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Thread: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

  1. #1
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    People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    We have the gifting threads, the blessing gold club and many other rip off programs using religion to draw in the little fishes. This thread is just to try to bring together some of the people who are promoting and using religion or "God told me to..." ways of drawing people into a scheme of making money. Money that is usually made by those who get in and get out really fast, so they go from one program to another and convince their friends and downlines to join so they (the scammers) get the profits.

    I have been following certain people and see a pattern here. In the past I have thought some to be innocent participants just trying to make a few extra dollars and not really understanding that what they are doing is hurting others. I believe I am getting a much different picture here. For me, it is not going after a particular person but the programs they promote and how they go about doing just that.

    Many of you know the big fish in the pond that do this for a living and most times are probably the ones behind the various scams that popup it seems overnight. If you know they are behind certain schemes, please let us know and post others that you have found doing the same thing.

    I will start with a message I received from one of our own RS members who vows that what they do is not wrong.

    A Christian Friend <bjandthebear_30815@netzero.net>


    Oct 14 (2 days ago)

    Hi folks,
    This is Steve Hauser, Runningman, Facebook . com/FindCash, MartinezShopper . ws coming to you with 10+ years experience helping each other to build a solid residual income online. This is for people of all walks of life. Whether you want to save on your cell, you like coupons, rebates, deals, discounts, savings, or what? I am fortunate and blessed to be a part of a huge downline club & teambuilding group on Facebook. We help each other to succeed online whether you want to supplement your income, or just save money. Earn 100% commissions by blogging and much more too. The choice is yours, start now!

    God brought this opportunity to me at a time when I needed it most. It is giving me more time, freedom & money to spend with those I care about, like my wife, kids & others too.

    Please visit my blog MartinezShopper . ws for free business advice. You can also find a huge group of 1,000+ people via Facebook . com/groups/CouponKing helping each other to succeed.
    I don't imagine I was intended to receive this message, but I did.

    Now I will go to another one who only a few days ago was making money with D$ Domination and just today started on this one:
    Law of Attraction Boot Camp VIP

    Only a few weeks ago, it was Blessings Gold Club, discussed here in RS: http://www.realscam.com/f42/blessing...html#post61851

    It will be interesting to see just how many other scam trains they jump on and take money from friends. All in the name and blessings of God, of course.
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

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  3. #2
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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    A few weeks ago, I commented on one of Stephen's ads and got this reaction. She also dropped me as a "friend" and better for me!! People just love to abuse my name!!

    Denise Stevens



    Hey, I didn't like this comment. U R smart NOT to listen to Sara, in other words "Blow" her off & ignore HA...

    ------------------------------
    The comment:
    Sara G Blow (September 11, 2013): You are smart to hold on to your money. It probably took $50 or more to make $25, my opinion.

    Content URL: https://www.facebook.com/MartinezSho...12345902114321 (the comment has been removed)
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Posted in Facebook, September 6, 2013


    BGC IS $45 now not 110..to get into the quick start program then after three rounds to be in the Blessing Gold Club ! this is FANTASTIC ! have a great night all !

    I took a Snip of it for proof but refrain from posting at present.

    September 11.

    THANKS to the Blessing Gold Club for making me an admin.. I appreciate you all and will do my best to help It's the BEST PLACE on Facebook !!!!!

    Same person on October 3, 2013



    CHECK OUT D$ DOMINATION to see how easy my business is

    October 3 at 8:03pm

    Do I feel sorry for people like this, do I cry for them or do I feel sorry for those who follow them and sign up for all the programs they jump on?? What do you think?
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Scamsters deliberately appeal to Christians knowing that religion card is an instant trust situation. The Christian target is easy picking for the dastardly deed doer!
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Quote Originally Posted by scratchycat View Post
    Do I feel sorry for people like this, do I cry for them or do I feel sorry for those who follow them and sign up for all the programs they jump on?? What do you think?
    The problem you're going to have with people "like this" is defining like what ??

    There ARE true believers, just as there are people adept at appearing to be true believers.

    Followers of religion, by their very nature will: a) share with their fellows and b) trust their fellows.

    Having said that, the same applies to members of any group, be they ethnic, religious, social, political or similar shared interest group.

