ANN: Hi, dear. Could you do me a little favor please? And if you don’t mind, dear.
TAYLOR: What is the favor?
ANN: I’m a bit tight on cash this week and could really use some help with groceries for the weekend. Any chance you could assist? I hate to ask, but it would mean a lot to me, I promise I won’t spend it on anything crazy, but I could really use some help with my grocery bill and I’d also love to treat myself to a nice dinner this weekend. Would it be possible for you to pitch in a bit? I’d really appreciate it.
TAYLOR: No, sorry. No money for someone I haven't met. I know that you're honest, but the Internet is so rife with fraud that we have to apply the same rules to everyone. This is especially in your own interest, because those on foreign deployment are especially vulnerable to scams. Congress approved a salary increase for the military for fiscal 2025. I don't know your pay cycle, but you may receive the increase at the end of this month. It's not as much as you deserve. Staff sergeants are poorly paid, I know. But if you have an account at the Armed Forces Bank in Seoul, you can use the pay increase to get a credit card. [Actually, there is no Armed Forces Bank in Seoul. As people in the US armed forces know, most branches of the AFB are on the mainland. OK, it was a trap. So sue me, if you don't mind standing in line.] That will cover the dinner that indeed you should indulge in for relaxation. And WIC can help with your grocery bill. I do appreciate your thinking of me.
ANN: I completely understand where you’re coming from, and I appreciate your honesty. Just to share openly with you, my account always gets put on restriction whenever I’m deployed overseas due to security reasons, especially after some theft issues in the past. Right now, I can’t access my account, even though my salary is being paid into it. I won’t be able to access it until I’m back home.
I know how things are on the Internet these days, and I understand why it’s important to be cautious. This might sound a bit unusual, especially since we’ve just met, but I feel a strong connection between us, which is why I’m comfortable being open with you about my challenges here.
The military meals aren’t always the best, and sometimes I like to treat myself to something better. But getting certain things here has been tough unless a friend or colleague helps out. That’s why I felt comfortable trusting you with this. I completely understand if you’re not comfortable with it, and I appreciate your understanding either way, dear.
I appreciate you looking out for me, baby. Right now, I get paid about $3,654 per month as my salary. The increase will definitely help when it comes through, but until then, things can get a bit tight, especially while deployed. Unfortunately, with my account being restricted while I’m overseas, it’s hard to access anything until I’m back home. I truly would appreciate your understanding and care it could mean a lot to me.
TAYLOR: Just open an account at AFB in Seoul.
ANN: I’ve tried several times, but I’m being asked to provide information that isn’t available to me here. To avoid delays, I’ve been using BTC [bitcoins] as my only option to receive funds while on deployment. I tried opening an account at AFB in Seoul to streamline things, but it still won’t let me. No problem if you’re not interested in helping out. I’ve tried several options and still feel helpless, which is why I’m reaching out to you for help. But either way, anything you can do would be greatly appreciated.
My pay is solid, and I’m doing well financially overall, but being overseas brings its own challenges, especially with accessing my funds. My bank places restrictions on my account when I’m deployed due to past experiences, so while my money is safe, it’s just hard to reach right now. If you could help me out with some groceries, I’d gladly refund you as soon as possible. You’d be my superhero for life.
TAYLOR: That's strange. I didn't think that AFB had a branch in Seoul. Neither does the military normally restrict access to home banking accounts. Maybe you should talk to your CO.
ANN: Ok. Thank you for your care. I understand it sounds unusual. The account issue seems to be more about the policies of my specific bank and past experiences while on deployment. AFB isn’t available here but there is SAB [Saudi-Arabian British Bank. It isn’t in Seoul, either. Neither are the Marines, for that matter] which was the one I tried opened an account with before but still won’t let me. SAB here, not AFB. If you're not comfortable helping, it's totally fine. I understand you're just being careful. I’ve tried several times to get money out of my account, but it still won’t let me while I'm here, which is why I reached out to you for help to get by this weekend. Talking to my CO? I’ve done that several times, but they have no responsibility for my personal financial situation. Thanks for considering it either way.
[Later]. ANN: Good evening, my dear. How are your assignments and projects been going so far, handsome?
And if you don’t mind, dear, could you pls help me buy a gift card from the nearby store there while you’re out and about today?
I’m really having some challenges here and I feel so helpless. Could you possibly get a Razer Gold gift card or an Apple card of $100 for me today? Either one would be really helpful, dear. Anything you can do today would mean a lot.
Dear, I hope I’m not being too much of a bother. I feel so helpless right now and just need someone to reach out to. I consider you a friend and feel comfortable sharing everything with you. I trust that you can help me in this moment, and I promise to make it right for you.
[Later] ANN: I’m not sure how this will come across, dear, but I want you to know that I really need the card for my phone to stay connected and cover my phone and router expense, while I’m here in South Korea. It’s just the easy way for me to manage things online
Please if you can conveniently walk into a store there and assist me with it, I’d really appreciate it, dear. Let me know if it’s possible.
Ps any new picture of you today? I took several pictures and sent to you when I was about to leave work this evening. Hope you like it?
TAYLOR: I could write your CO to ask him or her to help you. You are at Camp Humphreys in Seoul? [Humphreys is actually in Pyeongtak, 65 kilometers from Seoul. So sue me again.]
ANN: You don’t need to do that, dear. I can handle all of that myself. OK. What do you want to write to the CO about? I know my way around here, hun, and I understand the right thing to do at the right time. I appreciate your concern. I’m a Navy nurse assigned to support a Marine Corps unit. I’m not typically embedded with Marines in combat roles; instead, we provide medical support at hospitals or medical facilities where Marines are stationed. That’s my main assignment here in Korea, so there’s really nothing you can do by writing to the CO. If you can help me with the card from there, that’s fine. Please don’t worry about the groceries or weekend dinner; I just wanted to share how I feel with you. The idea of reaching out to the CO sounds funny to me, and you really don’t need to do that. Thank you.
[Later]. ANN: Hello dear. Pls I may need you to assist me with the card because I’m currently in South Korea and can’t find it anywhere around here due to regional unavailability. As I mentioned earlier, I haven’t had a chance to get the card since I've been here. The cards aren't that expensive, so if you're not comfortable with it, I completely understand. I just use it to get credit for online services and digital content while I’m still here, and to access streaming platforms for movies, music, and online games to relax in my free time. It's just the best way for me to manage things online and keep everything running smoothly. I don’t require that much, even a little amount would be greatly appreciated.
Are you there?
Dear, and I want you to know that no matter what you write to my CO asking for help, it won’t change anything because, regardless of how you view this, you still have much more access to resources than I do here. -- Leon Taylor, Seymour, Indiana tayloralmaty@gmail.com
Notes: For useful comments, I thank but do not implicate Mark Kennet and Barry Lenk.
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