas rights and sells to Russia. It is 94% Muslim and it's population is a mix of ethnicities and russians.

It has a long history of Silk Road trade and wonderful ethnic textiles and history, but it is pretty rural and poor, with cotton farming and oil and gas industries as the major industries, which were essentially all from Russia. As a result, there are pollution problems.

I would not think this was a good place for an American to be hiding.

 

[Lusitana]

I wouldn't put Uzbekistan in with the Eastern Euroean group of countries.

It is really a Central Asian autocracy ruled by a corrupt president who essentially owns the petroleum and natural gas rights and sells to Russia. It is 94% Muslim and it's population is a mix of ethnicities and russians.

It has a long history of Silk Road trade and wonderful ethnic textiles and history, but it is pretty rural and poor, with cotton farming and oil and gas industries as the major industries, which were essentially all from Russia. As a result, there are pollution problems.

I would not think this was a good place for an American to be hiding.

Uzbekistan isn't Eastern Europe. It has gorgeous architecture.

 

[Inthedetails]

I wouldn't put Uzbekistan in with the Eastern Euroean group of countries.

It is really a Central Asian autocracy ruled by a corrupt president who essentially owns the petroleum and natural gas rights and sells to Russia. It is 94% Muslim and it's population is a mix of ethnicities and russians.

It has a long history of Silk Road trade and wonderful ethnic textiles and history, but it is pretty rural and poor, with cotton farming and oil and gas industries as the major industries, which were essentially all from Russia. As a result, there are pollution problems.

I would not think this was a good place for an American to be hiding.

If he was catfished and actually went there in person, there is no guarantee the catfish is a woman, let alone one in love with him. Could be some guy using a photo of a woman. Or a team of people playing more than one victim at a time...and here comes one loping to their doorstep like boy in puppy love. What to do with this American?

He might not think he CAN go back to the USA, given the hoax he committed. If he does want to return, he might not know how.

If he was catfished, the people at the other end of the connection do not have good intentions for him. Why would the catfish want him THERE instead of coming here?

He was a dope to show up, but I worry about his safety.

It's a mess.

jmo

 

[Chimera]

NOV 12, 2024

'It was a hoax': Sheriff reveals details on missing Wisconsin kayaker investigation

The Green Lake County Sheriff believes 44-year-old Ryan Borgwardt could be in Eastern Europe after going missing following an August kayak trip.

www.wisn.com

"She's a strong lady. It's all I can say. I asked a lot of her, and one of the things was to keep this quiet," Podoll said. "She's with her kids, and her kids ask her questions, and she's got to put a good front up."

"So whatever we asked of her, she did. And why? Because she wants her husband back," Podoll said.

It's nice she wants him back ......
I personally wouldn't feel that I could fully trust him again, ever.
Too many steps taken to evade his own family.
He took serious actions , and the international angle would have me wondering if there was something else entirely happening-- something criminal at a gov't. level ?
Imo.

I get wanting to know what happened or why, but I’d personally tell him to stay there.

Bbm.
Agreed !
Omo.

 

[Sjöberg]

<modsnip - off topic>
Is there any indication about how he met the woman? First I assumed online only and romance scam, but now I'm having some second thoughts. Could he have met someone from Uzbekistan who was visiting the US (temporarily living or tourism) and hada real life affair in the beginning?

 

[Chimera]

If he was catfished and actually went there in person, there is no guarantee the catfish is a woman, let alone one in love with him. Could be some guy using a photo of a woman. Or a team of people playing more than one victim at a time...and here comes one loping to their doorstep like boy in puppy love. What to do with this American?

He might not think he CAN go back to the USA, given the hoax he committed. If he does want to return, he might not know how.

If he was catfished, the people at the other end of the connection do not have good intentions for him. Why would the catfish want him THERE instead of coming here?

He was a dope to show up, but I worry about his safety.

It's a mess.

jmo

Bbm.

First bolded : Hostage negotiations on the part of Uzbekistan ?
Just throwing that out there.

If he intentionally left his family to worry and grieve, I'm not feeling overly concerned for him.
Pretty heartless and even cruel.
Regarding the second bolded; I get your take on it, too -- you're a compassionate person and that's a good thing.
Omo.

 

[Chimera]

Could he have met someone from Uzbekistan who was visiting the US (temporarily living or tourism) and hada real life affair in the beginning?

Bbm.
Snipped for focus.

Re. the bolded : Good point !
Hmmm...
This is a case that seemed simple enough in the beginning but now seems to be unraveling in many different directions ?
Omo.

 

[justtrish]

He could be in a lot of trouble right now. Or worse. Probably believed this "woman" was being held against her will (Reason #154 catfishes use to delay "meeting", extract money/sympathy) so settled his accounts here and fled there where he'd be a hero, only to get there and be ripe to be a victim to secondary crime.

