How many of you would do this?

[MrMiniver]

So, I met a guy online. Very nice pictures, lives in the city. He wants to come out to the house this weekend but ... he needs the money today. That's usually warning sign #1 to stay away but then he wanted to skype. So I agreed. He was clearly the hot guy in the pics he had sent but ... I still would stay away because it's never a good idea to pay in advance when you've never met someone. Then, he said he'd give me all his personal information including a scan of his driver's license. So, I started to think. This guy is real but is it still a scam? If so, why is he willing to fork over his personal information knowing if he runs off with the money I would have enough info to mess up his life?

 

I'm still leaning towards saying thanks, but no thanks. But I'm curious. Would that be enough to make one comfortable to go forward and pay him in advance?

[adriano46]

I have a weak spot for trusting too much -- and it has gotten me in more trouble than I care to admit.

 

If it is a reasonably minor sum (under $100) for travel, I would chalk it up to an investment I missed out on - I assume from some of your postings that this is a trip that could be done on the JITNEY bus from sections in NYC out to your home... and I have advanced money once to a guy for that trip as it is not that expensive. Your call.

[Amoco]

I actually have a different take on this...I think you're asking the wrong question

 

I have no idea whether he'll show up or not, I guess it's possible - but in my experience, the guys that can't make cab fare or need money on an acute basis are not escorting in a professional way, which opens up all kinds of possibilitities. If your only concern is whether he'll show up, offer him car fare, but I'd stay away because their circumstance is filled with information...

[cany10011]

Have you considered car service for the guy? That way the money goes directly for his conveyance to your place.

 

 

I actually have a different take on this...I think you're asking the wrong question

 

I have no idea whether he'll show up or not, I guess it's possible - but in my experience, the guys that can't make cab fare or need money on an acute basis are not escorting in a professional way, which opens up all kinds of possibilitities. If your only concern is whether he'll show up, offer him car fare, but I'd stay away because their circumstance is filled with information...

[Bart]

You are asking advice so I would give the following, you are falling into my usual trap of letting the small head rule your decision making process. I am glad you came here to receive encouragement to listen to what your brain is telling you. NO! You would not have asked if your brain was not yelling and screaming. The best answer you received was from Amoco. This is not how a professional gentleman runs his business. Secondly, I don't have unknown persons coming to my personal residence, but that's me. I don't know how Skype makes this situation any different than if you did not do it. All it proves is the person in the pic is the same. Call me cynical but he could easily show you a fake driver's license. While I have been known to pay some money upon arrival depending upon the length of the meeting, twice I paid in advance but upon arrival. Once was good the second time was a grab and run with a partner so don't even waste my time with escorts who ask for the whole fee up front.

 

I hope you have the fortitude to follow your big head instead of the little one. But I think we have all been there when we lost our resolve for hot looking young man.

[MrMiniver]

I have a weak spot for trusting too much -- and it has gotten me in more trouble than I care to admit.

 

If it is a reasonably minor sum (under $100) for travel, I would chalk it up to an investment I missed out on - I assume from some of your postings that this is a trip that could be done on the JITNEY bus from sections in NYC out to your home... and I have advanced money once to a guy for that trip as it is not that expensive. Your call.

 

Actually, not my call per se, as I was inquiring what others might do. I'm already sure what I'm going to do And the sum is $300 for curious minds.

[MrMiniver]

Okay, a few observations on the responses to my original post. And I'll be frank although I'm not intending to sound harsh, so please forgive me in advance if I do.

 

1. I love it when you post a question and you get a response like "you're asking the wrong question." Seriously? LOL LOL LOL.

 

2. No where in my post do I indicate that I am asking advice for what to do. I am asking what others would do. Was that really unclear?

 

3. I also said he wanted the money upfront ... not transportation money. The money.

 

English isn't my second language but the responses made me think that, perhaps, it was! :)

[MrMiniver]

You are asking advice so I would give the following, you are falling into my usual trap of letting the small head rule your decision making process. I am glad you came here to receive encouragement to listen to what your brain is telling you. NO! You would not have asked if your brain was not yelling and screaming. The best answer you received was from Amoco. This is not how a professional gentleman runs his business. Secondly, I don't have unknown persons coming to my personal residence, but that's me. I don't know how Skype makes this situation any different than if you did not do it. All it proves is the person in the pic is the same. Call me cynical but he could easily show you a fake driver's license. While I have been known to pay some money upon arrival depending upon the length of the meeting, twice I paid in advance but upon arrival. Once was good the second time was a grab and run with a partner so don't even waste my time with escorts who ask for the whole fee up front.

 

I hope you have the fortitude to follow your big head instead of the little one. But I think we have all been there when we lost our resolve for hot looking young man.

 

Please re-read my original post. No where in that post does it indicate that I am asking for advice nor does it indicate I'm coming here to receive encouragment. I'm simply curious as to what others would do. I already know what I'm going to do.

 

It's called a hypothetical. LOL LOL.

[Steven_Draker]

I also said he wanted the money upfront ... not transportation money. The money.

 

Definitely.

 

Send the whole amount of money plus a nice tip.

 

Use Western Union to speed up the process, so the "guy" can have the money before noon.

