“One of the most common scams we currently see claims that a Gambian has lost his parents, is caring for younger siblings, and does not have money for school fees. The story is always extremely similar. The common elements are: Online soliciting of friend in developed country, parents supposedly dead, caring for younger siblings, has to drop out of school for lack of funds. These elements exploit the Western value of education, trustful nature, and sympathy for orphans. There is very little variation on the theme. It may be wise to ask why someone who has no funds for school and is allegedly caring for younger siblings can apparently spend a large amount of time and money in internet cafes searching for “friends” from wealthy countries online. Family networks in the region are usually extensive, so if a child’s parents die, then the many aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and other extended family members take them in and provide for them.”

United States Embassy in Banjul, Kairaba Avenue, Fajara The Gambia

They come via the social networks and have nothing else to do on Twitter but beg.

The excuse is a four-month lockdown in the Gambia, the wicked president has announced it. The crux of the story is, the last one came just half an hour earlier and told us the same sad orphan story with heart-warming pictures.

The horrible thing about this situation is that this story has been told dozens of times before. They all come from BRIKAMA. It’s their story. The victims of life are always orphans and have a whole family to care for. In the course of the short and according to the same plan, the “beggars” working from Paris or London, try to put their victims under such moral pressure that the victim pays. The president would have ordered the lockdown; they would starve because of it.

Like a whole swarm, the perpetrators attack the victims. They hardly tweet at all but search instantly for victims by private contact. They pretend to be children and immediately want to communicate via WhatsApp. Video call to press the victims for pay. 

Because MoneyGram and Western Union are too well known, the perpetrators use the platform of another organization with the reference that they owe rent. It is almost impossible to get rid of these people on the respective timeline because they are pushy. Never give data about yourself, the perpetrators want a picture to blackmail the victim later. Twitter is powerless against such machinations. And the consequence of this is that the willingness of Europeans to donate for real need is declining. As an example, here the unbelievable chat, shortened by us.

It always follows the same pattern

A mobile phone number rings. This time the 01738989936, one of many numbers calling these days. You can't reach the phone because you are busy and when it's your turn, they usually hang up. If you call back, it means no answer at this number.

Now, with Christmas coming up, the calls are starting to pile up. Also from Senegal and Ivory Coast.

But if there is someone on the other end of the line who speaks a little German, things get going quickly. Cold calling, forbidden in Germany. The perpetrators feel safe because they have their bases abroad in semi-silent call centres. The unknown perpetrators want to entice the victims to buy something or make donations before Christmas.

It's just the account number of the person called, nothing else. They want the best a person can give, money. So the philosophy of the crooks. As long as annoy and threaten until the desired data is released. If the called party does not immediately follow the call guide, the callers will very quickly become very rough. You should simply hang up, block the number and do the same for further calls. Even if the Balkan mafia threatens if you do not conclude an electricity contract. Or sex contacts are arranged. Others pretend to be employees of vodafon or employees of authorities that do not exist. Most of these calls come from Morocco or Tunisia.

The telephone chips of the providers are reprogrammed and the number is issued as a mobile phone number that does not exist. The telephone companies are powerless against such company constructs. The calls are extremely annoying, because they come in frequency with ever changing numbers. You should not buy anything in these phone calls. The same games of chance or vouchers are offered again and again. Those who do not do as they are told are verbally submissive. Astronomical profits are promised, which of course do not exist. Lock offers made, only to find out the IBAN in order to receive a direct debit mandate later. In addition, some of the callers who communicate with poor German try to sell subscriptions. The tricks are always the same, an acquaintance would have recommended the person called, the lottery company, the neighbour, the woman on the third floor. None of that is true. Or the collection service calls and invents a claim.

The collection calls come from Romania, Turkey and even Nigeria. Day and night. For some smartphones there is an app that filters out such calls. It's called Call Blocker.

The slimmed down version, which is available as freeware, can hardly handle the frequently changing numbers.

All that remains is to hang up and lock the phone.