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Cashiers Check Fraud meets photography...
Troy Hunt, Photographer
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Grove City | OH | USA | Posted: 10:03 PM on 09.28.04 |
->> Thought I would let you know of a scammer currently trying the "cashiers check scam" on photographers. About a month ago a "bride" contacted me about photographing her wedding. I mailed my wedding contract, and had frequent emails with this person. Well, this weekend the cashier's check arrived and instead of the $1000.00 agreed upon, the check was for $4500.00. Over the course of the month red flags have been jumping up all over the place, and this one was the kicker. I emailed the Star Bank in Pacific, MO. that the check was drawn out of, and they stated it was fraud. My wife called the church the the wedding was to take place and the church stated they have been receiving calls from as far away as New Mexico. Well, I played along, and stated he over payed me, what should I do with the extra $3500? Here is the reply I just received.
"Troy,
Thanks for the email, it's good to hear that you've received the cheque.The over payment should be my personal assistant's mistake.The balance of the check $3,500 was meant for the Magazine Company who will feature the memories and photos snapped on the Dday in their celebrity column.
(This was one of the bonuses. My photos would be featured in a magazine in the UK.)
Troy,please help me transfer the remaining $3,500 minus the transfer charges to the Editor of the Magazine company via western union money transfer in the details below.
MR DANNY VAN BRUGGEN
10 SEVENOAKS CLOSE
ROMFORD ESSEX,
LONDON,RM3 7EE
U.K.
Below are western union transfer outlets close to you.
(Don't you just love a polite con-artist. He was nice enough to find the nearest Western Union outlets for me. Nice Guy!)
1, CASHLAND
2228 STRINGTOWN RD
GROVE CITY, OH 43123
Tel: (614) 539-0033
2, BIG K MART #7397
2400 STRINGTOWN ROAD
GROVE CITY, OH 43123
Tel: (614) 871-4530
3, KROGER #341
2474 STRINGTOWN RD
GROVE CITY, OH 43123
Tel: (614) 875-1676
Please get back to me with the transfer details in the manner below.
1,Sender's name and address
2,Receiver's name and address
3,Amount sent
4,Test question/Code word (You can use what's Mr Bruggen's nickname as the test question for the transfer,and the answer is KOKO ).
5,The control number/MTCN.
Waiting to read from you soon.
Beverly.
Beware of any emails from beverly jones !!
Take Care,
T |
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Jim Owens, Photographer
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Cincinnati | OH | usa | Posted: 10:08 PM on 09.28.04 |
| ->> So..... Are the authorities doing something about this ? |
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Troy Hunt, Photographer
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Grove City | OH | USA | Posted: 8:38 AM on 09.29.04 |
->> My wife called the local police, they picked up a copy of the check and didn't act like they were going to do a thing about it.
New Twist! So I responded that I can't do Western Union because my credit is sooo bad. Where can I send a personal check? I didn't really think I would get an address... Well, here is the email that was in my Inbox this morning...
Troy,
Thanks for the email.I want you to Overnight a personal check of the balance of $3500 to this address below and also write out the check in the name below:
CHRISTY MCDONALD
317 W.MCKINLEY RD
APT 11,OTTAWA
ILLINOIS,61350.
U.S.A
I want you to overnight the check to the provided information not later than this evening so the person can receive it firstthing tomorrow morning.I want you to email me the tracking number of the Package and name of courier used as soon as you have mailed the check to he information.Waiting to read from you with the tracking details and your response asap.Thanks so much and i wont dissapoint you too on my part.
Beverly. |
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Michael Myers, Photographer
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Miami Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 8:39 AM on 09.29.04 |
| ->> If you receive a "cashiers check" for something, what are the better ways to make sure it's valid? Is there some kind of system we should follow, or just do as you did, and contact the bank that issued the check? (If you use email, how would you know what email address to use?) |
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Troy Hunt, Photographer
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Grove City | OH | USA | Posted: 9:01 AM on 09.29.04 |
->> Michael-
Good questions! For me it was a matter of counting the red flags.
