These are eventful days in Berlin.
Yesterday the Hilton Hotel in Berlin's scenic center was evacuated due to a bomb threat. It seemed very serious. After like 5 hours the search of the Hotel was stopped without result.
It is being speculated whether this was a bad joke or maybe connected to the two day OSCE conference on anti-semitism that will begin tomorrow. Or was it an Al-Quaida threat?
We don't know yet.
One thing is for sure, the police will not rest these days. On Labor Day (May 1st) there will be burning cars, pillaged stores barricades in the streets, flying stones, teargas and the like... one has to say: the same procedure as every year.
Usually our troubles here have something to do with the NAZIs but on May 1st, they are our least problem.
Every year, radical left wing extremists come from all over Germany to Kreuzberg (traditionally left wing part of Berlin) to fight.
Who are they fighting, you ask? The state, the government, capitalism, you name it. They feel like revolutionaries, I believe. It's bad. Better be out of Kreuzberg on this day.
Actually it all starts the night before. Because it is the "Walpurgis Nacht" That has to do with heathen witch craft traditions. It is rather complicated. (Careful: my assumptions are coming up.) Somehow the radicals seem to find it apealing that there may have been a sub culture of wise men and women who where declared witches and burnt by the establishment in order to keep them down. And probably the radicals feel like this is happening to them so they celebrate the night when the witches supposedly had held their "annual conference" on a certain mountain. Funnily, there is more than one mountain rumored to be the meeting point.
Anyway, in that night fires are burnt in the city and people fire each other up for the coming fight with the police.
The saddest part of this is, that it has become something of a tourist attraction for spoiled teens who get their kick from it. Last year I heard, that the riots would probably not have been very bad if it hadn't been for those kids who fueled them up by often being the first to throw stones at the police. The kids would have been disapointed if everything had been peaceful.
Traditionally, there is also a skinhead rally. Usually just a few hundred carefully separated from the left wing radicals by the police.
The skins march on May 1st because the Hitler government was very fond of the holiday.
By the way, Kreuzberg is not only traditionally left wing but also the part of town where most turkish immigrants live. However, they have nothing to do with the riots.
EDIT: Maybe I should add that many people celebrate Walpurgis Nacht just for fun and are not at all involved with the May 1st riots.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
How should terrorism be dealt with in Germany?
Otto Schily, Minister of the Interior and former lawyer of Germany's top terrorists of the 70s, the RAF, gave an interview in Germany's top political weekly Der Spiegel
This interview was a big surprise. Schily used to be left wing and liberal, liberal enough to defend left wing terrorists in court. But times change.
After he became Minister of the Interior his opinions changed. Today he is regarded as right wing as it gets for the Social Democratic Party. And still this interview was like the drop of a bomb ( i am sorry for my military language, but it fits here)
He kind of said that eventually, it should not be ruled out to kill terrorists before they can do their deed.
For the US this isn't spectacular. For Germany it is! There is no death penalty here. German politicians of all factions criticize Guantanamo Bay. Germany does not deport foreign criminals to their home country if they will face torture or death there BUT...
referring to a terrorist statement (You love life and we love death) he said they can get it if they love it.
Maybe Schily said that unintentionally because he seemed to try to get out of it.
He went on that he was against death penalty but posed the question whether it is part of the right to self-defense to kill suspected terrorists before they comitted a crime.
The coalition partner, The Green Party, is furious about Schily's comments but the conservative opposition applauded him.
I can tell you, there will be lots of lots of debates on this.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Reason for my posting delay
My gf has been in town for a few days. That is why I only commented on some issues but didn't upload a major post.
I am attending a class in school about modern political theories. I don't need a grade or anything but it is interesting stuff. Today the prof explained something about the plan for the semester including some remarks on Robert Kagan. Something like: "Kagan tries to shape foreign policy according to Hobbes. But he doesn't. We are going to see that he didn't read Hobbes well enough."
This and some other remarks made the opening session of the class very interesting. I am curious about how it will develop. The class material will be online in a yahoo group. I will post the link, but just a few minutes ago it wasn't working. I 'll post it later.
