Caias Ward is a guy who used to weigh 315 pounds and then lost 100 pounds in a few months. As a result his skin got all loose and saggy. He's hoping to get plastic surgery to help tighten his skin, but the bill for the operation is $14,098, which he can't afford. So this is his solution:
I need 7500 people to donate $2.32 so I can get my surgery. If people want to give me more, that's great, but $2.32 is the number I'm looking for from people. If you don't feel comfortable just donating money, I'm willing to do a number of outrageous (or not so outrageous) things in order to earn your money. The amount you send will determine what I am willing to do.
The obvious question this raises is whether it's for real, or is it all an elaborate sob story to scam money? Caias says:
"some people have requested proof that I am a real person. It's completely understandable, and I appreciate the concern in this day and age. I'm working on a way to prove my circumstance, from the exam photos for the surgery consultation all the way to 'meet and greets' in the New York and New Jersey area." Caias sounds like a real person, but even so, what if he decides in the end not to get the operation because he only gets halfway to his financial goal? Will he return whatever money he received? Donate it to charity? Or what? That was the main problem with
Invest In My Breast (if anyone remembers that scam).
Comments
And the name is Victoria... as spelled. As to details of who I am, they are not the issue. I'm not putting myself up for grabs for this insideous little pile of rot you all think is worthy of your respects over human dignity.
The fact that you cannot discern writing styles is another tribute your wildly lacking mental capacity.
Go do something with your time instead of jacking off to what you perceive to be a fault in someone else. You're life will be so much more meaningful.
In the future, I ask anyone who is supporting me to provide some proof of who they are. MySpace profile, Livejournal, perhaps a note from their mother will work? My friend Monk is posting soon, I asked him to put proof that he is a real person and not some split personality of mine...
People will question or not. I'm offering goods and services so that I can get this surgery. It may not be Sally Struthers in Africa, but Sally won't be able to edit your corporate reports (I've worked as an editor for 13 years).
Oh, yes, BULLSHIT.
Funny how you people all popped up at the same time and all...
I'm not saying the guy isn't looking for money for plastic, I'm saying that I think you're crazy to think that anyone here (a HOAX site) will believe that you and your buddies all just happened to drop by all at the same time...
And in the middle of the night on a weekday, too.
Caias is doing some e-panhandling. There's nothing wrong with it. People who want to give, will give; those who don't, won't.
He's not spamming people with unsolicited emails asking you to give him money (which would be annoying).
Still, congrats, Caias, on making it into the Museum of Hoaxes. The viral is spreading. 😊
As for Dossy (someone who I met through my journal), it's not exactly e-panhandling. Think of me as the guy on the corner selling stuff. You don't get offended when he sells you a paper; why should you get offended when I try to sell you something?
That goes for all of you. Buy or not, use my services or not, your call. I'll still be raising money.
Like I said in my original post about this, my hunch was that Caias was perfectly real and on the level. My main reason for posting about it was that I thought what Caias was doing raised an interesting issue of how you know whether to trust people you encounter on the internet.
Though as Caias points out, if you buy a service or product from him, it doesn't matter whether or not you believe his story. Presumably you're getting something for your money.
"Even when I would brush him off for months on end because I was too busy to chat, he was always there for him when I needed him."
Yeah, that should read "...always there for ME when I needed him."
*runs off to find dye to cover her blonde roots*
Plus, $2.32 is a pretty random figure, not to mention it's NOT a lot of money! Wouldn't $10 or $20 per person be a lot more reasonable to ask for if it were a scam?
What sort of proof do you want? He could take a picture naked to show all and yet people would still claim it was Photoshopped. Words and replies can be taken out of context and twisted. Do you really want proof? Or do you prefer to demean someone with the great annoymous internet?
I don't know this person personally. I don't give out money to strangers, I don't lend or give money to friends unless I am sure of what will be done with it. All the rude and absolutely horrid comments have actually piqued my curiosity to check into this person, and I'm quite curious to see how this turns out.
I picked $2.32 because it if you say it as 'two thirty two', it's catchy. It's also results in 2 dollars after fees from Paypal (which people have been uses to send payment for items and such).
As for giving money to strangers, it's generally a good idea. It's why I'm offering goods and services online, so that people actually get value for it, and it's not sending money somewhere and hoping it works out. You actually get something out of it.