1) Person only made contact by email
2) Email address - beverlyjones20042000@hotmail.com (Very generic)
3) Check was spelled "cheque"
4) The verb tense didn't fit in with the sentence.
5) "My name is Beverly Jones,My wife Mary and i are planning to have our wedding" I was either going to photograph a gay wedding, or Beverly is a guys name.
6) Severe overpayment by Cashiers Check. $4500.00 when actual bill was $1000.00.
There were a lot more red flags but I don't want to give everything away in case they are surfing this board.
The world is at your finger tips with the internet. If it sounds to good to be true, it is! http://www.aba.com/Consumer+Connection/cashierscheckfraud.htm
Call the bank, call the church, call anybody you can to verify the validity of the event if you question it at all. For me, it was as easy as scanning the Cashier's Check and emailing it to the bank, and calling the church. Both parties confirmed it was a fraud.
This is a pretty good link I found during this ordeal.
FDIC's Institution Directory
http://www2.fdic.gov/idasp/index.asp
Take care-
T |
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Damon Moritz, Photographer
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Woodbridge | Va. | USA | Posted: 9:33 AM on 09.29.04 |
->> Troy,
Contact the FBI with this information. Also, contact the USPS Inspector General. Intra-state fraud and mail fraud is exceptionally serious. Now that you have a USA address for the crook the FBI might be able to do something.
Damon Moritz |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington | IL | United States | Posted: 9:54 AM on 09.29.04 |
| ->> Don't forget the IRS :) |
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Andy Mead, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:43 AM on 09.29.04 |
->> Damon is correct.
The USPS takes this stuff extremely seriously. They will pursue folks where the local or federal cops won't. |
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Michael Stevens, Photographer
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 3:28 PM on 09.29.04 |
->> Ditto on everyone else ... sounds like another job for the P-P-Powerbook People(www.wideopenphotography.com/thepowerbook.pdf). I don't remember the original link where I found this but it's about a scammer getting scammed. It's a long read but a great story.
It might take a while to get a hold of the right person but the USPS could easily snag this scumbag. Send them something in a registered envelope so that the person has to sign for it and then their busted. I've read stories that UPS & USPS have done this in the past ... BUT ... how high will this one particular case be on their To Do List? Dunno. |
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Thad Parsons, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Oxford | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 3:53 PM on 09.29.04 |
->> Troy,
You have a good eye this time. But, just to be the devil's advocate, two of the red flags for you are not something to worry about - Beverly is a man's name and cheque is a correct spelling ... maybe not in the USA but, remember, that the United States is not the only place in the world.
On another note, I am happy to see that people in our business are smart enough to spot this type of fraud.
Go check out the P-P-Powerbook site, it is really funny!
PS - This is my first post from my new address in Oxford. |
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Thomas Oed, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 4:14 AM on 10.16.04 |
->> Hehe, sorry to dig up THIS old thread, but guess what e-mail I got tonight?!?
>>
Good Day,
My name is JAMES BRADON.My wife TRACY and i are planning to have our wedding on November 20th,2004 at St Francis Church,Bakersfield,California.I am looking for the best photographer who will come and snapshot on the D-day and when i came across your advert i was impressed.Let me know your charges for your required services if you are to work for at most 6 Hours on that day.We want about 150 copies of different photos in both black and white and in coloured both in the church and reception and of both the bride and the bridegroom,their parents,the officiating ministers and our guests.We will want you to work for at least 6 Hours at the occasion and if you are out of California,we will pay the transportation charges to and from the party venue so indicate in your email if you are out of California and state what it will costs either via Plane or through Car transport to California and what amount you will receive working for 6 hours at the occasion.Also,we will have the photographs snapped at the wedding forwarded to the Publisher of aMagazine Company in U.K so they could feature it in their celebrity journal.
However,I will be making the payment by means of a Cashiers Cheque.Let me have your full names,Address,Phone Number,Cellular Number where a Cashiers Cheque will be mailed to for the payment.Moreso,should you be out of state,the Hotel accomodation will be provided for by me.Waiting to read from you soon as regards this.
