SCAMPATROL

[Guest]

I need your help. My dad is involved in a variety of 4-1-9 scams and to my knowledge has already lost quite a bit of money. However, he seems to have developed some sort of "addiction" to the process and refuses to believe that he has been scammed. In fact, he is planning on traveling to London this weekend.

The whole family has tried to share articles, information, etc. with him to convince him of the scam, but he won't turn around. Worse yet, he is typically very unwilling to share any information with the family and gets very angry when we push too hard.

We've tried contacting the Secret Service, but the officer we spoke with claims they cannot help on the individual level -- their focus on more on gathering research from victims and trying to bring down the perpetrators. They also recommended that we speak with a lawyer before revealing any more information to them, as the activity my dad is involved in is potentially illegal.

I have also been in touch with a private investigator, who has spoken with my dad and tried to convince him this is all a scam. The PI had some success regarding one "project" in Togo, but my dad is involved in more than one scam and was unwilling to give details about everything. He apparently didn't even mention his upcoming trip to London to the PI.

I have also spoken with some individuals in social services and family friends who are psychologists in hospitals, and they believe my dad is displaying symptoms of mental illness, but isn't at a point where we can hold him against his will. In other words, we can't "force" any treatment on him at this time because 1) he is not presenting immediate danger to himself, 2) he is not presenting immediate danger to someone else, and 3) he does not appear to be gravely ill. Unless one of these three issues are met, medical help cannot be issued without consent.

At this point in time, my dad is still planning to fly to London to meet with some people this weekend, though I have been on the phone with him all day trying to convince him otherwise.

I feel like this is at a point where he is not acting rationally and won't respond to reason. I don't know what to do -- does anyone have any ideas?

[Samir]

He needs the same kind of help as a compulsive gambler. Gamblers also “know” they will loose money but their addiction is stronger than them.

Another advice: send a private message to any of the moderators, and give them an email address where they could contact your father. A warning from an independent third party might help.

The following text is from a message I sent to what I call a “scamoholic” victim of advance fee fraud. It worked:

[Q]

We would be happy to email your father and/or call him if you feel it might help.

If you want us to do this PM either me or and of the other admins/mods on this site. You will need to register though to send private messages. You can find out who the moderators and adminstrators on by clicking on memberlist at the top and checking a members' rank.

[Guest]

Thanks for the recommendation. I have contacted Gamblers Anonymous for their help, but since this is not the more "traditional" gambling (casino, etc.), they couldn't give me any resources or direct advice. I am trying to get my dad into counseling, but again I can't force that without his consent. The more immediate problem is how to convince him that he not to go to London in a few days.

[Captain Igloo]

Is your father also in phone contact with them? And do you know the email addresses of the scammers? I'm thinking about convincing your father by faking a few email that look like they have been sent by the scammer.

You can leave me a private message by clicking the Live Chat link above.

[Q]

I've received your private message. There are a number of us drafting letters to sent your father.

Do you have a telephone number as well? We can speak to your father directly if you like.

We are working on getting that fake bank shut down as soon as possible. Hopefully its sudden disappearance should make your father suspicous.

[Former Member]

My associate (Amanda) has already written a warning letter to you Father in which the name of the bank is associated with being a scammer bank. She has not had a reply, but I do hope your father reads the mail and writes back to her.

Many people are working on this now, be assured that we all want your father to see the scam and get away from it.

[Cherrie]

Can you PM me the scammers e-mail address. That way there is a good chance I can steal him away from your Dad...sort of work at it from both ends

[Gold Hat]

If all the warnings do not work and he does travel to London this weekend, have him intercepted at airport immigration by the authorities. I know this is drastic but he may be in danger.

I sympathize with your problem but if advice from scores of people have not worked you need to take control of your father and the situation. I had a similar problem with my 84 year old mother who was being scammed by a "Christian" organization. Yes she got upset when I took over but she didn't suffer in the end.

Get on the phone NOW - contact the British Embassy in your country - tell them what's happening and they can direct you to the authorities in London - both the Police and Immigration Officials. Once you flag his name on the passenger list he will be intercepted and given advice. He is about to participate in an illegal activity and therefore can be detained for his own protection. My very limited experience with the British authorities tells me that these are good people and usually act with great civility and understanding. They are required to help as a crime is about to take place and a person is in danger. But you need to find the correct organization NOW !

Maybe there are some SP members in the UK that can help with contacting the authorities as well or have other advice along this line. Do we have a contact with the police in London? Can SP members create some kind of safety net if he does arrive in London?

It is time to roll out the big guns if he travels. All is not lost. Make some contacts now - don't wait until he is on the plane. Yes he will be upset when he gets stopped from entering the country but that is irrelevant. Protect him in any way you can!

[Q]

The fake bank involved in this scam has now been killed, which should add ammo to the letters we've sent your Dad.

[dumbo31]

An update: My dad is still planning to travel to London this Sunday, and he continues to refuse to listen to any advice the family and other third parties are trying to communicate to him. My mother tried to prod for more information this evening, and he withdrew, stating he had "already made up [his] mind to go." I haven't been able to make contact with him at all today (doesn't pick up the phone and won't respond to emails).

I have contacted Scotland Yard (London Met Police) to somehow intersect him upon arrival, though I'm not sure on what grounds they can or cannot hold him. I'm also trying to dig out his flight and meeting information.

Wish I had something better to report.

[Former Member]

Thanks for the update. Maximum efforts are being made to ensure your father does not get to meet the scammer, and other investigations are underway as a result of you passing on some scammer details to us.

I am hoping that information from a financial institution in the UK and also a UK Internet Service Provider will arrive today and provide good leads for us to forward to Scotland Yard ourselves.

We are all watching this very carefully and are hoping for a swift conclusion.

[Q]

@dumbo31: The police won't be able to arrest him or hold him as he hasn't committed an offence. The only way you might prevent him from being able to travel is by phoning through to Heathrow anonymously and suggesting that your father is trying to smuggle something, hopefully they will stop and interview him which would take long enough for him to miss the meet with the scammers. Aside from that I don't know what to suggest. I'm not even sure that getting your father stopped by customs is a good idea anyway, but its the only way I can think that you father maybe prevented from meeting with the scammers.

[dumbo31]

Good news -- the London Met Police/Scotland Yard contacted my dad last night and told him he would either be arrested or returned right back to the states if he traveled to London. Though I haven't been able to confirm a flight cancellation, my dad has indicated to my mom that he is now "unable" to travel due to the law enforcement threat.

[Guest]

YES . . . . . GREAT NEWS !!!!!

As I indicated to you in my email, when I spoke to the authorities in London they seemed genuinely concerned. Their quick action further underscores my belief that there are good people there - ready and willing to help.

Hopefully there are also people where you live who can give you support and assistance in dealing with your father in the future. Just a guess but it sounds like he may need medical help to bring him back to reality. I strongly suggest that you visit his doctor yourself and seek advice. There are various maladies that afflict many people as they age. The good news is that with recent advances, much of this can be treated.

The very best of luck in your journey.

[Former Member]

That's great news dumbo31, we are all delighted to hear that the work is paying off.

[Former Member2]

That's an excellent result. You must be relieved.