I’m Being Watched
One particular April evening had witnessed the heavens surrender its tear drops which rained on my lazy town all evening. I was in the warm, cosy kitchen, listening to the rain fall hard against the windows when suddenly I heard the door bell ring. A family member answered it and I was soon occupied with getting the spices just right in my piping-hot saucepan.
A few minutes passed and my family member had not returned to the kitchen, so I wiped my hands and walked to the front door. Apparently an Asian lady with long black hair, in a panicked state, claimed she was our neighbour from down the road. “I’m a Muslim like you! Please help me” she had said through the intercom before my family member had opened the door for her. She had then tried to step inside the house by putting her foot inside, but my family member blocked the door since she had no idea who this person was, for all she knew a man could have been hiding in the bushes to attack her. “I’ve locked myself out” was her story, “and I’m a nurse at the local hospital, can you give me a lift there, it’s an hour’s drive” she acted as though she needed to desperately go to the bathroom, the kind of desperateness that makes other people panic along with you.
When my family member had told her that was not possible, she went on to say “Then can you give me a cab fare so I can go to my mom’s house, she has a spare key. I really need to go now, my shift starts in half an hour, I’m going to be late, oh my God!” she hopped and jumped from side to side. My family member had told her to wait, closed the door and got some cash. That was when I joined in to see what was going on.
I had a good look at the lady, because for some reason my instincts were telling me not to trust her. But she was in a state. We thought she was going to burst out crying from the state of panic she was in. When she had the 20 dollars she had asked for she looked down at the money and said, “Oh my, I think the cab fare will cost more, can you give me another ten? I’ll pay you tomorrow I promise!” So I ran upstairs and gave her the money. That’s when she thanked us and ran off, shouting behind her that she hoped she wasn’t going to be late.
It took an hour for my family member to realise that she had been conned. How did she know that we were a Muslim family for example? My family member had answered through the intercom. This person knew who we were, so she must live somewhere in the neighbourhood. Another worrying realisation was how the lady wanted to barge in the door and inspect the house. I wasn’t too suspicious since I had not witnessed all of the events, so I went to sleep contently.
It was the next day when things became clearer. My family member had visited number 33, where the lady said she lived, but no one by her name lived there. Thinking that perhaps the lady gave my family member the wrong number, she knocked on the neighbouring doors, and they all said the same thing: no Asian lady named Sheren lived on their block. The local hospital told us that there was no Asian lady called Sheren there either. It’s been over a month and the lady has not re-appeared on our doorstep. It’s not about the money if you’re thinking I’m stingy, it’s about being honest, and this lady was certainly not honest.
It was yesterday when I remembered the incident. I had invited my next door neighbour for a BBQ in my garden when she told me of a strange Asian woman called Sheren who had knocked on her door on Friday claiming she had locked herself out and needed money because she was late for her job as a nurse at the local hospital. “What!?!!” I had exclaimed. My neighbour knew she was conned after the lady had left. The lady had put her foot inside the door, just like she had tried at my house, and since my neighbour is an old lady, she could not block her. “I need water, I’m so thirsty!” she had said, barging past my old neighbour into the kitchen, watching her surroundings suspiciously. Interestingly she didn’t take anything, probably because she was terrified of my neighbour’s dog. My neighbour said that the way this lady spoke, in such a panicked way, made her feel so concerned and compassionate that she gave her the money without thinking. Later on she called the police, who advised her if she saw the woman again to call them. Helpful.
It seems that we have both been fooled. It makes you feel less safe in your own home, wondering if someone is watching you, waiting for the opportunity to burgle your house. It’s worrying. Which is why I’ve got to do something about it now that this lady has struck twice. It’s sad, when a neighbourhood is not close-knit, one little theif has an advantage over many, though it should ideally be the other way round.
Such kind of people are very good acters, they know how to behave and what button to press. I don’t upset when it happend to me but last time i became a bit rude for them, i hope God forbite me. for several month i helped one family even i wasn’t sure about their real situation. I trust a woman that she is very poor and need to buy food for her child.at the end when she came and i din’t have cash with me she forsed me to give her money like i must to do it. i started to speak with her and understood that she is lying.I am not upset with lost money I am thankful to God for that lesson.I got much more from that event.
dilfuza
May 12, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Sad indeed, and why neighbors should tell each other of such incidents immediately, so the word spreads and no one else is conned.
I feel sad for the woman, who has to resort to such trickery to make a living, and I will pray that Allah opens her heart and shows her a better way.
