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- Officers did identify at least one other target of Johnson’s scam: an African-American handyman named, incredibly, Charlie Brown, who had donated roughly $1,000 to the cause, despite having little money himself. When Inspector Lewis interviewed him, Brown had just mailed “Hitler” $20, leaving him with only eight cents in his pocket and a single can of beans for food. Brown had considered it an investment. Johnson had promised him the title of Furrier No. 3, the position of governor over a large territory, a “royal palace,” and some virgins. “Also, give him his choice among diplomat virgins,” one letter read, “that he might take a wife of our peoples to hand down German rulers to rule their race.
johnnyFive · 1774 days ago · link ·
I read things like this and have multiple reactions. On one hand, I feel better about some of my own moments of gullibility and/or stupidity. Then I wonder how it is that we still exist as a species, and in particular why we think we're such a big deal.