Ava, please do not blame yourself, how could you have known? I do not wish to cast aspersions with this and will not assume a motive for this disappearance, but if it was with a baleful intent, then manipulative individuals have been deceiving trusted people to take advantage of communities, businesses, and/or individuals for countless years and those who practice such duplicity often raise their chicanery to heights that could be considered an artform were it not for the immeasurable harm caused by such swindlers.
Your outrage is comprehensible, but please do not beat yourself up over this situation. This may not mean much from an anonymous individual behind a screen, especially one who has had limited interactions on this forum, but you're not at fault for the actions of another in a situation this murky and I hope that this does bring some level of affirmation,
Avaron1974.