I can’t believe people are still scammed in this 21st century, every day I visit Nairaland Forum and I read how members narrates ugly experience in the hands of fraudsters, instead of people learning, they keep abusing the poster and tomorrow the same tragedy befalls them.
After a long thought I came to the
conclusion that we are the victims of ourselves
How can someone ask you to bring N500, 000 as a token to bribe the
accounting officer of a powerful king that died of recent without willing his
N50 million. They promise you 50% if you bring the money fast else they get
another contact
If it was that easy, everyone
would be rich, and even if it’s the story is true, why would you want to reap
where you didn’t sow, because you didn’t ask question, you just let your
emotions cloud your judgement
Like the saying goes, “the best way to catch a thief
is to think like a thief”. Honestly you have to learn how this guys pull their
tricks else sorry will be your name. If you want to learn, keep yourself
updated and learn from peoples mistake.
Google up Joseph Weil
aka yellow kid, the best
known con men of his era. The yellow kid had "uncanny knowledge of human
nature". Over the course of his career, he was reputed to have stolen more
than $8 million.
"Each
of my victims had stealing in his heart", joked Weil
"The desire to get something for nothing has been very
costly to many people who have dealt with me and with other con men", Weil
writes. "But I have found that this is the way it works. The average
person, in my estimation, is ninety-nine per cent animal and one per cent
human. The ninety-nine per cent that is animal causes very little trouble. But
the one per cent that is human causes all our woes. When people learn—as I
doubt they will—that they can't get something for nothing, crime will diminish
and we shall live in greater harmony.”
Before I discuss the 7 ways to Detect
a Con artist (419), you should understand that the real secret of every fraudster is that
they have mastered the art of Emotions.
They know that emotions can cloud our judgment when good deals are brought on,
so they take advantage of it.
For example
1 Buisness
They ask you to bring N200, 000 for a business that is guaranteed N10
million in one week.
The emotion called Greed sets in
2 Relationship
No matter how logical and intelligent we are, many of us
still want to believe in Disney-fied fairy tale relationships. This is why so
many people fall for the carefully crafted facade of predatory personalities.
3 Employment
Because you are desperate for a job, you give in the emotion
frustration
I remember the first time I was almost scammed, my
course-mate pulled a fast one on me, it was more of scam + robbery. I was naïve
and inexperienced, it was few weeks into college. He was offering me a phone one-third
of the market price.
Even though I was suspecting something fishy, my emotions
had already started taking control. I finally agreed the deal when he mentioned
another person bidding the phone. There was a program in the school that same
day by 7 pm holding in school, so that was our exchange point.
Because I was emotionally pressured to buy the phone, I withdrew
part of my school fees from ATM to complete payment but this guy didn’t show up
for the programme, I called his cell severally but it was switched off, then I
knew something was wrong, I couldn’t deposit the money back because it was late,
it was as if he planned out everything.
I had to think fast, I ran home took some books for night
class, along with the money and called my roommate not to return to the hostel
for the night.
Like I predicted, my room was totally ransacked in the
morning when I returned home, no stone was left unturned, from the look of
things, it appears it was more than one person that were on the hunt. By my
calculations, I knew he would come for me at night but what I didn’t know was
that, he would come prepared.
I was wondering what it would have happen to me and my
roommate that night if we had stayed home, I paid my school fees that same
morning.
Generous flattery
If you’ve just met someone who is
overwhelming you with praise, attention and concern, be careful. Be
particularly careful if you’re lonely and looking for love—con artists know
exactly how to play that tune.
Credentials—exaggerated and
fabricated
Con artists may “prove” themselves
by namedropping or volunteering detailed resumes or credentials. If you’re at
all suspicious, check their references.
Building your trust
Con artists will sometimes honor
their commitments in the beginning so that you begin to trust them. They’ll pay
back initial loans, or appear to be unselfishly helping other people. Their
objective is to get you to drop your guard.
The story doesn’t quite add up
The con artist’s story may have
small inconsistencies or unexplained loose ends. If you ask questions, the con
will glibly provide an explanation—which may also not add up. Or, he or she
will sidestep the issue by accusing you of paranoia or mistrust.
“I need an answer now.”
A crisis needs to be averted, an
opportunity will disappear—whatever the reason, a con artist will want an
answer right away. If you have time to think, research or ask advice, you may
realize that con artist’s plan is a ploy. The con will want your money before
you figure it out.
Intense eye contact
Typically, when people talk to each
other, they look each other in the eyes and then briefly look away. Sociopathic
con artists often exhibit a “predatory stare”—unblinking, fixated and
emotionless. It’s not a sign of empathy—it’s an effort to assert control.
Isolation
Con artists will slowly and subtly
separate you from people who may question their plans. They may intercept phone
calls from your friends. They may refuse to associate with your family. They’ll
tell you, “It’s you and me against the world, baby.” Soon, you’re alone with
them, snared in their net.
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