PBH / off topic: do your thing (active forums more▼ | ) / post

A Con Job?

So, it’s about 9:30 p.m. last night. Just got out of the train station and began my walk home. No one is around, strangely enough. All of a sudden, a car drives up by the curb of the sidewalk just about where I am. A young good-looking lady spoke to me from her driver’s seat through the passenger side window. She asked me, “Sir, can you please help me? Please?(!)"

I thought she needed directions. Then she gives me this story that she’s from Connecticut and was headed towards Staten Island via highway 95 to visit here girlfriend. The Bronx is one the places along the way. Apparently, she realized she was low on gas and didn’t have enough money to purchase any nor did she have money to pay for the $9.00 toll at the Verrazano bridge (the Verrazano bridge connects Brooklyn and Staten Island).

She told me she asked other people for help but they blew her off. She stopped me because she thought I wouldn’t and looked like a decent guy (because I wear suits?). I asked her, “Why are people blowing you off? You look like a nice young lady in need of help. Also, didn’t you know how much gas you needed to get to Staten Island from Connecticut? You story is strange." “Oh sir, please help me, I’m stuck - blah, blah blah." Finally, I gave her money – just ten bucks. That’s all I had on me. She was greatful and offered her ID’s so that I can write down her address and so forth – a college student. She asked for my business card so that she can repay me.

For a moment, I braced myself for a mugging because it occurred to me that there was a second party in the situation. The situation was typical of how people get taken (i.e. tumbos) – there’s always another party involved, but I looked in her car - no one else in it. I was in an open area and I had enough room to maneuver on the sidewalk in case someone came up behind me.

Finally, she offered to give me a car ride the rest of the way home. I didn’t take the offer. I told her to take care and we parted ways. (It occurred to me how other men may have interpreted this situation. The thought crossed my mind.)

As I was walking home, I had this feeling I just got taken. If I did, are there hot looking girls doing con jobs like that? Or, was she a complete airhead -ditz? At that moment, I was thinking about my daughters making a stupid mistake like that - especially my teenager! Or, maybe I’m just being cynical?

What do you think?

Plato

By Plato on Nov 2, 2007, 06:18 in Off Topic.

podborski says on Nov 2, 2007, 06:31:

hmmmm my bet is con job, but I am a bit cynical about these kinds of things.

But the story is simple enough to be true. The con jobs usually have a very elaborate story, that ultimately makes no sense (I need to get my daughter to the hospital, but i have no money for a taxi, blah blah blah)

I'd be surprised if you ever hear from her, but I wouldn't rule it out completely.

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elmodefoque says on Nov 2, 2007, 06:35:

Plato, we get that all the time in Manhattan especially where I hang out, 125 st near the entrance to the west side highway. Is usually a white guy not too shabby dressed with the story almost identical as hers, only difference, they walk to you claiming the car is around the corner outta gas.

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

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Plato says on Nov 2, 2007, 06:41:

Damn. You really, really can't trust anybody these days. Out of town white people ripping off NYC residents? In Harlem and the Bronx? That shit is funny! LOL!

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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podborski says on Nov 2, 2007, 07:17:

ahh that confirms it, IMO.

Lesson learned!

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kalder says on Nov 2, 2007, 08:47:

Although it's against the odds, maybe she was genuine. You did the right thing.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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Plato says on Nov 2, 2007, 08:48:

I'd like to think so Kalder - thanks!

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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Man Tequila says on Nov 2, 2007, 09:49:

If she was genuine, and you don't really know, you helped her out.
If she was a con, you got a story and you lost ten bucks. No big deal.

I often hear these types of stories. Often the stories are hard to believe, but sometimes not so hard. For fifty cents or ten bucks or whatever it is not worth losing your faith in humanity.

My stories like this usually involve people asking for OxyContin though. ;)

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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eywed says on Nov 2, 2007, 11:34:

I saw a story on the news once , A bum was retiring and went public with what he had been doing, He would sit on the off ramp of an interstate holding a sign saying help me I lost my leg in vietnam, need money for food. He had been doing this for 10 years. he had on dirty cloth and a long beard. The truth was he lived in a nice home and he had lost his leg in a car accident and had never been in vietnam. had a nice family. He made about $60,000 a year coning people. every morning he would dress up dirty and go off to work. He said he want to shave his beard off for years but knew he need it for the right look to get the most money.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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scotty says on Nov 2, 2007, 12:28:

this con has been going on for years in every major city in the US

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Plato says on Nov 2, 2007, 12:42:

D . a .mn. I have to tell you, I know there are con artists everywhere, but good-looking college girls in decent looking cars? I don't give a crap about the ten bucks. In fact, I would have given her a twenty, but I forgot how much cash I had on me. What's up with these girls? They do it for kicks? Drugs? Buy textbooks?

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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eywed says on Nov 2, 2007, 13:31:

No for makeup , cloths , boobs and what ever else they need money for that day. Why work when your pretty. If a good looking woman does not want to work she can con the best of you with her looks. Women been doing it for years. We fools been giving them money for years.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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Plato says on Nov 2, 2007, 13:47:

If I ever found out any of my daughters were doing that, I'd freakin' kill 'em!

