Greetings to everyone!
The situation is frightening, yet it is an unfortunate reality.
I crafted a website and placed a client on the hosting, who not only deceived me, but also continuously outmaneuvered me, caught up with me, and outmaneuvered me again, and all this while being someone I thought I knew well.
The end result is that I will not receive payment for the work I have completed, no matter what course of action I take. It seems pointless to even consider legal action, considering the amount of time I have already invested in development, not to mention the additional time required for court proceedings.

What should I do? I'm at a loss now.
To add to the discussion, I recently transferred the site to my old domain, so now there are two identical sites, and it remains uncertain whether search engines will blacklist them or not.

Two years ago, in the city of N, the search for the resolution of a single query (which coincided with the name of a local company - the brand name) required prioritizing not just by region but across Russia. By using this key, a review about the company, the size of an A4 sheet, was found. The content of this review consisted of a substantial amount of negative opinions - in short, a complete mess that cannot be easily resolved.

This approach has proven to be highly effective, even when it comes to dealing with financial matters. Repairing a damaged reputation in today's world is an expensive endeavor.

The internet serves as a platform where information is permanently recorded, just like ink on paper. It's astonishing how some individuals are willing to invest significant resources in spreading negativity.

I genuinely empathize with you. If there are no other options available, and the desire for vengeance becomes unbearable, then go ahead, but take the necessary precautions. Make sure to use a VPN and access the internet from a café that offers free Wi-Fi.

Is 15 days of work, according to the contract template, a significant amount of money? Is it worth going through the legal system?
If you want to waste time, you'll need a lawyer for civil lawsuits.
Has any correspondence been preserved? This is why the work was completed and the contract remained in a simple verbal form.
Who registered the domain names? It might be possible to contest it in court after promoting the business. In that case, you could demand more money.
Is there an equivalent to Russia's FIPS in the Republic of Kazakhstan? In brief, register the intellectual property for yourself.

Since there is no contract, the transfer of intellectual property has not taken place.
As someone without a legal background, I can suggest writing a letter demanding payment for the completed work, but only after registering the sources. It's also important to address those who are receiving payment from this. In a similar situation, my friends once had a situation where they were not paid for their work, so they sent a request to the customer's customer, i.e., those who were planning to use the "works". After 3 months, they received their payment.

PS: When people add "All rights reserved" at the end of their website, it always amuses me because very few actually understand what steps need to be taken for it to hold any legal weight.

Everyone who uses the word "forget" is correct. The issue here lies in trust, and it is alarming that acquaintances were involved in it. However, it is always wise to take precautions. It is not advisable to put anything on the customer's server until you are 100% sure about the service or have a service contract.

If you seek justice, start a legal process. Gather evidence, including statements and correspondence, and present all the necessary information. Additionally, don't forget to send a pre-trial claim to improve the chances of a court decision if the customer fails to respond. It is recommended to consult a lawyer before taking any action.

If the estimated cost of the resource is less than 50,000, it is best to avoid getting involved. The expenses involved in pursuing legal action could far outweigh the benefits, and it would consume a considerable amount of time. Take this as a valuable lesson for the future and try to move on. As a way to release negative energy and find solace, you can even scream into a pillow.

dоcument everything. Keep records of your communication, contracts, and any promises made regarding payment. This will be important if you ever decide to pursue legal action, or if you want to show your side of the story to either legal counsel or other professionals.

Next, consider reaching out for some legal advice, even if you think it might be pointless. There are often free consultations available, where an attorney can give you a better understanding of your options. They could provide insights into whether the amount owed is significant enough to warrant action, or if there are other routes you could explore.

As for the duplicated sites, it's crucial to address that as soon as possible. Having two identical sites can lead to duplication issues with search engines, which may penalize both sites in terms of ranking or even blacklist them. You may want to consider taking down the site on your old domain or implementing 301 redirects to signal to search engines which site should be treated as the main one. This can help in maintaining your SEO standings and ensuring that your work gets the visibility it deserves.

If it's possible, try to have a candid conversation with your client. Sometimes, direct outreach can yield surprising results and may encourage them to meet their obligations, especially if they see that you are serious about the matter.

Lastly, it's a good lesson to take forward. Consider creating contracts in the future that include payment terms and stipulate clear consequences for non-payment. Protecting yourself with well-drafted agreements can save a lot of heartache down the line.

It's a tough situation, and while it may feel hopeless, know that you are not alone in dealing with difficult clients. Use this experience as a stepping stone to bolster your practice and improve your business strategies.

Client can be challenging, but staying professional and setting clear boundaries can help protect your time and resources. Prioritize communication and have a backup plan to manage any disruptions effectively.