Eavesdropping is an unethical form of news gathering, so I wrestled with this story overnight, as it really wasn't my business.
In the end, I believe the greater good out-weighed the sin. It's not like I'm identifying the gentleman either.
In a quiet public area like Darwin city's library it can be difficult to shut out other people's conversation; especially in a heartbreaking situation where a disability pensioner confessed he thought the online offer could be "a scam", but said he felt "desperate".
The pensioner's voice carried over to those of us on the library's computers yesterday, as he explained how he'd been contacted by Elon Musk, and offered $50,000 to assist him out of a financially difficult position.
At Darwin council libraries you can book IT lessons where staff will show you how to operate your phone, laptop, or assist with various other technological requests.
Sharing how he initially believed it to be a scam, the pensioner explained how trust was built when a video of Musk saying the pensioner's name was sent through as proof.
The pensioner even stated it could be AI, but appeared to feel reassured when he entered a video chat with Musk, that he said consistently "dropped out".
Soon after, the billionaire reportedly said he was busy and left the pensioner with his accountant.
To actually hear him reasoning out loud how he wanted to believe, while acknowledging the risks; it's understandable how some can be reeled into a scam.
It's probably that spark of hope in the face of great odds that hooks desperate Australians into being conned, in the face of such a fanciful concept.
With intermittent warnings by the staff member on the situation, he still assisted the pensioner to setup the digital wallet, while warning him not to give his bank details out, nor hand over money or cryptocurrency.
The disability pensioner sounded very lucid on the situation. It didn't feel like my business to follow the bloke out the building and give him that extra confirmation he was being scammed.
If this sounds like your family member or friend, please reach out and see how he's going.
It felt as though he had talked about it with others before and maybe couldn't find assistance, but still wanted to chance the risk.
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