    Welcome to the world of Affinity fraud.
    The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Quote Originally Posted by scratchycat View Post
    Do I feel sorry for people like this, do I cry for them or do I feel sorry for those who follow them and sign up for all the programs they jump on?? What do you think?
    With the exception of people who are not able to make sound decisions due to some infirmity hell no. I hate to say this, but certain people are destined to lose their money somewhere and none of us can afford to waste much time with them. It is one thing where someone is "tricked" in to giving money up, job scams, grandparent scams, charity scams, and people can be educated if they invest the time.

    On the Pozni, MLM pyramid, or gifting side of things we can make a case for the people who have never heard of it before. But a lot of people seem to think that there is some secret out there where you invest and apple and return an orchard. Or that some stranger is going to approach them with a bag of money they are just dying to share. They are plain greedy, and want something for nothing.

    And taking is one step further, when I read stories of Charles Ponzi there were folks that blamed the government when he was sent to prison for "ruining a good thing". Most of us have to suspend disbelief when we read reactions like this. But, fast forward a 100 years, and you can see the very same response, and even more so thanks to the interwebs.

    All that said, the cause is very worthy. There are plenty of folks who visit the forum, read about something they were approached with, and get the information they need to make an informed decision. I suspect most of them keep their money safe and sound.
    "It's virtually impossible to violate rules ... but it's impossible for a violation to go undetected, certainly not for a considerable period of time." Bernie Madoff
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scam-...98399986981403

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Thanks and maybe it will enlighten someone who will walk away with their money in their pocket for things like food and necessities.
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Here's a guy who claims to be a "devout Christian" (out of China, hmmm), rambles on about "7 mountains", has a bunch of "churches" in SoCal, but may be operating a Ponzi scheme AND immigration fraud on both sides of the Pacific, flying fake flags of legitimate companies.

    A MLM Skeptic: WCM777 went for a long swim back to Asia, abandoned US operations, who is Phil Ming Xu?
    ---
    A MLM Skeptic (not a Cynic) covering scams, critical thinking, and psychology
    http://amlmskeptic.blogspot.com

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Sometimes I wonder if "religion" is not confused with "satanism". Christianity should not be used to scam others but it is.
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    D$Domination and extensions

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    THERE ARE A lot of these SCAMS going around..if it looks too good to be true it probably is !!!! I got into one the other day and another one a few years ago. !They Don't pay !!!!! Please pass this on ! thank you !
    And this WHAT??
    https://www.teampayitforward.us/

    https://www.facebook.com/reggiestinson

    Vimeo
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    DS Domination Business Overview. Learn why DS Domination makes sense to the masses and why you should really consider joining our team today. This business makes so much sense and gives the every day person a chance to really make money online.
    [DS Domination] Business Overview - Why Should You Join? on Vimeo

    Copyright 2013 - Stinson Marketing Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
    privacyYour Information is 100% Secure and Will Never Be Shared With Anyone.
    Here is where they get you hooked by your email addy

    Or this one.

    You are going to just love this video!!



    That one should work, right! I couldn't get past the 1st 2 seconds.

    Review:

    Jason Torres 5 days ago
    LOL I loved how you mentioned introducing your pastor to this then talking about David Wood cussing in Empower Network :-) hehe I'm the same way!
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

