The Con of Men

I would like to relate an incident that happened to a friend's family today (names and location withheld to protect their anonymity):

A Chinese speaking person called asking for the father's mobile number, saying that they have met recently. Then, perhaps the same Chinese speaking person, called the father, saying that the son owe this Chinese speaking person money, asking for the father to pay up!

In the background, there are sounds like someone being beaten and shouting something like "Dad, please help me!"

The father responded with a cool head, saying he needed time to prepare the money and to let him speak to his son. He was denied the chance to speak to the son, with "the son" shouting in the background for help. He then hung up and tried to call his son but could not get through (during this time, the Chinese speaking person called many times to the father)! Thankfully, another family member managed to call the son's office and found that he was safe... AND someone tried to call him numerous times until to the point of being irritating, so he shut off his mobile - a very intelligent tactic employed so that the father could not contact the son, thus instilling more fear into the father!

It was indeed a scam employed by some cunning person(s) out there. Perhaps these people had already gathered some information about this family.

Take it with a pinch of salt if you like, but this is a close account that happened to a friend's family. The reason I blogged it here is in hope that others will be aware and perhaps help to spread the word that such case did happen.

Beware. Let's all hope we can act with a cool mind when such things befall upon us.

Anyone with such experience before? Please care to share. Show the benefits of blogging and cyberspace in spreading awareness. Thanks!