My URL is to my myspace page. I also have a LiveJournal which you can visit at http://www.livejournal.com/users/capricia/. I also have an OkCupid page at http://www.okcupid.com/profile?tuid=10260753505770138930.
I've got a bunch more, so please feel free to ask. And before you speculate that I created these in five minutes just so I could post this, check the sign up dates. I've had my LJ for years, and myspace since a year or two ago.
Moving on... the original poster of this, I think it's Alex, brought up some valid points about this whole thing. There are lots of "what ifs" to Caias 's "project". But, what it comes down to is, so what?
I know Caias personally, so, he'll get my money... and the people who support his cause will contribute their's and hopefully spread the word.
It's not as if he's being aloof or "shady" about any of his information. He's offered to meet people in person for fuck's sake. If you really don't believe him that much, take him up on the offer.
If you don't want to give the man your money, that's your perogative... but what the hell gives you the right to flame him publicly just because you don't believe in what he's doing? He sure as hell isn't hurting any of you. So, to the "nay sayers", speculate what you will, you're more than entitled to. But, to those of you who think you're witty by bashing somebody you barely know, grow up. I left highschool years ago, maybe you guys would like to join me sometime.
Caias is a good friend of mine, I've known him for a few years. I've posted his banner in my LiveJournal... http://www.livejournal.com/users/threadingfate
Because I believe in Caias. I held witness to the large amount of weight he did lose. And if it doesn't sound believable, because of the pictures - well don't forget, it's not always weight but inches themselves that matter a lot in the appearance themselves. And you can lose a bunch of inches in water weight before noticing any signifigant pound decrease - that was the case with Caias. I'm not going to lambast people for the things they've said on this thread, I wont even disagree with them. But I am here to inform you that Caias is in fact a real person - as am I. And to verify that this weight was lost, and that any money given to Caias will be used towards his surgery (not that it is any of your business anyway). If you don't feel comfortable giving money to people on the internet - then don't. Hell if you don't feel comfortable giving money to people period, then don't. It's irrelevant whether or not you believe him. But he's not here begging for anyone's money - he's here offering goods and services to obtain money for something he believes in - it's not panhandling.
Spread the word. 😊
We have people wander in here at times (Someone linked us) not knowing exactly what we are, and in the confusion, start cursing us or whatever. Funny at times, but does get annoying. That means we get negative attention then. It works both ways. But it's (I hate this phrase) All GOOD!!!!
For future refferance for those of you that look up to me and learn from me, even, should I say, "Worship" me, You just witnessed ME rambling in an almost confused state of mind, please forgive if this made no sense what so ever.
I'm not saying he isn't for real.
I'm saying that it's kinda funny that all of these people showed up very soon after caias' first post.
As for changing IP addresses, if I wanted to I could post every single message with a different IP. It's pretty damned simple, anyone can do it. Use GHOSTSURF. I don't use ghostsurf in my "daily reads" because I prefer using Firefox and Ghostsurf does not support Firefox. I would have to use Internet Explorer (or another browser) to use ghostsurf, which I do whenever I go to a site I've never been to. IE allows all of the popups and has tons of open backdoors.
Yes, being skeptic makes you look like a jerk at times. Especially when you're already a jerk (Type 3, just go read Pro-Ana).
I first met Caias shortly after being abducted by aliens for the fourth time. Being pretty much inured to the whole ordeal by now, I spent much of my time getting to know the other abductees. I remember it was during the anal-probing that I first laid eyes on a pudgy young fellow screaming on the metal slab next to mine. In an attempt to distract him from his rectal violation, I asked him his name.
"Caias", he croaked through the tears.
"Kie-us?" I asked? "Spell that."
"C uunng... A ooohhh... I whooah... A eieeeee... S urk!...", he managed to say between the reciprocations of the probe.
"Glad to meet you, Caias. I take it this is your first time?"
"Yes", he sobbed. "Is this going to end soon?"
"There's only about three more minutes of probing, then the full body depilation followed by the semen extraction - you'll like that", I said. "Kinda makes the whole thing worth-while"
"I sure hope so", he whined.
"This is my fourth time here but I'm still a n00b compared to Barney over there. This is his 8th abduction this year alone. To your right is Betty. She's been here three times, I think. John on my left here is on his second time. Martin across the aisle there seems to live here. At least he's been here every time I have and some of the old-timers speak of him from when they were first abducted."
"So I can expect this sort of thing to happen to me alot?", his voice breaking with fear and outrage.
