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Con man

By Nickunj Malik - Oct 19,2016 - Last updated at Oct 19,2016

When we reach the fifth decade of our existence, we think that we have become wise. We feel that by now we have developed the judgement to sift wrong from right, artificiality from genuineness and dishonesty from honesty. It is an invisible accolade that we like to award ourselves with. But, life as a teacher puts us through more and more difficult lessons, so that we continue to live and learn. 

Before I tell you how I was conned recently, allow me to warn all my readers that just because you know a person from your school or college days does not mean that the lady or gentleman cannot swindle you. In the goodness of things, it should not happen; the past camaraderie that you shared should instil some sort of honour among thieves, but the sad fact is that it does not. 

So, when a con man from my home country India, researched my background on the social networking sites and contacted me, my first reaction was to block him. My mother, as well as the nuns in my school had drilled into me, that I must not talk to strangers. But very swiftly this con man mentioned an acquaintance from my old university who I had recently met at a college reunion and I paused for a moment. That pause cost me more than two thousand quid! How? Let me explain.

Being an expert fraudster he knew that there was an upcoming wedding that was going to take place in my family. With great skill and expertise he spread his web of lies and offered to help with the arrangements. I declined because I had already lined up everything locally in Jordan. He kept calling and insisting that he simply wanted to explore the market potential and would be happy to be counted as one of our guests. All I needed to do was pay for his airfare, hotel stay and a token amount, if I felt he had contributed towards anything.

My associate from the university days lived in the same Pink City in India as the conman and because of our mutual association I decided to give his idea a shot. He immediately asked for a booking amount. It was just a formality he said because he needed to block the dates. One and a half thousand pounds exchanged hands. Then I sent him the tickets to come to Amman before the event. He landed here and got to work. Not in assisting but in shopping for himself and from downtown markets to the upscale malls he did not spare any avenue.

A fortnight after he headed back, there was no news from him. Following constant reminders, he e-mailed us the conditions under which he would consider making another trip. The price he quoted was four times the initial token, two more people needed to accompany him, we were asked to pay the entire amount 15 days prior to them making their journey. And only then would he supervise the proceedings. As for the booking amount, we could forget it! With a sinking feeling I realised that I had been completely duped. 

“There is a college reunion coming up,” I told my husband. 

“Another one?” he asked. 

“Same one actually,” I mumbled.

“You want to go?” he questioned.

“It will be nice to renew old friendships,” I said. 

“No more fraudulent contacts, mom,” our daughter piped up. 

 

“Or deceitful wedding connections please,” my spouse spoke firmly. 

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