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Literature
Scammer targets people who've been ripped off already
Here's a nice little variant on the traditional 419 scam letter that showed up in my inbox this morning: THIS IS TO OFFICIALLY INFORM YOU THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED AMONG THE 40 LUCKY VICTIM OF SCAMMED TO BE COMPENSATED WITH $500,000.00.FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS,THIS WAS CONCLUDED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,SENATOR wALLIS KELLY WITH DELEGATE FROM THE UNITED NATION AND WORLD BANK AT THE AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT WHICH TOOK PLACE IN ADDIS ABABA IN (ETHIOPIA) AIMED AT REDEEMING THE COUNTRY'S IMAGE AND ALSO TO TRY TO PUT ANEND TO THE INCESSANT SCAM REPORTS BY FOREIGNER ESPECIALLY FROM USA AND AROUND THE GLOBE.YOU HAVE BEEN LISTED AND APPROVED FOR THIS PAYMENT AS ONE OF THE SCAMMED VICTIMS TO BE PAID THIS AMOUNT. In David W. Maurer's classic 1940 book The Big Con (the basis for the movie The Sting), he describes how con-men would put their victims on the hook again and again, fleecing them, then convincing them to go home and borrow or steal everything their could from their friends in order to get their original money back. Like a desperate gambler doubling down, the poor marks would get deeper and deeper, and at every stage, it got easier for the grifter to con them again. So here's the modern variant of it -- fleecing people who've been burned by scammers. Previously: Enron was a real, non-metaphorical Big Con - Boing Boing Stock-bubble as Big Con - Boing Boing Fun book: The Modern Con Man -- How to Get Something for Nothing ... How con-men make their faces look trustworthy - Boing Boing Nigerian Letter scammer convinced to carve replica Commodore 64 ... Hank Paulson's bailout 419 letter - Boing Boing Were McCain Supporters 419-scammed by Nigerian "African Press ... 419 scammers tricked into re-creating Dead Parrot Sketch - Boing Boing NPR "Xeni Tech": Scambaiters and Monty Python, 419-style - Boing Boing Dutch court locks up 419 scammers - Boing Boing 419 victim shoots Nigerian diplomat - Boing Boing Dick Cheney's 419 letter - Boing Boing Nigerian Letter scammer convinced to carve replica Commodore 64 ......
Published: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:19:01 GMT - Source: Boingboing.Net - Read the article
Literature
Real life superheroes in the news
Articles in Rolling Stone and The Sunday Times this month introduce us to real life superheroes, basically vigilantes in spandex with names like Terrifica, Mr. Invisible, Master Legend, and The Ace. From Rolling Stone: Although Master Legend was one of the first to call himself a Real Life Superhero, in recent years a growing network of similarly homespun caped crusaders has emerged across the country. Some were inspired by 9/11. If malevolent individuals can threaten the world, the argument goes, why can't other individuals step up to save it? "What is Osama bin Laden if not a supervillain, off in his cave, scheming to destroy us?" asks Green Scorpion, a masked avenger in Arizona. True to comic-book tradition, each superhero has his own aesthetic. Green Scorpion's name is derived from his desert home, from which he recently issued a proclamation to "the criminals of Arizona and beyond," warning that to continue illegal activities is to risk the "Sting of the Green Scorpion!" From The Sunday Times: In recent weeks, prompted by heady buzz words such as ?active citizenry? during the Barack Obama campaign, the pace of enrolment has speeded up. Up to 20 new ?Reals?, as they call themselves, have materialised in the past month. The Real rules are simple. They must stand for unambiguous and unsponsored good. They must create their own Spandex and rubber costumes without infringing Marvel or DC Comics copyrights, but match them with exotic names ? Green Scorpion in Arizona, Terrifica in New York, Mr Xtreme in San Diego and Mr Silent in Indianapolis. They must shun guns or knives to avoid being arrested as vigilantes, even if their nemeses may be armed. Their best weapon is not muscle but the internet ? an essential tool in their war on crime is a homepage stating the message of doom for super-villains. "The Legend of Master Legend" (RollingStone.com), "Amateur crimefighters are surging in the US" (TimesOnline.co.uk, thanks COOP!) Previously:Coop essay on real life 70s superheroes - Boing Boing Photos of immigrant workers dressed as superheroes - Boing Boing Science of becoming Batman - Boing Boing...
Published: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:12:00 GMT - Source: Boingboing.Net - Read the article
Motorsports
A Sting in the Tale: Wasps 24-18 Harlequins
I awoke this morning full of excitement, trepidation and a few questions: Which Wasps team would turn up? Would the groundsman remember to turn the undersoil heating on? Would my nerves be frayed come full-time?
We arrived in the ground with moments to spare before kick-off -
Published: Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:00:27 GMT - Source: Rugbynetwork.Net - Read the article
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