In this modern era where the telephone is everywhere, telemarketing is an art. Companies invest heavily in projects and personnel which depend largely for their success on the sales pitch being made over the phone. Therefore, the message has to be very compelling and the bearer of the message persuasive.

The 'Faceless Fraudster' which the STAR reported on in Wednesday's publication must be a very convincing telemarketer. As was reported the woman, who runs an employment scam, has raked in up to $7 million just by promising persons overseas employment. They were then asked to send money through a remittance service, which they did, until the contact stopped.

So now, these people have lost their money to a woman they not even seen, and The STAR wonders just how they allowed this to happen to them. There have been so many cases of employment fraud, yet people continue to be hoodwinked. This, of course, is indicative of how desperate people are to get a job, especially overseas, but at the same time they have to be careful.

The telephone, especially the cellphone, often represents an avenue to access opportunity, but it can just as easily be a door through which persons are led astray. It would do well for everyone to remember that when their telephone rings, or when they make a business call, they are open to either possibility, and not be taken in by an engaging voice.