Worst Scams in 2021 is this week’s Mystery Question. I cannot believe how many scam artists there are out there. And a lot of times, the person bites because of the promise of a quick buck.
But first this week’s photo and verse. Can you tell I got a new (to me) camera? I thought my iPhone made really good photos, but I believe the camera a friend gave me beats it! I love Fall and the beautiful colors. Fall has always been my favorite season, although Spring is a close rival, especially after nasty winters we’ve had lately. 🙂
Now for last week’s Mystery Question: Worst Cons of All. Three of these cons are true. Can you guess which one I made up?
- A 76-year-old widow transferred more than $660,000 to bank accounts she thought belonged to a U.S. Army general in Afghanistan. The “general” wooed her online and convinced her to refinance her home, sell property, and withdraw savings, sending the money to accounts supposedly held by the general, but in fact, belonged to members of a conspiracy.
- A man contacted a 67-year-old woman through a neighborhood online group and began wooing her. He worked in another city, but he made arrangements to see her when he traveled to her city on business. Unfortunately, he got in too late to make the dinner date. When he suddenly had to go out of the country on a job, he called her from the airport, telling her his Netflix card had expired and would she go to Walmart and buy him a $100 Netflix card? She did, and it wasn’t long before he called again, hysterical, saying he’d left his $4,000 tools in a cab but that he’d found some he could buy for just $2600. Could she send him the money? That’s when she smelled a mouse … or a rat and hung up on him.
- The wedding was set. The sixty-something couple had met online at a Christian dating service and communicated back and forth for several months, exchanging photos and information about each other. He asked her to marry him and she quickly accepted, but then she called him crying because she’d found the perfect wedding dress but she didn’t have the $10,000 to pay for it. He agreed and sent the money to an account he thought belonged to a bridal boutique, but in fact, did not. When the facts were finally sorted out, he learned he’d been communicating with a man in prison who’d managed to get access to a computer.
- The 68-year-old social worker’s mother was dying when she encountered a man on a dating site for singles over 50. He claimed to be an Air Force pilot, emailed her gushy poetry, then persuaded her to wire $1,200 to a location in the Middle East, where he was purportedly serving. She never heard from him again.
And the answer is…#3. All of these are just so sad to me. And make me angry. I’ve probably said it before, but I’m going to say it again–if these people would put half the energy into doing something legal that they put in these scams, they could be rich and not always looking over their shoulders!
In researching all the different cons, I came across IRLrosie on YouTube. She searches out the con artists and strings them along, saying if they’re talking to her, they’re not trying to scam someone out of their money. Check her out here: https://www.youtube.com/user/rosieokumura
Now for this week’s Mystery Question: Worst Scams of 2021. As usual, three are true and I’ve made up one. It’s your job– if you choose to accept the challenge–to figure out which one I made up.
- A trader contacted a man over the phone and offered guaranteed returns on investments. After investing a few thousand with them, his profits soared. However, when he tried to withdraw money, he was told he had to pay additional fees. Suddenly his stocks fell and by the time he got his money out, he was reduced to three percent of his initial investment.
- When an older woman answered the phone, the caller identified himself as a tax investigator and informed her she owed an additional five hundred dollars. When she questioned him, he told her the police were on the way to arrest her, and she gave him her account number and permission to withdraw the five hundred. Unfortunately, he withdrew five thousand instead.
- A woman attempted to purchase tickets to a rock concert, but when she tried to use Paypal to pay for them, he insisted that she pay using gift cards. As soon as he had the information from the gift cards, he blocked her from Facebook and deleted his account.
- The website advertised cheap barbeque. Payment was via credit card with a 5% discount for direct transfer. Then the buyer received an email saying that due to logistic emails our order was canceled and being refunded. Not surprisingly, the company hasn’t refunded the money.
Okay, Super Sleuths, which one did I make up? Leave your answer in the comments and I’ll enter you in a November drawing for a $10 gift card.
Last week Irene Hannon, Elizabeth Goddard, Natalie Walters and I joined together for a Baker Books Facebook live event. If you want a few laughs and also see how we write our books, tune in here!
Worst Scams in 2021 is this week's Mystery Question. As usual, three of the statements are true and I made up one. Can you guess which one? Leave your answer and I'll enter you in a November drawing for a $10 gift card! Click To Tweet
Comments 54
#2 – all a worry though.
Author
Yes, they are, Mary. Quite sad. Thanks for stopping by!
I guess I’m going with #4.
Author
Hi Diana! We’ll see. Thanks for stopping by.
Hard decision . . . I’ll go with number one because no one would fall for it if the trader said “guaranteed returns.” The trees are beautiful here (Virginia), too, like sun lighting up stained glass.
Author
I like your logic, Priscilla. We’ll see. I love your description of the leaves!
I would guess #1 but I hate that any could be true.
Author
Me, too, Ellen, but sadly three are.