"Yeah, some of us are just lucky that way", I replied.
Coming up next week on When Aliens Abduct will Caias be the lucky one chosen for alien impregnation? And how will he deal with the resulting stretch marks giving birth to a 50lb alien causes? Turn on, Tune in, Drop out and see!
Ahh! Nothing like a good reciprocating probe...
Lucky for you all, Caias appears to have a decent enough sense of humor to press forward through the nay-sayers.
I never met him in person (as California is a long ways away) but know full well that he is an honest and sincere person and know people who know him personally.
Come on everyone. What have you got to lose but a little more than 2 bucks!
Ya know, it's all of the skeptics who miss out on the really good karma paybacks. 😊
Ohh, and just cause I forgot post these in my first few posts...
http://www.livejournal.com/users/k4tj3
http://dorei.dragonflydreams.org/sarah
http://www.okcupid.com/profile?tuid=14846935789043322841
And don't be dissin' Stephen. He has THE POWAH!
"You are indeed awe inspiring and interesting Stephen. I think I'm going to create a fan site and devote some of my time and energy into worshipping you... but only if you church up and send Caias a donation."
WoW!!!! This is what Im talking about. If Thea is a Woman, then I'm in LUV!!!! 😜
And it's not inconceivable that he just told his friends about it after he found the thread.
BUT, if you don't go into things with at least a BIT of scepticism, you would never find out if the guy was for real. As has been proven elsewhere ad nauseum, taking everything you see on faith can fuck you up pretty good. Just ask the peopple who gave Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker a bunch of cash.
Pay attention. Caias isn't asking for $2.32 for nothing. He's willing to sell products or provide a service. For those of us who are kind souls, we'll give him the money to help him out, for the rest of "ya bums"...duh.
Met her at a New year party and thought she was too cute to talk too. So I just kissed her at midnight on the cheek (Luckily, I didn't get slapped) The rest is history. That was a little more then a year ago.
And I don't see how thats a dis, it's an acknowledgement of his charming wit.
Something for nothing? Pay more attention.
And I wasn't "dissin'" Stephen, I was acknowledging his charming wit.
(if this double posts it's because IE is being fantastically lame today)
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Get a job
That being said, I figured I could advertise my services so people could take advantage of my expertise. It's called marketing myself, and also finding a way to do so that will stand out past the other people. I happen to have a hook (I'm raising money for my surgery). My other work, I pay my regular bills with. But I've designated some of my consultant work to go towards the surgery. I've also have lots of stuff I can sell, and lots of other things I can do to raise money.
Panhandling is standing around and asking people to just send me money. I'm providing goods and services so I can reach a goal. I've selling a rare book this week; I've been tutoring college students.
Take advantage of my services or not, your choice. You don't want to, Charybdis, your choice. I have an interview with a web consulting firm that heard about my campaign and to which I was referred by a previous client. They will get value out of my work, and I will get closer to my goal.
But you shouldn't speak for everyone; it's gullible to assume everyone feels the same as you. The money I have earned so far, and the support I've received so far proves otherwise. I wish there was some way I could give you proof; maybe after it's all said and done, and you see the after pictures, you'll have a little more faith that not everyone is out to screw you.
Really?
If you really have all of these skills, which you probably do, then use THEM to get what you want.
Don't go on the internet asking people for money for this operation, go on the internet with an ad for your services.
And why should the person hire you just so you could get an operation, anyway? If I was to walk into a place and say I needed an operation (oh, lets say a sex-change), why the hell should anyone hire me just because I wanted to look differently?
And, by the way, panhandling is "approaching strangers to beg for money or food". Which is exactly what you're doing.
I need 7500 people to donate $2.32 so I can get my surgery.
What kind of goods or services do people receive for their $2.32?
You may get some people to actually exchange their money for your services but mostly you seem to be relying on donations. Your own blog backs this up.
People on corners hold signs reading "Will work for food". They are still panhandlers.
There are hundreds of thousands of people trying to get something for nothing on the internet. Your comment about donations indicates that you are one of them.
I exchange my money for goods and services that I need or desire. When I donate money I do so for causes that help underpriveledged people or those suffering from life-threatening events beyond their control. I don't do it so a fat man can feel better about himself. I hardly think that cosmetic surgery to make you feel better about yourself counts as a worthy cause.
I freely admit one point. You are completely free to ask people for money. But don't be surprised if some of them don't appreciate your "entreprenurial" spirit.