Umar Johnson Tried To Scam A Film Producer Out Of $500,000 ( Part 1)

Initial Belief and Donation

• 💡 Mary Anne Laurent, a writer, filmmaker, and activist, was part of the conscious community and initially believed in Umar Johnson's vision for the FDMG Academy.
• 💰 In 2019, she made an initial donation of $2,000 to the FDMG Academy via a cashier's check.

Umar Johnson's Fundraising Style

• 📞 Umar Johnson called Mary Anne to thank her, but immediately suggested she donate $4,000 next time, which she found rude and abrasive.
• 🗣️ An audio clip demonstrated Umar Johnson's consistent pattern of asking for larger donations (e.g., "Next time make it 20" after a $10 donation), emphasizing the need to renovate a school, not just fix a flat tire.

Building a Relationship

• ✨ Despite the initial red flag, Umar Johnson maintained consistent and pleasant follow-up calls, detailing the school's process and portraying himself as a revolutionary.
• 🧠 He skillfully drew Mary Anne in emotionally, discussing challenges and his commitment to the cause.

Gathering Information and Proposal

• 🔍 During conversations, Umar Johnson subtly asked personal questions about Mary Anne's line of work, location, and the ownership of her film studio, effectively "dissecting" and "studying" her.
• 🎬 After establishing a rapport and praising her craft, he eventually proposed that she make a documentary about his life.