[etjossem]

Let's say you're applying for an incredibly basic credit card with a line of $1000. Would you expect the bank to obtain a copy of your credit report? Probably; that's standard practice. Would they also try to determine prior convictions? Maybe. Would you expect them to search for a mugshot of you based on a cartoon they saw, pick a totally unrelated image file, then factor what that person looks like and what they've been accused of pre-trial into the decision? I hope not.

If you're planning to spot a fellow HN user some money, and you can't show them any trust, at least show a little professionalism. If you just did that for your own amusement, please don't ever do it again.

[uptown]

I didn't search for a mugshot. I searched for his name, and it was the first photograph shown on the first page of the results.

Your suggestion that this was done for amusement is incorrect. A basic name search for a person in "urgent" need of money from strangers where no friend or family is able or willing to help seems like pretty basic due diligence to me.

Additionally - I'd refuse to ever lend to anybody that was an active gambler:

"@[name redacted] Hello, do you honor bets where you have made an error with the odds? (Sports book not exchange)"

[link redacted]

The exact nature of my original question was trying to determine what the money was for, and that question remains unanswered.