SCAMMERS GO AFTER LANDLORDS
June 2004:
Received from Vancouver:
Dear Scamorama,
As I had a basement apartment for rent in May and early June of 2004 I advertised online for potential tenants, as well as in a local newspaper. I am forwarding you a series of emails I received from supposed prospective tenants, which I initially thought might be a new wrinkle on the Nigerian letter scam, but sounded legit for a while. I continued to communicate with one of the senders (he called himself Allen Cook, a very Anglicized name, despite his lack of English literacy) until it became clear that this was, in fact, a new wrinkle on the Nigerian letter scam. As two different email accounts are involved, you will be receiving these forwarded emails as a series, rather than as one email. I apologize for that.
I hope you can use my experience in your quest to shut these fraudsters down, or at least keep them so busy they don't have time to ply their nefarious trade.
From: allen cook <allen_what2005@yahoo.com>
To: Landlord in Canada
Subject: Re: Saturday night in Vancouver
Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2004 09:36:48 -0700 (PDT)
Hi xxxxx,am sorry for the delay.I hope u understand.i will like to tell u about my friend.He is a bussiness man like me too.he told me he sent it in west africa bcos he is in west africa for some bussiness.since the day he told me he has sent it.i have been trying to get intouch with him but it is very hard i mean the phone is not going through.this is bcos he is in africa.Telecomunication in africa is still not perfect like that of ours.e.g USA,canada,london etc.so to comunicate with him is hell.but i am still trying hopfully it will get to u before next week runs out.I still have not gotten the map.please you are my hope please keep my apartment for me please.just dont worry the check will get to u.please just have patient.If u dont mind i will like to sent u my wedding pics.MY friend lives in england too .yes,he sent the check.i dont actually know the name of the lacal courier he used.but i know u will get the check before next week runs out.that is to say before on the 12 of this
month.there is know course for alarm u just stay calm ...ok.everything is under control.just keep,keeping my aparetment for me please.when am coming i will get u and ur family something.do u have kids?...allen
Hi Allen,
I'm sending this to you from my hotmail email address because Yahoo in North
America has been down for about a day, but my husband said Yahoo in Europe
is still working. Please send me duplicate replies to:
xxxxxx@yahoo.com and to: xxxxxx@hotmail.com
That way I'll be sure to get it.
I got you a map of the downtown Vancouver area today and will get you one of
the whole city next week.
Anyway, it's Saturday night at about 8:30 pm Vancouver time. I haven't
gotten a call from any courier nor has one come to my house today to deliver
your friend's check. Sundays the couriers don't work, so I hope it arrives
on Monday. Are you sure he actually sent it because it should have been here
by today if he sent it on Thursday? Does your friend also live in the London
area and did he tell you the name of the courier he used?
It's important to me to know what is happening because the people who wanted
the suite have now gone elsewhere. Fortunately a nice young couple saw it
yesterday and they also want it, but I told them you have first choice on
it, since you came first. They are willing to wait a couple of days but I
can't keep them hanging on too long either. It's not fair to them.
I know you are stressed with the wedding, so I don't expect a long reply,
just please send me a short message with the information about your friend's
courier. Thanks.
Scam-o-note: we are guessing the check would have been for an amount greater than the deposit, the difference being expected back in the form of a Western Union check.
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SCAMMER PRETENDS TO BUY A SCANNER
June 2004
Received from the USA:
Dear sir i think i will go in a bussines tripp and the name and addres
is from my brother that in case i'm not in country in the moment when
the transaction will be close.
That is not a problem.
I wait the payment comfirmation.Thank you.
I'm still unable to access the site.
Why is your address different to the one that you gave me before ?
I just manage the trasaction.
let's close here.
That's fine Brian just send me his details and I'll send it tomorrow
guaranteed delivery for Monday.
Or if you prefer I can do a direct bank to bank transfer I just need
your brother's name , bank account number and sort code.