Ya Haqq!
darvish
May 12, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I am just the cynic I never give them anything (maybe at most a dollar). Here if people have genuine cash troubles they can always go to the government.
And if you are a traveller stranded a dollar is more than enough to call for help.
Haleem
May 12, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Hmm.. I just commented.. did Aksimet eat it?
Haleem
May 12, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I am sorry you and your neighbor got conned. In the future, you might want to try this tactic:
When a stranger comes to the door, call out to them, “Who do you wish to see?” When you realize they want something, and you feel you should not or cannot say no, just tell them,”Wait there. I’m going to phone someone who can come and help you.” Don’t open the door at all. I’m sure the person will run, knowing that the “someone” you intend to call is the police.
Marahm
May 12, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Whoa. If that happened to me then I would not know what to do. Maybe you will still get reward for helping out a (Muslim) woman who was in distress (apparently). I don’t know, I’m not a scholor, but actions are but by intention, right? Don’t worry, you can get your back on the Day of Judgement. Take her deeds, LOL.
Tuba
May 12, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Its very sad, But People are no more to be trusted now. There are some people like her who spoil the way people look at each other. Once been encountered by such a lady, we can never trust anyone now, even a needful one is standing before us, we couldnt help but look at them with a suspicious eye.
No idea where the world is leading to .. !!!
Maryam
May 12, 2008 at 10:57 pm
WOW. You know what is the worse though? Because of people like her we’ve become such a cynical society and when we come across a person who REALLY needs help we doubt him/her because of being conned in the past. I want to help whoever needs it, but I’ve been hurt so much in the past with similiar situations that I am reluctant now. I could tell you stories! I’m sorry this happened to you – guess we still have to have faith in mankind but these days it is hard. Sending you peace and happiness.
Pari Jan
May 12, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I remember reading something similar on someone else’s blog.. how scary that this has happened to so many people – one reason why I never open to the door to anyone when I’m home alone, you never know whether that “innocent” old lady has a gun in her purse and it being set up by her grandson to rob you!
'liya
May 13, 2008 at 4:33 am
Just be aware of spying activity, okhti… I’m afraid that can make your safety threatened.
Wassalam.
Gilang Ramadhan
May 13, 2008 at 5:04 am
wow ! I have heard of these things happening, but you make it very interesting.
This theme is a lot better by the way !
Jaffer
May 13, 2008 at 6:35 am
lool wow, talk about dishonest
the antidote
May 13, 2008 at 8:04 am
This *is* worrying. These kind of people may watch us, but do they forget that Allah is watching over EVERYONE?
This totally reminded me of what happened in the city one time. Innocent old lady asks me for gas money because her car “broke down.” I gave her money, and then a few minutes later, as I was waiting for my father to return from the rest station, this man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties approached me with a desperate look on his face: “excuse me, could you give me a hand with my car?” He had his hands on his head as if he was in a car accident or something. That’s when I realized he was just trying to get me away from my car. The old lady was obviously part of their little plan. I didn’t respond to him, I simply started speaking Urdu with mom, lol. He eventually left.
It’s scary that these things happen. I pray that everything goes well with however you plan to deal with this situation, insha’Allah. If nothing is done, she will certainly continue doing it. May Allah forgive her.
“The world is a mountain, and our actions are shouts which echo back to us.”
– Jalaluddin Rumi
p.s. nice new theme! Looks great
brokenmystic
May 13, 2008 at 8:21 am
hey..that’s nothing..definitely remember your home is your castle and it is up to you not the security measures you employ, to defend it.
I’ve heard of a story (in Karachi) where an old woman has genuinely been used as bait ringing the bell only to ask for water and soon after feigning unconsciousness.
The nice family that took her inside now finds a note attached to a conspicuous necklace around her very innocently stating:
This is our old mother who has Alzheimers and often tends to wander, if you find her please, please let us know we would want to find her right away!
Imagine.what.happens.next.
The above is all a ploy so that once your guard has been let down you will call the number in the note attached in the locket to which the very gracious son would answer, take your directions and him and his two brothers (looking all well groomed) have now entered the house to revive and transport back their ailing mother.
Only this is where you have let 3 thugs into the house and get mugged.
Scary but TRUE!
mzk
May 13, 2008 at 9:12 am
Dilfuza, I’m sorry you had to go through that. Some people think Muslims should give money blindly without thinking of where their money will actually go, where it is most needed. As Muslims we should be careful so as not to encourage con-artists to force other people into giving them money.
Darvish, yes we will definitely be telling our neighbours if anything like that happens again- we had no idea she’d strike twice and so close by! Ameen!
Haleem, I don’t blame you for taking that stance.