Best regards,
JAMES BRADON.
>>
Sure glad I read this thread so I knew what it was right off... even though I DON'T do weddings, so I certainly never placed an 'advert' for them anywhere... lol |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 2:10 PM on 10.16.04 |
->> Beverly is a man's name in the UK.
--Mark |
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Ken Sklute, Photographer
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Tempe | AZ | USA | Posted: 2:51 PM on 10.16.04 |
->> Hi Guys,
Look here, does this sound familiar? I belong to PP of A...there is a scam printed on their homepage regarding this exact hustler. I hope that few people get taken by this hustler...
Goodday,
My name is Brent Holland.My wife Mary and i are planning to have our wedding on December 18th,2004 at SAINT PAUL AME CHURCH FAIRMONT NC. I am looking for the best photographer who will come and snapshot on the D-day and when i came across your advert i was impressed.Let me know your charges for your required services if you are to work for at most 6 Hours on that day.We want about 150 copies of different photos in both black and white and in coloured both in the church and reception and of both the bride and the bridegroom,their parents,the officiating ministers and our guests.We will want you to work for at least 6 Hours at the occasion and if you are out of North carolina,we will pay the transportation charges to and from the party venue so indicate in your email if you are out of North Carolina and state what it will costs either via Plane or through Car transport to get to the party company.Also,we will have the photographs snapped at the wedding forwarded to the Publisher of a Magazine Company in U.K so they could feature it in their celebrity journal.At this moment,my wife and i are on our way to Holland for a 4 weeks prewedding honeymoon and will try get in touch with you personally when we return.
However,I will be making the payment by means of a Cashiers Cheque.Let me have your full names,Address,Phone Number,Cellular Number where a Cashiers Cheque will be mailed to for the payment.Moreso,should you be out of state,the Hotel accomodation will be provided for by me.Waiting to read from you soon as regards this.
Best regards,
Brent Holland.
best regards,
Ken Sklute
Tempe, AZ. |
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Mike Dunphy, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 4:22 PM on 10.16.04 |
| ->> We spell check "cheque" here in the great white north. |
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Troy Hunt, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Grove City | OH | USA | Posted: 9:12 AM on 10.19.04 |
->> Glad I posted this to warn people... Reading over the threads by Thomas and Ken, the emails looked really familiar. Dug up my original email from Beverly Jones. Looks like only the date and location are changed to fit the photographer. Here you go...
Goodday,
My name is Beverly Jones,My wife Mary and i are planning to have our wedding on October 16th,2004 at St Ann Church,East Liverpool,Ohio.I am looking for the best photographer who will come and snapshot on the D-day and when i came across your advert i was impressed.Let me know your charges for your required services if you are to work for at most 6 Hours on that day.We want about 200 copies of different photos both in the church and reception and of both the bride,the bridegroom,their parents,the officiating ministers and our guests.We will want you to work for at least 7 Hours at the occasion and if you are out of Ohio,we will pay the transportation charges to and from the party venue so indicate in your email if you are out of Ohio and state what it will costs either via Plane or through Car transport to Ohio and tha amount you will receive working for 6 hours at the occasion.
However,I will be making the payment by means of a Cashiers Cheque.Let me have your full names,Address,Phone Number,Cellular Number where a Cashiers Cheque will be mailed to for the payment.Moreso,should you be out of state,the Hotel accomodation will be provided for by me and my team.
Waiting to read from you soon as regards this.
Best regards,
Beverly Jones. |
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Thomas Oed, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 7:06 PM on 10.19.04 |
->> OK, now I just got ANOTHER one that seems really 'fishy'... anyone ever seen THIS??
>>
HELLO,
I AM MAUREEN KERRY AM INTERESTED IN BUYING ANY OF YOUR RECENT PICTURES/PHOTOS,IT COULD ANIMALS,LANDSCAPE,NATURE PHOTOS.
I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD SEND ME SIZES AND PRICES OF SOME OF THESES IN YOUR STORE.
