3 reasons why people are (still) getting scammed online

The following video has been shared on Facebook by some of my friends in Malaysia. I took particular interest to it as it was a 60 Minutes Australia production and was surprised to find that the Nigerian scammers were found in Kuala Lumpur.

After watching it I can't help but wonder how people are still getting scammed after the internet has been around for so long and there are just SO MANY CASES! So, here are my opinions:

3 Reasons Why People Are (still) Getting Scammed Online

1. Greed

"You have won a gazillion dollars from the lottery in Mordor! To access your money, please wire us all your life savings for the transaction fee and you will be so OMGWTFBBQRICH!!!"

 Note the style of "CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL".

Familiar Font Art from Microsoft Office 97?

Why in the world would anyone fall for this? I've received several emails/calls like this before. First off, I've never even BEEN to that particular country they claim I won the lottery at; secondly, their command of English was way off.

Scammers are so successful because everyone's looking for that "ticket to fortune". Out of 100 emails they send out, there would be 1 blinded by dollar signs and blindly hand over thousands of dollars over an untracable & nonreversible transaction through Western Union & Moneygram. 

2. Desperation

Like in the video this poor old lady got scammed after being involved in an online romance. I can understand that you can get emotionally attached to a person online but to send them your life savings and rack up a debt? That's just going way too far.

 Tries to buy plane ticket to visit online lover - Credit Card DECLINED

But I guess there really are very deperate people who will do anything just to find love. However, the moment it involves money, I suggest you run. Not only cause I'm a cheapskate, but I worked damn hard to earn my money and why should I part with it for someone who says sweet nothings in bad English and not to mention never even seen?

For some weird reason no one ever suspects why these scammers do not own a webcam... Hmm...

3. Stupidity

This is probably the MAIN reason why people are still getting scammed.

Please people, if it's too good to be true, IT PROBABLY IS! Such a simple rule and yet people still get scammed. 

Fry makes a point.

It may not be valid nor reasonable, but still... a point.

Educate yourself about scams, you don't have to do full research just Google the "company" or individual's name and you'll see if they're blacklisted on websites that compile these scams. If anyone you don't know contacts you about money, don't respond!

IT IS THAT SIMPLE!!!

That being said, the Nigerian scammers caught in Malaysia wouldn't be the last ones. There are definitely more and with Malaysian police, I highly doubt they'll be arrested. The only reason why this video of arrest exists is because it's an Australian effort. Otherwise its *cough*bribe*cough cough*

I do have one question though, is the scammer that stupid to collect the payments at Western Union with his own name? If yes, that means he doesn't have the means of obtaining a fake credential with his fake name.

But that being said, does this mean the lady in Australia sent money to a name OTHER than her online lover? That's just really dumb...

If she DID send it to the name of her online lover, and a different man picks up the money with transaction details but not with the identification of the receiver's name... Why doesn't Western Union just make it mandatory for photo identification of the receiver's name to collect the funds?

*shakes head* Humans...

Muse Mash Up

Muse Mash Up, a photo by ryudiculous on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
"You can, you should and if you're brave enough to start, you will" - Stephen King

When I read this quote, the song "Maybe" by Sick Puppies came into my head. Hopefully no copyright infringements. Just a sudden mash up of inspiration.

of mismatched couples.

I suddenly remembered a conversation I had years ago with a friend. We've known each other for more than a decade now and we're still close. The following conversation was from when we were both much younger:

Me: I've been seeing alot of couples where the girls are like ALOT hotter than the guys. Some of the guys look really bad...
Him: That means there's still hope.
Me: Hope? You mean hope for true love that these girls can see past the outlook and love the guy based on their personality?
Him: NO! Hope for ugly guys like me to get a HAWT girlfriend!!!
Me: Dude, if you're ugly, lower your expectations.
Him: I don't have to, I just have to be rich.
Me: Oh dear...

Yeap... And no, he still doesn't have a girlfriend until now.

The moral of the story is?

Guys can be such idiots.

Suicidal tendencies

Everyone's talking about the 22 year old who jumped 14 stories to his death in Malaysia. It's tragic, really, I really do feel sorry for his pain and the pain his family and friends have to deal with now. But seriously, I can't help thinking what an idiot he is.

I'm not going to deny the fact that I have thought of suicide countless of times after a break up as well. I have to hand it to that guy, not many (actually, way too many) have the guts to actually go through with it. I can understand the pain and the urge to just end everything.

