Reports suggest 100,000 dementia sufferers have been targeted by scammers.
By the time you read this, I may well be dead.
And if I am not dead, then I may be in serious trouble. How do I know? Because of a series of emails, the final one of which told me I had only three days left...
Astral advisors
They come from “my astral adviser” who knows my name and date of birth, information that is really easy to find. “She” tells me to “visit my website without delay as I'd like to give you your free clairvoyance. I have personal and confidential revelations for you. How do I know you, Tony? No doubt you're saying to yourself «it's anather scam, I won't answer... ».” Note the French variation on inverted commas.
The next email was more alarming.
“You're among the rare people who appear on my list and I must imperatively get in contact with you to tell you of the great changes which are being prepared for you and which will inevitably be revealed in a very short time.
"Tony, even if you don't believe it follow the path a short way and request your free and confidential clairvoyance. I promise you that you will discover things about yourself which will turn your whole life upside down."
The vibrations of your being
My personal astral adviser gets worried due to my lack of reply.
“If your computer was broken or you have lost your Internet connection, then it would not be surprising that you have not opened and viewed your Free Confidential Clairvoyance report.
"I usually avoid contacting prospective clients of my craft directly, but in your case, I had to make an exception. Your name, and the vibrations of your being that are part of, and cause ripples though, the currents of astral energies, were simply irresistible to me! I wonder if you feel the strange connection as well... And I hope you realize how special and unique you are!
"You might think to yourself that this is my standard routine and that I say the same thing to everybody. Although such a skeptical position would be prudent and conservative, I urge you to realize the uniqueness of our bond and my reputation as an Astral Advisor. Those who call on my services and who are now entering into the circle of my privileged friends for whom I remain available practically day and night every day of the week.
"I don't charge by the hour or do any of the usual practices of other psychics for someone who is as marvelously complex and unique as you. Just being in touch with you is such a pleasure and honor. And I should know!”
Do you believe in miracles?
She doesn't give up. The next email says:
"You're one of those people who've been so disappointed and perhaps even deceived by certain swindlers of the profession, to my great regret, that you no longer believe in miracles. However this time you must believe in the lucky star which arranged our encounter; it wasn't by chance.
"I'm positive, our encounter is the way for you to find important information which will enable you to change your life and set off on the right foot under a cloudless sky.”
It gets very weird.
"Last night I was watching a report on television about children who work at the bottom of mines. I said to myself that in 2010 it's very unfortunate to still see such practices due to destitution. These children didn't ask any questions, they were working only to provide for their families.
"Whereas you, Tony, you ask too many questions and as a result you don't progress.
"And when you fall into the hole it will be too late to ask for my help. I did warn you that I had trouble understanding you."
Dancing in a pile of banknotes
Then there is the dream sequence.
"Last night I had a dream. I saw you dancing in a huge pile of banknotes. You had just won a very large sum in a game which you knew well
but for which luck never smiled on you. This dream could be fulfilled."
The dream doesn't last long though. Back we go to misery.
"I think of you nearly every day, Tony but with no news from you I worry a little and I tell myself you're one of those people who start things without ever finishing them. It's sad for you and for those around you. One day everyone will abandon you and you won't understand why.
I would so much like to avoid these mistakes which only attracts misfortune to you. I would so much like to guide you to the path to happiness!”
Wishing on a star
My 'advisor' has new concerns.
"If you think that a «miracle» will happen in your life simply by wishing upon a star then I can promise you that you're going to wait a long time for this «miracle»! I see a crow passing above you, this means that you're feeling low. You see only darkness, you don't believe in anything any more!
"I'm the witness of your life and your future happiness which requires my urgent intervention to reveal itself but I'm powerless in the face of your
staggering inaction. Time is passing quickly and if you do nothing, you'll see the train pass in front of your window, a train loaded with all the world's wonders, all the dreams which are still in your mind.
The final one – headed “just three days to go” warned:
"For several days now I've not ceased sending you warning signals to warn you of the great happiness which could be yours. But you remain indifferent to my calls. You don't want to hear anything. As if someone had said to you «Be careful, these things on the internet are not genuine!».
"You shouldnt listen to everyone only have trust in your intuition. Your little inner voice would tell you «Trust Zora, she alone can really help you to have a new life!»."
Preying on the vulnerable
There is a serious point to all this. A report this week from the Alzheimer’s Society states people with dementia have been cheated out of more than £100m through cold calling, scam mail and other forms of financial abuse.
The charity called for fresh controls on marketing after concluding that more than 100,000 people with dementia have been targeted by sales staff and others who may cheat them and undermine their trust in others.
The website which contacted me, which demands up to $100 for a "clairvoyant reading", is hosted in Panama but registered to a French citizen living in Marseille.