Scam.. ……. I was contacted by a man who said he had gotten my screen name and email address from the Big BBW Northwest group. He said he really wanted to get to know me. His initial correspondence was heartfelt and recounted a tale of child abuse, neglect and a hard knock life. I was a bit concerned that he wore his heart on his sleeve like that and openly shared his messed up life so readily with someone he didn’t know but hey who am I to judge, I am single and a little lonely. So we continued to correspond via email, then instant messenger and the phone , I must admit I was turned off by our first conversation because he seemed to have a heavy accent or a speech impediment and I was not sure which . He said he was a journalist and would be soon leaving to cover a story about the new Monique movie Phat Girls in Africa. He said when he got back he was going to fly into Portland on his way to Seattle and take me out to dinner. He continued to call me from "Africa" upon one of his last brief phone calls he said he had been robbed someone took his wallet and all his cash, I had to go and was un able to continue talking. He then sent me an email asking me to do him a really big favor. He said he had no one else he could ask, he wanted my address so he could send me a check, he wanted me to cash it at my bank and send him the money. I am single live alone and try to be pretty savvy with my money I smelled scam right then and there and I told him I felt uncomfortable with this and I refused to help him. I was then later in the day talking to another single friend and he exclaimed how frustrated he was with this women he was talking with in Ims, he said she kept asking him for money, or to help her get money as she was stuck in South Africa. We both compared notes and he said he had spoken to 2 other people from the same singles website his address was gleaned from who were also being hustled.

I have gotten those silly emails asking for my help, in return for accepting a check I would get a large sum of money and I delete them, of course. This is the first time I have heard of this same scam being played out in real time. I guess I am concerned and appalled these people are praying on lonely single people and in my case a person of size, developing a relationship, gaining my trust and then coming in for the kill. It did not work on me or my friend but I am sure out there it has worked on someone, why else would they continue this scam. I just wanted to warn you and this group because if he got my address from this website I am sure there are others.

here is aour intital convo o 3/30

rocknrollmidnite: hi dear
rocknrollmidnite: can i meet you?
rocknrollmidnite: i saw your profile on bbw group
rocknrollmidnite: and i would appreciate if we can be friends
cindysioux: Hello

Here is the convo after the phone call where he asked for my help on 4/16.

rocknrollmidnite: hi cindy
cindysioux: hello
rocknrollmidnite: hmmmmmmmmm
rocknrollmidnite: had to arrange with the hotel to use their computer
rocknrollmidnite: need to talk to you
cindysioux: ok
rocknrollmidnite: not that
rocknrollmidnite: i just wanna stress you
rocknrollmidnite: but i am just alone\
rocknrollmidnite: and i feel you are the only one i am thinking of
rocknrollmidnite: it s kinda strange
rocknrollmidnite: cos we hav not met pysically
rocknrollmidnite: physically rather
rocknrollmidnite: but i always look up to chat with you online
rocknrollmidnite: i have this kinda connection with you
cindysioux: I am sorry I can not help you, I do not know you, it made me uncomfortable you asked me
rocknrollmidnite: yea
rocknrollmidnite: i know
rocknrollmidnite: it s a easy thing
rocknrollmidnite: i should be scraed too
rocknrollmidnite: scared too
rocknrollmidnite: but my mind trust you\
rocknrollmidnite: i have been dreaming on coming to Portland from here
rocknrollmidnite: i really need you,we all need ourselves one way or the other.
rocknrollmidnite: it s mine turn for your help
rocknrollmidnite: promise to pay back in kind
rocknrollmidnite: i never thought i will be in this situation so soon
rocknrollmidnite: are you there cindy?