 

Hurry up!

 

[+ Robster]

Definitely.

 

Send the whole amount of money plus a nice tip.

 

Use Western Union to speed up the process, so he can have the money before noon.

 

Hurry up!

 

[/color]

 

LMAO! I've missed your posts, Steven. Glad you're back!

 

Rob

[+ WilliamM]

I'm still leaning towards saying thanks' date=' but no thanks. But I'm curious. Would that be enough to make one comfortable to go forward and pay him in advance?[/quote']

 

I did read your post very carefully, and understood you were not writing just about transportation money. But writing, "I'm still leaning towards saying thanks, but no thanks" is a very strong indication that you have not decided and want advice from others. I now understand what you what you thought you were posting, but it does read that way.

[Guest boiworship08]

I've wondered about western union. If you send money, does your name show up on the receipt when the recipient picks up the cash?

[marylander1940]

So, I met a guy online. Very nice pictures, lives in the city. He wants to come out to the house this weekend but ... he needs the money today. That's usually warning sign #1 to stay away but then he wanted to skype. So I agreed. He was clearly the hot guy in the pics he had sent but ... I still would stay away because it's never a good idea to pay in advance when you've never met someone. Then, he said he'd give me all his personal information including a scan of his driver's license. So, I started to think. This guy is real but is it still a scam? If so, why is he willing to fork over his personal information knowing if he runs off with the money I would have enough info to mess up his life?

 

I'm still leaning towards saying thanks, but no thanks. But I'm curious. Would that be enough to make one comfortable to go forward and pay him in advance?

 

If his that good looking why is he so desperate?

Just make plans with him for Saturday and pay him at the end as usual.

[rvwnsd]

...I'm still leaning towards saying thanks, but no thanks. But I'm curious. Would that be enough to make one comfortable to go forward and pay him in advance?

 

No. I will not pay at the beginning of a session, let alone days before the session takes place.

[+ Gar1eth]

...And I'll be frank although I'm not intending to sound harsh, so please forgive me in advance if I do.

 

Don't you think that at least 9 times out of 10 people using phrases like "I'm not intending to sound harsh" already know that they are sounding harsh?

 

 

 

2. No where in my post do I indicate that I am asking advice for what to do. I am asking what others would do. Was that really unclear?

 

This could go either way. Yes, you do say that you've mostly made up your mind on what you are going to do. But often questions phrased as 'Would you...' Are used to gather opinions to help you decide on a course of action. If you had emphasized with something like, " I am (most likely) not going to go through with it, but I wonder if there are others out there who would or have done something similar." That might have been a bit more clear. Also putting in BOLD the part of the sentence where you talk about your decision would probably have helped.

 

Gman

[+ Gar1eth]

I've wondered about western union. If you send money, does your name show up on the receipt when the recipient picks up the cash?

 

I can't remember for sure. I've sent money to someone through Western Union before. But it's been over a year. And I can't remember if I had to show ID or not. But there are those 'pay packs' you can buy. The person who needs money buys them. They come included with some kind of card like a gift card. It has some kind of account , and you can go to Walgreens or wherever uses them- and deposit money into the account.

[+ Charlie]

I would never pay any escort in advance, unless it were someone with whom I already had a lot of satisfactory experience. And I certainly wouldn't trust a stranger who claimed to be willing to turn over personal identification information in exchange for the money, since I would assume he is either a fool or running a scam. But if you are not interested in advice, why would you care what I would do?

[BaronArtz]

I would not do it either. The fact that he sends you his ID (real or fake) is meaningless. This type of 'service agreement' is not a legally enforceable contract. If your prospective hire doesn't perform, what are you going to do? Call the cops? Take him to court?

[Phil_musc]

What is going on in the world today? First we read of a guy who asks to be paid in advance (and advanced the money to come to the OP). Then the Op asks our forgiveness in advance because of what he is about to say.

 

Pay in advance; forgive in advance. I see a silly trend here - not as silly as the OP's original scenario - do we really need more evidence of how gullible some people are? Is this just evidence that the world is spinning out of control at a breakneck speed and people are concerned that they won't get their money or their forgiveness in a timely manner?

 

At any rate, thank goodness Steven is back with a clear-eyed perspective.

[Nvr2Thick]

I've made some pretty risky choices. This scenario wouldn't be one of them, for me. I've got to meet the guy in person before I agree to front him money.

[robberbaron4u]

Giveth not until thy geteth. . . .

[robberbaron4u]

Ah, Mr. Draker returns to the stage. . .

[Bart]

Thanks for correcting I have not slept for two nights worrying about your concerns (by the way I am joking in case my satirical form of post here is unclear). I have couple of friends, both sides of forum fence here, who are English majors, both felt the exact same way as 99% of the people who have responded.

[thickornotatall]

Do you pay the restaurant before you eat?...on the other hand...you pay before see a movie....I think you are looking to eat..not watch...

[TruthBTold]

Do you pay the restaurant before you eat?...on the other hand...you pay before see a movie....I think you are looking to eat..not watch...

 

Some of it may be due to the fact that it is easier to collect money from a small specific group of people through a waiter than hundreds of pleased (or not) theatergoers.