If I can collect the scanner tomorrow then I'll do the transfer
straight away or if you prefer the cheque that's fine .
hello
you can send a personal cheque at my brother bank
because i don`t have a bank account.
please let me know if that is ok and i will give you the details
reply me asap
If you've already sent the scanner as you said before then I should
be able to collect it today.
No, I've offered to meet in person . I've offered personal cheque
and bank to bank transfer . I'm registered with ebay and I tried to buy
it through them .
Now I've taken a day off work and spent four hours traveling back
and forth to western union offices only to find that what you'd l told
me was inaccurate and apparently illegal.
If you are genuine then this is very unfortunate for both of us but
other than what I've offered I can't do anything else .
If this is no good then I suggest you sell the scanner back on
ebay.
i don't know and i can't open.I think is a eror.I will wait.See
so much time because you think i'm not a serious man.I told you you
can trust me and you will have the package in only a day.
I read about this scamer but i work with WesternUnion long time.Lock
i know something about other payment method like Money Gram. you can
visit www.moneygram.com
Let's close this deal.
My browser won't open the "manage transaction" link - have you been
able to ?
Your online transaction has been recorded.
Here are transaction details:
Transaction ID: 1409459619
Transaction Title: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 9000 (sealed in the box)
Transaction Value: 580 £
You are the: buyer
Transaction fees will be paid by the buyer
Transaction fee: 16.24 £ £
Confirmation period: 1 day
Login to http://www.safest-trade.co.uk in order to check your
transaction status.
The other party has been notified via e-mail regarding your trading
intention. If not accepted within the next 1 day , the
transaction will be automatically canceled.
safest-trade.co.uk Inc.
Mee to.
I will wait the e-mail that you have sent the money.and i will
give the shipping details at they.
I've just registered.
I just talked with a friend and him told me to use a 3rd
party like www.safest-trade.co.uk please visit because i read and for me
is a safe way.reply me and lett me know what do you think.
Brian - I've just been to Western Union again in Leicester (a two hour round trip ) and after filling out the money transfer form
they gave me another form to sign which reads "Payment cannot be delayed by 1. changing the receivers name 2. specifying a type of identification
or 3. withholding the Money Transfer Control Number from a named receiver.
I presume you weren't aware of this because it contradicts what yousaid exactly.
I've just taken a day off work to get this sorted out and I'm not
going to waste any more of yours or my time with it.
I can't offer any other evidence of my sincerity other than sending you a personal cheque , bank to bank transfer or agreeing to do a
Western Union Money transfer on receipt of the scanner. I'm sorry if this is unacceptable to you but there it is.
Enclosed is a scan of the form that I'm referring to - if you want to continue or speak over the phone then let me know.
Otherwise , I'm sorry but I don't see a way forward.
Ok i will wait the comfirmation and i will give the shipping details.
Thank you.
Very good - I'll do it tomorrow morning.
Best regards,
Lock how i propose you to do the deal.
You will go and send the money via westernunion but you
will send at your wife,son...or a name that you want and my address.I will give
you the Tracking Number from UPS and you will go to pick up the package.After you will inspect all you have to do is to
call at WesternUnion and change the name in my name.In this case you can
be sure i will not pick up the money until you change the name. I told you i have sent the package and i want to see
that you have sent the money. After you will do the payment you will send me ":
Sender name....
Receiver Name.....
#MCTN ...............so i can verify that the money has
been sent
Thank you
Brian - I have no way to stop payment if for any reason there's a
problem with the scanner once I've paid it into Western Union .
The Western Union in Leicester assured me that once I've
paid the money in the you can withdraw it by showing id and telling them
who the sender is regardless of whether you have any tracking or
#MCN number or not .
I assure you that I'm not trying to rip anyone off .
I'm happy to send you a personal cheque ( by UPS if you prefer) which
would obviously contain my bank details and as you already
have my address on this email and my written agreement you'd be
able to follow up any refusal by me to pay with the law on your side.
However that won't happen because I want to buy that scanner off you !
If you're saying that you've sent it (?) and it arrives with me
tomorrow then I will immediately pay £580 via Western Union
in Leicester.
