I came across your hack scandal and you confirmed it to be a Nigerian,sometimes they are not really from nigeria or nigerian;technology have made crime very possible through the introduction of codes,and that's what will destroy the world on the last day.I'm from a race in Nigeria that strongly believe the igbo tribe are one of the lost tribe of Eri,and zebulon;can you share some of your research to back our belief in one of your article?Best regard.

The prevalence of frauds is sad. None of the police do anything. Local police send you to the state or sends you to the FBI who then assembles a report and does nothing. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NOTHING SAFER THAN AN ECONOMIC CRIME EVEN THOUGH IT MAY DESTROY LIVES.

To the extent that members of our community are occasionally part of these schemes, no condemnation can be too harsh.

As an aside (not to detract from the message itself) it is important to remember that they aren't usually actually IN Nigeria or from Nigerians. Lets not rush to stereotype in pursuit of the rest of the story.

Rabbi, sorry to hear you were hacked. Take it as a compliment! Hope all is well, I miss your classes from when I was in YU!

The people who advised this man that Hashem forgives every sin - that is those between God and man, and even then, not always that easily. Those that made other people suffer God doesn't forgive. We need to first undo the damage if possible, and then receive their forgiveness, only then God will forgive these sins.
Both this man and his teachers - and others like them - are in for a very unpleasant surprise at a time when there is no more opportunity for fixing the problem!

This is a perfect example of the difference between a faith of Creed and a faith of Deed, (I read your book Rabbi Blech !) and how true the consequences are. People do end up facing justice whether they deny this theology or not. The Scammer or his relatives will probably get scammed one day , let's see how much the he will like his own theology then.

A well-known credit card company has been harassing me for over a month. Despite the fact that I have no account with them or have NEVER had an account with them, they continually call me. I've informed them that they are trying to get hold of the wrong person, yet they call me seven days a week.
I've turned them over to the FTC. Thirty-seven times is thirty-six to many times.

Rabbi Blech, and anyone else who is hacked, has a responsibility to send out an e-mail as soon as they become aware that they have been hacked to all of their contacts notifying them of the hacking and to ignore any pleas for assistance, financial or otherwise.

Thank you for the reality check. I think i needed to hear this story, Something to think about...

The same holds true for being a good parent. You mustn't give the impression that everything will be forgiven, that all will be OK if the child says he or she is sorry. Wrong actions must have consequences, painful as that sometimes is to the parent.

I thought you were going to say that bad parenting should not be forgiven. I would add that to your comment. Bad parenting must be acknowledged and apologized for, also.

All they have to do is believe!!! (

Please be aware that there is another scam targeting the elderly where the caller pesters the elderly person by claiming that they have won something valuable and that they only need to send a small fee to have it delivered. Many elderly people fall for this and once the Nigerians have the bank account number and signature they proceed to empty out bank accounts. One way you can help an elderly person is to put a fraud alert on their account. Banks who have years of experience with their customers will hesitate before suspicious looking amounts are released from the account. Also certain states in the USA have special laws to protect the elderly.

Reading through some of the comments, I don't think that most people know what is actually going on in with these scammers & how they work. They aren't a lone person trying to get into your e-mail; they're small structured organizations. Most work out of Russia, Nigeria, Congo & the Ivory Coast due to certain legal "safeties" that keep them from getting in too much international trouble. Chances are that he probably DID fool someone on your mailing list. However most victims in these cases rather not come forward due to embarassment. And he's not sorry. He's just relaying to you the things that he heard from a missionary. I've worked in a group that combats these types of scammers. He is just trying to see if he can catch you on the rebound & seeing if you'll send him money out of pity. E-mail him again & tell him that you contaced the FBI & he will surely start to threaten life & say that he is sending a hitman right away. BTW, you should go through all your accounts (e-mail, bank, etc.) after being hacked, because these guys are smart enough to try the stolen password in all other accounts. Sad part is that most of the time it works for them.

Considering the average nigerian can expect to live 47 years and has a high likely hood of contracting polio, malaria, or aids, and only 68 percent of the country is literate. There probably isnt much opportunity and if this guy thinks an email scam is gonna make a better life for his kids I think hes right God will forgive him. We better focus our time on helping nigerians avoid these life choices by helping them out no ripping them on blogs.

