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Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Face Of A Scammer

there once was a U.S. General, stuck in a country fighting a war whilst his medals were being taken from him and he desperately needed money but the money was tied up.....

Okay, at a glance we can see that's a scam. Several of us have had these emails and knew them for what they were.

However, several women were taken in and at least one is now homeless because she tried to help.

We often want to know what they look like,.... Who could do such a dastardly thing?

HERE HE IS just jailed for 5 years.

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Scammers have a million different faces; as do their victims.

Nice to see one get his comeuppance!

 

Murray Bloom

9 Years Ago

Someone recently tried to scam me on Facebook. I recognized the trap being set and I decided to play along to see how the 'payoff' would be arranged.

She sent me a friend request, and I quizzed her as to why I was to be her very first friend, and what she found so interesting about me. She was evasive, eventually insisting that I accept her request, which I finally did. She told me that she was 26 years old (I'm over twice her age) and that her Nigerian husband had recently been killed in a car crash, and that she was now bored with her life. I've got nothing against interracial relationships (been there, done that), but she was very Caucasian and blonde. I doubt that the Nigerian husband shared her attributes. She also claimed to have a four year old son, despite the fact that her online photos screamed 'party girl.' What followed was daily contact, as she told me how much she was thinking about me, liking my art, etc. Whenever I attempted to learn more about her, she proved to be evasive. I learned virtually nothing of a personal nature. I also told her that I had no money, that there was no pot of gold at the end of my rainbow. She feigned anger that I would suggest that she was in it for the money, claiming that I owed her an apology. So I apologized. Words are cheap.

After nearly a month, she told me that she had to travel to Africa (she claimed to live in Orlando, Florida) to tend to her late husband's business affairs, leaving her son with a neighbor for up to a month. O-kay . . . I asked if she would have Internet access so we could keep in touch, and she told me she would. Then she sprung her trap. A few days after she 'arrived' in Nigeria, she wrote to tell me that she had misjudged her expenses and was now out of money, stranded in her hotel, and asked if I could help her out. $1,500 would do it, she said. I assumed that this would be the first of many installments. I reminded her that I was poor and, sadly, couldn't help her out. Then she asked if I could send some of what she needed. I told her no and left it at that.

The next day, I sent her an email telling her that I was on to her game from the beginning, and that I was simply playing along, but by my own rules. Guess what? I never heard back from her. She quickly added twenty more Facebook friends, most of which were older men. Go figure. I considered writing to them to give them a heads-up, but figured that they were adults and could take care of themselves. End of story.

 

Les Palenik

9 Years Ago

Murray,

There is a high probability of all those emails sent by a man.

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Crikey! Not much one can say to that. I was conned badly by my 'best online friend' once, but no money involved, just a LOT of emotional heartbreak over 2 years. Suffice to say she had cancer..........not.

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

never trust anyone. the first question is - why are they contacting you? the lady from nigeria who can't access her 12.5 million unless she contacts a random american person, there are stills suckers who think they got lucky. some actually fly to nigeria to handle things in person only to get kidnapped. a few will fall for it. and the stories do get interesting. technically they are safe to reply too, as long as you send nothing over. there is a site that deals with scammers by somehow reversing the scam and scamming the scammers.

i don't think i ever saw a light blue house like that.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

http://www.scambusters.org/ a place to help out

http://www.scamorama.com/ scammers that were scammed themselves.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

Glad to see some action against the scumbags!

 

Val Arie

9 Years Ago

It is good to see that some do get caught! I amazes me the time and effort taken to do these scams...2 years! Why?

I have a friend that got taken by one of those secret shopper "jobs" she got an email...should have been her first clue...but she was looking for a part time job. I don't remember all the details...but after she filled out the online application they sent her a small check $200...which she deposited into her account then she went to a Walmart store and shopped and sent a western union to someplace...filled out the form talking about her experience shopping...she got to keep $100. That all went as it was supposed to. They emailed her back with her next job, saying how great she did ...blah blah blah...and then sent her a check for, $1500.00. She was to do the same thing...except this time shop and send a western union for $1000 and keep $200. This time the check they sent her was no good and she ended up sending $1000 of her own money to the scammers and bought a bunch of stuff she didn't need. Now they have her name, address and SS #.

