Chapter 5
Great Finborough Suffolk.
8:00 am. Saturday 23rd August 2008.
The village of Great Finborough in Suffolk still held a lot of memories for Dave, even though his Mother had since passed away. Having been involved in a serious car accident, while he was in the Royal Navy. This was where he wanted to settle down and to re-establish his roots.
Fred Davis an old family friend, had offered Dave the opportunity to purchase a small property, where he could live and hopefully set up his next challenge in life, that of a local Private Investigator.
Although it looked a little sad and run down, Dave was sure that given time and a little money he could make something of it.
Known as the 'Lodge', it was located down a narrow twisting over grown country lane, the type that doesn't allow two cars to pass anywhere along its length. For a stranger not knowing the area it was a nightmare to drive down. Because he would be up against further problems at the other end, as the main gate ahead of him was always kept shut and locked. Creating further problems, as there was no room for a vehicle to turn around. Forcing the driver to reverse all the way back up the lane to the main road, that also resembled a narrow country lane.
The 'Lodge' was perfect for Dave, hoping that it would keep away all unexpected and unwanted visitors. For further security, he liked the six feet high metal clad front gate. Even though it was rusty, having been poorly maintained and neglected over the years. As well as being locked, it was heavily over grown with vegetation on either side. Just what he was looking for?
During his Royal Naval travels, many of his friends had always referred to Suffolk as,
“Sleepy Suffolk.”
To which Dave would always reply,
“I'm from Suffolk mate, so you won’t hurry me.”
Although others, when out of ear shot and under their breath would refer to it as,
“Silly Suffolk.”
None of which offended him, after all it was a country-orientated county, and its laid back wide-open spaces attacked many from the busy traffic clogged up main cities. If given the opportunity many would chose the easy-going life style, of quaint country cottages, and wide-open spaces all around them.
However, the 'Lodge' needed a lot of work and elbow grease to help spruce it up from the bombsite it resembled. Wanting it to look presentable to those that might, or were lucky enough to be invited to visit, by invitation only.
However, it would all have to wait, as he needed to concentrate on the setting up and running of his newly registered business, hoping to generate a little money to pay off the mortgage.
To help get the company up and running he undertook any challenge that was offered, be it in Great Finborough or neighbouring Stowmarket. No matter how small or silly the job seemed, he would take it on. In the hope that he might make a name as somebody the locals could trust, and help them with their problems.
He had a couple of favourite saying that he strongly believed and honoured. 'Keep an open mind' which he did, and 'Don't bad mouth anybody', which he also honoured. He also believed that 'People who have had power miss it badly,’ and were people to be wary of. While successful people are usually not very happy.
The early work he under took was that of watching people, property and reporting back. Be it for marriage break ups, to none payment of bills. In fact, he was amazed at the amount of people, who wanted to know what others were getting up to.
Having a Police background and knowing the system certainly helped in directing work his way. There was also the old friends network around the area that could help at certain times. However, for him to take advantage, he had to be accepted as a local. Although he had always believed he was a so-called local, forgetting that he had been out of the area for over ten years. He certainly believed that insider knowledge was always a benefit when it came to work.
It was Suffolk folk law that one had to live in a village for about twenty-five years before they were eventually accepted as a local. Probably another twenty-five before they are trusted. However, he also realised that another generation had grown up during his absence from the area, and he had to gain their trust.
To help spread the word further, and run the odd errant for him, Dave eventually conned Fred Davis into taking on the job. After all, living his whole life in the village he knew everybody.
Although, it was known as a sleepy county village, Dave was surprised just how much was going on behind the scenes and close doors. He used to joke that everybody was more interested in what their neighbours were getting up to. This was fine by Dave who willingly took up the challenge, to make a living out of other people’s curiosity, and village scandals. Although it must also be noted that Dave tried to keep a personal low profile, not wanting to attract controversial attention. He was happy to just be one of the locals, if it was possible.
Dave used the local pub as a watering hole, although in most cases it was just to keep up with the local gossip. As he had a very good brain for the storage and recovery of knowledge, and that it might help him at some time in the future.
His regular use of the local pub to drum up work was a slow starter. Not a case of people tripping over each other trying to hand him money. However, work eventually started to pick up slowly when some of the locals realised that he was experienced on a computer.
It all started when a fellow drinker asked if he could help him reformat his computer. Dave was only to pleased to help. At least it gave him something to do, and hopefully help keep his brain ticking over, and a little cash coming in.
Dave ended up spending a couple of hours on the computer, and for his trouble he was paid £80.
