The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 33: Oct/Nov 2017 | Page 35
IS IT ME?
IS IT ME?
John Davies is a senior corporate partner at leading commercial law
fi rm Thrings. In each edition of TBE John addresses a topical news or
business-related issue. This time John talks scams and scammers.
Thrings
@ThringsLaw
www.thrings.com
You would have thought that time away
with the family in the Cyprus sunshine
would mean I’d returned to work feeling
suitably rested and relaxed. Well I was, but
I’m already grumpy again. Actually, I’m really
grumpy this time. This is up there with my
anger over litter so please forgive me while
I take a minute of your time to have a rant.
Again.
Scams and scammers. A friend of mine
was recently hit by a sophisticated scam. The
scammers in question essentially targeted
vulnerable people and scared them into
handing over money – in this case they
pretended to be HMRC and took thousands
of pounds from an innocent, law-abiding
citizen.
I was shocked to begin with. Then a
little confused as to how the scam worked,
and ultimately angry that yet again people
in society who are least able to protect
themselves get hit by criminals with no
conscience.
It’s not the fi rst time I’ve used this phrase
in my ‘Is it me?’ column, but what is wrong
with some people?
I’m angry because the people behind this
scam, and a million other scams just like it,
are obviously intelligent, smart thinkers. They
are able to devise strategies, create solutions,
formulate mechanics and plan logistics. They
are able to mobilise a workforce around
them, secure loyalty (in a criminal arena).
They are able to work effi ciently, effectively
and quietly. They have the ability to build
empires. They are driven. They are essentially
the entrepreneurs of the Dark Side.
And there we have it. Clever people with
all the tools to do something good, useful
and worthwhile, and yet they turn to the
shadows, disconnect their moral compasses
and prey on the weak.
What makes me angry is that I’m sure
so many of these people could use their
intelligence and skills to create real business
initiatives in society. Create wealth the right
way. Help people. They obviously have the
tools, yet they choose to use them in the
pursuit of misery. I wonder how much these
criminals could contribute if they redirected
their efforts in the right way.
Of course, it’s not just the elderly and the
vulnerable that are being targeted either.
Sophisticated systems and software are
constantly trying to infi ltrate businesses. No
one is safe, whether you’re sat in your living
room or sat in your offi ce. All we can really
do is stay vigilant and informed. Whether
it’s on the phone or a cyber attack, sadly it
seems that the bad guys are here to stay. I
don’t have a silver bullet. I’m just annoyed.
As a postscript, the litter thing is really
bugging me too. Since my article in April
about how the actions of a few anti-bin
bandits are spoiling things for the rest of us
right-minded folk, I’ve had a huge response
and a show of solidarity.
Keep fi ghting, troops, keep fi ghting!
John Davies
e: [email protected]
t: 01793 412634
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017 35