One story on Wednesday’s front page of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph brought up some memories when I read it.
A Texas man had pleaded guilty to creating women across the nation, including one from West Virginia, for $1.6 million.
He pretended to be a general stationed overseas, and he stole the money by befriending women online, gaining their trust, hinting at romantic interest and finally asking them for money.
Scammers are getting more inventive all the time. As soon as the public catches on to one ploy, the scammers dream up a new one. I
’ve been approached multiple times by officials of one nation or another – the infamous Nigerian scam – who say they need my help to transfer millions of dollars to America. I’m promised a share if I help facilitate the transfer.
I was struck by this request’s absurdity the first time I got one in my personal email.
These foreign officials are going to trust a complete stranger in another country with millions of dollars? I’m tempted reply and say I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn they might to interested in buying or that the White House is up for sale.
I’d want a million dollars, which is a bargain for an historic house with its own doomsday shelter.
Sometimes these messages don’t come from African or South American nations.
One time I received a…
