The old culinary school scam?

[Guest]

I've been trolling some of the recommended websites for finding younger men who want older men who'll take care of them (silverdaddies, houseboy, etc.), and I've twice been approached by men who seem too good to be true, and who end up being just that. I was first approached by some guy who sent me a picture of a very handsome young man (he said it was him), and he said he was from Florida, but living with another older man in Cardiff, Wales, who provided for him and was putting him through culinary school, when the other man died in a motor vehicle accident, leaving him without recourse. He kept me going for quite some time, because he never asked me for money, but said he was ready to be flown back to the US and live with me (and presumably make me some fantastic meals). I figured, if I didn't send him money, what could he get out of it if I spent my airline points getting him a ticket back? The only thing I would be out in terms of $$ would be the ticket from Cardiff to Dublin. Well, before I would get those tickets, though, I asked that he send me over a copy of the photo/name page of his US Passport. He did send one back with the picture of the handsome man, but I could tell that the font was different under the fields of the names, birthday, and passport delivery/expiration dates. If I hadn't noted the subtle font change, I would have sent the tickets. That seemed to be a pretty sophisticated scam. He somehow got the passport (perhaps an expired one?) of the very handsome American, and was able to change certain items (I'm pretty sure the photo was not altered, because it the passport marks over the picture). Interestingly, the birthdate was changed to reflect the minimum age I wanted in my profile (looking for a man 25-45).

No sooner had I given up on that guy, when another man came up with a similar story from Britain, saying he was an American finishing his studies at the Cordon Bleu in London. Is this a common scam? I don't know if any of you have tried similar arrangements, but have any of you also been approached by some guy who claims to be wanting to taken care of, claiming to be a culinary school student?

[tom1980]

This is fascinating. I don't have any knowledge to contribute, but I appreciate you posting this because I find it quite interesting.

[shadowcatzxxx]

Well, ditto to what Tom said here ... no experience or real words of wisdom to add.

My only suggested explanation is that - depending on the way a guy "presents" - physically and intellectually - it may be a more reasonable story to say that they're in culinary school than in med school

[Electra225]

I've had semi-similar experiences in the past, but all were from the U.S.--nothing international. My current policy (and for the past ten years or so) is to only "shop" locally or within my region (150 mile radius of my home). I tell a prospect (and I am not talking about escorts or massage therapists) that we will meet for drinks and dinner (my treat) and see how things go. I never make a commitment prior to our meeting. About 90% of the time the person "flakes out" and either does not respond to my email/phone or simply fails to keep an appointment. Mind you, I am not talking about a burger and fries at McDonald's, but rather an O.K. restaurant (usually a mid-level chain or similar). In business and in life, I find that it is always prudent to investigate fully before one invests either time, money, or affairs of the heart. Mind you, I am still semi-looking in this realm, but am also very careful and very prudent.

 

Good luck with your search!

[Rudynate]

Well, ditto to what Tom said here ... no experience or real words of wisdom to add.

My only suggested explanation is that - depending on the way a guy "presents" - physically and intellectually - it may be a more reasonable story to say that they're in culinary school than in med school

 

And being a chef of note has become very sexy.

[+ dutchmuch]

I've had semi-similar experiences in the past, but all were from the U.S.--nothing international. My current policy (and for the past ten years or so) is to only "shop" locally or within my region (150 mile radius of my home). I tell a prospect (and I am not talking about escorts or massage therapists) that we will meet for drinks and dinner (my treat) and see how things go. I never make a commitment prior to our meeting. About 90% of the time the person "flakes out" and either does not respond to my email/phone or simply fails to keep an appointment. Mind you, I am not talking about a burger and fries at McDonald's, but rather an O.K. restaurant (usually a mid-level chain or similar). In business and in life, I find that it is always prudent to investigate fully before one invests either time, money, or affairs of the heart. Mind you, I am still semi-looking in this realm, but am also very careful and very prudent.

 

Good luck with your search!

 

+1, sage advice.

[wayout]

In situations like the one described, perhaps it would also have been useful to suggest (insist) at one point on a video chat/skype as part of the due diligence and vetting process.

[nate_sf]

Perhaps the hook here is that the culinary school angle suggests something beneficial beyond the bedroom. Not only is he hot in bed, but he cooks!

 

As an aside, I once had a guy in a bar convince me to take him home by him promising me that he was a great cook. True, I was already smitten by his sexy Italian looks, swagger and sexy Brooklyn accent, but when he started telling me what a great cook (chef?) he was, that sealed the deal. Sadly, not only did he turn out to be a dud in bed, he didn't bother to cook anything while he was at my place. I was played!