# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/21 "2018-11-11T17:02:48Z")
Your response: "I was so saddened by the news of your mother’s illness. I do hope she will get better. Of course I want to help. I gathered up what money I could find and found $800. I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough, but by the grace of God, I had just enough. "So I took the money to MoneyGram and they told me they would send it to you. But after I got home, I got a call from MoneyGram. They said they had frozen my transfer and it cannot be released until after I pay a fee of CAN$52.83. Of course I was angered and demanded an explanation. They said that MoneyGram is a United States company and because of the trade dispute with the United States, the Ministry of Finance has imposed a special export tariff on money transfers. "I am just a simple person and do not understand these international matters and tariffs. But I was told that if I don’t pay by Friday, the money I was trying to send for the benefit of your poor mother will be seized by the Ministry of Finance. “I am despondent. I gave my last dollar hoping I could help save your mother. Perhaps you can help me? If you would wire CAN$53.28 to me, I could pay the tariff and the $800 would be on its way to your mother immediately.” When they write back saying they can’t do this, respond with: "As I said, I am a simple person just trying to help your poor mother. I do not understand all these tariffs and regulations and international matters. I am so scared and confused. "Fortunately, my brother is coming back from a business trip on Thursday. He is a registered lawyer and a smart man. I will talk to him as soon as he gets back. I am certain he will know what to do. “Please send my deepest condolences to your mother and wish her well for me.” This last part is to induce panic that “your brother” will tell you that you are being scammed and that the scammer needs to act before Wednesday. ---
**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, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/22 "2018-11-11T17:18:52Z")
I like this^^^. Add some typos and emojis. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/23 "2018-11-11T17:28:12Z")
**Leaffan** , if you are truly a prince of a guy \, you’d tell her the $800 has been routed thru Nigeria. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/24 "2018-11-11T17:40:08Z")
> [@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. Then contact her through a different email address claiming to be an investigator. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/25 "2018-11-11T18:51:58Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > 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. Scammers include typos & false information so they can weed out critical thinkers. They want emotional, greedy respondents. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/26 "2018-11-11T21:34:35Z")
> [@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. 😉 Dammit, we need a “Like “ button. ---
**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, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/27 "2018-11-11T22:06:52Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Your response: > > "I was so saddened by the news of your mother’s illness. I do hope she will get better. Of course I want to help. I gathered up what money I could find and found $800. I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough, but by the grace of God, I had just enough. > > "So I took the money to MoneyGram and they told me they would send it to you. But after I got home, I got a call from MoneyGram. They said they had frozen my transfer and it cannot be released until after I pay a fee of CAN$52.83. Of course I was angered and demanded an explanation. They said that MoneyGram is a United States company and because of the trade dispute with the United States, the Ministry of Finance has imposed a special export tariff on money transfers. > > "I am just a simple person and do not understand these international matters and tariffs. But I was told that if I don’t pay by Friday, the money I was trying to send for the benefit of your poor mother will be seized by the Ministry of Finance. > > “I am despondent. I gave my last dollar hoping I could help save your mother. Perhaps you can help me? If you would wire CAN$53.28 to me, I could pay the tariff and the $800 would be on its way to your mother immediately.” > When they write back saying they can’t do this, respond with: > > "As I said, I am a simple person just trying to help your poor mother. I do not understand all these tariffs and regulations and international matters. I am so scared and confused. > > "Fortunately, my brother is coming back from a business trip on Thursday. He is a registered lawyer and a smart man. I will talk to him as soon as he gets back. I am certain he will know what to do. > > “Please send my deepest condolences to your mother and wish her well for me.” > > This last part is to induce panic that “your brother” will tell you that you are being scammed and that the scammer needs to act before Wednesday. Holy shit! That is good! ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/28 "2018-11-12T00:58:04Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Holy shit! That is good! Yes, very well played. ---
**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 12, 2018, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/29 "2018-11-12T01:35:20Z")
She’s sent me four new emails today asking for help, and I’ve ignored them all. I’ll get back with an excuse later. It’s strangely empowering. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/30 "2018-11-12T01:47:07Z")
Tell her you don’t have any cash but you have your Grandma’s engagement ring. Ask if she knows anyone who could give her a good price for it. Then send her a piece of crap glass stone and alert the sheriff/police local to the address “she” gives you. If she gives you a USPS box you are golden, the postmasters LOVE nailing these folks. They have their own police force with a Federal mandate. ---
**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 12, 2018, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/31 "2018-11-12T02:08:01Z")
I’ve just told her I’m busy. She’s sounding like she’s getting desperate now, although obviously I’m probably not the only target she’s dealing with. I’m just going to keep this going. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/32 "2018-11-12T02:12:07Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Tell her you don’t have any cash but you have your Grandma’s engagement ring. Ask if she knows anyone who could give her a good price for it. > > Then send her a piece of crap glass stone and alert the sheriff/police local to the address “she” gives you. If she gives you a USPS box you are golden, the postmasters LOVE nailing these folks. They have their own police force with a Federal mandate. My sense is that, despite her claims to live in California, she (if she is a “she”) lives in some third-world country. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/33 "2018-11-12T02:13:14Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Holy shit! That is good! > [@Patx2](#): > > Yes, very well played. Thanks, folks. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/34 "2018-11-12T02:51:38Z")
I actually responded to one once. The return address was purportedly someone I knew and he claimed to be desperate for money for his sick sister. He is a sufficient flake that, for all I knew, it could even have been true. I replied and said that if he could describe our last meeting, I would do it. I got no answer. Just for the record, our last meeting had been an absolutely improbable coincidence, but I will not describe it here. It was sufficiently memorable that he could not possibly have forgotten it. ---
**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 12, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/35 "2018-11-12T03:09:58Z")
I told her that I found a Western Union station at a Walmart near me (true actually) and she sent me her contact information for Williston, North Dakota. But she lives in California, apparently. 😉 ---
**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 12, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/36 "2018-11-12T03:21:04Z")
## OK. But aren’t you in California? (Real information redacted) … City:Williston State: North Dakota Zip code:58801 Yes but my cousin took me to North Dakota because I was crying every night and can’t sleep well. So I’m with her for a while now. ---
**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 12, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/37 "2018-11-12T03:25:06Z")
She just asked me for my phone number to text me. What could possibly go wrong with that? ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/38 "2018-11-12T03:26:38Z")
Do it! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/39 "2018-11-12T09:23:59Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > She just asked me for my phone number to text me. > > What could possibly go wrong with that? Do not give your real number! Get a Google Voice number and use that. [https://voice.google.com](https://voice.google.com) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338/40 "2018-11-12T11:15:04Z")
Or the phone number of the local Scientology compound. Or your ex - the really shitheaded one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-being-financially-extorted/824338.md?page=3)