I am attending a class in school about modern political theories. I don't need a grade or anything but it is interesting stuff. Today the prof explained something about the plan for the semester including some remarks on Robert Kagan. Something like: "Kagan tries to shape foreign policy according to Hobbes. But he doesn't. We are going to see that he didn't read Hobbes well enough."
This and some other remarks made the opening session of the class very interesting. I am curious about how it will develop. The class material will be online in a yahoo group. I will post the link, but just a few minutes ago it wasn't working. I 'll post it later.
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Talked to a priest yesterday night
I had a post a few days ago (April 9th) in which I wondered if I could call myself a Christian/Catholic because I have my issues with the Gospels.
Last night I talked to a catholic priest about some of them. Really casual atmosphere because we where playing cards at the time.
I asked about Jesus' birthplace, why he was called of Nazareth and not of Bethlehem. Related to that I wanted to know why Jesus is from David's kin if only Josef was from his kin and Josef wasn't the father of Jesus.
He pointed out that the jewish society of the time didn't really care about biological fatherhood. Instead, it was important if a man accepted a born child as his own. (I think that this was quite common in many societies of the ancient world)
Therefore it didn't matter if Josef biologically was the father of Jesus. Jesus is from Josef's (and David's) kin because Josef accepted him as a son. Along the same line Josef didn't need to have a biological connection to David. Being from the same town is being from the same tribe/family.
But in general he said the whole childhood of Jesus is rather unclear. He says that the Gospel writers probably didn't have clear accounts of his childhood but wrote them down because "it must have been this way". Since they believed that Jesus was the messiah they found it obvious that his childhood had to have included all the elements that had been prophecied.
The priest summarized it like this: the childhood stories are not to be taken literally, they are not historical facts in todays sense of the word. But they are no forgery either. At the time of writing they were just the most plausible explanation.
A third point came up but we couldn't go into detail on it because we got distracted by our cards. That was whether Jesus could be called a pacifist or Christian religion could be called pacifist in general. He said that Jesus wasn't a pacifist in our sense of the word.
That reminded me of a discussion i have had with Miguel last year. You can find it in my archives under March 27th 2003: "Is God blessing America?" in the comments. ( I don't know how to link to specific articles in my archives, sorry)
Unfortunately the priest couldn't explain his thoughts any further last night but I will ask for his detailed opinion when we meet again next week.
Last night I talked to a catholic priest about some of them. Really casual atmosphere because we where playing cards at the time.
I asked about Jesus' birthplace, why he was called of Nazareth and not of Bethlehem. Related to that I wanted to know why Jesus is from David's kin if only Josef was from his kin and Josef wasn't the father of Jesus.
He pointed out that the jewish society of the time didn't really care about biological fatherhood. Instead, it was important if a man accepted a born child as his own. (I think that this was quite common in many societies of the ancient world)
Therefore it didn't matter if Josef biologically was the father of Jesus. Jesus is from Josef's (and David's) kin because Josef accepted him as a son. Along the same line Josef didn't need to have a biological connection to David. Being from the same town is being from the same tribe/family.
But in general he said the whole childhood of Jesus is rather unclear. He says that the Gospel writers probably didn't have clear accounts of his childhood but wrote them down because "it must have been this way". Since they believed that Jesus was the messiah they found it obvious that his childhood had to have included all the elements that had been prophecied.
The priest summarized it like this: the childhood stories are not to be taken literally, they are not historical facts in todays sense of the word. But they are no forgery either. At the time of writing they were just the most plausible explanation.
A third point came up but we couldn't go into detail on it because we got distracted by our cards. That was whether Jesus could be called a pacifist or Christian religion could be called pacifist in general. He said that Jesus wasn't a pacifist in our sense of the word.
That reminded me of a discussion i have had with Miguel last year. You can find it in my archives under March 27th 2003: "Is God blessing America?" in the comments. ( I don't know how to link to specific articles in my archives, sorry)
Unfortunately the priest couldn't explain his thoughts any further last night but I will ask for his detailed opinion when we meet again next week.
