[brolumir]

Really wish this existed in the 90's when my family moved to the US from eastern europe. A non-exhaustive list of scams my parents fell for:

- Investing money in a friend's company - this was the most painful as it was perpetuated by our family members who lived here for a while that we trusted

- Rainbow vacuum cleaner

- Aqualife water filter

- Hiring someone to take us to another city to buy a car to "help get a good deal" - turned out he was working for the seller, and it was not a good deal at all

- A summer job for me selling Vector cutlery

Unfortunately it's easy to scam new immigrants, this happened for hundred years and still happening now.

[wolverine876]

> - Investing money in a friend's company - this was the most painful as it was perpetuated by our family members who lived here for a while that we trusted

I don't know your parents' experience, of course, but this method of losing money is one of the most popular for everyone. I once saw an expert who provides finanical education to new professional atheletes (known for being bankrupt soon after retirement despite millions in income). Loans to family/friends' businesses was top of their list of no-no's.

On the other hand, many successful businesses have started that way. Many more legitimate but failed efforts also have begun that way. Not everyone has access to VC capital, personal wealth, or a bank loan.

[brolumir]

Yeah, I should've been more clear: it wasn't really investing in a friends company. I agree it can be a source of funding when other sources aren't available, but in this case it was a total scam - the company was specifically designed to accept money and fold.

[Daub]

Here in Singapore there was a plague of such cases when China opened up. The main victims were ethnic Chinese Singaporeans being screwed over by long lost family members in China.

[throwup238]

> On the other hand, many successful businesses have started that way.

It's called the triple F round: friends, family, and fools.

[nothercastle]

Most people could probably benefit from someone helping them navigate the car buying process. For a $500 I bet I could talk most buyers through the right lease, payment setup and financing and pre negotiate a decent deal in one of the 3-4 neighboring states and setup an inspection at a good mechanics if buying used. I bet I could bring 1-2k of value into that transaction. If I was doing it as my day job I could probably squeeze out 2-3k or help them tap the auction market directly.

[bombcar]

The problem is there's no way to prove that you're doing that and not a scammer; you're almost better off just asking someone who bought one recently what they did.

(What you're suggesting is basically Nothercastle's Used Cars)

[anigbrowl]

That's worth writing a book for. A short, straight-to-the-point guide in simple language would probably sell really well.

[OnionBlender]

Buying a car is an awful experience. I once had a Mazda dealership hold onto my keys and license during the negotiation so I couldn't leave.

[camkego]

These services have existed for many years. ie https://carbuyersadvantage.com/faq/

But it takes a leap of faith for me to think my interests are best served with this type of service.

[EVa5I7bHFq9mnYK]

Just check it visually, kick the tires, and listen carefully how the engine starts up - should be quick and smooth. Pay cash. Now please send me the $500 check.

[bombcar]

If it makes you feel better, the Rainbow and the Vector get lots of non-immigrants, too.

And some people swear by the Rainbows because of the water feature.

[lifestyleguru]

> Rainbow vacuum cleaner

There was a wave of this in 90s and 00s but in Poland. In my eyes parents signed a loan for "Mercedes of vaccum cleaners" for an amount of over 2k USD. Average salary back then was something below 700 USD. Fuck this American scammers. Eat shit and bankrupt Rainbow. Rest of the above were occuring as well. People were looking at the west with hope and sympathy, while the west came over with smiling brutal extortionist rape fest.

[delta_p_delta_x]

> parents signed a loan for "Mercedes of vaccum cleaners"

Somehow I think the problem is less the 'American scammers' and more the fact that your lot decided it was worth taking out a loan for a vacuum cleaner, of all things.

[cynicalsecurity]

Jehovah's witnesses is another vile scam that hugely spoiled the image of the West in the eyes of the people who just broke free from the Soviet occupation. I don't understand how such evil and disgusting cult is allowed to exist. If a person would hide a list of thousands of child molesters or would endorse killing children by giving fake medical advice to their parents, they would be put straight to jail. How are cults allowed to do the same without any repercussions?

[vdaea]

I don't understand this. Why did they sign up for a $2000 loan if they could barely afford it?

[FpUser]

>"Really wish this existed in the 90's when my family moved to the US from eastern europe."

I moved to Canada from USSR in the beginning of 90s. The scams were plentiful and unexpected. Lucky for me I've followed that golden rule - if it sounds too good then fuck it. Saved me from lot of troubles. Some of my friends were not so lucky.

[EVa5I7bHFq9mnYK]

Every child, as part of his education, should be required to play some MMO with in-game trading, where noobs are routinely taken advantage of, where scams and betrayals abound, as a preparation for real life.

[delta_p_delta_x]

> Every child, as part of his education, should be required to play some MMO with in-game trading where noobs are routinely taken advantage of

So, RuneScape before the Grand Exchange, then.

  drop ur addy and press alt f4
  it will duplicate ur items

  Sending trade offer to double ur gp

[sidewndr46]

Isn't Vector just a weird MLM sales channel for Cutco? It is unlikely anyone will make money off it, but from what I understand it is not impossible. You just won't make money selling knives at least.

[klyrs]

Are you saying Cutco isn't a MLM scam? I've always avoided it like the plague.

[gambiting]

>>Rainbow vacuum cleaner

Why is that one a scam? We've had one now for over 20 years, my mum still uses it almost daily, as far as I can tell it's built like a tank and will outlast all of us lol.

[forgotmypw17]

Rainbow is worth the money in my opinion. I think the one in my family is at least 20 years old, and it's way better than any other because of the mixing-dust-with-water thing. I've used many vacuum cleaners, including some industrial-grade ones, and none of them can hold a candle to Rainbow. Not needing any consumables like paper bags is a nice bonus.

[mixmastamyk]

Reminds me, tourists as well. I often traveled to a certain location abroad, and never had trouble with taxis etc. Later, two older female relatives accompanied me on a trip, and the first taxi we went on the driver tried two scams on us!

[mandelbrotwurst]

What's the scam with the water filter?

[gnopgnip]

Charge thousands of dollars for a subscription for something you can basically buy at Home Depot for $250

[thecleaner]

Yup Nikola Tesla was another immigrant who was scammed almost hundred years ago.