But the one thing this guy did, which makes his suicide such a famous one, is posting his suicide note on Facebook for the whole world to see. Can there be a bigger cry for attention than that?!?!?!?! Oh wait, he attached a picture of his last moment in tears too. Like... it's such an obvious slap/stab to his ex. It's his perfect revenge. By killing himself, he literrally killed her life too.

Everyone's thinking what a bitch this girl is. Maybe she really is a bitch, I won't know. But is breaking up with someone/playing with someone's feelings that bad until she deserves this? Who the hell would want to date her now? How about her future? If she's rich she can just escape and run to another country for a new start. But what if there's no way for her to run??? Even if she does manage to escape... how can she live with the guilt? Not to mention the whole freaking country now knows about her guilt.

What this kid did is totally unforgivable. He may be dead now, it's sad, yes, but he's dead. Like... he's not going to see what his action did. But his parents? His siblings? Relatives? Friends? He threw a bomb aiming at his ex and it blew up, killing everyone close to him as well.

If you have issues, if you're depressed, find someone to talk to. If you do not have any friends whom you can trust, go talk to a perfect stranger online or call any of the helplines/organisations created to help suicidal people. Killing yourself isn't a solution to anything but to feed your own ego.

random insights.

I watch Criminal Minds in hopes of believing that it is all a show, no matter how real and plausible it may seem, that it is all for entertainment and that no real human being can be capable of doing the things they do on screen. Alas I know that humans are indeed capable of that and much worse. And in a morbid way, I am amazed and even admire the minds of these people for their brain is of more potential than mine.


My greatest fear of possibility of being a parent in the future is that I may never be able to provide my child with the life that they deserve. I guess my parents had the same fear. But wait, I think they still are fearing. The sad part is, do I really deserve more? Or less?

muse.

Once in a while, I find my lost muse to write. Not too sure if this is good, but I think it is not too bad. Still, readable =)

It's like my finger tips were burning as I brushed against her lightly. Somehow it's as if I am no longer significant once she decides that I am.
She didn't stir nor even acknowledge that I was trying to say a simple goodnight. She doesn't realize how much she affects me with every unintentional gesture.
My brain rationalizes but my heart doesn't. I am but just... just... me.
How many feel the way I do?
Loneliness is an enemy who knows all the secret passages, or rather an old friend who knows when you're in need.
Open your eyes and see the world walk right past you, invisible you feel. Close them and realize, silence is deafening.
Run as you may, hide if you can.
Finding simple reasons is what I live for. The world is complicated enough as it is. All I want is to fall asleep in her arms, hear her chest rise and fall to her breath. I listen, feel, touch and taste. In search of a simple reason to call happiness.
No tears will fall tonight for they will always be a sign of weakness, a part of me that I want to be rid off, and yet the brain persuades me once again: what is happiness without sadness?
If there were no failure in my past, how do I know when I succeed?
If she doesn't hurt me, how can I know if she loves me?
I hurt, therefore she loves.

it's a funny thing

Everything really does happen for a reason. If there really is a God, then I finally understand why I went through the things I did.

Sometimes, God sends people who are clearly wrong for you, bad for you even. But there is always a reason behind it all. I can truly see it now.

He sent someone who was just an introduction to love for me, then there was the one who was so important that I couldn't breathe without her. And just because I couldn't breathe, He took her away to teach me that I can indeed stand on my own 2 feet. And she taught me that even if 2 people were in love, it doesn't mean that they must be together.

Then there was the one where I had to hide in the shadows with, I'm surprised I lasted that long. But I learned that I could make a difference in other people's lives and even help them to be a better person. Along came the not-right-for-you-but-you-are-just-desperate-enough-to-accept. I don't think I need to explain that now, do I?

The one who really seemed like THE ONE came along. I learned that when I am blind, I'm not only blind, but crazy even. The one who made me throw everything aside but somehow I knew it would just end. I just refused to accept it.

Then it all went downhill. I lost hope. I couldn't care anymore thus resulting in 2 disastrous ones. One worse off by a mile than the other. And I am just too tired to give anything a try anymore.

Then now.

Now.

Now I realized why I met all those people. And why I had to go through everything.

God purposely sent me all the wrong and seemed-to-be-right-but-were-wrong people because he wanted me to recognize the right one when I see her.

Guess what, she's perfect =)

anonymous numbers.

Got this idea from Facebook.

The things I want to tell a few people but do not have the guts to. I think they should know who they are.

1. You're my first love and you will always have a special place in my heart but I can't just pick up where we left off because my heart is no longer there. Even if it was, it's broken.

