I don't think I was clear enough. I know you didn't mean to denigrate. You probably didn't mean to stereotype frum Jews either.
But imagine if Dan had founded Skiplagged. We can be pretty certain there would be no fawning reddit threads, but anti Semitic comments about thieving Jews.
While most of us don't have that kind of blatant bigotry, we ALL have prejudicial tendencies which cloud our judgement, albeit in a much more "eidel" way than those anti-semites.
These stories are happening across the spectrum of the frum world. From Crown Heights to Lakewood, Monsey to the 5 Towns and everywhere in between. My point is that to think that there is some kind of universal negative attitude that caused them is likely based on a hint of stereotyping than anything else.
If your takeaway is not to buy hotel certs, more power to you. If the takeaway is to always behave in a way that creates a kiddush Hashem and not ch"v the opposite, we're all in agreement.
However if the takeaway is that these scams were born of some sort of communal "scam the goy" attitude, sorry, that's just wrong.
The bolded segment is a powerful example you gave and I probably did accidentally engage in that type of prejudice.
As far as the italicized I don't mean to say these scams were born of this type of attitude but I do wonder if they contribute to the general public shrug to them.
Putting aside points sellers, swiping victims, etc. and just focusing on some of the most egregious things that I think the vast majority of us would like to see stop, I'm truly trying to understand how a Yeshiva and very frum publications (who I know ask Shailas) could possibly allow advertisements for credit card farms or in the case of a school, actually do it themselves? At best it's clear intent to breach a contract at worst maybe fraud or identity theft. If halacha tells us to follow secular law then are they saying it's not illegal and justifying it?
I truly can't wrap my mind around it and would love for someone to explain.
