Conmen and cancer.

pitbull
pitbull Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
My mother passed away from colon cancer last year after having it metastasize into her liver. Before passing away my brother-in-law bilked her out of $19,000 for his supposed cancer treatments. The only problem with that is, he does not have cancer. I found this out shortly before she died. Come to find out he has gotten quite a bit of money from unsuspecting people using this guise. I am looking for some help in taking action against this person. He is still using this excuse to bilk people out of money and their help. I cannot imagine a more despicable thing to do to someone. It affects not only the victim, but the whole aspect of helping people. I went to the authorities and they told me he was legitimate. Come to find out he has ties with the detectives at the police station I went to submit my complaint. I have tried every which way to blow the whistle on this character and have been looked upon as crazy. Are there any watchdog groups that may be of service to help put this bottom feeder to justice? I have hard evidence of his conduct in ripping people off.

Comments

  • vix
    vix Member Posts: 15
    First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. The loss of a parent is devesatating, at any age. I am also sorry that this idiot succeeded in his con; he will have to live with that, now and always. I am wondering if your focus on this is an easier route than the one of mourning for your Mom? We all know about the stages of dealing with death, and anger can be one of the most powerful. But, it won't bring her back, the money is not what you want, and maybe it's time to just let it go. Then you can let her go. Having to witness her horrific death should have been enough, let alone witnessing this ****'s total lack of integrity and soul. But you want/need to rid yourself of that anger for yourself and your Mom; it will eat you up if you don't. I don't mean to sound harsh, and I know I probably do. But, as I write to you, a perfect stranger, I can feel your pain so vividly that my heart goes out to you. My Dad comitted suicide when I was 17, I am now 47, and it took over 20 years to recognize my anger and to learn how to let it go, and let him go. And I really didn't know I was angry; I thought his act was one of compassion and surrender (for me); it was not. Once I learned that, and learned to let the rage go, I was able to forgive him and live my life. My Mom has had 3 cancers, all seperate, and I question that fate as well. But, she has endured for 30 years fighting them, always with a smile and never a question as to "why me?" I am now in the midst of fighting MY first cancer myself. She is my role model, each and every day. I may be totally off the track, but am willing to hash this out if you want to write. Maybe I'm wrong and you have gone through your mourning, but you still need to let THIS go. You have done everything you can to remedy and fix it, and your Mom would be proud. There's nothing more you can do, except let go. You are a good son; focus on your attempt to fight it rather than on your loss of the "win." You did the best you could, and that is all anyone should expect from themselves. Peace to you....VIX
  • pitbull
    pitbull Member Posts: 5
    vix said:

    First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. The loss of a parent is devesatating, at any age. I am also sorry that this idiot succeeded in his con; he will have to live with that, now and always. I am wondering if your focus on this is an easier route than the one of mourning for your Mom? We all know about the stages of dealing with death, and anger can be one of the most powerful. But, it won't bring her back, the money is not what you want, and maybe it's time to just let it go. Then you can let her go. Having to witness her horrific death should have been enough, let alone witnessing this ****'s total lack of integrity and soul. But you want/need to rid yourself of that anger for yourself and your Mom; it will eat you up if you don't. I don't mean to sound harsh, and I know I probably do. But, as I write to you, a perfect stranger, I can feel your pain so vividly that my heart goes out to you. My Dad comitted suicide when I was 17, I am now 47, and it took over 20 years to recognize my anger and to learn how to let it go, and let him go. And I really didn't know I was angry; I thought his act was one of compassion and surrender (for me); it was not. Once I learned that, and learned to let the rage go, I was able to forgive him and live my life. My Mom has had 3 cancers, all seperate, and I question that fate as well. But, she has endured for 30 years fighting them, always with a smile and never a question as to "why me?" I am now in the midst of fighting MY first cancer myself. She is my role model, each and every day. I may be totally off the track, but am willing to hash this out if you want to write. Maybe I'm wrong and you have gone through your mourning, but you still need to let THIS go. You have done everything you can to remedy and fix it, and your Mom would be proud. There's nothing more you can do, except let go. You are a good son; focus on your attempt to fight it rather than on your loss of the "win." You did the best you could, and that is all anyone should expect from themselves. Peace to you....VIX

