Sabrina and the Field of Miracles

"We don't work for our own gain." said the fox. "We work only to enrich the lives of others."

The Adventures of Pinocchio

In the traditional plot of the classic story "The Adventures of Pinocchio", there is a part where the wooden boy meets a fox and a cat on the side of the road who tell him that if he plants his five gold pieces in the Field of Miracles, they will eventually grow into a tree with a thousand gold coins. "What good people" thought Pinocchio. "Let's be off at once. I will go with you" (Collodi, C., 2005).

As Maria Konnikova writes in her book "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It...Every Time" (2016), 'the same schemes that were playing out in the big stores of Wild West are now being run via your in-box; the same demands that were being made over the wire are hitting your cellphone'. An apt example is that of the Advance Fee Scam. Every day many people around the world receive thousands of e-mails from the so called Nigerian Princes, their recently widowed wives or some other exotic characters who offer to split their unimaginable wealth. This scam an early version of which originated in 19th century and was known as the Spanish Prisoner Swindle (Thomas, D., 2014) continues to live and be successfully exploited today. And what strikes many of us as the comical tales often written in block capital letters is done on the calculated purpose. In comparison to the advertisements of many well known brands, products or services that target specific groups of customers, the today's advance fee scammers also design their letters in a specific manner, because 'sending an email that repels all but the most gullible the scammer gets the most promising marks to self-select, and tilts the true to false positive ratio in his favor (Herley, C., 2012). In other words, when a "New e-mail arrived' notification shows on the scammer's smartphone, it's likely to be send by some Pinocchio who is more than keen to plant his or her gold pieces in the Field of Miracles.

Moreover, as the reformed conman Frank Abagnale (Wired, 2017) notes, 'technology breeds crime' or at least makes fraudster’s life so much easier. Whilst the con men in the 19th century had to rely on slow postal coaches in order to deliver their paper letters spinning long tales about a person being locked up in the Spanish prison who had buried treasure and cannot recover it without financial help from an external benefactor, the today's fraudsters can conveniently rely on Gmail or Yahoo that momentarily and virtually at no cost deliver their electronic messages to thousands of potential victims. And when a victim swallows the hook, line and sinker and parts with his or her money, the fraudster probably laughs all the way to the bank as the contemporary financial system ensures that stolen funds reach the fraudster's account almost in no time and often irrevocably.

Meeting today's foxes and cats by the virtual roadside is easy enough: one only has to open the Gmail account, then go to the Spam folder and pick a character or a story that suits his or her mood. A plea for help from a son whose wealthy father was murdered over the land dispute in Zimbabwe? Or would you rather fancy winning a lottery? How about an inheritance notification from someone who happens to have the same family name? This time let's pick the impersonation of the notorious Sabrina Harman who came to fame during the Iraq's torture scandal. Apparently, the old gal has done her time and is now back in action again. Follow the screenshots below which outline the actual story about the modern day Pinocchio meeting the contemporary fox and cat:

The first unexpected contact from Sabrina Harman looks like a feeble attempt of romance fraud. It's a shame that the impersonator is too sloppy (or lazy) at KYC and doesn't Google the names or e-mail addresses of potential marks, this could have saved him/her some time. On the other hand, we all learn from our mistakes, don't we?

As it is not clear what to expect, the initial response is brief.

But from her second email it is quite obvious, that like that fox from the Adventures of Pinocchio, Sabrina is after enriching the lives of others.

When a lady wearing a military uniform makes a request, the only choice a real gentleman has is to succumb to her wishes. After brief deliberations the infamous selfie of Geraldo Rivera is on the way to Sabrina.

The photo of the old geezer leaves Sabrina rather impressed, but she doesn't waste her time and offers a deal. Geraldo wants some peace of mind.

Sabrina assures there is nothing fishy about the origin of money and introduces another character of this story who goes by the name of DPD Parcel Delivery Services.

Geraldo is content with the explanation and promises to pray. He also contacts the DPD company in Senegal. He clearly enjoys using words furnish and modalities.

A rep from the parcel company promptly responds with the following instructions and sends his photo ID. Google Image search reaveals that a chap whose photograph is assumed by the mysterious Agent Peterson in real life is known as some Gerti Bogdani (a former MP from Tirana, Albania) who is probably utterly unaware about this gross misuse of his image.

As per Agent's instructions, Geraldo can get the box stuffed full of Benjamins for a paltry amount of 550 US dollars.

In the meantime, Sabrina sends a cryptic message which contains only the address of the parcel delivery company.

Geraldo is worried about Sabrina's safety and he continuously prays. He also contacts Agent Peterson and offers a deal.

Unfortunately, Agent Peterson doesn't agree with the modalities offered by Geraldo.

In the meantime, Sabrina breaks the silence and writes again.

But soon after she mellows down a bit and shares with Geraldo some private moments of her life.

This makes old Geraldo feel happy and proud.

Geraldo also tells Agent Peterson that the new modalities will be on the way soon.

Before sending the money, clever Geraldo wants to see the box.

Agent Peterson complies with the request, but Geraldo grows suspicious about the size of the box, therefore, he shares his thoughts with Sabrina whilst playing it cool with the Agent Peterson.

Initially, Geraldo's paranoia pisses Sabrina off, so she hints at cutting him lose, but then she emails hard evidence that the money actually exists.

In the meantime, Agent Peterson furnishes Geraldo with further instructions about the expected delivery.

With all doubts behind his back, Geraldo informs Sabrina and Agent Peterson that he is en route to make the payment. Agent Peterson wishes him safe journey,

Meanwhile, the response from Sabrina is much more curt. Had she known it was the last time she heard from her dear old friend Geraldo, she might have written him a longer letter or sent him a photo of another dead Taliban fighter.

Final chapter in which Sabrina and Agent Peterson unexpectedly find out that Geraldo is dead.

Initially, Sabrina is stricken with grief so badly she falls into denialism and refuses to accept reality. Meanwhile, agent Peterson mourns in silence.

Sabrina also turns to her friend agent Scully for help who, in turn, threatens poor Father Dupinsky.

Fortunately, father Dupinsky has the Holly Trinity and agent Mulder on his side. He turns the tables and furnishes Sabrina with details about financial contribution.

The stern look of Agent Mulder and his silver badge must have left Sabrina and her gang properly impressed. End of story?

Nope, the stubborn Sabrina wants to have the final say. Her templates of insults and cuss words are excruciatingly boring, though.