Mum keep sending money to mail fraudsters-any ideas?

margaretclare

Or maybe, and I don't mean to upset any older folk on here, you could start to consider an old folk's home or sheltered housing for your mum. I know many people who have been very resistent to the idea but with taking time and care to choose the most suitable option, it is often something that they wish they'd done years ago.

I would consider sheltered housing if I was left on my own. The one DH goes to is very nice (he goes to help people there with their computers). They all have their own flats, most 1-bed, some 2-bed, and they all meet downstairs for afternoon tea every day.

Margaret

missprint

Doesn't sound like any amount of horror stories about scams is going to make the slightest bit of difference to your mother, she has her mind set on winning. She is going through a lot of money every week, it could generate a fair bit of income if put in the right place. Why not play her game and mention that you have come across a fantastic competition/lottery (whatever word gets her going), winnings practically guaranteed. Gradually reel her in, and when she asks to take part tell her you will consider it only if you can pay the money in yourself (or arrange for some other way for the money to come to you). If she falls for that, open a high interest savings account and put her money in that. Within a few days, give her her 'winnings' (a hundred quid or so...you'll have to fork that out). A couple more small 'winning' postal orders over the next few days and she should be hooked. If you pay her money in regularly you should be able to keep her supplied with 'winnings', enough to keep her looking forward to the post. It may be sneaky but you are not taking her money permanently and it will grow in value so that one day (maybe when she really needs it) her cash will be safe and not in the hands of unscrupulous scammers who prey on the vulnerable.

margaretclare

I was reminded of bookduck and his mum when I opened my inbox just now. I quote: Message line: Contact immediately. Australia Lotto Lottery Inc. Winning Notification (in red). Apparently I've been approved to claim a total of $1 million (US dollars).

It doesn't say send any money nor does it ask for bank details. But I shall treat this as I'd treat the Nigerian scams. There's a mention of Nigeria further down this highly-coloured email, and that alone is enough to put me off.

There's an old saying 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'.

Margaret

hobo28

Hi Bookduck

Whilst my heart goes out to you and your mum, at the end of the day there's nothing you can do if she doesn't want help.

She's perfectly entitled to fritter her money away in a manner you do not see fit to. If she doesn't have money for food/rent, thats HER choice and she has to live with the consequences.

Sounds harsh but I do understand. But I grew up with a dad who is/was a gambling addict. My sister & I used to be left in the Casino car park for hours whilst he was in there gambling away money we didn't have.

As long as she is of sound mind, there's no point in doing anything more than you already have. Contacting MPS, trading standards, police etc. all well intentioned but ultimately not going to make her see sense.

Two phrases stick in my mind here:

"A fool and his/her money are soon parted." and
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink."
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