Old CON...NEW TWIST!!!

[Gia al Qamar]

I am constantly surprised and a bit entertained at the lengths felons will go to...stupid thieves...
I just received a relay call on my cell phone...for those who haven't received one before...a relay call is used by the hearing impaired to make phone calls...they use a type-writer-like device to communicate with an operator, who reads me the message and types back my answers.
So..."Smith Evans" called today...using this service. Asked about my classes, I directed 'him' to my website...the Operator responded by reading the caller's message..."I am from Scotland, I have a son who wishes to take dancing lessons on you, I am willing to pay for the class in any amount money you should require..." I stop the operator and immediately ask for his supervisor and tell him to tag the call IMMEDIATELY, explaining that the caller is illegally using the relay service to attempt to con me out of money. I explain that this is usually done via email, but apparently someone came up with the idea of doing this via relay in an attempt to mask their identity.
Those who post their cell #s online as I do...beware!
Gia

 

[Samira_dncr]

It is pretty incredible. *sigh*

 

[RedRob]

Yes, but how does it work?

HEY.. I just read this and can relate to your story a bit...

Two months ago I got an e-mail from someone "out of state" looking to book me for her daughter's wedding which was in three weeks. Her english was OK, but not great. She told me what she wanted, and then it got to payments.

She couldn't to credit-card, and said she'd "send me payment, and I could send her back the difference between her payment and my deposit amount." I asked why I'd be sending anything back and she couldn't give a straight answer. I then asked for her phone # and details about address, etc... I never heard back.


Had a similar inquiry from someone "in Scotland on Honeymoon" about two weeks ago, looking to book a wedding for some rich client of his in Washington DC... never heard back from him when I pressed for details.


So.. What's the scam? I knew it smelled fishy, but couldn't figure out how they were going to scam money from me.

Looking forward to being enlightened!

Rob

 

[jenc]

It's the deposit money and pay some back. They ask you for refund before cheque has cleared and when you send your money their cheque bounces and you can't get yours back as you don't know the real identity of the person who took it. They wree a little clumsy to tell you upfront what they were going to do. More subtly, the overpayment is a mistake and they need the money right away for "URGENT EXCUSE"

 

[lizaj]

I'm really pi$$ed off with winning the lottery in Outer Mongolia, having to launder money for Nigerians and getting a million dollars to teach our daughter Fred to Belly Dance

 

[Samira_dncr]

My understanding is that they overpay with a fraudulent money order--not just a regular check. The overpayment is an "accident" and, as mentioned above, becomes urgent for them to get the remainder. It isn't so much an issue that you can't cash the money order...it's that it takes a while for it to be determined that it is fraudulent. At that point, you become responsible for the fraudulent money order and the scammer has the overpayment in their pocket.

 

[Gia al Qamar]

The 'email con' has been going on for years...I've gotten dozens of emails...but this was the first time one of these crooks used a service meant for the hearing impaired to try to steal money...

 

[Tribal Belly Dance Malta]

I'm really pi$$ed off with winning the lottery in Outer Mongolia, having to launder money for Nigerians and getting a million dollars to teach our daughter Fred to Belly Dance

Well I am a multi millionaires, don't you know?

Every week I win over 50million (pick your currency here) from lotteries
and don't get me started on the teaching ones!

 

[Chandra]

I had one for X number of students from out of area

I had one that contacted me to instruct 16 students from out of area.

Everything seemed legit - negotiated price, hours, what would be taught (over 2 week period) etc. Forwarded copies of release forms, reg forms and everything. Then when came time to receive deposit for said instruction, they wanted to "include payment for travel, meals & lodging, interpretor". They would send me the deposit for instruction - but I would need to pay an amout for all this other and be reimbursed upon arrival.

Just screemed SCAM to me
I backed out of the whole deal - but had considerable time/effort already invested. Really pissed me off!