overseas scams

pipsy · ‎06-02-2016

Hi there. Pipsy here. Just been hit with a scam from somewhere overseas. Just after new year I received on fb, a lovely post from a guy (he said he was from Brooklyn U.S.A), claiming he'd seen my 'beautiful' face and wanted to 'get to know me'. The amount of rubbish that followed was unbelievable. We chatted for a while via fb, he asked for my email, which I (foolishly) let him have. He's never contacted me via email. anyway, after chatting for a couple of hours, next time he contacted me, there was a proposal. he claimed to be a minister with a Pentecostal church. I'm separated and I know from a friend of mine that widows are allowed to remarry, but divorcees are not, under Pentecostal. He informed me he was going to Amsterdam for a 'huge' work project, then retiring. Then came the 'bite', on reaching Amsterdam (supposedly), I get an 'urgent' message via fb, 'in trouble, financially, can you send money?'. I had already told this person, I had no money, he initially said, 'money isn't everything, I love you regardless'. He pushed and pushed for money, even told me how I could send money via money gram. Then I get another 'urgent' message, 'been kicked out of hotel because I couldn't pay'. He claimed he'd told the hotel management his 'wife', me was going to send money. He claims he's now back in the states and blames me for not being willing to help him. I had a 'go' at him, told him if he knew he was going to Amsterdam as claimed, the money should've been sorted before he left the states. He's abused me, told me I was selfish, told me I'd never find true' love etc. I actually find the whole thing quite amusing, but my point is, there are people out there who are lonely, vulnerable, depressed. If you are contacted like I was - ignore, please. These people are heartless, they tell you what you think you want to hear, particularly if you're coming out of a separation/divorce, feeling low because spouse has left you. Or you could be widowed, feeling lonely. They are schooled to make you feel guilty if you don't send money. The more you send, the more they want. When you're 'bled dry', you'll never hear from or 'see' them again. Because of the pressure from this 'so-called' lover, I actually finished up in hospital suffering high blood pressure. I live alone, on Centrelink Newstart. I had told him right from the start I had no money.

Guest_1695 · ‎06-02-2016

Hi Pipsy,

It is terrible that you have had to endure this kind of treatment. It is bad enough when a family member or a close friend asks you for money and then abuses you if you are unable to provide for them, let alone some person from the internet world!

Some people sure do have a cheek don't they.

Hopefully you are able to gain some knowledge and ways to cope with this kind of connection if it happens again.

Yesterday I was speaking with a lady who blows a whistle down the phone when she receives calls from overseas people wanting to sell you insurance/solar panels and so forth. I don't really think it is necessary to blow out the eardrums of the poor person trying to make a living, just a "No thanks" is good enough.

Maybe just stay connected on FB and not give out your personal email address. Hopefully you will find a real friend who won't take you for a ride and abuse you!

Cheers, from Topsy

pipsy · ‎06-02-2016

Thanks for your kind words. It'll never happen again, that's for sure. Like you, I would never blast someone's eardrums on the phone, although they are considered 'nuisance' calls too. Usually when that sort of phone call comes in, I just 'hang up'. As I said, I just laughed over this person trying to 'con' me. I only posted what happened so no-one else would have it happen to them. As I said, there are some very vulnerable people out there who would naively think these people are their 'friends'. Nothing could be further from the truth. He has never phoned me, nor actually emailed me. It was on fb. I suppose they know how to 'connect' with people, because these scams have been happening a lot.

blondguy · ‎06-02-2016

Hey Pipsy

Its awful that somebody can even start to even think about doing that let alone doing what he actually did. I am not here to provide you with advice but to agree with you....Ive been through exactly the same crap. Its like people can sense you do have a kind heart and then they 'try' to go for it...at your expense of course...The last thing you need is this immoral and unethical treatment.

I am not religious but the Karma bus is coming around for this guy....

The 'girl' whoever it was....same thing....lots of violin playing then the money came up...I eventually found out (and yes I should know better) the scam originated in West Africa....Ghana....

Facebook is a great and obviously a huge part of many people's lives which is positive as an excellent social means of communication. (Just for myself...) I found myself checking it all the time (and no OCD here Pipsy) at least once a day....After a long time researching FB..I found out it is generally safe...except when FB members agree to the terms & conditions when it comes to Instant Messaging by mobile phone....In the T&C's in tiny print there is a clause that states that if you enable the Mobile phone IM...you also agree to being geographically tracked....That did it for me...no more.

Keeping 'on point' though...sorry...You are only human and it seems that with your kind heart there unfortunately clowns like these that pray on us Pipsy...

Thankyou so much for the reminder though....