2. It all happened so fast and I can barely remember what happened but I'm glad we're still friends. I hope Jun Xi grows up to be a good man unlike his father.

3. You were a rebound. I'm sorry.

4. Two words, drunken mistake.

5. You didn't just break my heart, you stomped on it, spit on it and left it in a corner to be forgotten. But you taught me a lot about relationships and I want to thank you for helping make me the person I am now.

6. I think I screwed up your head and emotions a little too much but I think everything worked out fine.

7. You made me realize that I appear in people's lives for a reason and I'm glad you finally stood up and said "No" for a change. I just wished it wasn't said to me.

8. There's no reason, I just do.

7 months.

Still here. Don't ever want to leave.

If I can love you this much so far away, imagine what I could be if you felt the same way =)

i must be crazy to fall for you,
to fall after only seeing you twice,
you stole my heart that day,
and every single time you look my way.

I swear that if I can see you everyday, I will fall in love 365 times in a year... every single time, with you.

Random Thought of the Day

Why is it okay to tease someone about being skinny?

But when you call someone FAT, it's insensitive and hurtful...




Why??? Don't tell me it's different because skinny people have feelings too right? Being skinny comes with other problems as well, just because we can eat and not get fat doesn't mean it is something to be enviable about. Fat people have the choice of not eating too...

A PLU Story (Part 2)

This is more of a “follow up” post to the guest post I had. While many PLUs have been in that situation, I know that there are girls out there who have been hurt by TBs before as well.

All I have to say regarding this is that the current new generation of TBs all can go fuck themselves. Most of them give TBs a bad name. Not to mention that the trend amongst the younger kids these days is that its cool to be a TB and for the girl’s side, it’s cool to have a TB by your side. The cuter the TB, the better. It’s like we’re an accessory to match your clothing. I have given up hope in regards to this issue… It’s a phase that will pass (I hope…).

Back to my main point; from the previous post, I guess it is like the perfect example of how stupid and yet loyal a TB can be. Why do we choose to be this way?

I dare say that unless you’ve had the love of a TB, you have not experienced true love.

Why?

Not cause we’re willing to take a bullet for you.

Not cause if you’re sick we’ll care for you.

Not cause we will do the dishes after dinner.

Not cause we buy you flowers and anything you want that we can get…

Those are what’s expected of us as we have to compete for your attention.

What you don’t know is that we do all that not to get into your pants (I can’t say the same for some TBs, but I digress…) but it’s because we do not ever want to let go of such a gift.

Yes, we see you as a gift. We know that we’re damn fucking lucky to actually find a girl we love who would actually return the feelings.

DO YOU KNOW HOW FREAKING HARD IS THAT?!?!?!

MOST STRAIGHT PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE WHAT A DIAMOND IS REALLY WORTH WHEN THEY SEE ONE!!!

We’re so used to getting rejected, ignored, neglected, used and mistreated that one day when all of a sudden we meet a girl who does not do that to us…

That’s when we fall even more just when we think we’ve reached the bottom. When we thought we could not love you anymore, we realize that the feelings could actually go deeper and we’d kick our own asses if we ever let go.

Hell, we’d even take a gun to our own heads if we made that mistake…

While I know that there are TBs out there who play around, they are but a minority. These are the TBs who are (unfortunately, for the good TBs) good looking, rich and knows how to sweet talk. They jump from 1 girl to another without even blinking an eye… I believe they need to be shot… with a shotgun… at close range… (FYI, I know how to fire one and I’m a mean aim with a 9mm).

I guess what I’m trying to say here is that we have feelings too… and believe it or not, even after all the getting-used-to to all the crap we get, our feelings are extremely sensitive and fragile.

So, break our hearts if you must… but just remember, we’d still love you with all the small pieces…

Enough is enough!

I wonder if people knew about the news regarding a Malaysian Christian fighting Islamic authorities over dead wife's faith... if not, click here.

All I want to say is ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

What do you want from the mourning family?!?! Isn't hard enough that they have to lose a loved one? A husband who has worked so hard to keep the family afloat while paying his wife's medical fees... 2 children who suddenly lost their mom after a long struggle with illness...

NOW YOU'RE KEEPING THEM AWAY FROM CLAIMING HER BODY?!?!?!

I'm a Malaysian, and proud to be one... but it's times like this when such a fucked up thing can happen, I am totally ashamed and disgusted...

For goodness sake... let them put her to rest... it's hard enough to lose a family member... it's even worse to have it publicly announced to the rest of the world...

Today I shed a tear for my friend who has to go through all of this crap... Boo, if you're reading this... please stay strong. I'm just a call away...

