Damn dude, that was a good read! (i know it's old and I hope things have changed for the better)!
I guess some more fortunate than others, and everyone goes through stages in life where they are in need!
I'm doing my bit right now too, because i'm in need at times for little things on the side.
Regarding the scam, I will never understand it, scam quits, or scamming altogether, realistically, YOU make a lot more money in the long run being legit, you also gain friends and a nice reputation, but people would rather do really degrading things like that on the internet, I bet they wouldn't IRL lol.
Otherwise, Nice to see this, and I hope things have worked out the way you planned
Pat.