Scam Artists and How to Avoid Them

I recently met a woman who had a strange story to tell and a warning for everyone who will listen. I am passing it along to my readers in the hope it may save someone else from what happened to her.

“I wasn’t well at the time and had believed the quack who told me that I was dying. We had lived in a duplex, in Nevada, and a new couple named Brian and Gina had moved in next door. Brian and Gina had adorable twin daughters, then three years old. They seemed like such a nice little family, I befriended them, much to my family’s concern. Before very long, Gina was complaining to me about her husband being out of work and how they would lose their home if they couldn’t pay the bills.” The woman explained this all too common scenario which is typical in a scam involving an unwell and obviously caring individual.

She began telling of how she got hooked in. This too is common: A con artist when he/she has found their target often wait to make a move until they know for certain that the individual is genuinely concerned and willing to go out on a limb for them.

“I managed to get our local casino/restaurant, interested in hiring her, and with a friends help (via phone calls) to have them ready to hire her. She put in the application but never followed through. Needless to say, someone else got the job. Brian wasn’t interested in working since his DUI cost him the job of Fire Fighter.”

The woman expressed some concern as to the demeanors of the two scam artists where her husband was involved as the two cowardly perpetrators put on an elaborate show of compassion far beyond their normal behaviors.

“My husband is a long haul trucker and only gets home once a month, so he wasn’t aware of everything that was going on. But when he was home, Gina would cook breakfast for us and Brian would visit with him, being very friendly.”

The moment of the biggest pay off that most thieves only dream about came during this time, making it a harsh lesson to have learned.