  17. #12
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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    I feel the need to mention cargo cults and in relation to Christian fundamentalism in particular to reference prosperity Gospel
    Prosperity theology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  18. #13
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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    A cargo cult is a kind of Melanesian millenarian movement encompassing a diverse range of practices and occurring in the wake of contact with the commercial networks of colonizing societies. The name derives from the apparent belief that various ritualistic acts will lead to a bestowing of material wealth ("cargo").[1][2]
    Cargo cults often develop during a combination of crises. Under conditions of social stress, such a movement may form under the leadership of a charismatic figure. This leader may have a "vision" (or "myth-dream") of the future, often linked to an ancestral efficacy thought to be recoverable by a return to traditional morality.[1][3] This leader may characterize the present state (often imposed by colonial capitalist regimes) as a dismantling of the old social order, meaning that social hierarchy and ego boundaries have been broken down.[4]
    Contact with colonizing groups brought about a considerable transformation in the way indigenous peoples of Melanesia have thought about other societies. Early theories of cargo cults began from the assumption that practitioners simply failed to understand technology, colonization, or capitalist reform; in this model, cargo cults are a misunderstanding of the trade networks involved in resource distribution and an attempt to acquire such goods in the wake of interrupted trade. However, many of these practitioners actually focus on the importance of sustaining and creating new social relationships, with material relations being secondary.[5]
    Since the late twentieth century, alternative theories have arisen. For example, some scholars, such as Kaplan and Lindstrom, focus on Europeans' characterization of these movements as a fascination with manufactured goods and what such a focus says about Western commodity fetishism.[2] Others point to the need to see each movement as reflecting a particularized historical context, even eschewing the term "cargo cult" for them unless there is an attempt to elicit an exchange relationship from Europeans.[6]
    Cargo cult - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

  19. #14
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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Another little feeder to catch your dollars...

    https://www.facebook.com/teamgratitudewithfeeder

    Instant Payments to your paypal, payza, stp!


    Anyone know who is behind this one?? I have not checked, it is the latest in the scheme of things for our internet marketers, those who jump on and grab a few dollars and jump off and on to another one. Is there a name for those kind??
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

  20. #15
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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    I always like checking out their terms or disclosures/disclaimer in this case:

    Earnings Disclaimer

    We make every effort to ensure that we accurately represent these products and services and their potential for income. Earning and Income statements made by our company and its customers are estimates of what we think you can possibly earn. There is no guarantee that you will make these levels of income and you accept the risk that the earnings and income statements differ by individual.
    As with any business, your results may vary, and will be based on your individual capacity, business experience, expertise, and level of desire. There are no guarantees concerning the level of success you may experience. The testimonials and examples used are exceptional results, which do not apply to the average purchaser, and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Each individual’s success depends on his or her background, dedication, desire and motivation. There is no assurance that examples of past earnings can be duplicated in the future. We cannot guarantee your future results and/or success. There are some unknown risks in business and on the internet that we cannot foresee which can reduce results. We are not responsible for your actions.The use of our information, products and services should be based on your own due diligence and you agree that our company is not liable for any success or failure of your business that is directly or indirectly related to the purchase and use of our information, products and services.
    Somehow that just reads "if you recover your investment, be happy, cause it is all you will get, heh, heh, heh and we get the rest!!!

    Now, who is Feeder Matrix dot com??


    feedermatrix.com


    The website has a bad online reputation.
    Report updated 13 hours ago

    SITE IS NOT BLACKLISTED
    The website is not blacklisted by trusted security services such as Google SafeBrowsing, ThreatLog and MalwareDomainList. This means the website should be safe to visit and should not be used to distribute malware or trojans.

    BAD TRUSTWORTHINESS
    The website has a poor trustworthiness score in the WOT (Web of Trust) reputation and it is recommended to avoid to browse the website, click links or enter personal or financial information. May indicate Internet scams, identity theft risks, credit card fraud, phishing, viruses, spyware.

    BAD VENDOR RELIABILITY
    The website has a poor vendor reliability score in the WOT (Web of Trust) reputation, this means someone had a bad shopping experience or the website is not reliable for business transactions in general. Generally a poor rating indicates possible fraud.

    WEBSITE SEEMS POPULAR
    The website seems to be popular in Internet, this means the website is visited by at least some users and it has few backlinks from other websites, according to Alexa and Google.

    GOOD SOCIAL NETWORK PRESENCE
    We have searched the website address in the most popular social networks to see how many users have shared it and we have found in total 1,575 links, that indicates the website is at least popular in social networks.

    WEBSITE IS NOT NEW
    The domain of the website was created 3 years ago, this means the website is not new and we should have few details to judge its reputation.