If you're not happy with this then maybe you'd better put it back
on ebay and I'll bid for it and pay through paypal and everyone's
happy.
Best regards,
Dear sir you don't trust me?What is that.I have already sent
package and i think you try to ripp me.I will send a
scan paper from UPS but i will not give you the Tracking Number and if
you don't trust me i want and you make the same send the money and send
me the scan paper from WesternUnion and cover the #MTCN.
Please e-mail me ASAP and don't make some joke.We are
bussines man not children
Thank you.
Brian -I've just been to the Post Office and they don't
do domestic money transfers. I then went to American Express -
Western Union in Leicester and they inform me that they're unable to
withhold payment once I've paid the money in , which wasn't my
understanding . So, either I can send you a personal cheque this
afternoon "Guaranteed Next Day Delivery" and email you the post office
tracking number or I can do an internet bank to bank transfer ( you just
give me your bank account number ) or I can do the same Western Union
money transfer on receiving the scanner in full working order.
Let me know if any of these solutions are acceptable.
Best regards,
Ok i wait the payment comfirmation tomorow and i will
e-mail and with the Tracking Number.Thank you
Okay thanks Brian .
My full address is :
*********************
I've missed the post office today but I'll see to it
in the morning ..
Best regards ,
here you have my details"
Brian Davis
526 Barking Road
Plaistow,London
e138qe
So i need your full details so i can arange the
shipping.I will do that tomorow morning.I wait the payment
comfirmation from WesternUnion.
Lett me know when you will do the payment.
thank you
Don't take it personally , I don't trust anyone .
I'll still need a name and location to transfer the
money to though .. £580 was my bid
If that's acceptable then so long as the scanner is
as you say ( new , boxed and in working order ) then I'll pay in the cash and with hold the details until I've received it if that's what
you prefer .
I say again that I'd be happy to exchange face to
face then we're both secure.
Regards,
> :) i think you don't trust me.
lock how we do that.
I propose you that and you will go to send the money
now but after you will make the payment don't give me the payment
comfirmation (#MTCN) from WU i only want to verify at
www.westernunion.com and after you will receive the package and verify this you will
give me the code.I'm a serious man and i don't risk my job and my
libety and go to jail because i have 2 cildren.
If this is to be a sale outside of Ebay then for
your security as well as mine we need exchange names and addresses ,
likewise if the transaction is to be outside of Ebay I'm not prepared
to pay until I've received the scanner- we can get round this by
doing a direct exchange.
Buying outside of Ebay from a person on an anonymous email address
with no history on Ebay whose item has been removed
from sale doesn't inspire me with confidence.
Dear sir sure but i don't have time to meet
woth all this bussines.I will send the it thru UPS next day and i will
be gald to use for payment WesternUnion. reply me and lett me know if we close the deal today.
Sounds okay - where are you in the country ?
I'm in Leicestershire. We would have to exchange face to face if it's to
be done outside of ebay. If that's okay you can call me on ***** ******
or email back
I don't know when this hapening. We can close the deal
now. lett me know what do you think.
Yes I still want to buy - I'll bid when it comes back online email when it does .
Have you removed your item ? I can't find it any more and I want to bid .
thanks ,
Yes exactly.Is not used never.It work.
Okay thanks, is it direct from manufacturer ? I'm just trying to suss out if it's been used ? ie does it work or if it's ex display or what ?
Is brand new sealed in the box.
reply me
Dear linfryt,
Hello linfryt - silly question maybe - but nevertheless, is the sealed in the box scanner new and unused ? thanks .
To view the item, go to:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5103263414
I'm not happy with this at all and am only willing to proceed by
payment with a personal cheque.
If this is no good to you then I'm no longer interested in buying .
I'm willing to send you or your brother a personal cheque recorded
delivery and when you receive it I would expect to be able to pick up
the scanner immediately , if for any reason at all the scanner isn't
available then I will cancel the check straight away.
If this is no good to you then I understand and suggest that we don't
waste any more of each others time .
Regards,
Ok i agree and a personal cheque but you will send thru UPS or DHL.?