    Hello Vix,
    Thank you for your concern with my situation. You are a caring and sensitive person to take the time to help another in need. I am also 47 and my mother was 77 when she passed away. I am in close touch with my emotions and have accepted the loss of my mom. She, as most moms, was a wonderfully caring person and drew no boundaries to her kindness. I don't think I have any anger management issues that may be misappropriated.
    My concern is after 18 months of research, I have found "the conman" has bilked many people out of their savings and retirement. I am spearheading a drive to see that he will one day be exposed as the person he really is. I have located at least 10 people that have been taken by him in one way or another and will testify against him hopefully in a class action suit. Most victims are the elderly and are duped into thinking he has a terminal illness or other handicap. It goes on and on. I hoped to find assistance in apprehending him and preventing others from being hurt. His actions affect honest, caring individuals that only want to help, not to mention the real people that have and are fighting cancer. He is taking the help from someone that really needs it. Like a tick or parasite he has no morals. I don't care about the money. It goes way beyond that. It is the principal of the way he uses people and discards them.
    My quandary starts with not being able to turn him into the county officers. I already approached the detectives with tapes, documents and hard evidence. He knows them and they are turning a blind eye to his exploits. I can't go to another precinct, because it is out of their jurisdiction. It is ridiculous to be turned away from an institution that is supposed to serve and protect. He has laid out a perfect scenario to continue his scam and stay well under the radar should any one point a finger. My hope is to find some entity or person that will take a personal interest and have enough pull to bring my information to light. Hopefully this forum may be the place to do just that. The crimes were committed in Montgomery County PA. for starts. I am finding out it is not "what you know, but who you know". Sad example to see a government agency fail in protecting society from such filth.
    Thank you again Vix for replying to my thread. Sincerely, PB
  • vix
    vix Member Posts: 15
    Hi there; it's me again. (she said, somewhat sheepishly!) I am so glad to hear that you are healing, and that I was off-base in my observations. I am now totally with you as to getting this scum. Is he still your brother-in-law? Maybe an attorney could get someone in the next step of the law to hit the brakes on this office and its exploits? I am with you 100% as far as seeing anyone get duped, let alone our elderly population. They deserve so much more. I wish I knew someone to help, let alone someone with the power to crunch it. I will be watching to see what happens; I am still sorry that you have to go through this so soon (or anytime) after losing your Mom. But, it is probably cathartic and SOMEONE has to take charge...good for you. I'll be watching and asking around; I am in Michigan but you never know! My very best....VIX p.s. what about 60 Minutes? You never know?
  • pitbull
    pitbull Member Posts: 5
    vix said:

    Hi there; it's me again. (she said, somewhat sheepishly!) I am so glad to hear that you are healing, and that I was off-base in my observations. I am now totally with you as to getting this scum. Is he still your brother-in-law? Maybe an attorney could get someone in the next step of the law to hit the brakes on this office and its exploits? I am with you 100% as far as seeing anyone get duped, let alone our elderly population. They deserve so much more. I wish I knew someone to help, let alone someone with the power to crunch it. I will be watching to see what happens; I am still sorry that you have to go through this so soon (or anytime) after losing your Mom. But, it is probably cathartic and SOMEONE has to take charge...good for you. I'll be watching and asking around; I am in Michigan but you never know! My very best....VIX p.s. what about 60 Minutes? You never know?

