This week I think I've received no less than 12 scam letters. And it's only Thursday.
I have received missives from the United Nations, the Obama Foundation and one from a lovely gentleman in Ghana who "found" all this money and would like to give it to me. I sincerely wish my own bank would be a little more pro-active in finding money like this for me. What are they doing wrong? If the UN can find it, why can't they?
I digress.
Whilst I'm overwhelmed at the generosity of my would be benefactors, I've been hesitant to send them all my details as requested.
Mainly because,
I'm not that stupid.
But it did get me thinking.
Alot of these letters are appallingly worded, implausible and well, stupid.
But what if I was smart about it?
I could write a lovely letter I think. I could word it persuasively and credibly I'm sure.
And that's what worries me a little. At some point there are going to be smart people who find a way to do this "properly."
I'd also like to reassure you it won't be me writing those letters.
I've already seen news reports where our Government had to "rescue" an older gentleman who was promised great wealth from a lady from a third world country. He merely had to fly to meet her and give her all his bank account details. Enthralled the possibility of having his conjugal needs met for the first time it seems at the possibility of these untold riches he did so. He was promptly kidnapped and held to ransom by some rather shady individuals. He was subsequently rescued and bought back, shamefaced and somewhat poorer to Australia.
Whilst his gullibility floored me, what was even more amazing was discovering a few days later, he'd been conned by a similar scam before!
I'm not usually a judgemental person, but yes, I judged him. I still do.
Now, stories like this are usually few and far between but I do wonder what will happen when the scammers get smarter. What will happen when they finally employ someone (like me) to write them a persuasive letter?
Because its a disaster waiting to happen.
Now excuse me.
I have letters to write.
ETA Another thought occurred to me. I could probably make more money writing these letters than attempting to pursue a career as a writer! Hmmmmmmm