Monday, April 12, 2004
Puzzling historical parallel?
The two German policemen missing in Iraq are probably dead. I mentioned that already. But...
I watched the news yesterday: Some Iraqis who claim to have been involved in the attack on the convoy apologized, saying they never wanted to hit Germans. They would like the Germans and hated the British and Americans.
This alone is hard to digest. So it has really come to that: Hatred so deep that one can be sure these Iraqis would commit Genocide if they had the tools. They hate Americans and British not only for their politics but also for their nationality.
Now, my father is an archaeologist and he has spent two years in Iraq in the 50s. There was one incident which really went under his skin.
The european group was in the city center of some town when suddenly an angry mob began throwing stones at them shouting and cursing. The guide of the group shouted back that the group was German and not English. All of a sudden the crowd calmed down made way and raised their right hands for the NAZI Greeting.
Anti-semitism forms strange alliances.
Situations in history change, ideologies change, mentalities change... all the more frightening if hatred can last that long.
However, I am aware of other interviews I have seen yesterday in which some Iraqi claimed that they would crush and destroy all the foreigners no matter if they were Americans, Germans, Chinese or whatever.
This post is not meant as a political opinion but just as a note of some thoughts that have crossed my mind recently. I am not ready to daw large scale concluisions by now.
Sidenote to Anti-semitism in the region: No matter if we think the movie "The Passion of the Christ" is anti-semite or not, its success in the arab world indicates that a large proportion of it seems to think so.
I watched the news yesterday: Some Iraqis who claim to have been involved in the attack on the convoy apologized, saying they never wanted to hit Germans. They would like the Germans and hated the British and Americans.
This alone is hard to digest. So it has really come to that: Hatred so deep that one can be sure these Iraqis would commit Genocide if they had the tools. They hate Americans and British not only for their politics but also for their nationality.
Now, my father is an archaeologist and he has spent two years in Iraq in the 50s. There was one incident which really went under his skin.
The european group was in the city center of some town when suddenly an angry mob began throwing stones at them shouting and cursing. The guide of the group shouted back that the group was German and not English. All of a sudden the crowd calmed down made way and raised their right hands for the NAZI Greeting.
Anti-semitism forms strange alliances.
Situations in history change, ideologies change, mentalities change... all the more frightening if hatred can last that long.
However, I am aware of other interviews I have seen yesterday in which some Iraqi claimed that they would crush and destroy all the foreigners no matter if they were Americans, Germans, Chinese or whatever.
This post is not meant as a political opinion but just as a note of some thoughts that have crossed my mind recently. I am not ready to daw large scale concluisions by now.
Sidenote to Anti-semitism in the region: No matter if we think the movie "The Passion of the Christ" is anti-semite or not, its success in the arab world indicates that a large proportion of it seems to think so.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Two members of German Special Forces "GSG 9" probably shot in Iraq
The situation is still unclear. But two Germans are missing in Iraq since their convoy was ambushed near Falluja. Actually, I don't know what they did there, because German forces are not involved in the occupation of Iraq. Probably they are there because the GSG 9 counts as police force and not as part of the military.
In any case, correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know these would be the first two non-civilian German victims in the Iraq conflict.
(I think there have been casualties among the journalists)
According to media reports a reporter from British Sunday telegraph supposedly claimed to have seen the bodies of two Germans.
I don't know if that will add a different perspective to German views on the conflict.
My guess is, that public opinion will even more than before stress that the situation in Iraq is out of control and that one shouldn't have gone there in the first place.
However, the government has made its point clear several times: Germany didn't agree with the US that the war was the best decision to be made, but will do everything in its power to help the allied forces succeed in building a democratic and peaceful Iraq as long as it can be done without the involvement of German troops.
I am curious to observe if that opinion will change in the near future.
In any case, correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know these would be the first two non-civilian German victims in the Iraq conflict.
(I think there have been casualties among the journalists)
According to media reports a reporter from British Sunday telegraph supposedly claimed to have seen the bodies of two Germans.
