Was i in danger of being scammed or did i turn someone down who needed help

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Marshmallow1

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So this man messaged me on instagram saying he was from gambia and that he needed my money because his parents and he had 2 siblings to take care of. Although i didnt ask for it he sent me a picture of him and his siblings and a sign that said he loved Jesus Christ and his name. He began asking me to donate to him threw world remit (mixed reviews online? Always high scores or low) he also tried to get my number and to chat with me on video and asked me to send him pictures. He also wanted to face time but i dont have an iphone. I blocked him but am now feeling guilty
 
Marshmallow1, a basic rule of Internet (and before that, e-mail) is, never believe anyone who suddenly messages you trying to solicit money. Especially from Africa. And certainly NEVER make any donation unless it is going to a legitimate charity, or to someone you know personally and you’ve verified it’s really them asking and they really need the money. (Scammers will impersonate your friends or relatives and message you asking for emergency funds.)

This sort of thing with some person from Africa or other remote location asking you to send money is a well-known scam, it’s very old. Block such people immediately because if they get some money from you, then they will hound you for more and it can end up in a very bad situation where they steal your entire bank account or even kidnap you.
 
So how about this approach:
  1. Pray for him…but don’t fall prey to the believe you are praying under the assumption he is crooked…instead pray that God gives him blessings, and if, by chance, he is crooked, the blessings turn him to the Lord…but do not pray for him based on being judgmental…leave judgement to the Lord.
  2. Open you heart and wallet to a charitable organization (or organizations) such as Catholic Relief Services, or Catholic Charities USA, or local food banks, or parish outreach programs…perhaps this man is carrying a message from the Lord to your heart to take action and do something for those really in need, instead of being skeptical towards those burdened by poverty…but give!
Peace and all good!
 
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It’s a common scheme.

I remember even before most people had internet, official looking letters from exiled princes would periodically arrive via snail mail.
 
Often they claim that they have a fortune stashed away but just need a US bank account to put it in so if you can provide your bank account details, they will put it in your account and then give you part of the money in return for your helping them.

Or they claim that you have won a big lottery prize and if you just send a small processing fee of 500 dollars they will send you your 5,000 dollar prize, or something like that.

They not only contact people by snail mail, e-mail, and social media, but they make telephone calls to people too, especially to senior citizens. At one point my mother was getting like 3 calls from them a day.
 
It’s a scam and you have no reason to feel guilty about protecting yourself.
 
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