It seems that many forums over the internet have some type thread like this - But surprisingly not here... Therefore I'm starting it, in the hope of spreading awareness - So that we don't ever become victims. It happened just half an hour ago, I almost got entrapped at the Bank. It was pure luck that presence of mind kicked in at the right moment. Or it could have been really bad for me right now. What happened is that it's the end of the year, so not wanting to pay a penalty later -I decided to renew all my firearms licenses now, (for the next year ahead). NBP (National Bank of Pakistan) is the only official government owned operated Bank which does all such activities, (from collecting property tax to traffic fines and everything else in between). Therefore this cannot be avoided. Unless you hire an agent to do all this legwork for you, for a fee of course, (which I'll never do as I'm not comfortable with someone else handling my paperwork with my sensitive details on it)... Anyway, I got into the line, there were around a dozen people ahead of me, and soon enough there now were half a dozen people behind me. So after around a wait of 40 minutes, just as I reached the cashier to do my thing - Another guy from nowhere approached me from the side, cutting the line, (pretending to be in a hurry). And said: Please can you do me a favor? I'm in a big hurry, give this money to the cashier (waving a big fat bundle of thousand Rupee bills under my nose) - Please have them converted to five thousand Rupee bills. Now I could have easily done this small favor for him. It would have taken only a minute. But presence of mind kicked in immediately. So I said in a loud voice making sure that everyone could hear me: This is your money, I cannot touch it. There are security cameras all around. Please go to the back of the line and wait your turn. He realized that I was annoyed. So he said sorry, and vanished... What I suspect could have happened. Is that the cashier would have returned him the money, (exchanging smaller bills for larger ones) - Whereupon he might have screamed, that there are a few thousand Rupees missing. After which he would have accused me of stealing, as I would have touched that bundle of cash. Who knows really, maybe he might have had his partners in the line behind me. Who now would have said, yes we saw him do it... I mean who knows what could have happened at that time??? Yes there are security cameras, but what if they were pointed at the cashier and not at where my hands were. Or what if on this occasion that particular camera might not be working. Maybe the bank's staff was in on it? Who knows??? I could have stood my ground and demanded that the police be called. However over here 9 times out of 10, police and criminals are like a hand and glove... That's why majority of the people would have agreed to pay whatever it took. Just to get out of such a socially embarrassing situation - Which is exactly what these types of con artists thrive upon. But presence of mind I think saved me today. Although I'm still not sure if it indeed was a con, or was that person genuinely in a hurry? And that's the thing, you hardly ever spot a good con artist. Therefore at the risk of sounding rude, I just couldn't take the chance. So anyway, what's your story? You ever got swindled by anyone? Or know someone who had such a bad experience? Let's share so we can spread awareness.
Blimey Shabaz, good call. That could have turned out nasty. Could have been drug money or anything. It worries me that your government want's everything done through it's own bank. They're trying to bring that in here. One digital bank and ID or you won't eat. It's backfiring as businesses are banning our elected goverment from even coming through the door. It started with pubs and now hairdressers are banning them too
The more I think about it, the more it feels so unreal... Like aren't we all since a very early age taught that money is NEVER to be flaunted around. Never to be shown. As it's something of great value. So always has to be protected. And here was this guy, trying to give a 2 inches thick bundle of it to a stranger (me). So I could pass it on to the cashier - Doesn't make sense... I mean that's A LOT of cash! As far as I know, the greatest of all givers, Hatim Tai, is long dead. And in my county, culture, and popular religion here, there's no concept of reincarnation. So exactly who was he and what was he trying to do??? Other people I've talked to said that it could be counterfeit money. Which he was trying to exchange with different denomination bills. So if the cashier had caught it, I would have been implicated, as I would have handled the money - Or if the con had worked, than nobody else would have been the wiser.
And it's normal here. Government (federal, provincial, and local) all deal through NBP only. All government employees too have their salaries deposted in their National Bank of Pakistan accounts. Police and military personnel too. It's like you buy a car, the motor vehicle registration department will issue you a slip. Which will have a certain amount mentioned on it - That you now must pay in NBP, and bring the stamped paper back to the relevant government department, (as proof that you've paid the dues). And that's how everything gets done here for you. That's why there's a branch of NBP with every government office. Even traffic violation fines, everyone has to go pay in NBP. Because everything government related has to be done through this Bank. It's been this way here since forever. And the ultimate joke, my paternal grandfather, (who had a hand in the creation of Pakistan) - Created the NBP after we gained independence from the British Raj in 1947... My father had often jokingly said to me and my siblings: Children, you see that NBP head office building towering high in the financial sector of Karachi's business district? That right there is the World Headquarters of NBP, which is your grandfather's biggest sin!
Yep, could well have been forged. I used to work for a bank. You get an eye for spotting forgeries. There was a 2p coin that I handled one day, it didn't feel right so I put it to one side. It looked normal but felt slightly too light. Some months later it fell apart. It was 2 separate coins milled out so finely that they fitted together, one side was slightly smaller so it fitted inside the rim of the other one. There were 2 very small squares of metal inbetween. No idea why, and I lost the coin a few years back
It was the most unusual of things I tell you. A guy, total stranger, waving a big fat bundle of cash under my nose, as if enticing me so I would handle it - Like, I'm neither a stripper nor a woman, so what gives? Also quit opening every sentence with the word Bro, (trying to establish familiarity). I mean we are total strangers, so don't Bro me unless you know me. All banks over here, (doesn't matter if they are government owned or private), have armed security guards. Plus the entrance always has a metal detector. Which is why I let my EDC (every day carry) in the car - So had it not been for this, I think I may have clobbered him, had he tried to act smart... Anyway, no matter what, always have your presence of mind whenever in a public place. Because bad guys are literally lurking around EVERYWHERE!
We've got bad guys here too but we can't carry anything more than a lettuce Even pepper spray is illegal to carry
Really upset to learn about that from you. I honestly had no idea - Why doesn't the government simply amputate the hands of every newborn, or else they might someday be used to harm someone else... Anyways, I figured that these con artists aren't original. As all their tactics are learned from TV, movies, and now also YouTube. So I did my own search, to see if what was tried with me is a common tactic or not? I didn't find any similar things to my experience of day before yesterday - But I am now absolutely appalled to see far worse and downright disgusting scams. Which are practiced everyday on unsuspecting people. Take for example this popular poop scam in India.