 

Dan Turner

9 Years Ago

"never trust anyone."

And live in isolation? No thanks. Life involves risk, especially if you intend to live it.

The poet William Arthur Ward wrote:

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To believe is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The people who risk nothing, do nothing, are nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, live.
Chained by their attitudes, they are slaves, they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.

That's pushing the point a bit, but I'd rather practice common sense than adopt a "never trust anyone" policy.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

 

Iris Richardson

9 Years Ago

The latest I am getting is that someone is trying to get a domain name I have in China and they are trying to confirm that the company does business under my name there all in the name to protect me.....

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

so dan, are you telling me you would trust them?

never trust anyone. test them to see if they are trustworthy or not. too many are far too trusting and usually end up in trouble. it's better to live in isolation and remain safe then to trust random people thinking your helping them and in fact its hurting you.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Dan, you and Mike are right but... They have to earn my trust now

No arguing on my thread. At all

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

any time an agent comes my way, they have to earn my trust, if they can't. bye bye. usually i ask about contracts then question them about it. it's a test, can they answer? will they avoid, ignore or get angry? avoid them, something is fishy. sometimes i have to reduce the other person to tears to get to the heart of the matter, especially if they have no record of who they are, online. it might be bad of me to do that, but i need to know where they stand.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Louise Reeves

9 Years Ago

One scam that seems to get a lot of takers is the "grandson needs help". Or it could be a "friend". Sometimes it's a phone call where the caller claims to be your grandson or nephew and they were arrested and need bail money or they were on a trip and got robbed, need money, etc.
A friend of mine got a message on Facebook from a former co-worker (he thought) that said he was in England on vacation and got mugged and can't reach anyone, saw he was online and begged for $1500 to help he get home. Friend asked him a question he could not answer and told the guy, "Sorry. Can't help you."
It has been suggested by law enforcement that people who get these calls or messages do just that-ask a question only the real person could possibly answer correctly-a childhood nickname, first pet's name, etc. If they can't answer, hang up with no apology.

As for the friend's co-worker, he came on several minutes later explaining he'd just been hacked. Keep your Facebook URL as an https to minimize hacking.

 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

Mike,

Dan is obvious from where the corn grows tall. He is not from the Tri-state area.

We trust no one Dan.

My mother has been acting very suspicious lately.

Dave

 

Jim Hughes

9 Years Ago

Over the years I've spent a lot of time helping friends and relatives get their computers back after malware infestations and fake anti-virus scams. In one case the person I was helping was very sick, literally bedridden for years and totally dependent on her computer. Losing control of that computer caused her a lot of anxiety and emotional distress. If I'd been able to find the perpetrator in that case, I'd have grabbed his shiny new laptop, thrown it on the floor and stomped on it. While thinking about busting it over his head.

The internet has become a giant magnet for greedy, worthless dweebs from all over the planet.

 

Marlene Burns

9 Years Ago

I'm with Dan.
My business is 100% online for originals....I use my good sense and gut instincts to weed out the scammers.
If I trusted no one, I'd have a different day job.

 

Mary Bedy

9 Years Ago

Louise, my mother-in-law almost fell for the grandson phone thing. When she asked the impostor why he didn't sound like himself, he said he had been in a car accident and broke his nose. He kept saying "don't tell dad" and he was stuck in a foreign country and needed money. Fortunately, my mother in law didn't have internet access so she had a friend, a county sherif no less, drive her to the drug store to wire money. The girl at the drug store said "don't do it" and the sherif got on the phone when the person called back and identified herself and they promptly hung up.

It never dawned on her to actually call my son and check with him. My husband really yelled at her for that one.

One of my dad's old friends send 5 grand when he got an email "from my dad" saying he was in Europe, had lost his passport and needed money. My dad was 92 at the time, what did this guy think a 92-year-old man was doing wandering around Europe by himself?

 

Louise Reeves

9 Years Ago

Another new scam is the call from Microsoft telling you they need to access your computer immediately due to some horrible virus. I was getting these on both my home phone and my cell phone-apparently they just call random numbers. The last one I got, I shouted, "I don't HAVE a computer, you effing scammer!" Never got another one. :D

 

Murray Bloom

9 Years Ago

Hi Abbie. Have you noticed that your new avatar, showing your face, is now adjacent to the thread title "Face of a Scammer"?