I don't know if that will add a different perspective to German views on the conflict.
My guess is, that public opinion will even more than before stress that the situation in Iraq is out of control and that one shouldn't have gone there in the first place.
However, the government has made its point clear several times: Germany didn't agree with the US that the war was the best decision to be made, but will do everything in its power to help the allied forces succeed in building a democratic and peaceful Iraq as long as it can be done without the involvement of German troops.
I am curious to observe if that opinion will change in the near future.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
The scriptures of Mel
Yesterday night I went to watch the Passion of the Christ.
It touched me. It is really incredible how much torture a human being can endure. Especially if (according to the bible) he did it freely. He chose to endure it.
I felt much compassion, especially for mother Mary during the film. However, faith-wise the film didn't have any effect on me. Maybe it was due to the nature of the project. Gibson intended to show the suffering, the Passion. He did. Hard to believe how much blood fits inside a human being. Much criticism has arisen from the way Gibson combined the four Gospels into his own version. That alone isn't a good point because every movie about Jesus does that.
I can understand why jews today feel scape goated in that movie. Some of the characters (especially among the high priests) look like the caricatures the Nazis printed in their yellow press paper "Der Stürmer". But even in Mel's version not all the jews want Jesus dead.
So I wouldn't say that the movie is anti-semite. It is as anti-semite as the bible, I guess. So if we decide to live with the amount of blame that the bible casts on the jews we have to live with the message of the movie as well. I think the romans come off at least as badly. Pilate as an incompetent administrator and his soldiers as bloodthirsty beasts.
Final impression of the movie: Much ado about nothing.
Moving? yes
Inspiring? No
Hatemongering? Not really.
It touched me. It is really incredible how much torture a human being can endure. Especially if (according to the bible) he did it freely. He chose to endure it.
I felt much compassion, especially for mother Mary during the film. However, faith-wise the film didn't have any effect on me. Maybe it was due to the nature of the project. Gibson intended to show the suffering, the Passion. He did. Hard to believe how much blood fits inside a human being. Much criticism has arisen from the way Gibson combined the four Gospels into his own version. That alone isn't a good point because every movie about Jesus does that.
I can understand why jews today feel scape goated in that movie. Some of the characters (especially among the high priests) look like the caricatures the Nazis printed in their yellow press paper "Der Stürmer". But even in Mel's version not all the jews want Jesus dead.
So I wouldn't say that the movie is anti-semite. It is as anti-semite as the bible, I guess. So if we decide to live with the amount of blame that the bible casts on the jews we have to live with the message of the movie as well. I think the romans come off at least as badly. Pilate as an incompetent administrator and his soldiers as bloodthirsty beasts.
Final impression of the movie: Much ado about nothing.
Moving? yes
Inspiring? No
Hatemongering? Not really.
Friday, April 09, 2004
Easter weekend - am I religious?
Traffic jams all over Germany... People want to travel... I won't. But I will go to the movies tonight. I was very reluctant at first but tonight I will watch "The Passion of the Christ". It is a little strange to watch that movie on the day we remember as Jesus' crucifiction day.
However, I have been curious about the movie, so today might be as good as any day to watch it.
I like Mel Gibson's attempt to be as authentic as possible. I like the idea of filming in Aramaeic and Latin. From seeing the trailer I am a little disturbed by the accent of Pontius Pilate. Doesn't sound like the Latin I learned in school. Anyway, I don't wanna judge before I have seen the whole thing. The spirit of attempted authenticity will probably also show in the amount of violence, blood and gore.
But how authentic can it be?
Firstly, we know today that The Romans didn't drive nails through people's hands and feet because they are too weak to support the whole body weight. Instead the Romans used the wrists and ankles. But in Mel's trailer they do it the "traditional" way. But anyway, tat is only a detail.
Secondly, and more importantly, how authentic is the source? How authentic is the bible?
Mel Gibson's main point in his strive for authenticity is that he tells the exact story of the scriptures. But is this really how it happened?
I have my thoughts about the authenticity of the bible. It seems like I cannot forget for one second that I am a historian. We are tought to critically read and interpret our sources. When reading the bible I can't help but applying the concept of critical reading to it as well.
