Marie Laurencin, 1904 (Google Images)
Yesterday morning, I received an email in which I was told I would be killed. My killer claimed he was from al-Qaeda.
In theory, I was murdered last night because I did not respond. The killer wanted money. I was to supply him with part of the money after which he would tell me who hated me so much that I should pay with my life. He would also provide me with tapes of conversations with the person who hates me. I would then give him the rest of the money he requested and my life would be spared. Failure to comply meant instant death and harm to my family.
I did not respond, i.e. comply, because I am certain my would-be killer wanted money and that he used the crisis in the Middle East to scare me. I don’t have enemies, so who would want me dead?
I am told that my telephone is bugged, that I am being watched, and that his “boys” are at my doorsteps.
Needless to say, I was instructed not to talk to anyone or phone the police. I waited until today, but did phone the police so that they would know about this latest scam. One does not reply to such emails nor does one send money. It’s extortion.
A police officer came by so he could see the email and collect information.
—ooo—
We must make absolutely sure migrants are not humiliated and that they are given homes and comfortable temporary shelters. Yes, it’s expensive, but so is war. In fact, war is more expensive and children are killed. The carnage has to end now! I am not giving up on Bashar al-Assad. If he wishes to remain President of Syria, his best option is to be a father to his people.
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Love to everyone. ♥
© Micheline Walker
1 August 2016
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Micheline's Blog 
That is scary! So glad you seem able to be so calm about it and I’m especially glad to hear you have no enemies. Even though the letter was obviously a scam it is still scary and also sad that someone would stoop to using threats to get money. It is either evil or desperation, or perhaps a combination of the two. I agree that the only way out of the messes of this world is to stop the violence. Even if the world’s powers insist on making war I would love to see so many of the people refuse to kill, threaten, or exploit each other that the powers could not carry out their plans. It takes an awful lot of people acting in cooperative obedience to run a war. I am dreaming or I may be crazy, but I do believe in my heart that at some point, perhaps soon or perhaps hundreds of years in the future, all war will end and the world will operate in a whole new way. I just think it is almost inevitable that will happen if life on this planet is to go on.
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You are right. Peace may have to start with us ordinary citizens. World leaders retaliate, as if they could not see that retaliation is permanent war. There has to be a cease-fire. The Nice attack was followed by greater violence on the part of the coalition and further deaths in Syria. I’ll probably stay indoors for a few days, but it was a scam. However, the police tells me I am the first person to report this kind of scam: a death threat from someone claiming he is connected with al-Qaeda. An officer came immediately to see the email. He was very calm. I think they are trained to be calm in such circumstances.
I thank you for writing.
It’s no more war. 🙂
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That is dreadful. It is good you reported it to the police. Scammers are such a waste of time.
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Gallivanta,
Scammers are everywhere and will you use any means to get people to send them money. I did have to inform the police and they had to see the email with their own eyes, get a copy and all the details. They also had to see me to know that I was a real person. This was their first case, but other individuals may receive the same email and reply. It’s a persuasive form of terrorism. The police officer told me he had not seen the “boys” at my doorsteps. Take care Gallivanta. Micheline
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I have had trouble with scammers recently but very mild in comparison to yours.
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Gallivanta, It was a death threat from al-Qaeda. But it was a scam. The police insisted on getting the details and came to my home quickly, but the officer also thinks it was a scam. Scammers want money. One doesn’t do this to others. It’s sick.
Love,
Micheline
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Outrageous, Micheline, I’m really sorry. Here’s hoping that no serious harm comes out of this terrible experience (and that they catch this fool).
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Wesley, it’s insane and I had to give the police the necessary information. An officer came within minutes. I think it was a mere scam, but one that should be reported because someone else could believe this sick individual, reply and lose money. It happens all the time, but usually Al-Qaeda is not named, which is why the police came to my home and took all the information. These are strange times.