While I have compassion for poverty-stricken people, I don't think it is carte blanche to steal from other people. I work hard for my money and don't make enough to not have bad consequences from getting ripped off.

And I suppose you also toe the party line that agrees with poor, underprivileged, Palestinian "freedom fighters "....... Outrageous!!!!!! Everyone can choose his path, regardless where it starts. Hillel teaches that the entire Torah stands on the principle of "don't do to others what you don't want done to yourself..." We are all accountable. Regardless of background.
Notice the Nigerian didn't make any excuses for his "unfortunate statistics". His choice was a fully cognizant one.

This hacker took over email accounts that belong to two of my friends, as well. I became quite frustrated and disgusted by his scam, thinking he was probably a teenager who never stopped to think. It is astonishing to discover that such actions could actually stem from a warped ideology, one that allows the person to harm others and remain shrouded in a cloak of "spirituality". Thank you for the insight!

i think I may have been scammed and had my ID stolen. The Nigerian has my ID number, my cell number, my physical address, my email address and a photograph of me. They scammed me into giving this info via a fake flat rental opportunity. The "renters" of the apartment claimed they are out of country and will ship me keys etc once they receive my rental application. The application asked for all my info. As they did not ask for money without me first getting the keys I was mildly suspicious but still complied. The "renters" who I only had contact to via email and cell phone now no longer respond to my queries. I think I have been scammed and will today report it to the police.

Very sorry, but thanks for sharing and opening our eyes. This person most certainly must have misunderstood the teachings of his faith. Even driving a car or taking a bus has rules in every culture. Hope this person will learn the true lesson that his faith must teach: Restitution, Reconciliation, or there will be Retribution! Using our email technology, I’ll pass your post on to my friends.

Have you got any of the British (UK?) scams coming through. Some of the letters are so funny that only a complete idiot could believe them - rich widow not knowing where to put her money, the chairman of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank needing to find a foreign account, etc. Careful of any reply for there could be a hidden bit coming back to you.

I am sorry that you let the man get off so lightly. HE WOULD NOT BE SO SMUG IF HE FELT THE PAIN OF INCARCERATION.

I was raised with the belief that no matter what you do, you can ask for forgiveness and be miraculously "saved" through belief alone. All around me I saw abuse being justified in the name of religion. Unfortunately as an adult I still see this justification happening in people who definitely know better. We must not deviate from Torah for our own selfish needs.

Today, the 17th of Kislev, I pointed out to my study partner that the first lesson for this day, written by Rabbi Dr. Twerski in "Living Each Day," is precisely the lesson about earning forgiveness taught by Rabbi Blech in the above essay!

This happened to our computer at the synagogue. Someone asked for money to help the Rabbi, in his name-Unfortunatly, one man set the $$ Western Union!!! Later someone sent an email, posing as a congregant stuck in another country as well. But was unsucessful.

There is a basic confusion here about what "love" means. Parents punish their children when those children misbehave without loving them any the less. Rather, it is because they care that they punish - to teach that all actions have corresponding consequences. This may seem obvious and even trite to us but it does appear that many people have forgotten!

strangely enough I also received such an email but it came to me via a professional forum, not directly to me! it was dealt with by the administrators of the forum. how worrying! Annie

I too have many of my friends who have been hacked I am a theological scholar and am positive that this fellows theology is home made to fit his own dimented mind I dont think we can blame it on any religious group be they Christian or Jewish I think we all agree that the world is sick and needs Hashem

Congratulations, Rabbi, on saying something thought-provoking to your attacker. In 2009 I was also scammed by someone in Nigeria - in my case, somewhat more "successfully" - out of over $1,000.

The crook believes in a G-d of love, so G-d gave him an opportunity to repent. G-d was merciful to him just because of his belief in the goodness and the love of G-d. Many crooks are punished by G-d without prior warning, so its amazing for you to have been chosen by G-d as a messenger to give him this warning. You have to believe that everything G-d does is for the best. You sustained a minor injury as a result of this theft as an exchange for something much worse, (may be a severe judgment) which G-d exchanged for this small incident (theft) you suffered which most probably cancelled a heavier judgement (din) on you. He then chose you as a channel to convey guidance to this thief, which is a mitzvah in your merit. You became a vessel of mercy through which G-d lovingly gave a warning to the thief to repent and allow him to make restoration and escape divine punishment. Now give him a second warning, just one more time, and G-d will be more merciful to you in your time of need.