    Is feedermatrix.com safe ? - Scamvoid

    Registration Service Provided By: GOLDENLINE.BIZ
    Domain Name: FEEDERMATRIX.COM
    Registry Domain ID: 1647257320_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
    Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.publicdomainregistry.com
    Registrar URL: Public Domain Registry | Home
    Updated Date: 11-Mar-2013
    Creation Date: 24-Mar-2011
    Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 24-Mar-2014
    Registrar: PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com
    Registrar IANA ID: 303
    Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse-contact@publicdomainregistry.com
    Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1-2013775952
    Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
    Registry Registrant ID: PP-SP-001
    Registrant Name: Domain Admin
    Registrant Organization: Privacy Protection Service INC d/b/a PrivacyProtect.org
    Registrant Street: C/O ID#10760, PO Box 16 Note - Visit PrivacyProtect.org to contact the domain owner/operator Note - Visit PrivacyProtect.org to contact the domain owner/operator
    Registrant City: Nobby Beach
    Registrant State/Province: Queensland
    Registrant Postal Code: QLD 4218
    Registrant Country: AU
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    Tech City: Nobby Beach
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    >>>Last update of WHOIS database: 2014-02-01T18:16:08+0000Z<<<

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    Whois Lookup | Domain Availability - Registration Information

    MoneyMakerGroup.PRO - Get Paid While Advertising Your Sites! GOLDENLINE DOT BIZ
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

  21. #16
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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Quote Originally Posted by ribshaw View Post
    With the exception of people who are not able to make sound decisions due to some infirmity hell no. I hate to say this, but certain people are destined to lose their money somewhere and none of us can afford to waste much time with them. It is one thing where someone is "tricked" in to giving money up, job scams, grandparent scams, charity scams, and people can be educated if they invest the time.
    Blame the victim? No one deserves to be scammed! You set up a false dichotomy--a logical fallacy--with your assertion that people are either infirm or predestined to be defrauded. Have you researched why people succumb to the logical fallacies scammers use to take in their victims. If you do, you'll discover that the human mind is predisposed to intuitively accept a broad spectrum of logical fallacies; and that predisposition has nothing to do with native intelligence or character. Critical thinking is the only means by which logical fallacies can be debunked; and unfortunately it isn't intuitively engaged by most people.

    I'd venture a guess that you had no idea that you were presenting a fallacious dichotomy when you made the statement referenced above--testament to your own predisposition to accept at least that logical fallacy.

    IMO, compassion for victims is far more powerful than passing judgment on them in the fight against fraud.

  22. #17
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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Ritchie View Post
    Blame the victim? No one deserves to be scammed! You set up a false dichotomy--a logical fallacy--with your assertion that people are either infirm or predestined to be defrauded. Have you researched why people succumb to the logical fallacies scammers use to take in their victims. If you do, you'll discover that the human mind is predisposed to intuitively accept a broad spectrum of logical fallacies; and that predisposition has nothing to do with native intelligence or character. Critical thinking is the only means by which logical fallacies can be debunked; and unfortunately it isn't intuitively engaged by most people.

    I'd venture a guess that you had no idea that you were presenting a fallacious dichotomy when you made the statement referenced above--testament to your own predisposition to accept at least that logical fallacy.

    IMO, compassion for victims is far more powerful than passing judgment on them in the fight against fraud.
    There is no false dichotomy, in fact, there is no dichotomy at all. Unless you are changing the definition to include, A, B, or C, in which case I cry shenanigans.

    If you take my statement to the question I was responding to from Scratchy "Should she feel sorry for the victims". I did not claim that people were either infirm or predestined to be defrauded. I said CERTAIN people are destined to lose their money somewhere, and the implication is THOSE people ARE able to make a "SOUND" decision.

    Perhaps you are guilty of inappropriate extrapolation.

    Assuming someone is of sound mind, they come here and are presented a case if you will. A group of people with years of experience in business, scams, computers, life, whatever cobble together "evidence" that is largely empirical as none of us have access to a fraudulent companies books. Like this: http://www.realscam.com/f8/forex-mmcis-com-scam-2925/ Then people are left with a choice.

    In the thread above, I spent let's call it an hour researching and writing to imsmarter (Nik and LRM also contributed , along with this previous thread http://www.realscam.com/f8/mmcis-inv...ents-com-2183/) so let's call it an hour on each of their ends as well. While the discussion points were largely to imsmarter in the first thread and calejbor in the later, there are a total of 2300 page views. So three of us spent several hours writing for let's call it 2000 strangers, why? Because we don't care? All those people are left with a choice based on available information.

