Transcript: Live Help - On Rodion's Request to Convert his Lindens to Cash

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*edited*

Please note I have edited out the chat log in this thread as it violates our Disclosure clause in the SL Community Standards, which has been copied below:

Can I however, repost it with CENSORED NAMES, Jeska? Because what I'm after is the ESSENCE of the discussion and NOT anything else.

-RODION

Ok here is a modified version of the transcript. I rewrote it in a more narrative format.

I have a rather unusual request. It's rather personal in nature so I don't know if anyone here can help me with it, but yes, I think it would be wise if I consulted a Linden about it because in a way, it is indeed an emergency, in my case. It's like this. I have some Linden that I want to convert to cash. This is because I have a personal emergency (my 5-year old daughter is sick). But I have issues. First, this avi I use was a "gift" from a friend--I personally don't own a credit card. Second, I'm in the Philippines, and this things like Paypal and money transfers wouldn't really help me at the moment.

So basically, What I seek is someone that I can trust, that I can GIVE say 30,000 Linden Dollars to that person, then that person convert it to US DOllars, and then send the money to me via Western Union Money Transfer--that's all I ask. it's actually easy but the problem is who to contact for this request. This is why I opted for LIVE HELP because maybe (stress on the word) maybe a Linden (which I assume can be trusted) can help me out with the process I described above.

Time is of the essence here--the fastest way is still Western Union--if I can't seek that sort of help here it's ok. I can still ask my friends here, but then the trust is the issue, because I'll be giving them 30,000 L...Western Union charges only 15-20 dollars, and I can get it within 30 minutes.

Some said that doing the LindenX way, they will "wire" the monet to me and I will receive a check...but when? And what if I dont have a bank? The western union way is tried and tested--even if the receipient doesnt have a bank...all I need is my Employee ID card.

Live help said it cannot help me with this. But there was no harm in trying. I stress that this is NOT an issue of game policy--I was just asking for help from a KIND soul, particularly a LINDEN. Because I do have the steps to be done...all I need is the LINDEN PERSON to help me with it. But since there are no takers, I'm seeing this that LINDENS don't want to get involved in my problem, it's as simple as that really.

I also just wanted to show this as a textbook case of one issue wherein the LindenX system simply cannot directly help with. But I'm isolated from the rest of the western world, so I will have problems making the money I make here come to where I am...It's ok. I will refer to my friends. I just hope the friend I choose won't run away with my money. Don't worry if they do run away with my money, I won't blame any of the Linden People or Live Help people who cannot help me in this situation.

I just want it to be put on record. SO that next time something like this happens, at least you guys know it has happened before, so you can best decide better ways to help someone like me out, after all you are indeed LIVE HELP. It seems to me you guys come unprepared for something like this...so as Live Helpers, I suggest you thoroughly research on better methods to help extreme cases like mine. Because people like me do exist in SL. My only unique situation is that I'm NOT in a country which has adequate electronic finance infrastructure. True, secondlife is not emergency money..its a convenient way to make extra money and there are policies in place...but I CAN be also that...but right now I think it's not ready yet.

Even though my problem is a genuine one, I think I'm intelligent enough to be able to discuss this matter on a higher level--on the issue of how SL can be better in terms of providing a full sphere of service and satisfaction to the customer, although yes, sadly, I don't represent the mainstream SL customer--I'm an aberration, a footnote.

Thank you for your time, and please reflect on this case. It will happen more soon, as SL expands worldwide. LOL I have 4 friends standing by...I'm justing doing enee-meenee-miny-moe on who to do the process...so all you got to do at this point is which me luck because that's all you can do...

thank you

More power to Linden Live Help

UPDATE:

I would just like to let you guys know that a kind SLer did indeed step forward to help me out, and she managed to receive my Linden Dollars in exchange for real cash which she did send via Western Union. My daughter is now undergoing medication, and it's nice to know that I can at least look into SL as a possible option in times of crisis, even though yes, I know I should be more responsible in budgeting my existing money to avert another case like this in the future. But one thing you should know about my country is it's basically one giant sinking ship--our economy is in terrible shape and yes, cash is hard to come by here. I'm just glad SL existed so I was able to provide for my daughter through the stuff I build and sell in SL. Thank you to that kind soul--may you likewise be blessed.

RODION

Hey Rodion, kumusta? I'm from the Philippines too, but currently residing in the US. I'm curious how you were able to sign up for SL? I got a couple of friends back home that would love to try SL, but have no credit cards or paypal accounts.

If you read it again you'll see the account was a gift from a friend. I would assume a friend not in his country. So he himself didnt sign up, someone else did then gave him the account.

It's in the long post by Rodion.

What about AUB?

Hm, that means his friend signed up an alt account and gave him the password? Wouldn't that reveal his friend's credit card info? I was hoping that there is a way to purchase a gift account for friends without having to reveal my cc number as well.


What is AUB?

Now whyyyyy does that first post remind me of the money scams that originate from Africa/other parts of the world. The "help me, this is an emergency...send me money thru western union"



Not saying it IS, just saying it reminds me of one.

I can answer this. Actually my current avi is my second "gift" LOL from another friend, and yes, in the case of my current "sponsored" avi, the name of the sponsor was revealed. However, in my first avi, only the bank's name was revealed so I guess there's an option to reveal only bank name and not include the name *shrugs*. Obviously, right now I can barely afford to pay for basic stuff here, but in the future I do hope to get my own credit card.

Flyingroc Chung, mabuti! Ikaw kamusta ka na dyan? Hope to see you ingame soon--maybe we can start a Filipino community or something. I know a few Pinoys inworld too, tho for some reason, they don't want to reveal to the rest of SL that they are indeed Pinoy *shrugs*

-RODION

LOL you have every right to believe that it is dude/girl. I receive similar type of junk mail everyday. But the thing is, that's precisely the reason why these scammers use that line--because it does "appear" like an authentic plea of assistance, because in a state of plea, what sort of "header" or "introductory line" would you have expected they or have used? Come on, I challenge you--use your creativity and think of some other "Help, this is an emergency!" opening line, in the case of a REAL emergency? Well? I'm waiting! LOLOLOL

-RODION

You have a five year old daughter but not a credit or debit card?

You obviously don't know much about the third world, kind sir/madam.

And obviously you didn't logically deduce from Flyingroc Chung's post and I quote...

"...got a couple of friends back home that would love to try SL, but have no credit cards or paypal accounts..."

BTW just to give a "face" to the situation, I'm attaching two photos which are pretty much self-explanatory (these were taken two years ago so shes is a lot younger and my hair is a lot longer now too LOLOL).

-RODION

I think that this incident is a lesson in the sort of double-bind no-win situation many third world people find themselves in. And which increasing numbers of the deprived underclasses of the west are beginning to share, as the high-tech info-society takes off and starts to accelerate away.

The double-bind is - not only are you blocked from participation, but if you seek a way round the blocking, you are suspected of deceit or criminality.

Yet one can also see why. Destroying this trust is the true crime of the scammer.

Oh, the world we live in.................

Was it always so, d'you think, that those strangers who need our support most are precisely those strangers we trust least ?

Agree with you Ellie. I know a lot of people in the same situation, and yes, they live in the US. Getting and keeping a credit/debit card is beyond a lot of people in poverty.

Also, you have some of the best forum posts Ellie, where ya been?