Halloween is the time of year to tell spooky stories, mostly to frighten and entertain. What many overlook, however, is how a scary story can teach an important lesson. Let’s consider what we might learn from a retelling of H.H. Munro’s (or, to use his nom de plume, Saki’s) “The Open Window.”
“I hope you aren’t getting in trouble, spending all this time chatting with me.” Franklin Nuttel’s phone pulsed quietly as the message came in. “You’ve already been so nice by humoring me.”
Nuttel paused, seeking just the right words for his reply to Alade Boucher, a charming young woman who had accidentally messaged him a few months ago. Usually nervous around women, he felt a comfortable connection with Alade, so much so that very few days had gone by without an in-depth conversation between the two.
His sister was all for it, having repeatedly tried to set him up with many potential romantic interests over the years. “Usually, you bury yourself in your work and leave them on read so often that they just give up. I’m glad that this Alade seems different,” she had told him. “You’ve seemed more confident lately.”
Despite his comfort, Franklin’s nervous nature couldn’t help but wonder if his sister had taken bets on how long this would all last.
“So, what are you working on today?” a new message asked. Alade always seemed fascinated by his work.
The basic stuff, he responded. A bit of client follow-up, a bit of prospect outreach, same things I’ve been doing for years.
“Oh, neat!” This message was very quickly followed by the next: “Oh no, no nonono oh no”
Franklin sat up a little straighter, alarmed by the sudden shift in Alade’s tone.
What’s the matter? He typed, his concern surging.
“Its a long story, I don’t want to worry you with it.”
No, please, I want to know. He gripped his phone, anxiously awaiting a return message.
“Well, it started three years ago.” Alade was typing more slowly now. “I have a big window in my home, and my family was over to visit. My mom, dad, and brothers. My father and two brothers were hunters, and would exit and enter through the window out of convenience. They never came back that day. It was really wet here, and they planned on duck hunting”
The messages paused for a moment, as if Alade was composing herself.
“We never found the bodies, but there was some evidence that they had fallen into the bog and, well…”
Again, the messages paused.
“Ever since, my mom has been convinced that they’ll come back and has kept this window open. I’m worried about her, she takes care of herself less and less and waits by the window more and more. Shes so convinced she prepares cookies and coffee for their return every day. Shes also started seeing them when nothing is there.”
Oh no, I’m so sorry. Franklin Nuttel wasn’t sure what else to say, but felt a cold dread spreading across his skin. He just didn’t have the constitution to dwell on all that had happened to her family.
“I’ve made arrangements to have people take a look at her and help her for a while, but I just got the cost estimate and there’s no way I can cover this”
Franklin felt his heart break for Alade. How terrible to have a potential solution, only for finances to hold it just out of reach. A thought entered his mind.
Can I ask what the facility was asking for?
“$32,000”
$32,000. He sat and considered his sudden thought. While it would be a big hit to his retirement funds, he could pull out some money early. After a moment or two, he responded:
Tell me where to send the money. I want to help you.
Even he could hardly believe he meant it, but he did.
“Oh no, I couldn’t ask you to do that”
Please, let me help. I want to.
“Well, okay. Can you do me a favor and send it over in bitcoin? This medical facility is super modern and uses all cutting edge stuff”
Nuttel paused. He'd heard of Bitcoin, but he really didn’t understand it. He told Alade as much, who said she could easily walk him through the process and promised to pay him back someday. Franklin agreed, and with his pen pal’s (and who knows, maybe something more someday) help, his money was quickly converted, transferred, and in Alade’s hands. He sat back in his chair, a little anxious that he had just sent $32,000 to someone who was still effectively a total stranger, but confident that he had done the right thing.
Many, many miles away, a man named Sok Chanpolin sat back and looked at the phone in his hands. This Nuttel guy had almost made it too easy, but romance was the scammer’s specialty.
***
With so many people out there, scammers have plenty of targets to choose from, and chances are much better than you’d expect that these scams could focus on you, your business, and/or your team. Many scammers also have more resources than ever and can commit far more of them to individual scams… hence, pig butchering scams like the one we described here.
We’re here to help cut down their odds of success.
Reach out at (954) 575-3992 to learn more about the security services and training we offer, and have a fun, safe Halloween!
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