Ridgerunner: How was this a scam?

Maynard: the company that provides the gift card/gift certificate for the ride was kicked out of the business. any hot air balloon company in WA/OR wouldn't take them because they already owed them thousands of $$. When I called the company to request a refund they said sure we'll send you the money back. That was the last time that phone # ever worked. i emailed every day for about 2 years before anyone ever responded. I eventually got some $$ back but not even close to what i paid for it.

HechoAmano: Some churches are so honest. Years ago friend of mine had his half brother working for him, They had some medical issues and he was left by himself sometimes for a couple weeks, and he did really well. They were so proud he did well, because he was the black sheep of the family. Turns out he was using that time alone to sell inventory and pocket the cash through the use of money orders. So, like a good religious thief he gave money to the community church he went to, I think around $10k. After he was found out, they went to that church and asked for their stolen money back...guess what, that's right, they refused to give any back to him. Wonder what Jesus thought of that?

Riverrat: The church probably didn't have the money to give back to them. And they really weren't obligated to. It was donations, they didn't know where the money came from. And if he made the donations in cash neither the guy or the church could really know or prove haw much money was involved.