Kind Thoughts

Paul

geoff · ‎07-02-2016

dear Pipsy, I am pleased that you have raised this issue, because we are all open for some sort of scam if the temptation
sounds too good to be true, but then our survival suddenly kicks in and we stop the scam.
I have always told people to never be foiled, but then I did what people should never do and was done out of pocket a
couple of hundred dollars, foolish and stupid, however I was contacted online by people professing to be from microsoft
telling me that my computer had too many viruses on it, and then showed me a dubbed photo of all the viruses, so back then
I was inexperienced in all computer issues, and paid them the money to fix it all, but of course nothing happened.
Now I have learnt so much more now and always question any doubtful site that promises one thing one day and where
money is involved.
My ex brother in law was also a crook when I was married where my wife wanted to lend him money to stop him going bankrupt, I knew that it wouldn't, and even though I told her NO,
he still owes me $ k's of dollars which I will never see.
My wife always said that he will pay us back when he gets his feet back on the ground, yeh sure back and running.
You start to wake up very quickly and learn from expensive mistakes.Geoff. x

Starwolf · ‎07-02-2016

Ouch ! Sorry you had to go through this pathetic rigmarole. Well done for coming through relatively unscathed. In spite of the effect on your blood pressure, it could have been a lot worse.

I agree with Geoff, these scams should be brought to light. There are just too many predators in this human jungle.

Although I am no fb subscriber, I was also targeted a few month back via correspondence with the K9 rescue network. This time, they were after money for some bogus animal rescue org. (also in the USA). These lowlife characters will hit on any personal characteristic they perceive as weakness.

So well done Pipsy. ..unfortunately , as soon as this parasite got the message he was wasting his time with you, he probably moved on to the next prey. Strange world....

Guest_1695 · ‎07-02-2016

Hi Everyone,

Yes, it is really sad and such a shame when people scam others. It really makes me annoyed and angry when people state falsely that they are collecting for an organisation like the Country Fire Service, for an Aid Organisation, or any charity group or organisation.

Unfortunately, once you have been ripped of or hear of others being taken advantage of, it increases your own doubt and concerns for a person's legitimacy to be collecting.

Recently I was walking outside of a shopping centre. A lady smiled at me, so I smiled back and said hello. She then asked me for money for a bus fare and smokes. I gave her some money but didn't have any smokes, so I was given an ear full of abuse.

Another day I saw two dear elderly people holding each other up in the shopping centre. I was so touched by the affection the guy had for the woman, that I gave them some money and said I would like them to go into the café nearby for a drink and cake.

The smiles I received from them both were priceless. They accepted my gift as just that, a gift. Thankfully they did not question my intentions.

We all have the ability to do something nice for someone else, even if it is just to smile and say hello.

Topsy

pipsy · ‎07-02-2016

Hi, thanks for allowing me to post about my experience with this fb scam. The only reason I did it as I said was to forewarn people about the 'con' artists there are, and how they operate. Like Geoff, I used to get several phone calls every day about so-called computer problems. I even got phone calls saying my computer was sending out strange signals. This would happen even when my computer wasn't switched on. I had enough sense then to tell the person I knew it was a con, those calls have now stopped. This fb scam, I had heard about it happening, but I never suspected it would happen to me. Call me naïve if you like, but it's like everything in life. Till it happens to you, you don't believe it will. It's always someone else it happens to.

pipsy · ‎29-02-2016

Okay, I've just had the row to end all rows. This person who contacted me via fb kept insisting his love for me was genuine. I (foolishly, I suppose) contacted via fb the firm he supposedly worked for. Their answer, he is a scam wanting money. I've just heard from him as I said. He's furious, said this nearly cost him his job etc. I'm thinking he's embarrassed he's been caught out. Obviously he's checked fb and seen my post. He has no idea where I live, but wants to know why I kept writing. I guess I felt the need to be told I was loved. The firm said if he was an employee, they would be picking up the tab for him. Evidently there's been some others advertising non-existent jobs for this firm too. Maybe I shouldn't have contacted the firm, but I had to know the truth and because I don't know him I found it difficult to believe him. I feel pretty stupid now for writing to the firm. I still feel something for him, that's what annoying me. Wish I'd never heard of him.

Starwolf · ‎01-03-2016

Hi Pipsy,

Sorry this has caused you so much distress.

Easy to say "forget him" but I need to tell you that you deserve a hell of a lot better than him. Predators who target people's emotional vulnerability don't deserve our attention.

You haven't lost much as such callous people are not capable of giving much. I think you are lucky to have him out of your life. Better sooner than later...

Fingers crossed you can soon put it all behind you. On the positive side, you have probably learned a couple of useful things about protecting yourself against this type of individual.

Have a peaceful evening.