# Well, I'm being financially extorted **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 11, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338 "2018-11-11T02:57:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/1 "2018-11-11T02:57:07Z")
Somehow, someone has gotten ahold of my email address and after months of niceties is now trolling me for money. This started back in June, but she’s picked up her story now. She now lives in California, her mom in the UK is suddenly sick. She needs $800 to save her mom. I’ve been responding and hinting I may help. I’ve been dragging this along. Ha ha! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/2 "2018-11-11T03:15:32Z")
OK. This is getting funny! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/3 "2018-11-11T03:21:13Z")
You should make up a disaster of your own and tell her how poor you are. You may even need a bit of cash to get by. Sob story. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/4 "2018-11-11T03:33:10Z")
You have to share the emails with us! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/5 "2018-11-11T03:35:26Z")
[This is what happens when you reply to spam email](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QdPW8JrYzQ) is a very entertaining 2015 TED Talk by James Vetch. I look forward to **Leaffan** ’s SDMB Posts about his experience! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/6 "2018-11-11T03:43:03Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You should make up a disaster of your own and tell her how poor you are. You may even need a bit of cash to get by. Sob story. 😉 I love the way you think! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/7 "2018-11-11T03:58:55Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [This is what happens when you reply to spam email](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QdPW8JrYzQ) is a very entertaining 2015 TED Talk by James Vetch. > > I look forward to **Leaffan** ’s SDMB Posts about his experience! Loved that Bo. Thanks! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/8 "2018-11-11T04:03:13Z")
Oh, you tease. It isn’t really extortion, is it? More like pleading. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/9 "2018-11-11T04:08:18Z")
I told her I didn’t know how to use PayPal because our banks are different in Canada. She suggested Money Gram. I told her I’d look into it and get back tomorrow. I’m going to drag this on forever. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/10 "2018-11-11T04:15:14Z")
I think you should really (not really) send her a bunch of money and then express confusion and amazement at how it hasn’t come through. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/11 "2018-11-11T04:21:26Z")
Checkbox, Delete ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/12 "2018-11-11T04:25:01Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > I think you should really (not really) send her a bunch of money and then express confusion and amazement at how it hasn’t come through. Maybe held by the Bank of Canada for tax reasons, or held up by the Trump administration due to the new trade agreement or tarrifs! Ya. That’s it. I’m going to ask for an account and blame it on Trump! ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/13 "2018-11-11T04:32:08Z")
Thank god for the NHS. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/14 "2018-11-11T07:47:55Z")
You could send her the money in iTunes gift cards, but you’ve been told that they won’t work in the U.S., because the Canadian ones are all metric. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/15 "2018-11-11T11:54:36Z")
Is the scammer aware of how healthcare works in the UK? I’m not aware of anyone being refused life-saving treatment that costs $800. I realise I’m treating this with a seriousness it doesn’t deserve and that facts won’t change things but it might be a little nugget worth holding in reserve for later in your fun and games. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/16 "2018-11-11T12:05:38Z")
I’d be tempted to claim you sent the money (without actually sending any) and then just not reply to any message for a couple of days. When you get back, send a message that you were detained for questioning regarding suspected money laundering and tax evasion. All your financial records and communications are being investigated for potential wrongdoing on your part. Tell your friend that if the investigators contact her then she should cooperate fully. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/17 "2018-11-11T12:14:17Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > I’d be tempted to claim you sent the money (without actually sending any) and then just not reply to any message for a couple of days. When you get back, send a message that you were detained for questioning regarding suspected money laundering and tax evasion. All your financial records and communications are being investigated for potential wrongdoing on your part. Tell your friend that if the investigators contact her then she should cooperate fully. I totally vote for this strategy. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/18 "2018-11-11T15:10:45Z")
Tell her you want to send her $300, but that she needs to send you a $50 ‘processing fee’ first. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/19 "2018-11-11T15:17:53Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Tell her you want to send her $300, but that she needs to send you a $50 ‘processing fee’ first. For the Win! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/20 "2018-11-11T15:22:59Z")
Scan some cash and email the picture as an attachment. That’s how you send money electronically, right? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338.md?page=2)