Just thought it was a bit funny.

 

Phil Lowe

9 Years Ago

I used to work in TV news and was part of our station's investigative unit. We covered hundreds of scams and the number one lesson I took from all the people that had been burnt over the years is that they let their hearts overrule their heads. It doesn't matter how bad the sob story is, if you're getting pleas for money from someone you don't know, whether it be by phone, mail, or electronically, trash it immediately. Don't even bother reading it. I trust very few people. The smaller you can keep your "trust circle", the safer you'll be.

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Yep, did notice that and then thought well, what the.....

 

Marlene Burns

9 Years Ago

Louise, they've been at that for years....I firmly tell them I have no issues and Microsoft does not call when my computer has a problem...the guy then told me he was coming to my house and was going to slit my throat.
He was calling from India...I wasn't worried about a visit.

 

Mary Bedy

9 Years Ago

Wow, Marlene. A scammer with rejection issues LOL.

I was getting robo calls from my bank to enter my debit card number because it was frozen. I think not.....I called my husband immediately, and told him about it. He's by far not a stupid person....but you never know. We got them for about a week. There was a big red banner at the bottom of the bank log in page telling people to call the bank if they actually fell for it.

 

Ronald Walker

9 Years Ago

OMG that is amazing!

 

Lara Ellis

9 Years Ago

What a creep!

 

Murray Bloom

9 Years Ago

I often get scam and phishing emails. However, even if I get curious and click the link, if not genuine, they're always blocked by either Malwarebytes or Norton 360, my Internet security program. 100% effective.

Only the subscription version of Malwarebytes blocks malicious sites. It's well worth the money for the upgrade.

 

Connie Fox

9 Years Ago

And then we have the "US Treasury" calling last week to confirm this taxpayer's address. Hmm . . . They've always had the correct address for correspondence or an audit. The IRS makes it clear that they never call taxpayers. Either we initiate the call to the IRS or they do business by mail. Just a reminder.

 

Lonnie Christopher

9 Years Ago

I have a long list of family members that I would help before strangers so asking me for money is a lost cause no matter who you are or how real your problem is. Family first has always kept me from falling for any scam.

 

Kelley Lee McDonald

9 Years Ago

Dear Abbie,

Speaking of faces, your latest avatar is adorable! Please keep it! :-)

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Aw thank you :D

 

Kendall Kessler

9 Years Ago

So glad one of these creeps was caught! I get the "My Dear messages from Linkedin all the time with guys posing as military officers and they want to be friends with me. I don't answer and unlink them right away.

 

Dan Richards

9 Years Ago

Unless I know who is sending me an email, I never open it, and of course never read it. Dating sites are a place where scammers hang out, so why go to them?

 

Indeed, Dan!

Two close relatives have been involved with online dating for several years. Between the scammers, outright criminals, and real-world commitment-phobes, (and stalkers!), they've both had some heartbreaking experiences . . . but, they continue to cough up the cash and keep putting themselves through the continual disappointments.

I'm beginning to think it's a kind of emotional addiction . . . :-(

 

Suzanne Powers

9 Years Ago

Reading this thread has triggered a thought that I think is a fact, I am now realizing scammers read discussion threads too to get information about characteristics of people so they can appeal to the person in a more personal way.

How would a scammer know how to use a kind of "religiousease" that is heard in the type of church I attend, appealing to me as a "brother or sister' looking for a friend/soul relationship. Be aware of this focused kind of information gathering, it can catch you off guard! All a scammer has to do is profile you, click on your icon and e-mail you. Fortunately I saw through this person in a few minutes, but for those few minutes I was sympathetic and emotionally stirred.

Wendy, I'm sorry to hear about your relatives, I think you are right, may people are lonely and co-dependent, with a little encouragement many take a lot of rejection and still continue trying with only a few shreds of encouragement. If you have never known love (that is many people and was my own experience) how can recognize it? You can be in a wrong relationship and feel even more lonely than if you weren't!

