Even More Terrible Story of 2 Non-Americans Leaving the PCA - Page 6 - Poker News

Good read! Didn't know it could end up that bad. I had multiple situations with the police in 3rd world countries, but at worst they wanted a bribe. Actually I'm pretty scared that your embassy couldn't help you better. I'm for sure taking this situation more serious on my next travel

"Stick to law" and "America is the greatest country in the world" people should really start to open their eyes and start to live.

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02-02-2016 , 08:57 PM

#127

BroadwaySushy

banned

Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 3,237

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papicoolo

"Stick to law" and "America is the greatest country in the world" people should really start to open their eyes and start to live.

So you are advising people not to "stick to the law" then?

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02-02-2016 , 08:59 PM

#128

bdiddy131313

veteran

Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2,609

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kebabkungen

Wow some reason in this thread. "Its the law" is the dumbest argument ever. Its not even worthy of being considered an argument.

Lol let me know how breaking laws in foreign countries goes for you although I heard it didn't go well for the OP

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02-02-2016 , 09:03 PM

#129

Papicoolo

adept

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 734

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadwaySushy

So you are advising people not to "stick to the law" then?

Yes I do! A decent sense of morals is way more important than following anything. I break the law everyday, and I assume you as well.

edit: I guess I don't. I personally break some laws, because imo they are unnecessary and I got no problems with the consequences. I just believe in the freedom of choise.

Last edited by Papicoolo; 02-02-2016 at 09:14 PM.

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02-02-2016 , 09:04 PM

#130

BroadwaySushy

banned

Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 3,237

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperUberBob

Anybody who has never had to deal with third-world authorities needs to stfu and gtfo of this thread because you have no idea what you're talking about.

These guys aren't your friends. They're sleazy mother****ers hustling foreigners for a few bucks. No question they would have found another way to keep OP and his friend if they couldn't through customs declaration issues.

All the more reason not to give them a legitimate reason to pick on you I would have thought.

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02-02-2016 , 09:30 PM

#131

PajamaBottoms

journeyman

Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 210

Dude this is the third world

Sorry

My roomate spent two months in a prison, lost 10 kilos, and couldn't contact anybody for weeks because of a traffic violation.

"I get scared like in Sweden.You know, it's kind of empty. They're all drunk.Everything works.If you, you know... If you stop at a stop light and don't turn your engine off... people come over and talk to you about it.You open the medicine cabinet and there'll be a poster saying..."In case of suicide, call..."

- Lou Reed

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02-02-2016 , 09:44 PM

#132

aejones

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 20,224

I wonder what % of the thread that chastises people for naively making boarder mistakes doesn't actually have 10,000 to their name.

Last edited by aejones; 02-02-2016 at 09:45 PM. Reason: couldonly read like 30 comments before I posted- great read obv. you know, in the way a story like this can be a "great" read

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02-02-2016 , 09:51 PM

#133

DuckU

old hand

Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,363

Quote:

Originally Posted by aejones

I wonder what % of the thread that chastises people for naively making boarder mistakes doesn't actually have 10,000 to their name.

and/or has actually crossed an international border/gone through customs.

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02-02-2016 , 10:15 PM

#134

SuperSwag

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5,775

Quote:

Originally Posted by aejones

I wonder what % of the thread that chastises people for naively making boarder mistakes doesn't actually have 10,000 to their name.

are u defending structuring???? sounds like it

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02-02-2016 , 10:35 PM

#135

BroadwaySushy

banned

Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 3,237

Quote:

Originally Posted by aejones

I wonder what % of the thread that chastises people for naively making boarder mistakes doesn't actually have 10,000 to their name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckU

and/or has actually crossed an international border/gone through customs.

"Naively making border mistakes."

Do that in some countries and you risk getting the death penalty. Naivety is not a great defense.

And yes I have crossed international borders/gone through customs many times. Also have more than 10,000 to my name FWIW.

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02-02-2016 , 11:01 PM

#136

Ray Zee

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 17,923

a few decades back it wasnt an issue. but with drug smuggling, money laundering, and terrorist activities things have changed.

and all border rules and laws are federal offenses if broken.
when you break those rules it isnt a matter of intent or how close you were to being in compliance. you are in trouble. some countries are more lenient than another and some agents. but most are not.

it may cost a few% but banks every day wire money around the world. set it up before you go.

