Reader comments: 'Affinity fraud' robs us of more than just money
4 comments | Read story
liberal larry | 8:15 a.m. April 6, 2008
You have to be careful with investments, but I know I can trust the Nigerian Prince who needs help transferring eight million dollars into America. All I have to do is send him a measly five hundred dollars and he will split the eight million with me! He seems like such a nice man.
EdM | 9:01 a.m. April 6, 2008
It is pretty sad that this still takes place after all these years.....and it ties back into man's basic greediness, the idea of wanting more and more. We are all guilty of it, including myself. The "guilty" parties include not only Southwick but each and every one of his investors because Southwick used his church "standing" to convince people of his righteousness. Every faith has people who use their standing to con others into "investing" their money for an unheard of rate of return. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. So please....don't complain about being taken. Your greed took you there.
GeeBee | 9:40 a.m. April 6, 2008
For as much as the Church extolls hard work and industry, too many of its "faithful" are itching to get rich quick with little effort on their own. They wouldn't dream of going to Wendover to gamble, yet have no problem handing over thousands to some schmoe just because he's a nice ward member. If that's not gambling, I don't know what is.
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Nugget118 | 7:49 a.m. April 7, 2008
I agree with the reminder to watch out for affinity fraud.... Remember, there is a reason that there are prisons in Utah.... The only part of the article that I disagree with is the premise that affinity fraud is the product of outsiders who JOIN just to defraud. In many cases, as is the case with criminal mastermind Val Southwick, the crook was a long time member.
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