    In the case of imsmarter, not only here, but in other threads he was told MMCIS is a sham, and it appears he made a sound decision. There are others who come, look at all that is presented and think, BULLSHIT, I know I can make 100% per year. If fact, some will even become indignant or threatening because a bunch of "naysayers" are trying to keep them down. Those people are destined to lose, and when they do, they will blame everyone but themselves (see my 3rd paragraph). Some will eventually learn as we all do from mistakes, others will never learn. I am not going to waste my time writing for that last group of people. If fact, I would say they serve as a valuable warning to others.

    This just for fun... Years ago some jerk was tailgating us on a desolate road swerving back and forth, just wanted to speed. So I pulled over and let him pass. Few miles up the road he had cooked his engine, steam pouring out, speeding no more. I laughed my ass off as we drove past. A few months back, some guy walking with a gas can, I stopped and gave him a lift to the station. Maybe you would have stopped for them both, in which case kudos.

    ================================================


    This thread would be one more way of looking at it, do I care if this cat loses his money, NO, will I laugh when he does, YES. Solutions to problems for me often require more than one train of thought, hence my inability to paint all who get involved in scams as victims. Thus my lack of empathy, and even dark amusement when some of them get their sticky fingers burned.

    http://www.realscam.com/f11/jarrettc...i-player-2332/

    =================================================



    Quote Originally Posted by ribshaw View Post
    With the exception of people who are not able to make sound decisions due to some infirmity hell no. I hate to say this, but certain people are destined to lose their money somewhere and none of us can afford to waste much time with them. It is one thing where someone is "tricked" in to giving money up, job scams, grandparent scams, charity scams, and people can be educated if they invest the time.

    On the Pozni, MLM pyramid, or gifting side of things we can make a case for the people who have never heard of it before. But a lot of people seem to think that there is some secret out there where you invest and apple and return an orchard. Or that some stranger is going to approach them with a bag of money they are just dying to share. They are plain greedy, and want something for nothing.

    And taking is one step further, when I read stories of Charles Ponzi there were folks that blamed the government when he was sent to prison for "ruining a good thing". Most of us have to suspend disbelief when we read reactions like this. But, fast forward a 100 years, and you can see the very same response, and even more so thanks to the interwebs.

    All that said, the cause is very worthy. There are plenty of folks who visit the forum, read about something they were approached with, and get the information they need to make an informed decision. I suspect most of them keep their money safe and sound.
    Last edited by ribshaw; 02-02-2014 at 01:21 PM.
    "It's virtually impossible to violate rules ... but it's impossible for a violation to go undetected, certainly not for a considerable period of time." Bernie Madoff
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scam-...98399986981403

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    ribshaw:

    schadenfreude |ˈSHädənˌfroidə|, noun, “pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune.” — New Oxford American Dictionary

    Your efforts to educate those who come to this website to get reliable information on a scam they're being pressured to join are laudable. The time and energy you spend on those efforts obviously come from your caring. As a consumer, I thank you; and as a counter-mlm consumer advocate, I'm honored to be able to add my voice to yours and others' in combating pernicious scams, frauds, cons, etc.

    However, I take issue with schadenfreude directed at folks who pay a price for failing to heed the many warnings available to them. NO ONE deserves to be defrauded, whether they're victimized as a result of an infirmity or because of their unwillingness to accept the counsel of people like you and me who, without compensation, bend our efforts in their interests—an unwillingness we may perceive as foolishness or willful ignorance.

    In addition to those two victim categories (your dichotomy), there exists a third, which makes your dichotomy false by definition. It is comprised of the majority in our culture who, through no fault of their own, are devoid of the ability to think critically. We live in an environment in which families, schools and other social institutions actively discourage critical thinking in their constituents, from infancy on. Critical thinking skills encourage children and students to be noncompliant; and that prospect inspires fear in too many parents and educators. In the short run, absent critical thinking results in well-behaved children who are unlikely to make choices we don't want them to make. However, it's absence also creates in the long run, adults who donate large sums to their churches without pausing to consider where it’s actually going and whether or not they can afford it, citizens who'll succumb to the logical fallacies upon which political interests too often rely to gain support for their agendas, and consumers who'll bite on the many deceptive ploys commercial interests use to get into their wallets. However, absent critical thinking ability doesn't make anyone deserving of victimization, any more than do infirmity or willful ignorance.

