Is this a scam?
 

I have a PHI 3D Heli for sale. Here is the offer I just got!! Sounds fishy to me.

Hello ,
Thanks for your prompt response and acceptance but there is a little problem about getting the payment to you.I would have loved to wire the funds via western union money transfer but the funds on my credit card is insufficient and do not have access to recharge it due where I am now.I am presently in Belgium on documentary research in GOTHEN SAVANAH LOCATION and I need the above said for a purpose that will make my research a comprehensive one.
Immediately I saw your reply,I thought of a way out and thank God it works.I emailed my associate that is presently in Belgium and he assured me that he will help me to wire you the funds b ut anothe! r problem that we are going to encouter is lack of cash at the moment.He suggested a U.S. postal money order to me and am very sure that you will honour it.So,kindly let me have your details such as as your FULL NAME that will be printed on it,YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS and YOUR PHONE NUMBER.
One more thing,I am still going to ship the above to my Location here in Belgium and presently,I have not seen a reputable shipping company that will handle that for me.I would have loved to give the work to an United State shipping company but learn't that Belgium Goverment doesn't welcome an International Shipping Company to convey Goods to their country.I am yet to find one and when I contacted a realiable Belgium person to enlighten me more about this,he made it known to me that The cost of shipping is highly expensive in Belgium which I don't mind due to the profit am going to make after finishing compiling my research.I am told that they don't also accept an internation Check due to the long clearance on it.Instead,the most preferable me thod of payment to them is Western union money transfer.Now I have told you about my Lack of funds and the same thing applies to my associate that will post your own payment to you.Although,I have discussed it with him to help me with the western union issue to the shipping company here in Belgium,but soonest he will be leaving United State for a conference as well and won't have enough time to see to this.He then brought a nice Idea which I abided with.He said he will be inflating the amount on the check to $4,000 whereby you will deduct your own cost and help me to transfer the remaining $3,100 to the shipper for the payment of their services.I am little bit disturbed about this because Firstly I don't know you.secondly,how do I have the trust that you will help me send the remaining funds to the shippers.I would be very happy if could w! rite back and let me know that you will not betray me couple with you details that will enable you receive the payment from my associate.I a m sorry if am too harsh but everything should be handle with care.
Thanks.
Ray.

Here is my reply:
Ray
This is to complicated. If you want to pay with cashiers check, US Postal MO or paypal that is fine. Since you want it shipped to Belgium I will gladly box it up and give it to whatever shipper you make arrangements with.Let me know.

RE: Is this a scam?
 

Yup, it sure is. Avoid it like the plague!!!

RE: Is this a scam?
 

I've seen this scam along with a couple others that are very similar. Unfortunately some people actually fall for stuff like this[sm=frown.gif] Yeah ok dude I'm gonna send the shipment and then get a counterfeit/laserprinted check or money order if anything at all. Perfect reply though...no money=no helicopter

RE: Is this a scam?
 

Definitely a scam, I got the same request about two years ago when I was selling a heli.

RE: Is this a scam?
 

Tell him you reported him to the FBI and block him

RE: Is this a scam?
 

better yet, tell him to send it, then give it to the FBI and when he calls back, tell him to go away and expect a call from them

RE: Is this a scam?
 

If you do get the money, then you will get arrested. They use this scam as a money laundering scheme. They pay you with stolen CC funds and they get clean cash. Most of the time these types of things originate in Nigeria. The country's income is primarily based on Scams. I got this one today it is amazing how stupid they think people are.

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Frank Itua, the Personal Attorney to a Foreign Contractor who worked with a Multinational Oil Firm here in Nigeria.


On the 21st of April 2001, my client, his wife And their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist me in repartrating the money left behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US$12 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confisicated within the next thirty official working days.

since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the the relatives for over 4 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at $12 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share this money. 70% to me and 25% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require,I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me via email:[email protected].
as soon as you get this mail to enable us discuss on the modalities and process for success of this transaction.

I also request for your private telephone number, fax number for easy and more confidential communication.
I await your kind response, Goodday and God bless.

Regards,

Barrister Frank Itua [S.A.N]



GOD BE WITH YOU

RE: Is this a scam?
 

yeah i get those a lot in my email...

only thing is, why do they think someone would be as willing to agree to only getting 25% when w/o you he would have nothing... I think they need to mod their scam to sound a little better for the idiot who falls for it... like say they'll give you 40% or something...

RE: Is this a scam?
 

Thanks for the input. I posted mostly incase anyone else gets this kind of crap. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Ive also got the !QUOT!Can you help me with 12 M dollars?!QUOT! stuff to. I deal with folks who import/export and they don't do it this way. Usually you have a letter of credit with a reputable bank, funds don't transfer till items are delivered and even then you can get screwed.
Didn't know where to post this question so it landed here.
Thanks again.

Who the Hell is [email protected]???? He sent me a forward to [email protected] (WHAT OFFER??? WHAT ARE YOU CRYING ABOUT , YOU BIG BABY!!)
with about 50 emails forwarded from it. The problem with email and forums is some guys don't act like they would in real life. The keyboard is their alter ego.

RE: Is this a scam?
 

isnt it money laundering? i thought thats an impisinable offence

RE: Is this a scam?
 

Have seen the same scam before and read about a guy that actually received a cheque which of course was false.
Have also had several mails and letters from Nigerian officials and band directors with Hotmail and Yahoo adresses. Have replied to several of them which all tend to dissappear when I give them a flase bank account number and ask them to send me $10000,- to ensure good faith. Seems these Hotmail Bank Directors doesn't have the same trust in people that they expect us to have.

The sad thing is that even as obvious these scams are and even if we sit here laughing at these dumb scam artist, my fellow countrymen pay out something like $ 6 million every year hoping to get something back from a guy with only a Yahoo mail adress...must be the same guys that invest in WGI and T5PC, sad.

RE: Is this a scam?
 

Bull, you won't get arrested for some idiot sending you money. If you cooperate and launder it for him, you could, but I guarentee, the funds he sends you will not be good. They are smarter than to send you money that needs laundering. They have other ways to do that. They send fake checks. There have been a few here that have gotten them and turned them in. Lots of stories in the papers on it and lots of warndings from the FBI.

RE: Is this a scam?
 

You won't get arrested since it's not your fault, but the FBI will investigate you. That can be very embarrassing. I exagarated on the Arrested :eek:. I run a internet company and get orders all the time, They want 500 widgets sent to Nigeria and will be paying by CC, and they want to pay with 10 different cards. Most of the time they come back as stolen, but if they do go though and you ship the stuff when the CC company is notified by the owner of the card of the invalid charge, you get the transaction reversed and you loose your money. They have now taken stolen CC money and LAUNDERED it into Tangeable resalable goods. Every web store owner I know will not ship to nigeria and a list of other small countrys known for these scams. They mostly sucker new store owners who get all excited becasue someone wants to buy 30 Big Screen TVs. It never clicks in that it's a scam people just see $$$$$$$.