How Does This Scam Work?

[Bobbieo]

I am e-mailed these part-time employment offers all the time from someone from overseas say UK or China. This e-mailer claims to be an artist from the UK - I am to be sent a US Postal Money Order – difficult to cash in the UK, he says – in payment for his art work. I cash it, deduct a ten percent fee and send the rest of the money to my artist employer in UK in the form of cash via Western Union.

I know this is a scam, but what is he after? – At the end of the letter he wants my name, age, address, phone number, etc. No form of Id like a drivers license or passport is asked for, yet but at the end the question - do you have a checking account.

I always delete this garbage but how many people get caught up in this trap?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. It works the same way the Nigerian Royalty scam works

different story, same con.

You cash a fake MO with your bank account, and by the time the bank figures out it's bogus, you have sent the money to them, and the bank recoups by taking the amount from your account.

if only 1 of every 1000 people who get it respond, it's highly lucrative.

[benburch]

2. He sends you a fake money order.

You cash it, and the bank does indeed honor it at first... They give you the money, you wire him the money except the part he says you can keep.

A few days later, the money order bounces and you are out all the money plus the fees!

[allalone]

3. the money order is fake

by the time the bank informs you, you are out the whole amount.

[democracyindanger]

4. It works like this

The money order is fake. The place that cashes it doesn't know it when you present it, but a few days later you'll be notified that it's a fraud, and you're responsible for the money.

But here's a great story about a scammer getting scammed right back--and the victim-turned-scammer gets some pretty cool wooden carvings out of it: http://www.419eater.com/html/john_boko.htm

[RebelOne]

12. I love that Web site.

They really manage to hit back at those crooks and make fools out of them.

[NYC]

5. The only thing I can see is

that if you deposit the money order in your checking account, your account number will appear on the money order.

Probably the scam lies in Part 2, the follow up after you agree to participate.

[evlbstrd]

6. Bald-faced scam.

Delete it and block that address.

[Bobbieo]

7. I thought they wanted my Id or bank account number

so my son was right - they send fake money orders!!!! Thanks for the info!!!

[SeattleVet]

8. Typically, in this scam, the US Postal Money Orders are fake.

You deposit them but it takes a while for the bank to determine that they're fake, long after you've sent the scammer the money. Instead of "keeping" 10%, you are out the total amount.

See how fast these guys back down if you tell them you need at least 3 weeks for everything to clear before you send his money.

[LunaSea]

9. speaking of email scams

There must be a school somewhere for this stuff, I get a lot of what HAS to be practice emails by students.
Like this-

Hello,
I am Major Johnson sekou commanding 82division Kampala Somalia before
war broke out between the Tutus & Awomus.I am married with three kids
two boys & a girl.
Before the War started i was giving $80million to import AMOURIES
against the Tutus.I was advised by my wife not to .And while in the
millitary ,we dont operate foreign account , i am asking you to be my
collarator.
Presently, i am on exile in Ghana for the safety of my family.Ghana
atmospher does not suit my family because we dont move around.
Some of the Soldiers has been arrested, while some killed in the War.
Please this is my private email [e-mail]
Major johnson

Practice makes perfect Chuck!


(sure as hell, I search for Nigerian email, and find this-)

The 3rd Annual Nigerian
EMail Conference
"Write better emails. Make more moneys."

http://j-walk.com/other/conf/

[magellan]

11. "Write better emails. Make more moneys."

What do freepers and Nigerian email scammers have in common?

Everything.

:rofl:

[dipsydoodle]

10. It's comforting to to see and read

how many of you are already aware of what has become known as the Nigerian Scam/ 419 Fraud. They are so called because the originals , some of which were highly sophisticated and which involved money big time, started there.

Here's a typical link : http://www.secretservice.gov/alert419.shtml

Over the past few years the game has widen to include enticing offers of marriage whatever from some of the most women African women you ever did see - they have been found to originate from men using library model pictures.

Some recipients of Nigerian scam offers concernimg a variety of goods < high grade musical instruments, computer supples whatever > have chosen to occupy their spare time just having a laugh by stringing these fraudsters along.:)