I Was Swindled Out Of $1000 Dollars

[nikad]

I am not talking about Joe's scammer, I was referring to another website, not expat related, but freelancing-related.

My bad I thought it was an expat posting here.

 

[cbonanni]

A burial in Corsica (police is instructed not to show up). I also have Jewish & Irish blood and I'm still alive

The Corsicans and their "vendetta".........

 

[Joe]

Well I don't do films but I really think this is a great idea. I would take it step further, use the guy as an example of what is apparently a growing problem in our times. The Internet, with the ability to be anonymous or perhaps collect identify bits from others and create fake personas aids it and our various world leaders with their displays of lawlessness and dishonesty make it seem like its ok to lie and cheat.
Would be an interesting study to try and find out just how much scams are on the rise, and then document some to spread the word.

Yes this particular incident by itself wouldn't be enough for a documentary. What about a documentary on the blue dollar scams and craziness? Opening scene is the guys yelling Cambio on Florida St. Followed by the lengths people go to avoid the currency controls. Segway into this scam. Opening the mysterious bags. Then the trip upriver to Uruguay to search for and interview the mysterious Kurtz, a la Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness.

 

[sleslie23]

Joe, I have to go to Uruguay next week. Want me to bring my baseball bat?

 

[ajoknoblauch]

Joe, I have to go to Uruguay next week. Want me to bring my baseball bat?

Another instance of baseball's superiority to soccer:

https://www.youtube....h?v=aPvkzQmc68Y

 

[nativexpat]

Thanks Frenchie, I was hoping for your help!!!

It's very therapeutic to discuss this. I was really quite depressed about it for the last couple of weeks. Even though going public with my foolish action is embarrassing - it's helped me get out of my funk to get your messages, condolences and insight!

Thanks!

I was actually thinking last night how humble you were in "confessing" this incident. I am so stupidly proud that I don't know if I would be able to admit that I had been fooled...

(BTW, I had never heard the exp<b></b>ression "penny wise, pound foolish" - thanks for that too!)

Hoping those $1000 will come back to you soon somehow.

Saludos

 

[Rich One]

I gave him until the evening of Aug 22nd (this Friday) to return my money or go public with his personal details. So I won't reveal his name and other details (full name, email transcripts, BAexpat ID, nationality, hometown and photo) until this Friday evening.

I was wondering if any of our budding documentary makers would be interested in making a documentary on this? We have expats involved in a scam, the blue dollar, secret contents of bags revealed on film, trip to Uruguay to interview the culprit. What do you think?

Great idea since its a case of a Serial Offender..!

 

[Girino]

That's pretty unfair. It's not greedy to try to ACTUALLY SAVE 20% of your capital, its sensible. Unfortunately with restrictions such as the ones in place we have to trust friends and amigos and as warm and comforting it can be at times, it's a system that allows for petty delinquents to have their way... and now you blame the victim!

There is a whole industry based on this kind of reasoning - it is called marketing. How much saving is attractive enough? Often people buy products "on sale" and end up spending more (e.g. there is a cheaper option available, buying a larger format would be a better deal, etc.)
So, how come marketing does exist if we are aware of these tricks? Because nobody thinks about the consequences.

If you were to ask Joe today to trust you to go to Uruguay and bring back $1000, what would Joe say?

a) Sure, I'd save $200 ---> might end up losing $1000​

B) No way, lesson learned ---> "not all expats are the same" ---> won't save $200, but won't lose a dime​

There is a 50/50 possibility that Joe gets scammed again. Either he gets scammed or not. By suggesting that "most of the people are not scammer" you no longer feel it's 50/50, maybe a 90/10, so you'd still go for it.

 

[Rich One]

This is going to be a thriller like the Renter Case ,,, get your popcorn

 

[Hybrid Ambassador]

Joe get on aboard and go find that scoundrel then recover your thousand buck.