Marahm, great idea! I always answer from the window but my family member isn’t used to the “rules” in my house and just answered the intercom then opened the door. But I guess I have to give anyone staying over the 411!
Tuba, ensha’Allaah! Best thing is never to open the door, even if the person is dying outside, call the police and let them deal with it, coz you just don’t know! And always answer from the window where you can see them at birds-eye-view.
Maryam, we can’t be blamed for being cautious, it’s not haram, though some people think it is which is a shame! We should be careful so as not to encourage this societal disease!
Pari Jaaan! Haven’t heard from you in ages! Hope you are well ensha’Allaah. You’re right, these con artists spoil it for the people who really need help! But most of the time I can tell who genuinely needs help alhamdulilah and who is lying, it’s just a sixth sense. Lemme hear from you soon!
‘liya, my God!!! I heard about that too, people can use all sorts of tactics to trick you.
Ramadhan, ameen ensha’Allaah!
Jaffer, thank you!
Mystic, exactly! That is a scary situation to be in, especially when you’re not sure how the situation will turn out and you fear for your own safety! Thank you!
Mzk, I’ll do that ensha’Alah, you watch me
O dear god. It’s good to know that I’m not actually alone in this, but it’s also sad to know it’s so common!
I’m still wondering what it is I should do to combat this. Maybe set up a neighbourhood watch scheme?
Unique Muslimah
May 13, 2008 at 8:20 pm
:O wow.. thats kinda.. scary. more like fishy, actually. happens a lot though. “Nobody’s Safe” .. nowadayz
Safiyyah
May 14, 2008 at 8:04 am
Nice new layout, btw. luv it..
Safiyyah
May 14, 2008 at 8:05 am
Hope you’re always safe Safsaf! Thank you
Unique Muslimah
May 14, 2008 at 6:58 pm
well…i kinf of have a saying…it is like…
“when you lend money, consider that you gave it away…that way if you don’t get paid back…no biggie because you gave it as a gift anyway…if you do get paid back…it will be like getting a delightful gift…not a payback”…
wordsseldomsaid
May 15, 2008 at 2:41 pm
This was a really riveting story. It leads to a strange problem I always have.
I believe that giving people money gets me merit. Therefore, I often see homeless people as walking ATMs of spirituality. On the other hand, there’s the notion that we don’t blindly try to get things for ourselves so we need to make sure we are really helping people.
If giving money keeps someone on the streets and away from help from their real problems, is this really helpful to anyone?
It makes me angry when someone lies to get money. They take advantage of a nice generous person. Then again, if they feel that they need to lie, they are suffering in some way that I can’t comprehend. So in a way was it really a con? These people do need help.
It is shameful to beg for money. It’s so much easier to work in a nice clean place and get a steady check regardless of people’s feelings. Also, people tend to look down on those who beg.
Anyway, I have no real answers for you. I don’t know where you live, but in Philly people are known to dress up like workers for the gas company and claim they need to get in “real fast now” to fix a leak. Then they rob the house. Sometimes at gunpoint.
Not trying to spread more fear, just saying that there are all kind of strange people our there. It’s sad.
Leroy Glinchy
May 15, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I guess this happens everywhere… I had a lady tried to con me three times using the same story on the streets….I mean, come on! Stop conning in the same area for a freakin’ year!
A.Ho
May 15, 2008 at 7:22 pm
If i look through my peephole and i dont know who it is, i dont even say a word especially if i’m not expecting anybody. If its the mailman, he knows what to do, he dosent have to knock!
There are a lot of very weird people out there doing very weird things and most of the time, the victims are unsuspecting Good Samaritans. How sad.
ambitiousmuslimah
May 19, 2008 at 6:56 pm
How sad, indeed. Sometimes, I feel really awful though when someone asks you for something in public, and even if you suspect that person is dishonest you still want to give because, you want to set a good example as a Muslim. The sad truth though is sometimes I don’t know when to draw the line, like a lady came to me in hospital, when i awaiting my mom to finish from the doctor. She gaved a story of how her husband and son recently died and was asking for a dollar from everyone who was sitting, when she saw me, she immediately sat on the empty seat next to me and smiled. I open my purse but only had a $5 dollar as a change, can you believe after giving her it, she asked me for $10? And even proceed to make a scene by raising her voice, I actually felt bullied and startled for a couple of seconds. Eventually she left, without the $10 and I recovered. Thirty minutes later I was walking down the corridor, guess who I met?
Yep and she asked me again :roll eyes:
Mariam
June 7, 2008 at 4:43 pm