 

Donna Proctor

9 Years Ago

@ Murray - well played!

@ Marlene - I had a similar incident re's Microsoft. I do love to "play" with those guys when I'm bored. As long as no one downloads what they offer they'll be fine. lol ;)

This isn't about scamming money but more as a warning to women about "scammers" since they come in many forms.

I had a very dear sweet online friend in Seattle, WA. She was real - a close friend of one of my RT friends who lived there. Several years ago she met a man on AOL. They talked daily... emails, and phone calls for a whole year. He was located somewhere in the midwest or east and suggested for their one year anniversary, they have their first real time meeting in Las Vegas at his expense. They met at a very nice casino/hotel - where he brutally raped and beat her. This was an elaborate scheme... complete with proper fake ID and credit cards - he got away with it.

She called her ex-husband who flew to Vegas to "retrieve" her and upon her return to Seattle, she was hospitalized. As if the rape and beating weren't enough, her husband decided he didn't like what she did, sued her for full custody of their two young children... and won.

 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

The face of a scammer needs to cut her bangs, perhaps?

Running for cover.

Dave

 

Greg Jackson

9 Years Ago

"...Unless I know who is sending me an email, I never open it..."


That's the only way to do it, Dan. Same thing for caller ID. If I don't recognize the number or name, the phone just rings until they finally give up. Hopefully, after the elections are over tomorrow, all of the toll free robo calls will cease.

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Not sure what a bang is. Thanks anyway

 

Suzanne Powers

9 Years Ago

Abbie, bangs are hair cut short on the forehead, it has no other meaning other than what I described. I like your bangs, I look better with feathered bangs and try to keep them cut that way. David is trying to sound covert, but I don't think so!

 

Dan Turner

9 Years Ago

Well, they are lovely bangs. I would leave them as they are.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

 

Suzanne Powers

9 Years Ago

It is a cute cut on you!

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

It's what I have and I am not really sure why it was mentioned but, nevertheless, thanks for the 'fringe' compliments. (We call it a fringe)

back to the topic :)

 

Suzanne Powers

9 Years Ago

Abbie, David is a bit of a scamp! Which isn't farfetched from scammer. lol Dan doesn't give out a lot of compliments so you can take that one to the bank!

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

I am honoured :D

 

Suzanne Powers

9 Years Ago

I would be too! It doesn't happen often.

 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

I will have to think about it.

I hand out compliments at far slower pace than Dan.

Dave

PS what is a scamp? Have I been insutled? Where do I lodge a complaint?

 

Louise Reeves

9 Years Ago

Scamp: think Dennis the Menace. A boy who gets dressed in his Sunday best then spots a mud puddle...

 

Suzanne Powers

9 Years Ago

Pretty heavy stuff! Thanks Louise you nailed it!

 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

Oh I am a scamp. I like that. Good.

Dave aka scamp

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Excuse meeeeeee... Back to the topic please.....

 

Abbie Shores

9 Years Ago

Excuse meeeeeee... Back to the topic please.....

 

Ericamaxine Price

9 Years Ago

I find it amazing that with all the thousands of stories, news articles, tv warnings etc that people will still fall for these scams, or any scam.
Years ago I was offered a free cruise and 3 day stay in the Bahamas. The cruise would be on Carnival. All I had to do was pay the tax and port charges. I had to laugh since I owned a travel agency I knew this was so fake. I made them go through the whole thing explaining till the very end. I told them my livelihood and they hung up. Awwwwe.

Now the most amazing thing, is my son who is a college graduate, got a similar call, paid the fees and then told me what a great deal he got. I couldn't believe with what I did, he never mentioned it to me until it was too late. Of course I got him a refund, their terms weren't legal, but that's besides the point.

I know mostly they will go after older people. They are sweet and usually fall for the bull. I've heard of people paying to have their roof repaired and they paid in advance and never saw the people again. Just amazing we have such cruel people in this world.

 

Greg Jackson

9 Years Ago

"I find it amazing that with all the thousands of stories, news articles, tv warnings etc that people will still fall for these scams, or any scam. ..."


Ditto. As long as there are gullible people foolish enough to believe in the scams, the criminals will continue with their escapades.

 

This discussion is closed.