Some examples that puzzle me: (I apologize in advance for not quoting my sources here exactly as historians should. This due to the fact that I am only brainstorming right now. I will check my sources later, though. If any reader can assist me, I would be grateful)
1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Why is he called Jesus of Nazareth and not of Bethlehem? Bethlehem is the town of David. And a king would have to be from David's kin. So maybe, people told the "legend" of Jesus being from Bethlehem in order to make him fulfill the prophecy. That he would be the king of the Jews coming from the town of David.
2. Let's say, he is from Bethlehem, though. So the prophecy would fit. Or wouldn't it? Because why are they in Bethlehem in the first place? Because it is the town of Josef not the town of Mary. So if anyone is from David's kin then Josef. But Jesus isn't Josef's son. Mary was a virgin when being pregnant with Jesus. So, how can Jesus be from David's kin then? How can he be the King of the Jews prophesied?
3. Last sunday in mass the priest explained to the kids what made Jesus different from your usual king. (Because people courted Jesus as if he were a king). The priest said among other things that Jesus chose to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey out of humility, modesty. A normal king would have had a noble steed. Then a few minutes later the according part from the scripture was read and it said that Jesus told his disciples to go to a village and borrow a donkey from a peasant because he needed it to fulfil the prophecy of the king of the jews coming into Jerusalem on a donkey.
That hit me like a hammer. So the bible basically said that Jesus strategically chose to borrow a donkey for propaganda effects. (Sharply contrasting the reason the priest gave to the kids just minutes earlier)
These are only three points that make me wonder sometimes if I can be christian if I raise these kind of questions? I think I lelieve in God and Jesus. But I am a very sceptical person. Because of my doubts I haven't been to church for about 8 years. But a few weeks ago I decided that I wanted to give it another shot. There is a great priest in my church. I am going to ask my questions to him. Maybe it will be good to hear what a theologist has to say on those matters.
EDIT:
I CHECKED THE BIBLE FOR SOME QUOTATIONS: I FOUND THE STORY FROM MY THIRD POINT IN MATTHEW 21
However, I have been curious about the movie, so today might be as good as any day to watch it.
I like Mel Gibson's attempt to be as authentic as possible. I like the idea of filming in Aramaeic and Latin. From seeing the trailer I am a little disturbed by the accent of Pontius Pilate. Doesn't sound like the Latin I learned in school. Anyway, I don't wanna judge before I have seen the whole thing. The spirit of attempted authenticity will probably also show in the amount of violence, blood and gore.
But how authentic can it be?
Firstly, we know today that The Romans didn't drive nails through people's hands and feet because they are too weak to support the whole body weight. Instead the Romans used the wrists and ankles. But in Mel's trailer they do it the "traditional" way. But anyway, tat is only a detail.
Secondly, and more importantly, how authentic is the source? How authentic is the bible?
Mel Gibson's main point in his strive for authenticity is that he tells the exact story of the scriptures. But is this really how it happened?
I have my thoughts about the authenticity of the bible. It seems like I cannot forget for one second that I am a historian. We are tought to critically read and interpret our sources. When reading the bible I can't help but applying the concept of critical reading to it as well.
Some examples that puzzle me: (I apologize in advance for not quoting my sources here exactly as historians should. This due to the fact that I am only brainstorming right now. I will check my sources later, though. If any reader can assist me, I would be grateful)
1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Why is he called Jesus of Nazareth and not of Bethlehem? Bethlehem is the town of David. And a king would have to be from David's kin. So maybe, people told the "legend" of Jesus being from Bethlehem in order to make him fulfill the prophecy. That he would be the king of the Jews coming from the town of David.
2. Let's say, he is from Bethlehem, though. So the prophecy would fit. Or wouldn't it? Because why are they in Bethlehem in the first place? Because it is the town of Josef not the town of Mary. So if anyone is from David's kin then Josef. But Jesus isn't Josef's son. Mary was a virgin when being pregnant with Jesus. So, how can Jesus be from David's kin then? How can he be the King of the Jews prophesied?