    Unfortunately, the prevailing practice among those of us who try to prevent victimization through our participation in discussion forums is to present our ideas and "facts" without adequate support, i.e. citations of or referrals to truly authoritative resources, rendering those ideas and "facts" nothing more than opinions. We tend instead to cite or refer to other blogs and forums which only feature more opinions. I'm doing exactly that with this post, relying on nothing more than anecdotal observation to support my point. I would expect any critical-thinking reader to reject what I'm writing here as proof that blogs and discussion forums ought to be more intellectually rigorous. But, I digress.

    May I suggest that the consumers we're trying to educate--whether or not they accept our advice--are deserving of compassion, not judgment. For whatever it's worth, I prefer to reserve judgment and schadenfreude for the rare scammer who actually goes down in flames. In fact, I’m nasty enough that I'd happily host a schadenfreude party every time it happens.
    Last edited by Dave Ritchie; 02-04-2014 at 04:24 AM.

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    I see Dave Ritchie did not meet enough HYIP playas, admins, shills, pimps , cheerleaders , brainwashed yet :)

    I would love to see how would he care and love them in a year of personally exposing multiple scams :)

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Quote Originally Posted by NikSam View Post
    I see Dave Ritchie did not meet enough HYIP playas, admins, shills, pimps , cheerleaders , brainwashed yet :)

    I would love to see how would he care and love them in a year of personally exposing multiple scams :)
    Thank you NikSam, for so aptly illustrating one of my points.

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Dave welcome to the thread,

    Good work here. A Simple Strategy to Distinguish Between MLM Business Opportunities and Bankruptcy Opportunities - Blogs - RealScam.com - Is it, or isn't it? You Decide.

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Ritchie View Post
    ribshaw:

    schadenfreude |ˈSHädənˌfroidə|, noun, “pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune.” — New Oxford American Dictionary
    Huh, I thought that was the goopy stuff that goes on hot dogs.

    A bully getting knocked out does not generally elicit the same emotion as when it happens to someone who was minding their own business. While both reactions are likely visceral, I suspect varying degrees of schadenfreude are more common than most admit in polite company.


    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Ritchie View Post
    However, I take issue with schadenfreude directed at folks who pay a price for failing to heed the many warnings available to them. NO ONE deserves to be defrauded, whether they're victimized as a result of an infirmity or because of their unwillingness to accept the counsel of people like you and me who, without compensation, bend our efforts in their interests—an unwillingness we may perceive as foolishness or willful ignorance.
    There are people right now in churches (and the internet) being presented "opportunities" for them to invest in. I will make perhaps a caustic statement "If they invest, they deserve to lose". Reasonable people can argue what exactly I mean by "deserve", but that is exactly how I handle our family finances. There are plenty of areas I can "afford" to be ripped off, and make plenty of stupid choices each year. That said, no one gets their paws near family money. I would rather accept a smaller return and know exactly where our dosh is.

    It is a simple chestnut that would save BILLION$ each year. For people who are trying to make a yes/no decision on doublecashcylcyer4X.scam , especially as you say for people who lack the ability to think critically. If they know I may giggle a little when things go sideways, all the more reason for them to tread carefully.

    Very much enjoy looking at "opportunities" and putting pen to paper as it where on why they might or might not work out. People do deserve to be able to read well researched, well though out positions. No one wants to come to a blog where everything is just called a SCAM-- THREAD CLOSED. BUT there have to be hundreds of independent threads here and on other scam sites without a single "opportunity" that has panned out. Sans perhaps for the pimps. There are hundreds if not thousands of years of history of "too good to be true" NEVER working out. Even in the legitimate business world, 95% ish fail within several years. At some level all of us need to go into each "business" decision with eyes wide open, and none of us can afford to rely on bloggers to do it for us.