    Hi Vic,
    Yes, he is still my brother-in-law. Since my mother passed away he has no use for my sister and he has ejected her from his house. So much for their 18(?) month marrage. I knew when the money stopped she would go. I do have an attorney and he advised me not to pursue it on my own. I shouldn't do what the police should be doing. This has put a tremendous strain on our family. What's done is done. My only concern now is to expose this guy. Please believe me when I say he leaves a wake of devastated homes and families behind him wherever he goes. This I can state with absolute certainty. 60 Minutes is about the only thing I didn't try. I don't care who they might be or where they are, I need assistance to go where all the others have failed.
  • rosebuda
    rosebuda Member Posts: 2
    I read your story again and it still burns a hole in my bonnet. I would consider going to the FBI with this, b/c for all you know, he could move from state to state with his scams. And they would be more objective if he doesn't have any connections there. I would say go to Internal Affairs of the police dept., but that could be risky if he has friends there too. he could be some kind of snitch on a major case and that's why they don't listen to you. Otherwise, there's the news programs like 60 minutes. Don't give up!
  • pitbull
    pitbull Member Posts: 5
    rosebuda said:

    I read your story again and it still burns a hole in my bonnet. I would consider going to the FBI with this, b/c for all you know, he could move from state to state with his scams. And they would be more objective if he doesn't have any connections there. I would say go to Internal Affairs of the police dept., but that could be risky if he has friends there too. he could be some kind of snitch on a major case and that's why they don't listen to you. Otherwise, there's the news programs like 60 minutes. Don't give up!

    Hi Rosebud,
    Thanks for your words of support. I wish the police department was so concerned with the people they are supposed to "Serve and Protect". Internal affairs is an option that we have not ruled out just yet. We are going explore that option later. I heard it is a very hard thing to do, but there is a group of us and we just may be able to go that route. I did talk with an agent I know from the FBI and they are so overworked by homeland security, they don't have the same ability to go after these "smaller fish". I even talked to a treasury agent that is in criminal investigation. He can't go after him because it doesn't exceed the 2 million criteria for investigating. So, if you steal under 2 million you are safe! I have written to 4 news stations and to Date Line, hoping I get a response. I did get calls from Channel 10 and Fox 29, but no follow up. I did get interest from Channel 6. I am giving one of the reporters the information. I hope the editors find it interesting, or should I say "news worthy enough" to do a follow up and possibly get it investigated.
    I am not happy there is so little being done about such a revolting person. The guy is preying on elderly and the dying. I have located numerous people that have been taken by him and we are all trying to be heard. I have the most evidence so I am the one trying to be heard.
    I was just ready to call it quits when the lady from the news station called. I have been working with another entity of the U.S. government on an unrelated issue that the same guy is involved in. The situation is quite lethal and is putting children and parents in harms way. I located indisputable proof of his actions and the agency won't take the evidence I have provided, they want to get it themselves. It took me 18 months to get concrete evidence and they are going to throw it all away. The funny thing is, the agent I was working with agreed we have what we need, his higher ups don't.
    Anyway, thanks for being my cheering section. I was hoping that someone out there had the power and the ability to look at the information I had and be able to do something with it. I have exhausted almost all my options. I even sent the Att. General a letter and got a discouraging letter mailed back to me.
    If someone should die from the acts of this con-man, I will take all the information I have collected and bring it to the news agencies so they can take a look at the documents I have telling me, "it wasn't worth chasing". Go figure.
  • SonSon
    SonSon Member Posts: 174
    States Attorney
    You may want to contact the states attorney. They can probably help you or point you in the direction of the person/organization that may help you.
    Fatima
  • ruthelizabeth
    ruthelizabeth Member Posts: 138
    SonSon said:

    States Attorney
    You may want to contact the states attorney. They can probably help you or point you in the direction of the person/organization that may help you.
    Fatima

    I think that if you can, you
    I think that if you can, you should pursue this. Don't let it eat you up, but do as much as you can.

    My mom fell at a B&B. It had concrete steps with no stair rails. She broke her hip, but also lost all interest in living and died a month later. The B&B was owned by the man who was the head of the paramedics in the small town and it was a good ole boys town. I tried everything I knew how to no avail. I couldn't even get an attorney to write a nice threatening letter. I found out that others had fallen and been badly injured. It took me a couple of years to forcibly put it behind me.

    That was 11 years ago. The B&B still has no stair rails. I think that MAYBE I could go and visit the town now, but I really don't think I will.

    So if you can find a way to fight this thru, I would suggest you do it. However, if it begins to be the focus of your whole life, at that point you will need to step back from it. It will take a lot of strength to do that, but you'll need to reclaim your life.