Canada and Internet Michael Krahn on 17 Jan 2009 07:16 pm
Leamington Mennonite Man Loses $150,000 in Email Scam
Below you can listen to a clip of the CBC news from this week about a man in Leamington who recently lost $150,000 in an email scam. These scammers are relentless and will use any story or lie they think might work on you. In this case, as you’ll hear, they appealed to this man’s faith in God.
You can listen to a CBC News report about the story here:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The old adage “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is” still applies, maybe now more than ever.
As always, if you receive an email like this, always check Snopes.com to see if it’s real or a scam. The victim in this case could have saved himself $150,000 by checking out this page.
A way to avoid these emails altogether is to sign up for an email account from Google . “Gmail”, as it’s called, will send 99% of these scam emails directly to the trash where they belong.
Michael Krahn (michael.krahn@gmail.com) is a husband, father, Pastor, writer, and recording artist who enjoys books, theology, technology and the Ottawa Senators.
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on 17 Jan 2009 at 8:55 pm # Geoff
With all due respect to the victim in this case, I have to wonder how someone could ever fall for such a scam as this man did. You’d have to have lived under a rock for the last 15 years to not hear about this sort of scam. He may as well of tried to help someone smuggle money out of Nigeria. haha.
on 17 Jan 2009 at 11:08 pm # Jason_73
My dad almost fell for a scam thinking he had won a new Ford truck. He had just been to the dealership, and got an email (good timing on the scammers part) saying he had won a truck. He was so excited when he called me. When I asked him what the address was it was something like freefordtruck@yahoo.ze or something.
So older, non-technical folk like my Dad are susceptible to this kind of stuff.
on 18 Jan 2009 at 12:32 am # Gil
Geoff,
With all due respect, if you knew what the word “Mennonite” entails, you would understand why this can happen to people. Just because you or I have been educated on this subject does not mean there aren’t people who have. Therein lies the opportunity for thieves who peddle these scams. Educate yourself on the lifestyle/traditions of a Mennonite and it’ll make sense to you.
on 18 Jan 2009 at 5:16 pm # Michael Krahn
Gil,
Please explain what you mean by your first sentence.
There is a wide spectrum of Mennonite practice and belief.
on 19 Jan 2009 at 2:26 am # Gil
I do not know the man personally, and have no idea how educated he is; by the sounds of it, not very. I made a broad statement about Mennonite traditions and how (if you knew, and I know you do Mike, the culture) they are USUALLY, not always, left in the dark on certain issues. Sometimes because they choose to be ignorant and sometimes by keeping to their old school ways and reasoning.
I agree that the spectrum runs the gamut, the majority of the older generation is still behind in technology, still have trouble speaking the language and in this case, I’m assuming, have little or no post secondary education. I bet you’ve heard this before; “… We’ve learned as much as we need to know and the rest we’ll figure out ourselves…” That attitude usually works okay but sometimes more knowledge goes a long, long way. The younger more modern Mennonites are different. We are more knowledgeable and have gotten out from under the “the less you know the better” mindset that has been instilled in the Mennonite traditions of old. Except this guy. You have the internet, you know how to use it right? WHY didn’t you Google it? Guess we’ll never know….but brings me back to my point. Education!!
on 21 Jan 2009 at 2:33 am # Hellen
You know, Gil, with all due respect, it is not only unlearned Mennonites who are hit. Scammers find new and subtle ways to work at hitting people and catching them unawares. They hit those who are greedy for more moula and don’t check the fine print closely enough. They hit the lonely, the vulnerable, the unsuspecting and yes, the naive.
I know a number of intelligent, educated people who’ve fallen prey to scammers in huge and small ways.
btw way, the CBC reporter is from Chilliwack! :)
on 22 Jan 2009 at 6:27 pm # Michael Segui
“A fool and his money are soon parted.”
I know first hand! I have made my fair share of foolish mistakes.
What difference does it make if he was scammed through the internet or by someone at his doorstep?