How is it possible for a G-d fearing person to assume they know what G-d is thinking and doing? This is very dangerous thinking and clearly if you had any connection to or awe of Hashem you would not make such statements.
Better to focus on your own cheshbon nefesh and leave others to Hashem.

This also happened to me also identically (the hacker also said that he was in England). From what I heard this is a common scam sometimes with a variation as to the country. Do not use passwords thta are obvious to someone who knows something about you. Do use special characters (e.g. @,#).

I first got one back in 1999 on the same email address I have today and have got close to 1000 by now. I am a programmer so I never fall for this and only pay attention when friends email me. BUT earlier this month I got one and decided to actually read it and it was the same old scam offering piles of cash so I thought.....ok I will play his game. So as usual they ask for all of you info and all I replied with was my Mossad link. Believe it or not he emailed back a couple times asking why I didn't send him my name and address and bank account info after that. I guess the clown is either not very bright or just doesn't know what " Mossad" means. They usually get caught but I know it is usually a room full of crooks in Nigeria who do this all day on pc's for a group of crooks who set them up to do this. Good idea not to ever deal with anyone but relatives or friends.......but then I doubt any of them will offer to send you millions of dollars via email.

In my humble opinion, I think you should forward this article to your hacker, if you could do so without compromising your safety. Just a thought.

I also received this 'pleading' email. Tho suspecting a scam I responding, but sought verification/authenticity by asking, "what did you and Mrs Blech do on the one and only night your were in Melbourne." I neither expected a reply. Funnily, I didn't get one. Reb Benjamin - I applaud your action.

Some people are just jerks.

While I realize, Rabbi, that you used this experience to elucidate a far more important principle, I would simply like to explain that a hacker can "spoof" anyone's email address. S/he does not need your password to do so. It is done by rerouting or "borrowing" an email address by methods with which I am not aware. You can use an online service to monitor your account activity to be sure your account has not been compromised. I've had it happen a few times, including with the scam you described here. Still, I suggest you change your password for your own safety and self-assurance if you have not yet done so. On the more serious note of believing only in a G-d of love but not judgment, sadly, there are many people besides your hacker who believe that repentance at the very last moment before death is adequate. Meanwhile, they believe they can do whatever they wish. This seems to include some Jews. Sadly, I've seen many Goth-costumed, multi-pierced teens with better manners and innate goodness than a lot of middle-aged and older adults in the past few years. There seems to be a sense of entitlement; that they can do what they wish with no regard for the well-being or feelings of others. I hope that the time will come--soon--when this trend will reverse itself.

I too was hacked in exactly the same way last summer but I was supposed to be in Wales. I was, in fact, away from home but not that far. Several friends had the presence of mind to call my husband to confirm, of course it was a scam. However one friend actually sent money and THEN called my husband. When he found out the scam, he was able to stop the payment!

Unfortunate attitude of the criminal...that we can sin with a high hand. Of course G-d will not brook such nonsense. But practicing our Judaism does not make G-d a net debtor towards us either. Hashem extends grace to us too. His compassion is given way beyond what we can repay. We have a responsibility to repent but must be careful not to make the opposite error, that therefore G-d owes me. The covenants are both conditional (Moshe) & unconditional (Abraham). Blessings Rabbi!

According to my understanding, G-d does love us no matter what. That is what enables us to have the gift of teshuva. That doesn't mean we aren't accountable and shall not suffer for sins. But it doesn't take away G-d's love. It says that G-d hopes and waits for the sinner to repent.

Wow! What an opportunity that G-d has given you! Yasher Koach. Yes, I would have sent him a short version of your response here, however you are correct, he does NOT wish to know the truth becasue he has already made up his mind.