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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eywed says on Nov 2, 2007, 13:51:

Ahhhhh they will try their best to keep you thinking there angels and you will walk through life in your happy bliss.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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Plato says on Nov 2, 2007, 13:52:

I'd rather have the bliss. What a headache. Time for scotch. What about you guys? Don't you let done on Fridays? Dude - TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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Portena says on Nov 2, 2007, 20:03:

I think you did the right thing, Plato! College students are often short on money and I could see this as a genuine case of being in a bind. When I was in college I used to have a car that would distribute parts of itself along the highway. It would break down in the middle of *-------* nowhere - a lot! I had to hitch a ride with a trucker once. Fortunately for me he was a true good samaritan. I'll never forget his act of kindness.

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dwmte7 says on Nov 2, 2007, 23:04:

well, friend, so often the 'con' job is successful, because of the 'blow' job.

were you set-up and conned, i dont think so, i think, being driven by humanity and a mature, confident heart, to inject thoughts of being used, takes away the goodness of your heart and deed and potentially replaces it with ego/self (small s) motivated thoughts.

remaining content in your heart in the 'doing' keeps you safe (karmically) as all service to humanity, is surrendered service to GOD.

dwmte

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slguy says on Nov 4, 2007, 10:50:

I'll be fascinated to learn if you ever hear from her, Plato - not that it matters. You did a good thing, based on what you knew, and your heart.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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morphus says on Nov 5, 2007, 06:39:

A similar thing happened to me in the Bronx off of 95 back in the summer of 2000. There were 2 jaw dropping hot looking girls sitting in a car. You guys would'n believe how hot the one girl was. She put on a sad face and said "Please help me, i'm low on gas. Can you give me a few dollars". Its was a nice car at the time. A Spyder Elclipse. I just laughed and started asking them questions. I ended up getting in the car with them. She said "do you want to hang out"? Of course, I like hanging out with hot chicks. They did'nt know their way around the Bronx. They had an address and asked me how to get there. They were from White Plains, NY. The one girl had big giant DDD natural breasts. I asked her if she was a stripper. She showed me her breasts and let me touch them. Finally, I showed them how to get to the address they were looking for. It was in a bad area of the Bronx. She asked me for $20 and went up into a building. She came back down and we drove to a park. She started smoking crack. She did'nt look like a crackhead. She must have been in the beginning stage. so i'm sitting there and another car pulls up in front of us. A big black guy gets out and walks up to the car. He did'nt say anything but she was saying I better leave. I was bigger at the time...bench pressing 400LBS so I was'nt scared despite the possibility of being shot. I was like WTF and started arguing. The guy went back to his car. He probably thought I was a cop. She said "please leave, They are going to get angry". So I took her car key out of the ignition, got out ofthe car and threw it down the sewer. I got out of there and jumped into a taxi....LOL

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gringolondinense says on Nov 5, 2007, 06:57:

400LBS?? thats 9 standard 44LB plates if you dont include the bar.

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morphus says on Nov 5, 2007, 07:02:

Six 50lb plates, two 25lb plates, two 5LB plates, two 2 1/2LB plates and a 35Lb standard bar.

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dwmte7 says on Nov 5, 2007, 07:04:

damn, bro, doesn't a plate of hashbrowns, ham and eggs sound better...not to mention easier?

dwmte

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gringolondinense says on Nov 5, 2007, 07:05:

hashbrowns dont pull chicas

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morphus says on Nov 5, 2007, 07:15:

0-909ooi

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christobeldawg says on Nov 5, 2007, 07:48:

note to self: "add Morphus as a friend'"

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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elmodefoque says on Nov 5, 2007, 07:54:

not only is it good to add that modfoque as a friend but to hang with in colombia.
Unless we come across machine gun carrying guerrilleros, doubt anyone is gonna mess with us.
I'm sure he gets LOTS of chucha in Medellin, might even be able to hook me up with out paying.

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

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dwmte7 says on Nov 5, 2007, 07:59:

since im on the slight side, elmo, i've always had to 'back em down' with a smile. it's worked so far. been around some awful dudes in my travels. after they back off, i come on with the hash browns and eggs...works every time.

dwmte

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Plato says on Nov 5, 2007, 09:02:

400Lbs? Damn bro - that's nice. Still lifting that? At that resistance, you're a bodybuilder dude. Still doing that sport? Didn't I read you getting warmed up with 12 cans of Bud Light this past Friday night?

By the way, I train martial arts with dudes as big as you (bouncers, cops, military). Because you guys are so strong, you're difficult to control (raging bull types). But once your joints are locked - you get big time pain! Less range of motion in your joints because they're stressed from pushing all that iron. When they lock me, however, they can easily tear my arms out of their sockets with their power. I have to rely on pure technique.

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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morphus says on Nov 5, 2007, 09:40:

I can do about 340LBS now. I have to eat a lot to get the 400LB bench press. I figure its better to be a little less strong but in better shape and lower body fat. I do more cardio now.