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02-02-2016 , 11:30 PM

#137

downunder66

journeyman

Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 333

OP, sorry you (and anyone) had to go through that. Young (mostly) men from 1st world countries are so sheltered when it comes to a) the consequences of breaking laws in general and b) the living conditions/criminal living situations in 3rd world countries.

Things to take away:

[x] Be aware of the consequences of breaking the law, especially in third world countries.
[x] Do NOT rely upon legal advice from "friends" or "acquaintances", probably especially poker players.

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02-02-2016 , 11:41 PM

#138

vookenmeister

old hand

Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,736

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCA_Refugee

That is the actual bigger picture. Way bigger than the box you tick on the sheet of paper, and my experience as 1 person, is the terrible ass place where a bunch of innocent people are staying and being subject to all sorts of human rights violations.

You know it's bad when (aside from the Haitians who were still dealing with the effects of a natural disaster at the time) refugees who are fleeing terrible conditions from their 3rd world countries actually want to return because at least they would have the choice not to be directly exposed to diseases, and have to walk through other people's human waste, etc.

Sometimes you have to experience hell to appreciate humanity and the simple things. I'm sure you can feel true empathy for refugees of all sorts. most of us are spoiled and don't realize it.

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best. I agree you are probably better off as a result of this experience.... an enlightenment of sorts. I could go and on but your extremely well written story speaks for itself.

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02-03-2016 , 12:24 AM

#139

Frenbar

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,311

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSwag

are u defending structuring???? sounds like it

I'm defending it. The law is dog**** along with anyone who defends it. We need to change bad laws, not pretend like we need them because corrupt *******s in Washington forced them on us.

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02-03-2016 , 12:25 AM

#140

goezongomes

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3,237

Quote:

Originally Posted by KILLingIT

you write preety well, im surprised with myself that i read this all.
nice that everything turned out well

+1, nice read, they should moove PCA to St. Martin or smthg

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02-03-2016 , 12:31 AM

#141

All Hail Circe

veteran

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,594

Read every word and I cannot even imagine being in that whole situation.

Not even sure what to write, my mind is still thinking about this story and it just makes me angry, sick.....again....what a world we live in.

Really does make you appreciate what you have.

Happy you and your friend got the heck out of there.....five days.....eternity.....yes, I believe it.

Thanks for sharing this OP.

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02-03-2016 , 12:32 AM

#142

AuroraCee

journeyman

Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 348

Crazy story man and really well written (was late for an appointment today because i started reading and had to finish). Glad your ok and doing well!! Did you see or hear anything that would suggest there was sexual abuse going on inside the refugee camp? (be it refugee on refugee or guard on refugee)

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02-03-2016 , 12:41 AM

#143

xaioret

centurion

Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 104

I think this is fake, really

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02-03-2016 , 12:55 AM

#144

BroadwaySushy

banned

Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 3,237

Quote:

Originally Posted by xaioret

I think this is fake, really

Yeah, I am starting to wonder that too. The story is so detailed, well structured and written. OP said that it happened some time ago.

Either a great fictional story or writer has remarkable memory for detail.

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02-03-2016 , 12:58 AM

#145

ChasinScrila

journeyman

Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 357

It amazes me Stars continues to have the PCA after this stuff looks like it has been going on for years and years.

What kind of fee are we talking a out for doing a bank wire from the casino to a US checking account? FFS, it cant be that outrageous. It never shocks me how poker players are the biggest nits for something like bank transfer fees.

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02-03-2016 , 01:02 AM

#146

ChasinScrila

journeyman

Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 357

Quote:

Originally Posted by xaioret

I think this is fake, really

Yea, I got that vibe when he went a bit overboard with trying to conceal his identity.

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02-03-2016 , 01:12 AM

#147

Real Joe Hashish

newbie

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 18

Billy Hayes failed to declare, look what happened to him, he no go home for a long time.

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02-03-2016 , 01:19 AM

#148

Land O Lakes

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,959

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sect7G

That's if the border guard is honest. What's to stop him from putting 4.5k in his pocket and then saying that you didn't declare the 10.5k? Sure he's lying... but how is that going to help you?

There are preventative measures, but what I think you meant to say was, "What's to stop him from putting 4.5k cash into your bag and saying you didn't declare 19.5k?"