Recently, several of my friends in Alabama have recieved messages via Facebook Messenger from obvious scammers. I'm sure the same or similar messages have been sent to people across the country. The messages start with an "apology for the intrusion" and end, of course, with the person asking for money. Some claim to be sent from Ethiopia and some from other countries, including Ukraine. One message that I recieved personally was from the obviously fake profile of a U.S. Army General. I have found that when you "flip the script" on a scammer, they suddenly disappear. Here's a sure fire way to silence a Facebook scammer via Messenger...
The scammers message: Hello. I am sorry to be of intrusion. But I am in trouble and the Lord has led me to you. I beseech you in the name of the Holy Trinity. There is a war here in my region of Ethiopia. My father has been imprisoned. They ask a bail of 50,000 Ethiopian Birr for his release. That is 874 US dollars at the current exchange rate. If you can help, we will forever be in your debt. I have no dollars. Please send to Cash App at Tgeo*****@gmail.com. I know the Lord will see fit to help us. Excuse my forwardness but you have the light of the Lord in your countenance. I was drawn to your beautiful and kind eyes.
The response: Oh, my dearest friend. You have touched my heart. I am going to help you so that you can be reunited with your precious father. Currently, my bank account is inaccessible. However, being a wealthy American, like we all are, I have many boxes of jewels and gold that I no longer need. I'm sure that one of the boxes would more than cover your poor father's expenses, and possibly help buy him a car or house. However, I have no way to send it to you. If you could possibly come up with the shipping cost, I will quickly send the treasure box to you. The cost of freight is $200 US dollars. That may seem a little costly, but that is because all that gold is extremely heavy! Please send as quickly as you can. I'm so happy someone will be able to make good use of all these precious metals and jewels. I was tired of dusting them. I thank you so much for giving me the chance to help.
So far, the party that sent the above message has not replied or sent the shipping cost requested. This guy, in the screenshot below, never responded either...
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