Another Israeli Snow-Alert Scam

It's funny that this morning when I checked the weather on Arutz 7, I was certain that there was an extreme inaccuracy, because the sun icon was shining all day.

Thu - Shevat 20, 5770, 02.04.10

15.7C°MorningClear

16.3C°AfternoonClear

11.3C°EveningClear

8.6C°NightClear

When I had gone to bed last night, I kept hearing about storms and snow predictions on the news for today.  The Thursday garbage truck pick-up was even Wednesday afternoon.

Then I looked out the window:

 

 

It kept getting brighter and brighter.  I'm no prophet, but I think we've been had.

There are many workers, municipal, media etc, who get paid special overtime for snow alerts, and they're the ones who had been pressuring that there would be snow.  So, although, ordinary people like myself don't take these alerts seriously, those who profit deem themselves prophets and they insisted that it would snow.

All those who took them seriously and thought that they'd have a snow day off today and didn't set their alarms are up a creek.  And you can't ice skate on that sort of creek.

strange letter, personalized spam?

Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I think I just got a personalized spam letter. It could be legit, but I understand that the spam scams start like this.

I'm not going to handle money for strangers, just like I tell those telemarketing fundraisers that I won't contribute by phone. When they hand up in response I feel totally justified.

Here's the letter:

Dear Batya,
I have written you a while ago and you answered. I don't remember what we corresponded on but it went well enough for me. I check out your blog weekly and have even posted on it. I was wondering if you would be able to help me out with something. My husband is about to sign a contract to work with this Jewish man on the east coast, I live on the west coast. I have never met this man,but I listen to what he has to say through my husband and I like his words so far. The words of his are enough for me to move forward. The bottom line is the work contract has to be signed for with what I am about to ask you for help with.
When my husband / if my husband signs the contract to work with this man and the price is good I was wondering if I sent you money would you be able to deliver it to people that I would like to recieve it. The first family I would like to send it to is a family that I read about on the news whose children were badly injured on a bus, I believe one of the daughters had her legs blown off, and if I recall there was another sibling hurt.Do you remember this family? I do not have any news clippings about them ,but I know you would be able to figure it out. I have no idea how much money to start with a small amount I am sure 500.00 to 1,000 dollars. And then we can see how things go. My only request is this, this all remains only between me and you. I want this to be very easy for you. I send you the money, you give it to the people. I will pay for your expense, and enought to take your family out for dinner.
The next time I come to Israel maybe we can meet, briefly, so you can see the person behind the words. Think about this and let me know. This is how simple I want to keep it. I do not want to use an organization. Me, to you, to them. If you have any questions, feel free.