Scams you know... Two accounts

...Yet another important topic that aims to educate and improve understanding of the human society's challenges...

There are countless scam artists churning their misguided brains day and night for new schemes to cheat others. Like the bank robbers of old. It takes a lot of intelligence to figure out how to rob a bank. Intelligence misused. People like puzzles and games and scamming others is like a game for some people. Some are just cruel vindictive people who derive a kind of pleasure in hurting the most vulnerable. Like wolves picking off the weakest of the herd. Others just have no empathy and are gleeful to pocket some cash. No feelings at all for the victim. The victim is just "something" to use.

It is deplorable but has always been with human society ever since history has been recorded. Just the times, places and circumstance change. Now with the addition of technology a new field of activity has been opened and they are here... the scammers.

First case:
My father was a victim. He was in his mid-nineties and still quite active. Driving his car and managing his finances. Not very well, everything was in a bit of a mess and he did have two car accidents but still he was not the type of person to depend on others. I did have to step in when things really got out of hand. One day I received phone calls from the sheriff's department, then the bank and then the government Elderly Services.

He had been going to the bank to deposit large checks, $100,000 or more and they were bouncing. The callers informed me that he was being victimized by scammers who would inform him he has won a lottery or a sweepstake. To send them money, $600 or more Western Union to cover the taxes and deposit his winnings, the check. It takes several days for a check to clear so in the meantime the scammers had his money and then the check would bounce. This happened several times. I found out he had lost several thousands of dollars doing this. He would forget that it had happened and get excited to see a large check and just do it again.

The elderly sometimes lose their ability to discern and are easy victims. They are usually a little lonely, have some money saved up and any attention makes them feel good.

I had to get a lawyer and block his accounts. Of course, he didn' like that. But it had to be done.

I asked him, Dad, why are you doing this. Don't you know they are stealing your money?"

He answered, "I've never gambled before. I always wanted to gamble. One of these checks will be real. The others, I'm going to catch them."

Love you, Dad. RIP

Second case:
This time it is one that I fell victim to.

My friend had ordered some "miracle herbs" from an herbal doctor advertizing online. I trusted her judgment and didn't do research on his company. The herbs could cure anything. Hmmm. Should have seen a red flag on that one. But my friend was pretty worldly and if she had ordered $200 worth of the miracle herbs then I wanted some too.

After about two weeks and no herbs I received a message from the company. There was a problem in customs. In order to release the shipment from a hold they would need another $500. Some of the herbs were banned from international trade and this would lift the ban.

"WHAT! I want a refund."

"Sorry, no refunds. You paid Pay Pal Friends and Family so it is considered a gift not a purchase."

I got away cheap. Only $200 and a lesson well-learned. My friend also lost her $200.

Maybe these accounts can help someone. Stay alert. They're definitely out there plotting and scheming how to get your assets. Like burglars in the night.