NB :I GOT YOUR CONTACT FROM http://www.apparelsearch.com/Models/modeling_photographers.htm
THANKS
MAUREEN.K
>> |
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Loel Thorpe, Photographer
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La Mirada | Ca | USA | Posted: 1:43 AM on 10.20.04 |
->> "My name is Beverly Jones,My wife Mary and i are planning to have our wedding on October 16th,2004"
How many times can you marry the same woman?
Thanks for the heads up. |
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Chris Rozema, Photographer, Assistant
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Rockford | MI | USA | Posted: 2:08 AM on 10.20.04 |
| ->> Exactly, wouldn't it be my bride or bride-to-be or fiancé. |
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Christopher Zajac, Photographer
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Central | CT | USA | Posted: 3:02 PM on 10.20.04 |
->> I have a contax 645 system listed in the classifieds. A woman contaced me on behalf of her husband who is traveling on business in Spain. She is in Croatia. The IP logged by SS.com traced back to Amsterdam. Red flags everywhere. But I played along because I want to sell this stuff. I told her I would accept only a certified check of US Dollars. She wants to send me a Check for $7000. I only asked for $3700. I sent an email reply stating that I would except extact payment only. I'll be interested in if 'she' responds.
Chris
Here is the email:
Hello,
Thanks for the email and pics you forwarded, it was really nice.You hardly get to see such things around here because they are highly expensive.I like it and would be buying it from you at the agreed price.I would want you to send me the following details so that payment can be sent to you soon:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CELL NUMBER:
HOME NUMBER:
These we would be needing so that my Husband can send you payment for the item we are purchasing from you.Like I said earlier that he is in Spain for a business trip,so he will be sending you a US CERTIFIED CASHIER'S CHECK for the item.He will be sending you a payment for $7000 and as soon as you get it you will get it cashed and deduct your amount for the item and send the balance to our shipper via Western Union Money Transfer.Once he gets the money he will be at your described location for the pick-up of the item.
Hope I have made myself clear to you,please if you do have any questions you can feel free to send me an email.Will be waiting for your email in soonest time.Thanks.
Warm Regards,
Mrs Matilda Kerry.
m_kerry@myway.com |
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Andy White, Photographer
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Neenah | WI | USA | Posted: 4:03 PM on 10.20.04 |
| ->> There is another thread on the Mrs Matilda Kerry. I have got a response back, so I asked them to send the check FedEx. I'm interested to see how far the scam goes. Now why they can't buy stuff in Spain is beyond me. |
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Thad Parsons, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Oxford | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 10:14 PM on 10.22.04 |
->> Just to update ... I got one today ... the same email with some small variations (and I have all ready passed it to the higher-ups at SS.com)
Good day,
My name is John Dozer. My wife Mary and i are planning to have our wedding on December 11th,2004 at St Ann Church,London,United Kingdom. I am looking for the best photographer who will come and snapshot on the D-day and when i came across your advert i was impressed. Let me know your charges for your required services if you are to work for at most 6 Hours on that day.We want about 150 copies of different photos in both black and white and in coloured both in the church and reception and of both the bride and the bridegroom,their parents,the officiating ministers and our guests.We will want you to work for at least 6 Hours at the occasion and if you are out of London,We will pay the transportation charges to and from the party venue so indicate in your email if you are out of London and state what it will costs either via Plane or through Car transport to London and what amount you will receive working for 6 hours at the occasion.Also,we will have the photographs snapped at the wedding forwarded to the Publisher of aMagazine Company in U.K so they could feature it in their celebrity journal.
However, I will be making the payment by means of a Cashiers Cheque. Let me have your full names,Address,Phone Number,Cellular Number where a Cashiers Cheque will be mailed to for the payment.Moreso,should you be out of state,the Hotel accomodation will be provided for by me.Waiting to read from you soon as regards this.
Best Regards,
John Dozer
-- several of the things that stick out to me are wordings that are not the Queen's English but are American in natural (something that I am becoming more attune to). Also, the fact, that I do NOT do any weddings is another give-away (not even for friends).