Kid Teung

Need I say more?

I miss you...

23 more days to go :)

Arts or Science?

I read in Dum Dum's blog that she is not sure whether to take Arts or Science when she enters form 4.

I faced the same problem but at least mine was rather clear cut for me because I only had 2 options for my future:

1. My "dream" was to become a psychologist. So, that placed me in the Science stream.
2. Because my parents were not likely to agree with the first choice, my backup plan was to get into Science, go to TARC for A-levels and study pharmacy like any other Tom, Dick and Harry...

And so, either way, I ended up in Science.

But I know people who faced problems because they didn't get the luxury of choice. There is the stereotypical thinking where Science stream students are better than Art students. So, most schools will automatically place their best students in Science and the not so smart ones in Art. At least that is what happened in my school.

Basically if your grades weren't good enough, even though you might want to go into Science, you are not allowed to. Biased? Well, that's Malaysian education for you.

And I feel that 15 is an age where they are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too young to decide their future paths. In my opinion, people only manage to really find what they want to do in life when they go into college where there is a whole different level of independence and a certain amount of intelligence and integrity required.

For me, I love art and literature. But because I was in Science stream, I couldn't take those subjects because I already had 9 bloody freaking heavy subjects on my back. But I decided with a few friends (3 to be exact) to go ahead and take the Literature paper on top of our workload. And I managed to get a B by my own revision and discussion with friends. How we survived it, I have no idea.

But looking back now, I wonder how different life could be if I had taken Arts instead of Science... I'd have more brain cells for sure, because they wouldn't have been massacred by the evil evil subject Add Maths. I remember my first Add Maths results... it was only 12 marks? Out of 100. Which brain cell won't die?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there needs to be more freedom for high school students to choose what they want. But I understand the limitations of the education industry for high schools... So, until Malaysia decides to revamp the whole system, poor lil 15 to 16 year olds have to flip a coin to decide XD

If someone asks for my opinion if they should choose Art or Science, I'd tell them to think about what they wanna do in the future. But they need to understand that going into Science stream would be hell and Arts' workload is not light either. The most important thing is that if there are people bossing you around or telling you what you should do, you really should just tell them to fuck off. It's your life.

I wish more of my juniors had said that to my school teachers... then there wouldn't be so many people who got lost after SPM because they realized that because they were forced to do something they didn't want to do, they just screwed up.

And there wouldn't be a certain arrogant idiot who ended up in psychology studying in the same college as me... GAH... but that is another story XD

Am I a mistake?

Currently on my 2nd shot of vodka... pouring myself a 3rd...

Shall I finish the bottle?

Hmm...

Am I a mistake?

I really do love her... but...

Why do I keep hurting her?

Why am I hurting the one I love so much?

Can someone tell me?

I am so sorry...

I.am.just.not.perfect.

...not even close.

Forever & Always

I miss you.




I really do.

Forever and always... I will love you.



I promise.

Abandoned

You say I take & take...

I only know how to take...

Until I forgot to give...

Maybe it's true?

I am the bad guy.

I don't know how to love you.



I do whatever you tell me to do. Yes, I make mistakes often.

But I have always been loyal.

And yet you say I'm not.


If I didn't give anything, why do I feel so empty?

I do not wish to show my efforts because it is what's expected of me.

I guess that was all not enough for you.



Maybe one day we'll look back and laugh at this...


But for now... you have forced me back into my corner. Do not expect anything from me anymore.

I shall cease to exist in your life, one step at a time.

You have your path, I have mine.

You have your support...

I have to learn to stand again... and try to remember what it was once like without you...

It's not gonna be easy... But I will always get back on my feet.

But as I get stronger, a part of me will die inside. I am currently at 60% emotional death... give me a few months or a few assignments... it will reach 100%.

Never say never

I know people always go thinking "That will never happen to me wan..."

Well, never say never my friend.

I realized today that anything CAN happen to ANYONE at ANYTIME.

A good friend of mine was involved in an accident today. The severity of the accident is not minimal.

She totaled her car and was admitted to the hospital.

She is crying for what she lost.

I am just glad she is okay.

It is rather ironic how I was explaining this morning (before I knew about the accident) to two of my team members for ISC's MCW Activities, that if something can go wrong, it WILL.

They just didn't understand why I was coming up with all sorts of terrible and shocking scenarios that can go wrong during events.

For example (I'm blue, she's yellow):

"What if you have a soccer game and someone kicks the ball and hits the volunteer and breaks his/her head?"