Take care Wesley,
Micheline
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It really is. Even as it seems to have caused no major consequences, just the hassle of having to deal with it can become an ordeal. Strange times indeed. Cheers
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Wesley, This has an effect on people. For instance, I would prefer not to leave my apartment for a few weeks. I’m safe here.
I have met some of the migrants who were sent to my town. They were at the clinic where my doctor works. It’s a public clinic and people were guiding them. What an unfortunate situation. I don’t think the strikes have helped. Take care and thank you for writing.
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I’m just so sorry to learn about this, Micheline. I hope you find the comfort and time you need to center yourself and feel safe again. Best vibes on your journey. Cheers
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I’m still alive. I left the building yesterday and the only danger I encountered were drivers who do not allow others to change lanes. The letter is horrific and convincing, but it’s a scam. One threatens to kill you to get as much money as possible. Given that I have not complied, no ransom will get me out of trouble. If this person is real, his next move is to kill me or have one of his boys kill me. He claims he’s already been paid to kill me by a person who hates me. All I have been able to figure out is that this would-be assassin does not speak English fluently. He wrote on Sunday, which probably means I’m fine. Thank you and cheers.
Micheline
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Oh, no. Let’s hope this was just a ruse, of some deranged individual trying to appease his inner demons. But just in case, I’d alert my neighbors to be on the lookout for anything weird going on around your building. Take care.
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Thank you Wesley,
That’s a very good idea. I’ll tell my neighbours and secure my balcony. These days, one never knows. The police drives by regularly. They take death threats from persons claiming to be members of al-Qaeda very seriously. It hadn’t happened yet.
I thank you for your good advice. Cheers 🙂
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What a dreadful time for you, Micheline. It’s despicable for someone to use such a dreadful situation to take advantage. Obviously, it’s a vey trying time and I think its very brave of you to write a post on the affair so that people know what lengths others will go. My thoughts are with you.
I’m with you all the way on the violence, far too many lives have already been lost or ruined for any side to consider themselves winners.
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Bryan, Violence breeds violence and although I believe that email was a sick scam, I cannot be absolutely certain it was. All I know is that I cannot reply or send money. But I did tell the police so they could reassure people who receive such emails others that it’s yet another form of extortion.
The conflict in the Middle East has to end because retaliation is what I call permanent war.
I thank you for writing. Best.
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Mmmm… C’est un peu la technique de Kim Jong Un.
Mais tu as eu raison de ne pas répondre.
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Je n’ai pas répondu et je ne répondrai pas. Mais il fallait avertir la police pour qu’ils rassurent les personnes qui recevraient le même message. C’est une escroquerie de très mauvais goût et qui laissent des traces. J’ai peur de quitter mon appartement parce qu’ici je suis à l’abri. Je crois que ce qui m’arrive était inévitable. C’est une autre étape. Depuis Brexit, les attaques se sont multipliées. On leur a dit de retourner chez eux, ce qui leur est impossible, si bien qu’ils répondent. Je crois qu’un cessez-le-feu s’impose, même s’il faut protéger Assad. On n’a rien à perdre. Merci de m’avoir écrit. C’est très gentil.
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That’s just horrible, and I’m so sorry you had to go through it. I agree it’s just an internet spammer, but still, you absolutely did the right thing in calling the police and should, without hesitation. Meanwhile … more Molière!
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It is so unfortunate. We should be safe on planet earth and spread happiness. But we still have wars and criminals. Threats affect one’s ability to concentrate, but not to a significant extent. My blog has suffered, not the book. The book is a more private endeavour, but posts can be seen.
Thank you David and take care. 🙂
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I hope that everything goes well for you after you have reported that to the police. I receive a lot of threats like that and other scams. Most of them are based in Nigeria i believe. Have a nice evening!
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I still hesitate to leave my apartment, but I’ll be fine. I took the email as a mere scam, but the police didn’t. It hadn’t happened in this area of the world. I still think it was a scam. Thank you for writing. Micheline 🙂
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I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You are amazing! Thanks!
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