Scammers try any number of ways to get your money. About a year ago I recieved a message which had a number of the tell tale signs of being a scam, but I investigated it just a bit to verify. Basically the message I recieved said someone was interested in hireing me to entertain at an event, and they were willing to pay for my travel, lodging and everything else along with my services. It looked potentially like a large paying gig.
I sent back a proposal and promptly recieved a cashiers check in the mail for several thousand dollars over the amount I quoted.
This is, of course, how the scam actually works. They expect you to call or email them back and say "I'm sorry, but you sent to much money." They then tell you it's alright. They trust you to cash the check and send them back the difference.
Yeah, right.
See, here is the thing. It's all in the timing. If you do this relatively quickly then by the time your bank has managed to verify the funds, it's to late. The check is, of course, a fraud, and the bank will then hold you responsible for all the money including what you sent back to the scammer.
No, I was not caught by this. I never lost a dime, but I did gather enough information in my dealings with them to open an FBI case.
So, I'm putting the word out there. If you happen to get a message like the one below, it is a scam. Don't go there.
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Mr Keyshawn Jaxson , recommended us your company Santiago's Magic.
Below you will find a proforma invoice with the full details of our first order.
Please sign and send back to us by fax or email: proforma_invoice.doc
Thank you in advance, and contact us as soon as you can, with a full offer.
Also let us know if the prices you published here at http://old.pinagalli.org are right or not.
Manager Campbell Nick .
Jaxon Soons LLC, California
Phone: 795-637-3884
Fax: 395-657-9969
I sent back a proposal and promptly recieved a cashiers check in the mail for several thousand dollars over the amount I quoted.
This is, of course, how the scam actually works. They expect you to call or email them back and say "I'm sorry, but you sent to much money." They then tell you it's alright. They trust you to cash the check and send them back the difference.
Yeah, right.
See, here is the thing. It's all in the timing. If you do this relatively quickly then by the time your bank has managed to verify the funds, it's to late. The check is, of course, a fraud, and the bank will then hold you responsible for all the money including what you sent back to the scammer.
No, I was not caught by this. I never lost a dime, but I did gather enough information in my dealings with them to open an FBI case.
So, I'm putting the word out there. If you happen to get a message like the one below, it is a scam. Don't go there.
-----------
Mr Keyshawn Jaxson , recommended us your company Santiago's Magic.
Below you will find a proforma invoice with the full details of our first order.
Please sign and send back to us by fax or email: proforma_invoice.doc
Thank you in advance, and contact us as soon as you can, with a full offer.
Also let us know if the prices you published here at http://old.pinagalli.org are right or not.
Manager Campbell Nick .
Jaxon Soons LLC, California
Phone: 795-637-3884
Fax: 395-657-9969
2 comments:
You're not alone... :) Been getting these for thousands of dollars worth of locksmith supplies, locks, etc., for quite some time. It's a standard scam in the locksmith business, and quite often originate from Nigeria.
Lots of locksmiths (and non-locksmiths) out there that are not tech savvy, and when confronted with a pre-paid, potential order for $8000 or more in supplies or services, will jump at the opportunity.
It's always good to share these things. Here's mine from this morning:
Mr Jermaine Quincy, recommended us your company San Diego Lock & Safe.
Below you will find a proforma invoice with the full details of our first order.
Please sign and send back to us by fax or email:
http://old.pinagalli.org/proforma proforma_invoice.doc
Thank you in advance, and contact us as soon as you can, with a full offer.
Also let us know if the prices you published here at http://old.pinagalli.org are right or not.
Manager Ahmed Devin
Marlon & Soons LLC, California
Phone: 857-363-9426
Fax: 768-894-6654
Cheers!
Kim
Here it is Feb 5, 2007 and I got the same email. I didn't open it with word and was even alittle afraid to click on the links. But thanks for the comments here, my investigating the "real" lead from the fake ones paid off! Thank You.
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