    The proper approach in my opinion (not my original thought) is for someone looking an opportunity is to evaluate all the possible negative outcomes and ask themselves if the worst comes to pass, "can they live with the outcome"? If they are not prepared or able to do this, they are not ready to invest. The guy in the next pew claims to be brokering close outs, or doing hard money loans and wants them to invest. What is the worst that can happen, they can lose 100% of the money they put in.

    If they decide to get in on it, and they put in more than they can afford to lose.....
    "It's virtually impossible to violate rules ... but it's impossible for a violation to go undetected, certainly not for a considerable period of time." Bernie Madoff
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scam-...98399986981403

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Thank you sir! It's a pleasure to be in league with thoughtful commenters such as you, who can gracefully rise to a challenge from an ally. I appreciate your clarification.

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    My view on this is... it takes two to tango. In order for a scammer to scam, a victim must be WILLING to be scammed.

    So, yes, the victims are cheated, but they *do* share part of the fault for "enabling" the scammers to cheat them. it can be greed, gullibility, and variety of other factors, and combinations / permutations thereof.

    There is a Chinese expression: those inside the trap are blind, those outside the trap see clearly. Are they blind to step into the trap? Or did the trap blind them to the truth? Does it matter?

    But you are responsible for your OWN actions. You may be enticed into making the wrong decisions, but you did make that decision. LEARN FROM IT. :)
    ---
    A MLM Skeptic (not a Cynic) covering scams, critical thinking, and psychology
    http://amlmskeptic.blogspot.com

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Quote Originally Posted by kschang View Post
    So, yes, the victims are cheated, but they *do* share part of the fault for "enabling" the scammers to cheat them. it can be greed, gullibility, and variety of other factors, and combinations / permutations thereof.
    Several scams such as Black Money or versions of The Wire require the mark to be willing to break the law to realize their greed. Cash gifting clubs and chain letters are illegal, regardless of assertions made by the administrators. Others such as the White Van Speaker Scam, or Reward Scams only work if the mark is willing to cheat a third party. Hence the saying "You can't cheat an honest man".

    One of my learning experiences occurred at the shore watching a numbered wheel going around on the boardwalk. Guy behind me was calling the winning numbers like magic. Funny how the magic stopped when I put my money down.
    "It's virtually impossible to violate rules ... but it's impossible for a violation to go undetected, certainly not for a considerable period of time." Bernie Madoff
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scam-...98399986981403

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    Re: People Using "Religion" to Scam Others

    Some of the people promoting these scams are ones I got to 'know' online and after stepping back and seeing it from different prospective, I see this happening. Okay so you are a religious person (truthfully professing the love and faith of your God), now you meet up with other people seemingly doing the same thing. Except there is a catch, these people profess Christianity through song and images and present themselves as worthy religious people and many times have themselves convinced. With this portrayal and gaining the confidence of many others, they try out every new scheme that comes along and toss the line out to their 'friends' who take the bait "oh, just invest $5 - it is worth the try and you could make $1,000s". So the 'friends' bite the bait and send in their little bit of money, feeling a little guilty if they don't help this kind Christian friend and just maybe they would make some money in the meantime. You and I KNOW this is not going to happen! Their 'friend' has sent out many such requests, made a few dollars and jumped off that bandwagon onto a new in a few days (weeks if the scheme is going okay and they are getting more money from their family and friends). You don't make a dime because you don't have time for this cr*p and furthermore you are not going to try and scam your own family and friends.

    There was a time I thought these people were innocent or maybe just ignorant that what they were doing was criminal but having watched the same thing happen for many years now, I realize they know exactly what they are doing! I am saying these things because I know some people out there still read what I write and I am telling you to wise up and look closely at how many times you have been taken in by these same people you have called a friend all these years. How much money have you wasted on all the promises riches from these people? Have you seen them get rich?? Of course not! They have made a few dollars here and there but I would suspect they have spent hard-earned family cash on a dream while it could have put food on the table.

    Dreams are good but false dreams are like smoke they rise and vanish.


    Many of them have left their old stomping grounds of adland dot com - Scamland and joined the more productive world of Facebook and other social media but they still have their roots in the place that brought them together.
    Don't get ripped off!! Stay informed!

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