A CONTINUING TALE OF DECEPTION
Friday, October 13, 2017
One of the
earliest accounts in Scripture is about deception in opposition to security. (Gen.3)
Since then hoaxing has not only continued. It has become more sophisticated and
common. Hoaxing does however have unchanged denominator central to its workings:
false reporting aimed at emotional desires good and bad. The following report
on deception, though an inept attempt, illustrates how fraudsters use our emotions
as did the wily serpent Satan.
He sounded
frantic, almost in tears. “Granpa, I need your help.” He explained that his
voice sounded different because his nose was broken plus other facial injuries.
He said he is under arrest in New York City. In changing lanes he collided with
a vehicle driven by a Central American female diplomat. She is near death.
In the immediate
he feared rape from one of the obviously rough men in the bull pen - in the
future, worse. A public defender assigned to him had worked out a deal with the
diplomats’ people. For their own unexplained reasons they didn’t want the
publicity, so for $4,000 they would make it go away and he would be released.
In a closely joined number of calls they said all I had to do to quickly
facilitate his release, repeating rape fear, is purchase that amount of gift
cards at Target then read them the code numbers. I was not to tell anyone else
because if I did the confidentiality contract he signed would be null and void
and the deal between he, the lawyer, diplomats, and N.Y. police would be off.
Admittedly I initially
emotionally allowed myself to be influenced, but caution prevailed. Contrary to
his pressure of repeated calls for action I insisted that due to my diabetes I
must eat lunch before doing as he asked.
I dined, and
called one of my 3 wise and knowledgeable daughters, she a now retired police
officer with many years training and experience. We discussed the
inconsistencies and contradictions in the conversations with grandson and lawyer. She said “Don’t.” I agreed. Soon thereafter she texted me azcentral
consumer report “Mexico bail scam nearly costs grandparents $1,900” Though I
jotted down a number of clues, the word “Granpa” instead of “Papa” alerted
them.
Oddly, when grandson phoned for the gift card codes
and I told him no deal . . . his voice calmed and he terminated conversation
saying “You are a wise man.”
Dawn explained
that these scammers gather useful info from readily accessible social media.
They also go thru your trash finding relatable info. (I’ve shredded ever since equipment
available. Prior to I burned all such info. I encourage destruction by tool or
firepit.)
And yes, this
sort of thing is part and parcel of wisely serving God all our days.
EBB4
PS. Caution includes not answering those seemingly innocuous
questions and puzzles on Facebook.
