THE victim of an elaborate scam said that the devastating experience turned out to be one of the "best things to ever happen to her" - resulting in a complete change in both mindset and career.
Trying to purchase a new property for her parents in September 2021, Carla Bingley, from Burtonwood, fell victim to a case of email interception fraud which lost the family a total of £175k in life savings.
An intricate type of scam, email interception fraud is where fraudsters hack into businesses' email accounts and begin responding to legitimate customers to gain access to their bank accounts.
Losing all of their life savings in such a way was "devastating" for the family, and led to a severe mental health breakdown in Carla's husband.
Eventually, Lloyds Bank paid the family a full refund and now use their story as a means of training against similar scams - yet the experience has had a lasting impact on Carla and her family.
After 10 years at Cheshire Police Force and eight months at Merseyside Police, working her way up to Police Sergeant in serious crime, Carla quit her job last month to follow her burgeoning passion for yoga.
Working as a part-time yoga instructor since 2017, the mum-of-two said she felt it was the perfect time to change careers once she passed her teacher training courses.
Carla, who is originally from Eastbourne in the South East but now lives in Burtonwood, said:
"When we lost everything it was such a tough time, but looking back I view it as one of the best things to happen to us as a family.
"I'd accepted that I had lost the money and tried to remain grateful for the things that we did have, such as a roof over our heads and the health of our two kids.
"Eventually we did get a full refund but that money seems like a bonus now.
"More than anything, it really created a change in mindset for us. My husband grew much more mentally strong and it allowed me to think that I have enough, that I should worry less about money and do what makes me happy."
Deciding to follow her passion full time, Carla operates 'I AM Yoga' out of a "beautiful art deco studio" unit at Bold Business Centre, coaching people through the mental and physical health benefits of yoga.
Her work has also gained her weekly clients at Saints and she now goes down to the Totally Wicked Stadium to give the players a recovery yoga session the day after a game.
Carla, 44, added: "Yoga is really a whole package - people come to me with physical health issues but leave with mental health improvement as well, and vice versa.
"Then there is obviously the real mindfulness aspect, as people's busy lives are often all over the place.
"So people leave very chilled out and positive, and to see the difference it can make in people is unbelievable.
"I've taught thousands of people over the years and I want yoga to be accessible to everyone [...] because I do believe that with more yoga and more yoga teachers, the world will be a better place."
'I AM Yoga' classes take place at Unit 23, Bold Business Centre, Bold Lane on midweek evenings and Saturday mornings.
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