Sherri, I think Rabbi Blech is leaving the next step to a higher authority;)

A friend of mine had the same thing happen to her. But she had gotten a false email from msn requesting her login information and password in order for them to keep her account current. She gave the information and immediately lost access to her email account and address book. Along with her many friends I too received a similar email from the hacker pretending to be her, asking for money to alleviate his dire situation. What gave him away was the wording in the email...it was not hers. I went ahead and responded and the hacker actually wrote back twice! Hopefully your good friends helped you to recoup your address book. I pray this does not happen to you again. T

Obviously this man's reasoning is faulty. It is wrong to steal another's identity and to work on the kindness of friends in this very devious scheme to defraud. To then quote Divinity as forgiving of this is a very sick interpretation of forgiveness. Maybe you gave him something to think about, and maybe not, but then you did the right thing in saying what you did.

I just heard about the Rabbi's "hacking" and I realized that I had stopped receiving my Aish newsletters! You see, I was hacked by someone in Belgium at 3:03 in the morning 3 weeks ago! I deleted my account and started over! It's awful, like having to put together a jigsaw puzzle of your life! Be careful and make your password very difficult for anyone else to find or understand. Use letters, numbers, caps and lower case. Just make it a real jumble! Shalom

You should have used a different email account and told him you'd send $2000 ASAP, then just string him along. Get him all hot and bothered at the thought of the money. Not to worry, Rabbi. The scammer will go to hell for his actions.

God only forgives those who truly repent.

Rabbi, This also happened to me on Oct. 3. When I opened my e mail account, which I was able to get into, there was not one address or e mail (many I had saved rather than printed for future reference). I received a call from a friend, who e mailed me the e mail saying, We had taken a quick travel to London and had been robbed at gun point and like yours everything had been stolen. In my case the police and embassy were doing nothing and the hotel was holding me hostage until I paid the bill. Unlike the ones I had received from others no money was asked for. Like you there was a letter added to my e mail address that was barely noticeable. Obviously the sender expected people to e mail me...well not me since it wasn't really my e mail address and then would be asked for money I was amazed at the calls I got, not from close friends as they knew I was home and fine, but from people I did not know very well. They were all very worried and very pleased I was fine. While the letter was an inconvenience, it was having all my e mail and addresses deleted that distressed me. (I have a back up drive that evidently does not back up and e mail) I was very angry at the person who did this and thought about sending him an e mail, although I did not. I let it go. No point in making myself miserable over something I could not change. Do I think your sender was sorry he caused you pain? No. I am thankful that no one fell for this scam and sent money. I am thankful and feel so very blessed for all the people who cared enough to make sure I was really ok. I am thankful that I was not held up by gun point in London. While this gave me aggravation, it also made me realize that there are so many wonderful people who care about me. I now need to keep a list of e mail addresses and learn how to save my e mail somewhere else on my computer! Also should make a list of all the phone #'s in my cell phone.

on his web tv, and they used his cousins name on the email, pretending to be them, they do travel a lot, so we wondered a bit if it really was them. They have 5 children, so we thought well they would be contacted not us.He has had many of these from nigeria, one stroy more incredible then the next. NO! you have not won a lottery you have never entered, NO! you are not going to get a lot of money from these thieves. DO NOT! even open any email you don't recognize. ANYTIME!

steve g. ditto!!!!!

I don't understand why you would take it this far and then drop it when you could have indeed taught him a lesson, but chose not to. Even if he did not listen to your thoughts about responsibility for one's actions, I believe once he communicated back his faulty ideas about life and God, you were obligated at that point to at least try to explain why this is closer to the devil's theology and what he is capable of achieving by being a man of integrity. Sorry, thumbs down for missed opportunity to change another human being.

There are people all over the world who think of the Jewish g-d as a g-d of vengence. They claim that really g-d is mirciful and loving, and forgives all the sins of man out of love. This thoelagy makes g-d very evil indeed. If g-d doesnt care about the pain of the people who where wrongd by others then he is an uncareing and cruel being . Chas vesholem. We know g-d to be the source of kindness and that means that g-d also feels the pain of people who where unjustly wronged by others and he consols these people with justice weather thay see it or not.

Many people have been taken by that scam. But who has had the presence of mind to teach them a deep lesson. Yay Rabbi Blech! Yay!