Oh those fall colors! Cell phone cameras have come a long way, but it’s hard to beat a good real camera. Good choice of verse to accompany it. To get leaf color like that around Tucson, I need to be in the mountains.
All your scam examples are possibly true. I will say #1 you made up because it has the fewest details. NEVER trust a stranger on the phone!
Author
I had forgotten what good photos a real camera took, Tim. Long ago, I had a Pentax K100 and had to learn how to set the speed and aperture. I got quite good at it…unfortunately when you don’t use it, you lose it. lol I’m thankful for these point-and-shoot cameras. lol And we’ll see next week if it’s #1. (I like your logic.)
Oh that photograph. I can see your point! I think you made up #4 this week. I’m surprised it was #3 last week as (sadly) I personally know the prison scams happen. There are some rotten eggs out there.
Author
I love the new camera, Delores! And we’ll see next week if it’s #3 before I move on to something lighter!
I’ll go for #3 again. I don’t know how he would get Facebook information from a paypal account.
Author Nancy Mehl is right now dealing with a scam artist. She was looking for tickets in Branson to the Sight and Sound Theater for JESUS. It was not connected to the show at all. And they were asking for more money than it actually cost. She’s appealing to her bank right now.
Author
Oh, my goodness, Paula! I hate that for Nancy Mehl. And we’ll see if it’s #3 next week.
I will go with #1 as it is much the same as those emails you get from foreign countries at times. Unfortunately we had an experience like #3 when we moved to Florida and were looking for a place to live. Needless to say, those thousands in gift cards did not result in a place to stay .
Beautiful picture and I love the verse!
Author
I hate to hear about anyone being scammed, Betti. I’m so sorry. We’ll see next week which is the one I made up. And I’m glad you like the photo and verse!
OOooooh, I LOVE the photo! Bob Ross, the artist, would say they are happy leaves! “To be firmly planted…” YES!!
Once again, these cons were difficult. I’m going with # 4. I haven’t gotten one right yet! LOL
Author
I think they’re happy leaves, too, Barbara! We’ll see next week if it’s #4.
I’ll go with #1 this time, Patricia!!
Author
We’ll see, Jackie. Thanks for stopping by.
4. thanks for the chance.
Author
Number 4 seems to be a popular choice, Lynn. We’ll see next week. Thanks for stopping by.
#4
Author
Hi Patricia! We’ll see next week if it’s #4.
#3
Author
Hi Joy! Good to ‘see’ you here. Thanks for dropping by.
#4
Author
We’ll see next week if it’s #4. Thanks for stopping by.
These are all awful! I’ll say #4 is the name up one though.
Author
Yes, they are awful…I think I’m going back to the funny ones next week!
I’ll go with #1 this time
Author
We’ll see, Shelia. So glad you stopped by.
#4.
Author
Another one for #4…we’ll see, Alicia. Good to ‘see’ you here!
Such a beautiful picture. The verse fits it perfectly. I have had bogus Amazon and Microsoft calls many times. Also the famous “Hi grandma, this is your grandson so and so. I’m in jail and need to post bail”. Never fell for these crooks. Unfortunately many people do. I’m going to guess #1.
Author
I’m so glad you enjoyed the photo and verse, Erika. I’m really enjoying taking the photos. We’ll see next week if it’s #1.
#4, because it’s the least invasive against the innocent… (so many cruel scammers out there)
Author
I agree, MS Barb! Too bad these scammers don’t put their talent to doing good! We’ll see next week if it’s #4 next week.
Sadly, they all sound possible but I will go with #1. And I agree with you Patricia,. Just imagine the good that could be achieved if these efforts and talents were directed toward doing good!
Author
Absolutely, Connie! We’ll see next week if it’s #1.
Love that picture. We have a red maple in our back yard. The leaves have been gorgeous for the past week or two. They were a brilliant red for several days and then started turning orange. They are gradually falling from the tree now. I don’t think I have ever seen it as pretty as it has been this year. The verse is an excellent selection.
I’m choosing 1. I have no doubt there are scammers posing as traders. And wherever there are scammers, there are those who fall for the scam. The part I find unbelievable is that the man got back any of his money.
Author
Edward, I love red maples…and hickories…and even Bradford pears–they’re usually red. We’ll see next week if it’s #1.
I am guessing #4 this week.
Author
We’ll see, Gloria! Thanks for stopping by.
#1 Beautiful photo and scripture.
Author
Thanks, Lucy. I love the beautiful colors this time of year.
Spectacular photo for the scripture!
#2
Author
Thanks, Caryl!
I’m guessing #4…these sound like they’d fit in one of your books!
Author
That’s a thought, Angela! We’ll see.
#4 – pure guess
Author
We’ll see, Natalya! Thanks for stoppying by and guessing.
Love the scripture and photo, Pat!
I reading through the Christiansen family series by Susan May Warren.
Author
Thanks, Caryl! I think I saw where another Christiansen family book was released this weekend! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!