Be wary!
PS - Maybe we should keep a running log of these emails to help other photogs. That way, it is easy to tell because it is a formulaic email. |
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Talya Arbisser, Student/Intern, Assistant
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Ithaca | NY | USA | Posted: 4:01 AM on 10.23.04 |
->> I am responding to Michael Stevens post above... and yes I know this is off topic, I apologize, but that is HILARIOUS! I too would like to see what the P P Powerbook guys would do to these happily engaged scammers! I read the entire thing at http://www.wideopenphotography.com/thepowerbook.pdf and then had to search a bit for the actual site... it came from... I think it is... http://easynetworknyc.com/powerbook/
Anyway... it would be nice to have some sort of running log of these emails, so we don't continue to have posts all the time. Maybe a section on SS about scams that could be updated? Much like we have a section about different newspapers, or stadiums? Just an idea.
-Talya |
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Cameron Davidson, Photographer
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Arlington | VA | USA | Posted: 1:23 PM on 10.23.04 |
->> Quote.
"Good day,
My name is John Dozer. My wife Mary and i are planning to have our wedding on December 11th,2004 at St Ann Church,London,United Kingdom. I am looking for the best photographer who will come and snapshot on the D-day and when i came across your advert i was impressed."
Pretty funny, his wife and he are planning their wedding. Gee, isn't she his fiancee? That is the first tip off - along with the Aussie, Good Day - not a common English expression.
What a hoot! |
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Wesley R. Bush, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | U.S. | Posted: 7:54 PM on 11.16.04 |
->> I have arrived! Finally I'm good enough for someone to scam. So now I get to decide whether to laugh it off or try to find a way to keep them going. I actually want the fake check in my hand for a souvenir.
This user's message:
message for Wesley R.Goodday Sir/Ma
My name is Daniel.My lovely Lady's Mary and i are planning to have our wedding on December 10th,2004 at St peter Church,East bolton,london.I am looking for a very perfect photographer who will come and snapshot on that D-day and when i came across your advert,i knew i've gotten what i wanted.could you please Let me know your charges for your services which am about to requier.if you are to work for at 12 Hours on that day.We want about 300-500 copies of different photos in both black/white and in coloured both at the church and reception of both the bride and the bridegroom,their parents,the officiating ministers and our guests.
We will want you to work for at least 12 Hours at the occasion and if you are out of london,we will pay the transportation charges and the Hotel accomodation charges would be taken care of by us.so please do indicate this in your email,if you are out of london.what it will be the total costs either via Plane or through Car/buses transportation to london and what amount has to be paid working for 12 hours at the occasion.
Also the photographs snapped at the wedding forwarded has to be forwarded to one or two well known Publishers of aMagazine Company in U.K so they could feature it in their celebrity journal.However,I will be making the payment by means of Cheque.and while this has be alrght by you,we'll then need your cotact for payment and look forward to hear from.please do mail backwith this that we've requested for as you would like it on the cheque it's self.
your full names,on cheque and address.
Contact Address with state and zipcode.
Phone Number
Cellular Number
Please all this are needed for us to know where to forward your payment in cheque,after we've talked to satisfied with your bargane.Waiting to read from you soon.
Best regards,
Daniel Costain |
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Craig Glover, Photographer
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London | ON | Canada | Posted: 9:53 AM on 01.24.05 |
->> Hey guys,
Looks like Mary gets around ... as of March 17th, she's marrying Joseph Lewis.
(I just got my invitation to photograph their wedding this morning ... wasn't that sweet!)
Craig |
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randy kramer, Photographer
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ventura | ca | usa | Posted: 11:53 AM on 01.24.05 |
| ->> Please contact the Postmaster General about this!!! The fact that the check was sent through the mail makes this a Federal Offense. I am soooo sick of this sort of thing happening. |
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David A. Cantor, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Brad Penner, Photographer
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Neptune | NJ | USA | Posted: 12:46 PM on 01.24.05 |
->> I can't believe that there are actually people out there who fall for this sorta garbage... Though I guess if there weren't, we wouldn't be getting these emails. Lol... I Love the part about "I thought that I was too smart to be cheated (b)y a con artist." Yep. Real smart.
