When reading the news, it's good to remember that what you're really reading is the product of someone else's research into the story. How in depth that research is obviously impacts how the story is told. Sometimes an article can paint a picture that is vastly different from the reality.
Consider either of these:
- Man Loses $20 Million After Taking Laptop for Repair
- Pianist allegedly scammed out of $6M in fake Opus Dei plot
The stories assert that Roger Davidson, musician and heir to an oil fortune, was an innocent victim bilked out of 6 to 20 million dollars in an elaborate scam that sprung from a computer virus infection on his laptop. He took the laptop to a computer repair shop, after which the owners allegedly convinced him that all sorts of fanciful plotters were out to get him. As the story goes, he in turn was defrauded out of millions of dollars in protection fees. A sad tale, no?
But then read this article and you quickly realize this wasn't really the case of a befuddled victim, but rather the case of a man who may have had way too much to hide:
According to the defendants, some of what Davidson was concealing included millions of dollars in tax evasion and what was described as "massive" amounts of pornography. Additionally, the relationship between the alleged scammers and the alleged victim doesn't appear to as clear cut as other articles portray. Instead, if the defendants' allegations are true, it appears these may have been long standing relationships between three people and it may just have been Davidson himself who acted inappropriately.
Certainly there are a great number of scams perpetuated against the elderly each year. And unfortunately there are probably some unscrupulous computer repair shops willing to capitalize on someone's computer virus misfortune. But in this particular case, taking the story at face value may lead to the entirely wrong impression. Indeed, in this particular case, one has to wonder just who the real victims are.
The second story is based on a jailhouse interview with the alleged perp:
“In a jailhouse interview Tuesday, Vickram Bedi told The Journal News that Davidson willingly gave him the money”
SO what do you expect!? The allegations about the tax fradu are just that. Fortunately in this country we still have laws that are tested in court cases, not in the media.
P
I think you meant the third story? It’s actually based on a jailhouse interview, legal documents, prosecutor arguments, and comments released via Davidson’s attorney.
YOU wrote:
“According to the defendants, some of what Davidson was concealing included millions of dollars in tax evasion and what was described as “massive” amounts of pornography.”
Is there another source for these allegations?
one must not take the story by Davidsons words only…..Why so late did he complained about his foolish muderers?Cudnt he go straight to the plice when told about his murderous plot?What the dumb*ss was expecting from him in the name of security.
Victim is infact Vickram who has 75 yr old mother only
to help him..&whose all sources are taken & an unbelievable amont i.e.3million has been kept.I think now she direly needs another Davidson to b fooled…
VI
Mr. Bedi comes from one of India’s of most famous families. He did not need any money nor relationship with Roger Davidson. His great grand father built the Jamuna bridge and most of the railways in northwest India. His family is house of Guru Nanak founder of the Sikh religion, he had no need to rob anyone. His father was the scientific advisor to Smt. Indira Gandhi, what need was there for him even associate with these people. He himself is educated. It is obvious that this is not the story. Eye witnesses say that millions of dollars of Indian gold were looted from his house by the Harrison police on divali. Which is the day they raided his house and business. Nice to see how much respect there is for India in the U.S. All of India stands with Vickram Bedi we know you are innocent. Jai Hind.