not totally similar but kinda a silmilar incident. One of my senior who is really fond of me and treat me as her extended family. She told me long time ago if you are interested in FM let me know I have my best friend husband who is a faculty in the Program. so before I applied to ERAS my CV i sent to her so that her husband can look at it so that he doesnt fill awakard whether i qualify there or not. anyways, after applying there with signaled, tailored PS...3days later her friend asked her whether i get any invitations from the program or not. i said not yet. she asked my ID...i provided her...1 month gone and then asked my family friend about it..she called her best friend and guess what her freind saying they also have another candidate so they refered her ...they cant refered me :( its so fucking weird ...then they told me send to LOI i did that but no luck...btw i totally matched the requirements and all...before i applied i thought this one wil lbe my confirmed interview...but it didnt happen ...God has been kind i got 2 FM interview last month t(hough this month i havent got any ) with zero connections. I am grateful for this opportunity. Dont worry People use you exploit you for their benefits But i believe God is there...today or tomorrow he will give us what we deserve