3. Last sunday in mass the priest explained to the kids what made Jesus different from your usual king. (Because people courted Jesus as if he were a king). The priest said among other things that Jesus chose to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey out of humility, modesty. A normal king would have had a noble steed. Then a few minutes later the according part from the scripture was read and it said that Jesus told his disciples to go to a village and borrow a donkey from a peasant because he needed it to fulfil the prophecy of the king of the jews coming into Jerusalem on a donkey.
That hit me like a hammer. So the bible basically said that Jesus strategically chose to borrow a donkey for propaganda effects. (Sharply contrasting the reason the priest gave to the kids just minutes earlier)
These are only three points that make me wonder sometimes if I can be christian if I raise these kind of questions? I think I lelieve in God and Jesus. But I am a very sceptical person. Because of my doubts I haven't been to church for about 8 years. But a few weeks ago I decided that I wanted to give it another shot. There is a great priest in my church. I am going to ask my questions to him. Maybe it will be good to hear what a theologist has to say on those matters.
EDIT:
I CHECKED THE BIBLE FOR SOME QUOTATIONS: I FOUND THE STORY FROM MY THIRD POINT IN MATTHEW 21
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Iraq - will it be a second Vietnam?
In the current situation, it doesn't matter anymore whether one supported the war that led to Saddams fall or not. If Iraq cannot be transformed into a peaceful democracy, the world will have to face years or decades of chaos, more terrorist threats and maybe economic (oil) crisis.
This worst case scenario probably needs some explanation, but I may get into that some other time (hopefully).
I think, that the Coalition troops are in the process of losing control over the situation in Iraq. The Shiites are on the rise, they have leaders like Al-Sadr who propose a radical Islam free from foreign intervention (Especially if it comes from a christian-jewish background).
Some are suggesting that troops should be pulled out before Iraq turns into Bush's Vietnam... well, I don't think retreating will help.
The power vaquum in Iraq is bad enough as it is, pulling out will probably make it worse. Think of the underlying message. It would say: "We failed".
So, the situation is, America and its allies (plus all the traditional allies who just disagreed about the usefulness of the war)are doomed to pacify Iraq. We are all doomed to success. I hate it, but I have to admit that I am rather clueless, HOW this task ahead shall be tackled.
It seems to me that we might very well see an approach similar to the one that Israel has with the palaestinians. You know, attacking "the infrastructure of terror." I think this is a bad idea. It isn't working in Israel, why should it work in Iraq?
On the other hand, as I mentioned, I don't know it any better.
What really struck me in shock and awe (so to speak) is media reports over here (Germany) that Sunites and Shiites are uniting against the "invaders". Who would have ever thought that this might happen after all those years of Sunite oppression?
So basically, my post today is not a political opinion about what is to be done... it is more of a helpless question: Really, what should be done???
This worst case scenario probably needs some explanation, but I may get into that some other time (hopefully).
I think, that the Coalition troops are in the process of losing control over the situation in Iraq. The Shiites are on the rise, they have leaders like Al-Sadr who propose a radical Islam free from foreign intervention (Especially if it comes from a christian-jewish background).
Some are suggesting that troops should be pulled out before Iraq turns into Bush's Vietnam... well, I don't think retreating will help.
The power vaquum in Iraq is bad enough as it is, pulling out will probably make it worse. Think of the underlying message. It would say: "We failed".
So, the situation is, America and its allies (plus all the traditional allies who just disagreed about the usefulness of the war)are doomed to pacify Iraq. We are all doomed to success. I hate it, but I have to admit that I am rather clueless, HOW this task ahead shall be tackled.
It seems to me that we might very well see an approach similar to the one that Israel has with the palaestinians. You know, attacking "the infrastructure of terror." I think this is a bad idea. It isn't working in Israel, why should it work in Iraq?
On the other hand, as I mentioned, I don't know it any better.
What really struck me in shock and awe (so to speak) is media reports over here (Germany) that Sunites and Shiites are uniting against the "invaders". Who would have ever thought that this might happen after all those years of Sunite oppression?
