audis5quattro
27-01-2010, 02:37 AM
This is one of the most unexpected encounter in my life.
It all happened that fateful day after getting off a web conference on Skype with our British counterpart.
Just right after I closed the Skype dialog, a message box prompted “Hi”. It was from an unfamiliar ID. Her name is Jane.
I replied “Hello. Do I know you?”
Jane “Glad to make friends with you”.
I was thinking “I didn’t even said I was gonna befriend you!”
So I replied “Where are you from and how can I help you?” Sounding a little hostile. I usually do not entertain such unsolicited messages as they tend to be spam messages from automated bots which end up in like “Would you like to see me naked? Visit www.xxx.com?=123 “ tricks.
Jane “Are you from Singapore?”
Now this is something different. She’s not a bot afterall.
I replied “Yes and what can I do for you?”
Jane “I need your help urgently. You are my last resort. Please help me!”
This starts to seem really bizarre for me. Just less than a minute into the conversation, she’s asking for help! A brief look at her profile. Female, Age 21 from The Philippines.
I replied “How do you want me to help you?”
Jane “I’m coming to Singapore and I need you to share my fare”
This is ridiculous. Does she mean she wants me to pay for her airfare?!
I replied “So you are asking me for money? From a total stranger that you know not more than 5 minutes ago? Are you crazy?”
Jane “No… I really need help. That’s why I have to turn to you.”
I replied “But why me?! I don’t even know you!”
Jane “I searched for people from Singapore who are online and I could only find you”
Oh well… what a lame excuse. I decided to check if this is true and I did a search. True enough. I was the only person online at the point of time. Or at least visible to the public. Somehow, my trust for her increased from 0 to 20%.
I replied “So tell me about sharing your fare.”
Jane “My mum is ill with cancer and I desperately need a job. An agency found me a job in Singapore and I need to go there. Please help me, sir.”
Oh no. The same grandmother story. Heard over and over again.
I replied “Ok I understand that but what’s sharing your fare”
Jane “Sir, I’m short of 1,900 pesos to pay the agency fee otherwise they would not ship me to Singapore.”
I was laughing “Ship you to Singapore indeed. Sounds like you are a product”.
Jane added “Sir, please help me. The job is my life and my mum’s. Without the job, we will not live. I need the job. Please help sir. I’m begging you”.
I paused. A quick calculation returns that 1,900 pesos is no more than $60 SGD.
Without further warning, she called me on Skype!
I hesitated and decided to answer. I have got nothing to lose.
“Hello” A sweet female voice amidst some kids in the background.
“Hey. So you are the real deal.” She’s female and a pinoy. 50% trust gained.
“Yes sir. Please help me. I really need the money”. She said in an almost sobbing tone. My heart goes out to her. 80% trust gained.
“Ok. When do you need it? And how do you want me to transfer it to you?” I was more or less convinced by all the truth she said.
“Thank you sir thank you so much. I really can’t thank you enough. I promise I will pay you back once I reach Singapore.” She said.
To cut the story short. At this point in time, all I knew is that she’s a honest pinoy who has an ill mother struggling to survive while she looks for a job in Singapore. No photos on her profile though.
In fact, I’m already surprised that she could use Skype. Later, she revealed to me that she’s using the computer at an internet café in town which is 30 minutes away from her home. Guess what kind of computer she was using? Pentium 3.
I transferred 2,500 pesos (I sent more so that she could take bus) to her via Western Union the next day. That’s the only remittance method available in their town.
To be honest, I was prepared to be conned of the 2,500 pesos. If I lost it, I take it as a good meal in restaurant gone down the drain. If not, it will change and help two persons’ lives. Why not? I’m sure if you are in my shoes, you would have done the same. I wasn't expecting anything in return.
Little did i know...
It all happened that fateful day after getting off a web conference on Skype with our British counterpart.
Just right after I closed the Skype dialog, a message box prompted “Hi”. It was from an unfamiliar ID. Her name is Jane.
I replied “Hello. Do I know you?”
Jane “Glad to make friends with you”.
I was thinking “I didn’t even said I was gonna befriend you!”
So I replied “Where are you from and how can I help you?” Sounding a little hostile. I usually do not entertain such unsolicited messages as they tend to be spam messages from automated bots which end up in like “Would you like to see me naked? Visit www.xxx.com?=123 “ tricks.
Jane “Are you from Singapore?”
Now this is something different. She’s not a bot afterall.
I replied “Yes and what can I do for you?”
Jane “I need your help urgently. You are my last resort. Please help me!”
This starts to seem really bizarre for me. Just less than a minute into the conversation, she’s asking for help! A brief look at her profile. Female, Age 21 from The Philippines.
I replied “How do you want me to help you?”
Jane “I’m coming to Singapore and I need you to share my fare”
This is ridiculous. Does she mean she wants me to pay for her airfare?!
I replied “So you are asking me for money? From a total stranger that you know not more than 5 minutes ago? Are you crazy?”
Jane “No… I really need help. That’s why I have to turn to you.”
I replied “But why me?! I don’t even know you!”
Jane “I searched for people from Singapore who are online and I could only find you”
Oh well… what a lame excuse. I decided to check if this is true and I did a search. True enough. I was the only person online at the point of time. Or at least visible to the public. Somehow, my trust for her increased from 0 to 20%.
I replied “So tell me about sharing your fare.”
Jane “My mum is ill with cancer and I desperately need a job. An agency found me a job in Singapore and I need to go there. Please help me, sir.”
Oh no. The same grandmother story. Heard over and over again.
I replied “Ok I understand that but what’s sharing your fare”
Jane “Sir, I’m short of 1,900 pesos to pay the agency fee otherwise they would not ship me to Singapore.”
I was laughing “Ship you to Singapore indeed. Sounds like you are a product”.
Jane added “Sir, please help me. The job is my life and my mum’s. Without the job, we will not live. I need the job. Please help sir. I’m begging you”.
I paused. A quick calculation returns that 1,900 pesos is no more than $60 SGD.
Without further warning, she called me on Skype!
I hesitated and decided to answer. I have got nothing to lose.
“Hello” A sweet female voice amidst some kids in the background.
“Hey. So you are the real deal.” She’s female and a pinoy. 50% trust gained.
“Yes sir. Please help me. I really need the money”. She said in an almost sobbing tone. My heart goes out to her. 80% trust gained.
“Ok. When do you need it? And how do you want me to transfer it to you?” I was more or less convinced by all the truth she said.
“Thank you sir thank you so much. I really can’t thank you enough. I promise I will pay you back once I reach Singapore.” She said.
To cut the story short. At this point in time, all I knew is that she’s a honest pinoy who has an ill mother struggling to survive while she looks for a job in Singapore. No photos on her profile though.
In fact, I’m already surprised that she could use Skype. Later, she revealed to me that she’s using the computer at an internet café in town which is 30 minutes away from her home. Guess what kind of computer she was using? Pentium 3.
I transferred 2,500 pesos (I sent more so that she could take bus) to her via Western Union the next day. That’s the only remittance method available in their town.
To be honest, I was prepared to be conned of the 2,500 pesos. If I lost it, I take it as a good meal in restaurant gone down the drain. If not, it will change and help two persons’ lives. Why not? I’m sure if you are in my shoes, you would have done the same. I wasn't expecting anything in return.
Little did i know...