Once word spread around the pub and village, work started to pick up. At one time, he was earning more money from computer work than from criminal investigation. With all the repair work being under taken at the owner’s house that included plenty of cups of tea, a few beers and the occasional meal. It also paved the way for the locals tripping over themselves, to buy him a drink whenever he visited the local pub. That became more frequent during the following months.
Hence his hope of keeping a low profile became just a dream, as he became well known all around the area as the computer man.
He was amazed at the amount of people in the pub who had been conned out of a lot of money at some time, by so called computer scammers.
One of the local drinkers had explained to Dave, that somebody informing him that he had a problem on his computer, after contacting him via E-mail. Explaining to him that after a payment of £400 pounds, he would be able to fix it for him, as he would go directly into his computer. Anyway, the drinker being a little gullible paid up, although believing it to be a lot of money at the time. Panicking a little, he believed that at least his computer would be fixed, or hoping that it would be fixed.
It turned out that a couple of others had also had the same experience. Although, for different amounts of money. One had even handed over £500.
That night Dave went home with the drinker who had originally told him about his problems. Upon arrival, he wasted no time in getting on to the computer. The owner then directed Dave to the E-mail, so he could have a read. It was vital that he could see for himself, as many middle to older age people do not understand computers. It’s just shear good luck that they don't get caught out the very first time they log in to go on line.
After Dave had sorted and worked out what had gone on between the computer owner and the scammer. He then checked over the computer, and making a few minor alterations and adjustments, he informed the owner that all was okay. He then asked for permission to use his computer to get in touch with the scammer.
At first the owner was a little hesitant, but finally agreed after Dave had promised to pay for any damage or faults that might arise. Then after being given the okay, Dave looked at the original message from the scammer and E-mailed him. To his amazement within fifteen minutes, he responded. Dave could not believe his luck.
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He played the part of a person who knew nothing about computers, and could he help again. The Scammer jumped at it, and a conversation developed, mainly so that Dave could obtain certain information about him. At one time Dave described himself as a useless prick, when it came to computers.
His play-acting worked well, as without realising the scammer was gradually giving Dave more and more information about himself. Probably not even realising what he was doing. Thinking that all his contacts were complete idiots.
Dave continued acting as a complete novice, asking him the most stupid of questions trying to gain his confidence. Working on the assumption that if somebody thinks he knows more than anybody else, it goes straight to his head. Believing that he is the expert and know more than others, they say more and more trying to impress people.
Dave turned the subject onto passwords. To which the scammer was only to please to help. Explaining that a sequence of letters and numbers would be required. Dave persisted and kept saying that he didn't really understand what he was talking about. Repeatedly asking him what it would look like, and eventually asking what the scammers looked like, and what had he used.
Eventually the scammer dropped his guard and sent Dave a few letters. Immediately Dave punched them on his keyboard, and low and behold he was into the scammer’s computer. He had struck gold.
“Slack arse, what an idiot.” Dave thought.
“Some of these scammers are not that good on their own computers, when it came to their own security.”
“They leave themselves wide open for an attack.”
“In this case pay back, a dose of their own medicine.”
Dave spent a little time looking around the scammer’s computer, until he eventually found where he was keeping records of all the payments he had received from dozens and dozens of other victims. Chuckling to himself, he wondered if the scammer was keeping it for tax reasons.
“Surly he's not that dumb.” Dave thought.
Then to his amazement he even found a column of the payments that was titled reimbursement. He could not resist the temptation and clicked all and okayed it. Wondering how many people would feel a little happier the following day, when they checked their accounts. As for Dave, he was happy that he had done his good deed for the day, and for free. Mind you he did think of sending the scammer a bill for his service, but thought better of it. Then Dave blocked the scammer from his computer, hoping there would be no reprisal attack on him.
The last thing he did was to show the owner how to set up and use a password. Something he was completely un-aware of. Shutting the computer down, Dave left for home.
Once all had been informed at the Pub the following day, Dave became the hero of the day. Amazingly his computer work picked up, and there was also a slight increase in his Private Investigation work in the area. Had he finally been accepted as a fully-fledged local?
One of the strangest events he was to be involved in happened while he was working on a client’s computer at his house. After making a repair he asked the customer to jump on and have a look around. After several minutes of checking, he opened his Face Book page. Scrolling down he came across a friend who had just posted a song ‘Time to Say Goodbye’. Sensing that something was wrong he tried to call him on his mobile, but there was no answer. It’s a very moving and powerful song, and so he immediately rang the police. Feeling that there was something wrong. As it turned out he had tried to commit suicide, but the police being on the scene quickly managed to save him. Apparently, it was his way of saying goodbye to all his friends.