So basically, my post today is not a political opinion about what is to be done... it is more of a helpless question: Really, what should be done???
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
I am back and have a story to tell
After nearly a year of not posting, I decided to start again.
An interesting thing happened to me a few years back. I got an email by someone pretending to be a decendant of the late Nigerian dictatorship who needed me in order to get to his money (which had been exploited from the people beforehand). The amount was several hundred million bucks and I should receive 30 million or something like that for my help.
Well, I am not a greedy person. And it seemed VERY far fetched. So I decided to inform Nigeria instead. I forwarded the email to them. I figured in this case the worst that might happen is that it is a joke and they would get a worthless email. So what?
I never heard from them or the pretender again. But today I found an article in a german computer magazine. The article is not online, unfortunately.
What I learned from it is basically this. The people who send these emails are not your typical spammers. They are crooks, frauds. If you agree to their initial proposal they will tell you that officials need to be bribed, travel costs need to be payed in advance and almost anything that will delay the payment of your 20-30 million bucks. According to national (German) statistics about 1.5 Million € are being gained by the crooks in this fashion each year!. Only in Germany. But it is a worldwide phenomenon. Internationally it is known as the 419scam. This is referring to article 419 in the Nigerian criminal code. The article about fraud.
So, the article I read today is a report about scam baiters. Meaning: people who try to scam the scammers. People who try to fool the ones that try to fool us. The baiters try to make fun of the criminals. They pretend to agree to their terms. And ask for a meeting. They will ask for a picture so they could recognize each other at the airport. Usually they ask for a very silly picture. Like: "Please balance a loaf of bread on your head." or "Hold up a sign saying 'Iama Dildo' " And they do that. And their pics can be found on the websites i give below. Here is an example, though.
The scam baiters claim to do a public service. Because if the scammers waste time with them they have less time to fool others. On top of that, people who receive scam emails might check the names of the scammers in google and get to one of the scam baiting websites.
Well, check it out.
Links to several scam baiting websites have been given in the article and I will include them here.
www.419eater.com
www.africanscam.co.uk
www.419fun.com
An interesting thing happened to me a few years back. I got an email by someone pretending to be a decendant of the late Nigerian dictatorship who needed me in order to get to his money (which had been exploited from the people beforehand). The amount was several hundred million bucks and I should receive 30 million or something like that for my help.
Well, I am not a greedy person. And it seemed VERY far fetched. So I decided to inform Nigeria instead. I forwarded the email to them. I figured in this case the worst that might happen is that it is a joke and they would get a worthless email. So what?
I never heard from them or the pretender again. But today I found an article in a german computer magazine. The article is not online, unfortunately.
What I learned from it is basically this. The people who send these emails are not your typical spammers. They are crooks, frauds. If you agree to their initial proposal they will tell you that officials need to be bribed, travel costs need to be payed in advance and almost anything that will delay the payment of your 20-30 million bucks. According to national (German) statistics about 1.5 Million € are being gained by the crooks in this fashion each year!. Only in Germany. But it is a worldwide phenomenon. Internationally it is known as the 419scam. This is referring to article 419 in the Nigerian criminal code. The article about fraud.
So, the article I read today is a report about scam baiters. Meaning: people who try to scam the scammers. People who try to fool the ones that try to fool us. The baiters try to make fun of the criminals. They pretend to agree to their terms. And ask for a meeting. They will ask for a picture so they could recognize each other at the airport. Usually they ask for a very silly picture. Like: "Please balance a loaf of bread on your head." or "Hold up a sign saying 'Iama Dildo' " And they do that. And their pics can be found on the websites i give below. Here is an example, though.
The scam baiters claim to do a public service. Because if the scammers waste time with them they have less time to fool others. On top of that, people who receive scam emails might check the names of the scammers in google and get to one of the scam baiting websites.
Well, check it out.
Links to several scam baiting websites have been given in the article and I will include them here.
www.419eater.com
www.africanscam.co.uk
www.419fun.com
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