In case you are still wondering whether people actually fall for the old Nigerian 419 scam – or are wondering just who would fall for the old Nigerian 419 scam – wonder no more, and instead learn from the story of Thomas Katona, of Harrisville, Michigan. That would be Thomas Katona, the county treasurer for Alcona County, Michigan.
Because authorities in Alcona county in Michigan have reported that their Thomas Katona – their elected treasurer of thirteen years – a good old boy from a long-standing Alcona County family – has lost more than $1 million of treasury funds to a Nigerian scammer.
How could this happen?
Well, apparently Katona started by using his own funds. But, as is always the case, the target (in this case Katona) gets in deeper and deeper as the scammer draws the victim in. And as the scam deepens, you need to send more and more money in order to “help get your money” (the promised payoff) out of the country.
I’m not sure which aspect of this situation is the most hurtful for Alcona County – the fact that the money he took from the county represents more than 25% of the entire county budget, or his betrayal of Alcona County voters’ trust.
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Said a spokesman for the Michigan Attorney General’s office, “Every part of this makes you wonder, ‘What was he thinking?’ ”
Actually, it makes us wonder “What, was he thinking?”
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I’ve read articles about Mr. Katona and they’ve never indicated that he used county funds to try to recover his own. In fact, dates listed indicate just the opposite. Yes, this man had very poor judgement, but so many articles, like this one, try to paint him out to be so much worse than he probably is.
Adam,
Living in Cook County your cynicism is quite justified, and I offer you my sincere and honest sympathy. On re-reading the story as presented here I see that Mr. Katona is an elected official of some 13 years standing, as well, as you point out, a politically well connected “good old boy” so i would think with thirteen years experience in the office he should have picked up a little knowledge of scams and scammers. Sadly it seems he did not and now will pay a stiff price for his naivete.
With regards,
JWW
Nothing in the article to indicate whether the county treasurer’s position is an appointed position or elected office. It’s often the case that the office holder is not truly a financial professional but rather a politically connected county resident. Forgive my cynicism; perhaps it’s all the years of living in Cook County, IL (long live Mayor Daley).
I am amazed that an experienced county treasurer, a financial officer, could be suckered in this sort of scam when a simple fellow such as myself has no trouble seeing it for what it is, and avoiding it. It’s sad when greed overcomes common sense.
JWW