"I thought I read you were getting warmed up wtih 12 cans of Bud Light last Friday night"

Beer and liquor is the secret. Forget creatine, whey protien powders and all that. Eastern Europe has the best weightlifters in the world and all the athletes drink alcohol on a regular basis. I'm talking hard liquor. Alcohol helps you absorb more minerals and protien.

"the joints are stressed from pushing all that iron"

Not me. My joints are fine. I don't stress myself. Heres the workout I do twice a week. It takes about an hour:

Bench press: 1 set 5-7 reps with 300LBS

Flys: 1 set 5-7 reps with 125LB dumbells in each hand

Lying Tricep Extensions (skull crushers): 1 set 5-7 reps 180LBS

Front Shoulders Raises: 1 set 5-7 reps with 75LB dumbells in each hand.

Lat Machine Pulldowns: 3 sets of 5 with 280LB

Military Press: 1 set 4-8 reps with 190LBS.

Bicep Curls 2 sets 5-7 reps with 150LBS

One Arm Row: 2 sets 4-8 reps with 150LBS.

Front Squat: 300LBS 1 set 5-7 reps.

Sit ups: 50LBS plate held behind head for 25 reps.

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Plato says on Nov 5, 2007, 10:06:

Morphus, you’re definitely a bodybuilder. Thanks for posting your routine. I do a lot of those exercises with far less weight. So, you don’t take any glucosamine condroitin for your joints? Also, do you compete?

“Beer and liquor is the secret. Forget creatine, whey protein powders and all that. Eastern Europe has the best weightlifters in the world and all the athletes drink alcohol on a regular basis. I'm talking hard liquor. Alcohol helps you absorb more minerals and protein."

This is interesting. I never heard of this. Any literature on this? What’s the science between alcohol consumption and protein absorption? My buddies will drink a couple of beers in any social gathering and they say it’s for the yeast.

When I’m training, I drink two protein shakes a day (total of about 65 grams of protein) and the rest are egg whites and whatever else I eat. I try to keep at 100 grams of protein per day (about half my body weight). I love drinking too, but all the empty calories go to the middle. I can't imagine me taking a bottle of scotch to the gym.

I run, jump rope, and spar for cardio. What do you do?

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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morphus says on Nov 5, 2007, 10:43:

I'm not a bodybuilder. I train for strength and power. Muscle size is just a side effect. The way I train mostly effects the muscle neurons. Thats why I can lift more weight than guys bigger than me.

Do you go to Power House Gym? Its near your house.

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Plato says on Nov 5, 2007, 11:30:

"I train for strength and power." Yep, hence your low reps and heavy load. I can see that. But Power lifters don't have as much definition as you show in your pic. Those guys can probably flip over a car; they're massive but with hardly any definition. They're like line backers.

Power House gym is near my house (under the 6th train elevated L), but I go to New York Sports Club ( NYSC) in Manhattan and train during my lunch time - two to three times a week. I also train two martial arts - Taekwon-Do and Hapkido. I run on Pelham Parkway and in Pelham Bay Park.

I hear a new NYSC opened up on Bronxdale Avenue.

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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dwmte7 says on Nov 5, 2007, 11:31:

you brothers make me perspire and ache just thinking about it. aaarrgh.

dwmte

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Plato says on Nov 5, 2007, 11:33:

Douglas,

Morphus is the big dude - not me.

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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dwmte7 says on Nov 5, 2007, 11:55:

it's not about the size brother, it's about the weight.....ooooh, hurt just thinking of it. i've gone through 3 hernia surgeries and need a fourth. GOD help me. i'll leave all this strain-ass exertion to you fellas.

dwmte

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Plato says on Nov 5, 2007, 12:02:

LOL Douglas! Yeah, Morphus does move a lot of weight - damn! "Bicep Curls 2 sets 5-7 reps with 150LBS" ?? Shit! My best is 40Ib bicep curls, 4 sets, 6-8 reps. Different kind of training however.

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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dwmte7 says on Nov 5, 2007, 12:11:

"ENOW!" odin

dwmte

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Man Tequila says on Nov 5, 2007, 14:30:

I'll start a separate thread on powerlifting rather than hijack this one.

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morphus says on Nov 6, 2007, 04:41:

"But Power lifters don't have as much definition as you show in your pic"

Not true. If you maintain a low bodyfat you will have definition. Theres also a such thing as power bodybuilders...guys that are as strong as they look. A lot of power lifters don't worry about dieting or cardio hence the sterotype.

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Man Tequila says on Nov 6, 2007, 11:03:

That's true enough. People like to pigeon-hole. I know power-lifters who must eat two buckets of KFC a week LOL.

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gringolondinense says on Nov 7, 2007, 03:43:

To me powerlifting and bodybuiliding are not really compatible.

Powerlifting is lifting as much weight as you can, using whatever techniques you can.

Bodybuilding involves putting as much stress on your muscles as you can by eliminating technique.

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