It’s not paranoia if they really are trying to kill scam you.

IMHO you probably now have the right amount of scepticism.

Banks’ system are probably already compromised and don’t even know it.

It’s “world’s smallest violin” where I’m from. Are there regional/cultural variations on this saying?

Apologies, I had my figures wrong.

$2.68 billion for new roads in 2024. And Auckland City mission estimates that $30m is needed to feed every New Zealnder who needs help.

So instead of $2.68b of roads, we could make do with just $2.65b of roads.

What is it that happens when you get “old” that makes you think a cop asking for cash is legitimate? What’s the hook?

Or perhaps (trying desperately to avoid victim blaming) what can we do to help “oldies” to be less susceptible to scams like this?

I get that it might be common in more corrupt parts of the world, and is arguably a slightly less scammy protection racket.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_87

Freaking enormous galaxy. Is unusual in almost every way.

Yup.

This isn’t about performance, it is about control.

Worse still, if the employee is still getting work done without said middle manager “adding value” then why keep the middle manager?

Even worse still, what if the employee is getting the same amount of work done in less time… Perhaps there are bigger problems, in management.

Something something gay wedding cakes…