Charles Teves
- Ben Taylor received a message from a guy named Joel from Liberia
- Ben thought Joel was a scammer
- Ben and Joel end up becoming friends after Ben finds out Joel is trying to make it out of poverty
Ben Taylor from Utah did not expect that he would end up being friends with a stranger in Liberia whom he initially thought was a scammer.
A man from Liberia named Joel shot Ben a private message on Facebook asking for financial help.
“My name is Joel from Liberia, West Africa. I need some assistance from you. Business or financial assistance dat will help empower me.”
Ben immediately thought that this was a scam. Ben did not believe that Joel was being honest, but he replied anyway.
“How can I help?” replied Ben.
Ben only replied because he wanted to know more about the different scams that these Africans use.
“BIBLE says in Proverbs 22 ‘a good name is better than silver n gold,’” Joel said.
Joel proposed that they go into the business of selling electronics in New Jersey and that they would divide the profits equally.
Ben went on Google Earth and searched the place. He found out that the place was not safe and had to be closely monitored by cops.
Ben then proposed a different idea. He lied about having a photography company and asked Joel to take photos of the sun in Liberia and send it to him. His purpose was to keep Joel occupied so he would have less time to scam other people. Ben then promised to pay him if he liked the photos.
To his surprise, Joel sent him two badly taken photos of the sun.
Ben then bought a camera for 60 USD and sent it to Joel.
“My family thinks I’m crazy for interacting with this guy from Liberia.”
Joel then told Ben that he is committing to this photography thing. Ben told Joel that he needed to improve his skills, and so he did. Joel then sent new photos which showed that he was getting better at taking them.
Ben then thought that he needed to pay Joel for the pictures or else he would be the scammer.
Ben compiled the photos into a booklet titled By D Grace of God, one of Joel’s catchphrases. He was able to raise 1,000 USD from sales of the booklet.
Ben then wired the money to Joel, but with a catch. Joel could keep half of the money but the other half he needs to donate to charity. Ben did not expect Joel to donate the other half but he was wrong again.
Joel sent Ben photos of schools and children. Turns out, Joel donated school supplies to 5 different schools in his city. Ben was really proud of Joel and decided that it was time to meet his friend.
Ben flew out to Liberia. It was revealed that Joel used a cheap phone to contact Ben, which was just a coincidence because he was constantly messaging people asking for help.
“I am more than desperate. I am a father of seven,” said Joel.
Ben and Joel are now planning on helping more children with all the money that they have raised.
