Lilibet
Southern Oregon
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- Apr 13, 2013
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This is kind of OT, but I'll bring it right back around, so bear with me. I was reading this morning about an elderly con artist from Oregon who received 15 years in prison (a life sentence) for conning and swindling people out of thousands of dollars (in one case, a million).
Here is the link: http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2014/11/nickolas_kasemehas_elderly_con.html
Most of his scams involved gold. (Ahem)
Then I found an article detailing his career as a con artist, spanning 50 years as of 2012. A quote really jumped out at me and made me think of Lennie Laverne Ames, who conned and weaseled his way into Stephanie's life.
BBM
According to her friends, Stephanie was a rescuer and protector of all vulnerable creatures and people who crossed her path, whether feeding and adopting the stray cats at her restaurant, seeking help for a squirrel she ran over, or nursing her longtime former partner as he was dying of cancer. Stephanie's tender heart was well known in the Ruch community.
Stephanie was an easy mark for a professional "victim" like Lennie Laverne Ames and his protege son and dil. They may have offered her something she wanted or needed, but basically they moved in on her, took advantage of her, used her up and threw her away, and continued to use her as long as they could after her death. Like the con artist in the links above, they have no conscience and live only for their own advantage IMO. I would not be a bit surprised if they have found another kind, protective person to prey on in Florida. JMO
Stephanie was far from perfect and was a complicated and feisty woman. But she was loyal to and protective of those in need. She tried to help the wrong people and paid the ultimate price. But when all is said and done, I think Stephanie would rather be the victim of these kinds of people than be the kind of person who could manipulate and hurt others without a qualm. I know I would.
All JMO, MOO, etc.
Here is the link: http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2014/11/nickolas_kasemehas_elderly_con.html
Most of his scams involved gold. (Ahem)
Then I found an article detailing his career as a con artist, spanning 50 years as of 2012. A quote really jumped out at me and made me think of Lennie Laverne Ames, who conned and weaseled his way into Stephanie's life.
BBM
http://www.seattleweekly.com/2010-05-05/news/the-wrath-of-con/Paul Zak, a California professor of neurology, writes in Psychology Today that the key to a con is not that you trust the con man, but that he shows he trusts you. Con men ply their trade by appearing fragile or needing help, by seeming vulnerable, whether they come to your door selling magazine subscriptions or to your e-mail inbox with an offer to invest in Nigerian securities. By nature, says Zak, These people are deceptive, dont stay in relationships long, and enjoy taking advantage of others. Psychologically, they resemble sociopaths [who] have learned how to simulate trustworthiness.
According to her friends, Stephanie was a rescuer and protector of all vulnerable creatures and people who crossed her path, whether feeding and adopting the stray cats at her restaurant, seeking help for a squirrel she ran over, or nursing her longtime former partner as he was dying of cancer. Stephanie's tender heart was well known in the Ruch community.
Stephanie was an easy mark for a professional "victim" like Lennie Laverne Ames and his protege son and dil. They may have offered her something she wanted or needed, but basically they moved in on her, took advantage of her, used her up and threw her away, and continued to use her as long as they could after her death. Like the con artist in the links above, they have no conscience and live only for their own advantage IMO. I would not be a bit surprised if they have found another kind, protective person to prey on in Florida. JMO
Stephanie was far from perfect and was a complicated and feisty woman. But she was loyal to and protective of those in need. She tried to help the wrong people and paid the ultimate price. But when all is said and done, I think Stephanie would rather be the victim of these kinds of people than be the kind of person who could manipulate and hurt others without a qualm. I know I would.
All JMO, MOO, etc.