Why does anyone fall for catfishers? From the mundane, it can be intoxicating -- one literally takes leave of reason -- and the fantasy is just so good, so captivating, so consuming.

Imagine choosing between the love you really have and one that doesn't even exist... I don't have to judge him, feel sorry for him or firgive him; I just recognize too many signs to ignore -- of a citizen who got sucked into a campaign to bilk victims out of their life savings.

I hope LE is able to trace his transactions and track him down before more harm comes to him.

JMO

Really sad because I'd imagine if he put that much effort into the love he already had, his return on the investment would have been great. Why anyone would rather put all their energy into running off to another life when they could put their energy into making the one they have better.

For the sake of his children, I hope he is okay.

 

[justtrish]

It's nice she wants him back ......
I personally wouldn't feel that I could fully trust him again, ever.
Too many steps taken to evade his own family.
He took serious actions , and the international angle would have me wondering if there was something else entirely happening-- something criminal at a gov't. level ?
Imo.



Bbm.
Agreed !
Omo.

The only way I could see his actions being acceptable (to me) would be if someone was threatening his family somehow and manipulated him to thinking if he told they would be harmed. If that was the case, I'd think there would be evidence of that on his computer. IMO

 

[Herat]

<modsnip - reddit is not an approved source>

I would not want Ryan back in my life. He's abused the faith of his children and his marriage and is never, ever, ever to be trusted. He does not appear to be able to give any positive qualities into their lives, especially now. At this point, all he would be is a financial drain on the family as they probably would have to pay significant legal fees to sort out his fraudulent antics.

He's just a pathetic loser.

 

[Inthedetails]

It's nice she wants him back ......
I personally wouldn't feel that I could fully trust him again, ever.
Too many steps taken to evade his own family.
He took serious actions , and the international angle would have me wondering if there was something else entirely happening-- something criminal at a gov't. level ?
Imo.



Bbm.
Agreed !
Omo.

Saying she wants him back could be a way to get him to come home, to give him the idea he has a family and home to return to. Doesn't mean it's true, ykwim?

I do not think there is any government connection. No way, imo. He's a middle-aged guy who fell for a real or imagined woman and he abandoned his life for a fantasy. My opinion.

jmo

 

[crhedBngr]

If he was catfished and actually went there in person, there is no guarantee the catfish is a woman, let alone one in love with him. Could be some guy using a photo of a woman. Or a team of people playing more than one victim at a time...and here comes one loping to their doorstep like boy in puppy love. What to do with this American?

He might not think he CAN go back to the USA, given the hoax he committed. If he does want to return, he might not know how.

If he was catfished, the people at the other end of the connection do not have good intentions for him. Why would the catfish want him THERE instead of coming here?

He was a dope to show up, but I worry about his safety.

It's a mess.

jmo

RBBM

THIS^^^^

JMVHO

 

[Knitty]

MOD NOTE:

There is a video. There are claims it is Ryan Borgwardt. It has been posted multiple times and there has been much discussion. One person even noted that the location is MILES and MILES away from Wisconsin. Multiple posts say, well, IF it's him.

Folks, if there is no verification that the video is Ryan Borgwardt, you could be posting and discussing a random man.

Thank you to the members who reported the UNVERIFIED video. NO MORE DISCUSSION.

Please review the links below this post if you have questions regarding TOS.

 

[findbushey]

This is entirely speculation. Is it possible that the reason for so much agency involvement is that the family was actually aware in advance and faking his death was done purposefully, with his wife’s knowledge, to get an insurance payout and so he could leave rather than divorce? Pitched by him as a win-win for everyone.

Just my thoughts.

 

[otto]

I am thinking federal agencies are involved because international borders crossed with a fraudulently-obtained US passport ***AND*** U.S. funds likely were transferred to a foreign country under suspicious circumstances.

It's in all of our best interests for the Feds to investigate if foreign actors are scamming our citizens and taking money under false pretenses from our country.

I think he was catfished and I suspect there was no one waiting for him at the airport wherever he was headed. Just a hunch, could be wrong.

jmopinion at the moment

Since he faked his death, the person he was communicating with might know that, so, in that person's opinion, it's no problem if he is robbed and then killed ... since he's already allegedly dead.

 

[Columbo Was The Best]

I have two questions and I am fully aware these are going to sound dumb but please, bear with me...I have never set foot in either the US or Canada, so unfamiliar with these things.

1/Regarding the life insurance policy worth $375,000. Is that the usual amount people there sign a life insurance policy for? Is it too low, too high? any red flags or anything unusual in that figure?

