Lucky Chance & The Spanish Prisoner
The Story
One of the oldest documented confidence tricks. The victim receives a letter from someone claiming to be a wealthy person (originally a Spaniard) imprisoned under a false identity. They need a small loan to secure their release and promise a large reward from their hidden fortune. The scam evolves, with the prisoner's 'daughter' or 'lawyer' now making contact via email. The victim pays more and more for fictional legal fees, taxes, and bribes.
🚩 Red Flags
- Unsolicited contact with an elaborate, romantic story
- Promise of immense wealth for a small upfront cost
- Request for secrecy
- Problems constantly arise requiring more money
- You never meet the person face-to-face
⚖️ The Fallout
This scam has successfully separated fools from their money for over 400 years. It's the direct ancestor of the Nigerian Prince scam.
📚 Lessons Learned
Greed is timeless. Any story that involves you getting rich by helping a mysterious stranger is a fabrication. The premise has not been true in 400 years.
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