Subject: Re: Question from eBay Member: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 9000 (sealed in the box)
Date: 27 June 2004 18:54:12 BST
To: linfryt@yahoo.com
http://www.scamorama.com/
goodbye.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
No I didn't get scammed but I almost did - yes I made an attempt to pay him but thought better of it when I read the western union warnings about changing recipients name on money orders etc - but you know the power of it is, there is still a part of me that says , well maybe he really is trying to sell a scanner ( albeit with bad Engllish ) and it'd be a great deal maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt ... blah blah ... it's a powerfull carrot they dangle - that scanner is £2,500 by the way .
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MARY KAY SCAM
This was my first E-mail that came from my Mary Kay website. They just
picked a zipcode and then went to my website then he e-mail me. The first
e-mail was from Yahoo- I Did answer him but my answers were straight forward like I was going through with this, but I was very cautious.
hello Sue,
i am kenny micheals of georgia and will like to make an order with you below
is the order deatails:
for mens:
:: Domain¨ Cologne
:: Tribute¨ for Men Spray Cologne
:: Quattro¨ Cologne
for women:
:: Journey¨ Eau de Parfum
:: Belara¨ Eau de Parfum
:: Elige¨ Eau de Parfum
:: Mary Kay Tribute¨ Eau de Parfum
:: Velocity¨ Eau de Parfum
:: Acapella¨ Eau de Toilette
:: Angelfire¨ Eau de Toilette
i will want to order them in the quantity of 10 each of the women and 20
each of the mens.email me back with the total cost so i can proceed with
payment
from there.i will also want to ship internationally to ghana let me know if
that is also applicable.waiting for your reply soon.
kenny micheals
This was his 1st email address _kenny_mic2000@yahoo.com_
(mailto:kenny_mic2000@yahoo.com) <_kenny_mic2000@yahoo.com_
(mailto:kenny_mic2000@yahoo.com) >
Next e-mail I received after I e-mail him back
HELLO SUE,
THANK YOU FOR THE MAIL,I AM NOT INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MARY KAY
CONSULTANT.I JUST WANT TO ORDER THE FOLLOWING SO PLEASE JUST HELP ME OUT.I
WILL
WANT YOU TO LET ME KNOW THE TO TAL COST FOR THAT WITH SHIPPING TO GHANA.SO I
CAN DO THE PAYMENT FROM THERE .THANK YOU IN ANTICIPATION FOR YOUR GOOD HELP.
REGARDS
KENNY MICHEALS
The next e-mail
HELLO SUZANNE,
THANK YOU FOR THE MAIL,I WILL WANT YOU HELP ME DO THAT FOR ME HERE.I
WILL WANT YOU TO CHARGE THE CARDS GIVEN SO I CAN SCHEDULE A PICK UP FROM YOUR
END BY FEDEX.
REPLY ASAP.
KENNY MICHEALS
I then explained to him that he would have to do it on his own and then I
would send him the product so he could send overseas This was his replay- but
he never put in an order.
HELLO SUZANNE,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE MAIL.I WILL ORDER THAT FROM THE WEBSITE
AND WILL WANT YOU TO AUTHORIZE THAT AND GET BACK TO ME ASAP.THANK YOU.
KENNY MICHEALS
He continues to try and push me to put in a credit card for him. So I told
him I didn't trust him and I haven't heard ffom him again.
HELLO SUZANNE,
SORRY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DONT HAVE MUCH TIME TO DO SUCH AN ORDER
THROUGH THE WEBSITE THAT IS WHY I CHOSE TO CONTACT YOU RATHER SO I CAN GET
THAT
EARLY.I WILL WANT YOU TO HELP ME DO THIS PURCHASING.REPLY ASAP.
THANK YOU
KENNY MICHEALS
But I thought you would want to know that these people are going throught
the Mary kay website praying on all these woman. We try to spread the news as
fast as possible but they always change the story line thanks for letting me
e-mail you.
I have saved them all if there is anything we can do- and they are recent
if you want to answer him.
Thank you
Sue XXXXXXXXXXX
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