In good times, crime of all categories had already been rampant everywhere. One would certainly expect cheating, fraud, deception and scam to rise even much higher in bad times, exasperating by the convenience and omnipresence of the mighty cyber-space.

The global economy continues to sink, and more people are struggling to make ends meet. And if there is no decent way of making a living, it can only be natural that many would lower their dignity to pounce on others immorally and unscrupulously.

The ugly part is, even those affordable would crave for more. After all, who could avoid the temptation of affluence. Just that we tend to forget excessive affluence was one of the main culprits causing the current financial mayhem. GREED is at play again.
(btt1943)

A new twist is to pretend they are a funding agency for NGOs and to offer grants. Whether the websites are genuine and being misrepresented or set up specially for the scam needs to be investigated by safe computers

Actually, the biggest crime being performed, is by the banks.
serving homeowners. Homeowners who are struggling.

The President puts in place a modification program.
And, the banks in turn refuse to modify, instead aim you towards
refinancing..oh but there is a catch you have to have near perfect credit.

So the idea of saving people from Foreclosure was a lie, a sham
a trick and scam.

For the thousands of homeowners trying to get either a modification
due to slumping home values or refinance, the reality sinks in.
The banks will not discuss modification...despite the formulas that qualify you. They have their own criteria. Which leaves you at their mercy.

If you are a homeowner, who has made your payments, still have a job. and are under 10,000.00 in other debts. you do not qualify, even
if your house value has slumped 33%. Even if your other bills and
expenses are more then the alotted amount based on the Presidents plan.

If you try to refinance. they say your debt ratio is too high?
So, you are left wondering what does qualify.

Well, no really knows. but for those who are trying to modify
here are some of the statistics.

2 to 4 months processing paperwork, before they will even
address the issue, another 2 for approval.

Modification is on a limited basis, for basically five year limits.

If you hire a outside attorney, or company to assist you with the banks
your upfront costs range from 900.00 to 5,000.00 in fees, and still no
guarantees.

If you manage to get a refinance you are paying closing costs,
points and extra insurance.

After is all said and done the truth is the SCAM Game is just
as profitable for the Banks and Insurance companies today, as it
was two years ago.

The sad part is that the American Taxpayer will continue to pay for their gross behavior and bad leadership..

If it is too good to be true, then IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!

In addition to various frauds one has to be also wary about using your credit card online. You signup for something online and before you know you have inadvertly been signed up all for all kinds of other promotions. You start being billed monthly for various kinds of membership. Most of us dont scrutinize our statements and before you realize you have already been billed for over six months. So please check your statements regularly for discrepencies

I believe "sick and tired" is telling the true when he said that the banks and the loan companies are the ones running the legit scams. Take for instance QuickenLoans, First they say your credit is good enough for them to start the processing and then they ask for 300 to 500 hundred dollars. Then you send them all the paper work and start going through process but then when get the apprisal that when the suprise comes to light. You owe more than what your house is worth. End of story, thank you very much. Lets move on the the next sucker.

Only suckers and losers are true victims of con artists. Hongkongers are savey people and not easily conned; except , maybe, old folks who buy "cheap' medicines or sharks fins from street corners. Do you honestly think that Likasing can be conned or Rober Kwok ? Life goes on–people are always GREEDY in good and bad times. Since EVE conned Adam from biting the apple –there are always people who are greedy for little money to get BIG money. Just go to Nathan Road and walk into any store selling ditigal cameras or NIKE shoes –you also get conned buying fakes. Where else-but only in good ole HONG KONG. LOL.
ps–those conned will want more; see the number of ever returning tourists in Hong Kong who are will be conned in eateries and shops , hotels, the moment they stepped out of the airport and hailed a taxi.