It is so unfortunate that we live in a society where some people have no scruples, no conscience and little morals if any. I sat watching television the other day for a while. I was shocked when I heard a gist of what was up for discussion on the Day Time Talk Show! The story was about women who were being scammed by con men-from as far away as Nigeria, West Africa! I wondered what was wrong with some women that would cause them to be attracted to these kinds of men. Were they unattractive, stupid or senile? I found out later when the camera focused on the three different women who had come to share their unfortunate story, and after listening to them, that none one of them fell into those categories. They all seemed like normal, healthy, intelligent, attractive women.
Lost for words, I found myself repeating, “No, No, No!” This cannot be real. I know that we all are scammed in deals at one time or another where our money is lost, but these women were losing not only their money and time, but also their dignity. We women are wired to be nurturers; however, some of us take it to the extreme. One should nurture children, even our sick husbands but not strange grown men! One of these con men after three months of exchange of daily talks by phone and email, was so sure of himself that he requested $2,300.00 to purchase an airline ticket to come and back home. He was an American from Buffalo. According to the story, they met in a chat room and he sent her a photograph and a name. He said he had been in Nigeria for the past three months. He was working for a person who had just given him his paycheck and he was sending her the check to deposit in her bank account. She received the check and was shocked to see that it was for $70,000! She told her sisters about it and they advised her to stop communicating with him, but she did not listen. She believed that they were in love. She did take the check to her bank and naturally, the bank tried to verify that the check was authentic. It was not. When she called him later to tell him, he pretended to be upset and said that his boss had left town and he had no idea where he was right now, but not to worry, he would take care of it. However, he was going to send her some money orders and she was to deposit these in her account for safekeeping. Again, she told her sisters and again, they warned her not to have anything to do with this man. Their pleas were in vain. She took the money orders to her bank deposited them. The bank called her the next day to let her know that the money orders were, “no good”. This time he said that his boss had really made a fool of him but again, he would take care of it. In the meantime, he needed money and she sent him $3,300 or so. After a few calls and expressing their undying love for each other he finally asked for $2,300 to get an airline ticket home because he loved her so much he wanted to come home to be with her! She said she did not have that kind of money right then and he told her to sell her furniture, after all, they would be living together when he comes and they will buy new furniture. That was turning point for her! She took her sisters advice this time and called the television show to ask for help.
Do you know that after an investigation, it was revealed that the man in the photograph was not the man with whom she had been communicating! The con man had copied the photograph of an American male model who had posed for a magazine in Hawaii. He chose this particular photo because of the plants in the background- the lush green palms and bamboo that grow in the pacific and some parts of Africa. These people do their work! The modeling agency found this man in the photo and he was a young police officer who resides in Hawaii! Another twist is that the con man spoke with an accent! When she asked him about his accent, he simply told her that he had learned the African language and by constantly speaking that language, he had acquired the accent! Well! All I can say after that is, women of the world; I know we do get lonely. I know life can be hard. However, do not let your emotions override good, common sense. What do you want with a man who asks you for money? Any man who is not too proud to beg you for money, I am afraid is a loser. Lose him! Mothers, raise your sons to be men, teach them the dignity of labor early in life. The paper route is a good beginning. Let him cut some grass if he wants that I pod or do something else, anything legitimate! Teach your daughters to value themselves. They are not items that anyone can buy or pick up and do with as they please. Teach them and show them that they are special. Show them how privilege they are to be female- women are whom God uses to carry the future of the human race. That is an awesome responsibility not to be taken lightly. Her body is a temple- not an item to be displayed to everyone. Tell them to earn respect. Teach them also that there is dignity in labor, that you can be kind without been foolish. That if you feel the need to help someone, let it be someone who needs help- a child, an invalid, and older person unable to work or someone in dire need.
To the older woman I do not claim to have they answer to your loneliness, but have you filled your life enough? Are you keeping busy? Why not give some of that love you still have to caring for children-grandchildren or adopted. I guarantee one thing, while raising them you would be too busy to notice that some man is missing. In fact, some good man out there may find you, instead. Good luck to all of us in our daily struggle!
