Common Sense and Second Life.
We all know that Second Life is a vast and colorful community. Over the last three years I have met so many wonderful people who I consider genuine, true friends. Unfortunately, as in any large community there is a dark side to Second Life. There are opportunists, users, and downright scammers. As land owners, Bedrich and I have ,many times, been targets of scammers. Scammers are usually very likeable people, they are charming, seemingly nice, inspire trust and know exactly how to get you to part with your money and time. They prey on your needs and dreams. People who fall victim to scammers have a belief system that allows them to trust in people they don't know and to assume that others won't cross a certain line of trust and morality. Well, scammers do and will. Plus, scammers usually part with some of their own money to give you a false sense of security. Scammers can range from people who approach you and seem to have the same Sl "dream" as yours or they can be ambassadors of a seemingly legitimate but false web-site for a charity or other organisationor they can take the shape of a man or woman who convinces you that you are the one and only in their life. One thing they all have in common is that they will try to convince you to either share control of or pay for something. Some deliberately scam and some are just unstable, immature people who are selfish and manipulative.
Whatever the scam, you will be the one left out in the cold.
Why did I start this topic? Over the last few months there have been more incidences of people I know or know of who have been scammed in our community. Please, please do not trust people you don't know very, verywell, especially if land or money is involved. Learn to say no. In real life if someone you just met said "Let's partner up" and asked you to hand them money or land or control of anything." Would you? I hope not. Ask yourself, what is the risk here? Am I willing to take it? Do your homework...don't fall prey to emotions. Common sense...it's a good thing.
Duchesse Skye
updated by @skye-varriale: 06 Oct 2016 06:06:29AM