"Won't la, the ball is tied to the post."

"WHAT IF? What would you do then?"

"Die la, die la, die la................"

"..."

My point is, it's better to be prepared than to have something come and bite you back on your arse...

You may not be able to prevent accidents from happening (someone can choke on tofu) even though u take all the precautions.

But one thing you could do is know how to react when it does happen...


But of course, the few obvious things like "Don't drink and drive" and "Wear protective gear" and "Wear your seatbelt" will do wonders in preventing accidents... an accident is really just the result of a series of mistakes...

Prevent mistakes, and you'll break the chain from an accident happening.



Though sometimes, things just happen.

So, never say never... do not think that things won't happen to you or any of your family and friends... cause it just could.


And also never take for granted what you have now... it's a cliche but you'll never know what you have till its gone.

And I know of many who understands that more than anyone can imagine...

Larger than Life

Yesterday I went to buy some apples with G. She went to buy 2 phone cards and the nice uncle there gave us 2 free scratchies.

FYI, scratchies are those little lottery kinda things where you scratch (duh) off the silver stuff and reveal things under it. Different scratchies have different ways of playing and different prizes.

Anyways, I won 2 bucks.

Then I got a little "itchy hand" and bought another scratchie for 3 bucks.

And yes, I won 8 bucks this time.

This little stroke of luck got me thinking about how lucky I've been my whole life...

Let me think of a few things...

The first that comes to mind is the Tsunami incident. I was there at Gurney Drive 5 minutes before the waves came crashing in. I was there long enough to look at the tiger waves coming in, and me and my group of friends were like crazy people looking at the waves and going "Whoa...". We were busy taking pictures and videos... we wouldn't have left, but we got wet from one of the waves so we left laughing.

Little did we know we escaped serious injury (maybe even death) that day...

Secondly would be my studies... somehow everything would turn out fine. I guess I just got really lucky that I do not have to study as hard as most people to get the grades I get...

What else?

There are just so many many things that I would have taken for granted...

I always have this feeling that I can take any risk I want (physically) because I believe I just can't die that easily... It's just not my time to die yet...

Although there are times when I couldn't see myself living past 30...

So I would do stupid things... dares... and I always seem to get away with it.

But there are times (especially during my teenage years) where I got depressed and seriously did alot of shitty things. But look at me now... I guess I turned out relatively ok XD

I think that is considered lucky as well? Hehehe...

Hmm... this post has been rather boring without any pictures... but I guess sometimes words are all I have.

Now, seeing how lucky I have been, I guess the one thing I find to be rather "unlucky" of me is my name that my parents gave me.

I really hate my name. That is why I hide behind the alias Ryu.

People just don't get why I get so worked up about my name...

But try imagining when you're six and you've just started school... it is already terrifying enough. But when you try to make friends, people hear your name and start laughing and teasing you (kids can be such jerks). How would you feel?

And this constant teasing and jeering lasted all the way into HIGHSCHOOL. That's 11 freaking years!!!

Even until now, some would laugh and tease me when they know my full name.

But I guess I should just reveal it and live with it.

My name is Tee Shue Vern.

If you can't figure out what they teased me, you're really WOLS...

But at least now I can tell those people "Sure, go ahead and tease me. But I have much better things in life than to care about that anymore. I can't say the same about you though."

So, there you have it... I know Mich and Kang have been asking me about my name and knew when I got worked up about it. So now you know...

But I would appreciate it if you guys would just call me Ryu.

Wow... that was a rather emo post wasn't it? Hahaha...

Okay, back to normal blogging about the crazy things I do soon...

Ciaoz.

Advertising Creativity

Whenever I tell people that I have a degree in Psychology, they all go

"Whoa..."

But what they don't know is that it's really no big deal. It's just a normal, general degree. I can't practice psychology with just a degree. And being a psychologist is not easy, it's not just listening to crazy people, the field of psychology is just so broad.

And when I tell people that I've changed my field to Marketing, they all go

"Eh? But it's so different!!! Marketing is related with Psychology wan meh?"

The answer: YES.

Psychology goes into so many different things, especially in daily life. We just don't notice it.

And well, after I explain that it IS indeed related, they will ask

"Why you wanna change?"

Well, I never really managed to explain WHY I want to change, but after seeing this recent TV ad, I think this is the BEST way to SHOW you guys...




I guess the reason I changed is because I want to be able to create an ad like that. It doesn't need special effects or celebrity endorsers or a high budget... it is simple, meaningful and most importantly, it gets the message across.

It's that simple =)