-b. |
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Chris Sinclair, Photographer
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Salt Lake City | UT | USA | Posted: 3:07 PM on 02.20.05 |
->> here's what i got from another person about a $1000 dollar lense i have for sale. i wrote him back and said no deal. this must have been the fourth email i got from him. wierd.
"Hello Chris,
Many thanks for your quick response and the pictures sent , i really do appreciate that. i really do want to get the Nikkor 28-70mm ED silent wave for my only son who has just done excellently in his final exams at school as a suprise package for him because he really likes them. im also okay with the price of $1,000. He is a loving and gentle boy and i promise you that he will take good care of it okay.
My name is DR kai rosenberg Andersen and my home address is :
630 RIVER STREET
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO CANADA
i stay with my wife and two children, john who is 24yrs old and clara who is just 8yrs. I finished my education at the university of chicago in the usa as a doctor of surgery 7yrs ago in which i have my own private hospital here in ontario and i now travel around the world for operations and check up for my special clients. i have arranged with my inlaws for the payment of the Nikkor 28-70mm ED silent wave in which im okay with . Due to the payment my inlaws have included the payment of the shipping of the camera and you will be recieving an american money order of $5,000 . So i will like you to deduct the payment of the camera from it and wire the diffrence to the chief accountant of HABO SHIPPING through western union money transfer on receiving the package who will arrange the with the agent to pick up the camera from your house . so you will not need to worry about the shipping. they will send you their companies shipping notification when the package has been delivered to your payee's address .i will like you to know that i will really apreciate if all will be okay with you at this point. im temporarily in the U.K for a medical operation and my contact number is 07031843650.Hope to hear good news from you soon so that we can continue with the purchase. Thanks and have a nice day!
Kind regards,
Dr kai rosenberg." |
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Chris Sinclair, Photographer
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Salt Lake City | UT | USA | Posted: 3:08 PM on 02.20.05 |
->> plus.
the more emails that are exchanged, the more they think they have you hooked, so the more personal and detailed they will get. so watch out for that tactic.
chris. |
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dave cone, Photographer
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Jacksonville | Fl | | Posted: 12:12 PM on 02.21.05 |
->> Just another one to add to the list. Man, these people are idiots. Oh yeah, his email is fredstockman@yahoo.com if you'd like to fill HIS email in-box with junk. But I'm not saying that'd be cool ... because ... I don't support sending spam ... Heh ...
Message I got via email:
Goodday,
My name is Fred stockman,My fiance lesley and i are
planning to have our wedding on 21st of may,2005 at the The
(CRAETIVE LIFE CHURCH)located in arkansas and adressed as
229 Bayard St, Hot Springs, AR 71901 .I am looking for the best
photographer who will come and
snapshot on the D-day and when i came across your
advert i was impressed.Let me know your charges for
your required services if you are to work for at most
6 Hours on that day.We want about 150 copies of
different photos in both black and white and in
coloured both in the church and reception and of both
the bride and the bridegroom,their parents,the
officiating ministers and our guests.
We will want you to work for at least 6 Hours at
the occasion and if you are out of arkansas,we will
pay the transportation charges to and from the party
venue so indicate in your email if you are out of
arkansas and state what it will costs either via
AirPlane or through Car transport to arkansas and what
amount you will receive working for 6 hours at the
occasion.Also,we will have the photographs snapped at
the wedding forwarded to the Publisher of a Magazine
Company in U.K so they could feature it in their
celebrity journal.
However,I will be making the payment by means of a
Cashiers Cheque.Let me have your full
names,Address,Phone Number,Cellular Number where a
Cashiers Cheque will be mailed to for the
payment.Moreso,should you be out of state,the Hotel
accomodation will be provided for by me.Waiting to
read from you soon as regards this.
Best regards,
Fred Stockman. |
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