2/I was curious as to whether there were many Uzbek communities in the US and/or Canada and I noticed on a FB group for language teachers from that country that quite a few of them live in Toronto. It seems one of the local universities runs a MA in TESOL that is very popular with international students. Any chance Ryan met this woman in person in either Wisconsin or Canada and for some reason (e.g. work/student visa coming to an end) she had to return home? All speculation, of course. Just trying to figure out how these two met, whether online or through in-person events.

 

[VivianV]

I have two questions and I am fully aware these are going to sound dumb but please, bear with me...I have never set foot in either the US or Canada, so unfamiliar with these things.

1/Regarding the life insurance policy worth $375,000. Is that the usual amount people there sign a life insurance policy for? Is it too low, too high? any red flags or anything unusual in that figure?

2/I was curious as to whether there were many Uzbek communities in the US and/or Canada and I noticed on a FB group for language teachers from that country that quite a few of them live in Toronto. It seems one of the local universities runs a MA in TESOL that is very popular with international students. Any chance Ryan met this woman in person in either Wisconsin or Canada and for some reason (e.g. work/student visa coming to an end) she had to return home? All speculation, of course. Just trying to figure out how these two met, whether online or through in-person events.

question 1... It depends on how affluent you are. To me, $375,000 would be a LOT of money! In the US, many companies offer a benefit of 1x salary for a life insurance policy.... and $375k would be the salary for some sort of brain surgeon or something.

question 2 - I live in Wisconsin, an hour or so from the guy that left? disappeared? was duped? and I do not know of any Uzbek communities around here - there might be, but I've lived here for several decades and don't know of any.

 

[otto]

I have two questions and I am fully aware these are going to sound dumb but please, bear with me...I have never set foot in either the US or Canada, so unfamiliar with these things.

1/Regarding the life insurance policy worth $375,000. Is that the usual amount people there sign a life insurance policy for? Is it too low, too high? any red flags or anything unusual in that figure?

2/I was curious as to whether there were many Uzbek communities in the US and/or Canada and I noticed on a FB group for language teachers from that country that quite a few of them live in Toronto. It seems one of the local universities runs a MA in TESOL that is very popular with international students. Any chance Ryan met this woman in person in either Wisconsin or Canada and for some reason (e.g. work/student visa coming to an end) she had to return home? All speculation, of course. Just trying to figure out how these two met, whether online or through in-person events.

This is speculation based on what I've read here, but my impression is that he met a woman online who is beautiful, young and sexy. They probably exchanged personal info, and continued with private conversations. She would tell him that she needs money for any number of reasons, and eventually he would believe that he's in a romantic relationship with her. Next step is to rescue her, she needs money. For some reason, he decided to join her (whether she's legit or not). Most just lose their life savings.

What he did was transferred whatever spare cash he had to private accounts with a new email address. Maybe she told him that she had to buy her way out of the escort business - it could be any number of scenarios that gave him the impression that he was saving her.

Going to Canada to fly to Europe was probably his idea of hiding his travel history. He didn't expect his passport to be registered entering or leaving Canada, but it would be automatically flagged leaving Canada on an international flight.

I think that TESOL courses in Toronto would be for new immigrants who need English language training for local job placement.

Flight travel should be easy to trace. After landing - he seems to have vanished. I wonder whether he is alive and whether his new bank accounts are emptied.

 

[Columbo Was The Best]

This is speculation based on what I've read here, but my impression is that he met a woman online who is beautiful, young and sexy. They probably exchanged personal info, and continued with private conversations. She would tell him that she needs money for any number of reasons, and eventually he would believe that he's in a romantic relationship with her. Next step is to rescue her, she needs money. For some reason, he decided to join her (whether she's legit or not). Most just lose their life savings.

What he did was transferred whatever spare cash he had to private accounts with a new email address. Maybe she told him that she had to buy her way out of the escort business - it could be any number of scenarios that gave him the impression that he was saving her.

Going to Canada to fly to Europe was probably his idea of hiding his travel history. He didn't expect his passport to be registered entering or leaving Canada, but it would be automatically flagged leaving Canada on an international flight.

I think that TESOL courses in Toronto would be for new immigrants who need English language training for local job placement.

Flight travel should be easy to trace. After landing - he seems to have vanished. I wonder whether he is alive and whether his new bank accounts are emptied.

The TESOL thingy I saw on that FB group is a master's degree for English language teachers from other countries that wish to quality to teach EFL abroad; this is where I noticed several students from that country (most of them Uzbek women) did that qualification in Toronto.

I think you are spot on, Otto, on your ideas on how they met. It sounds very plausible!
Do you think he travelled straight into Uzbekistan or before reaching Central Asia he did a stopover somewhere in Eastern Europe? I just think that he had flown straight into Uzbekistan, US authorities would have already identified which flight he was in.

 

[Columbo Was The Best]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>

Hope this is not going to end up being like the Tinder Swindler!! that man who scammed lots of women, many of them in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe.