Letter from Uganda

My father, who is retired and "getting on a bit", received a letter this week from a young girl in Uganda, which states that she is orphaned, taking care of her young sisters, mother was raped and murdered, father was murdered trying to defend her, girl was raped herself (sparing none of the details), and needs Stg £ 270 to take up a place in a secondary school in Uganda, "official" admission form was enclosed, which she wants returned to her. I'm very sceptical and feel that this is just a begging letter but my Dad wants to be sure that he's not refusing to do a good deed, so to speak. Has anyone else out there received a letter like this, and what would you all do in our shoes? We hate to be hard-hearted but we also hate to be made fools of. Thanks for your thoughts.

Rip it up, Sounds like a scam

Agreed.

Where did she get his address? Presumably she didn't send the letter just to him? How did she afford the postage for all these letters?

Thanks a lot for the advice, it's pretty much what I felt myself but I needed confirmation! Have a good week-end!

do a google on it and the school on the net and see what it throws up

I've no idea how she got his address, if she's for real. But if it's a scam then it was probably bought from a list, I think that's how it works. He would have been a subscriber to lots of professional publications over the years, I guess mailing lists are fairly valuable.

How couldd you even imagine that it is possibly real? I mean how the hell does a little girl in ugnada get the name of some random punter in Ireland and manage to write him a letter? Seriously like.

I know, I know, but imagine you're my Dad and you can't bear the thought of turning down someone in genuine need. I needed to convince HIM as much as myself, but I take your point. "Seriously like" - at least you made me laugh!!!

cinders55 said:

I know, I know, but imagine you're my Dad and you can't bear the thought of turning down someone in genuine need. I needed to convince HIM as much as myself, but I take your point. "Seriously like" - at least you made me laugh!!!

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Glad to hear it!

Scammers dont care how they obtain their money, they will FOOL your DAD and you if possible UNTIL they get the money and then its BYE BYE!

DOn't allow your dad to waste his money on this scam, why not suggest he donote money to a local charity etc

Rip it up! It makes me very sad rhe length scammers will go to to rip people off. To think that they're cashing in on other people's misery. ( Sorry - i'm about to break the rules!) BASTARDS!