419ers Discover Postal Money Orders
from the counterfeiting dept
The traditional Nigerian “advance fee” 419 scam has been adapting over the past few years as more people have become aware of the basic scam. In the last few years, a popular variation on the traditional 419 scam was to buy something on eBay, send a fake check for too much money and then get the seller to send back both the item and the excess cash. Since the check would “clear” within five days, the person would believe it was valid. It was only a few weeks later when the checks were officially declared counterfeit that the scammed person realized what had happened. It appears that more people have figured out this scam as well, so the 419 scammers are now moving on to postal money orders — which had been considered very difficult to counterfeit. However, it appears that a bunch of scammers have figured it out, because apparently postal money order scams are one of the fastest growing scams going around these days. Either way, it makes you wonder what anyone is doing sending any money to a stranger overseas.
Comments on “419ers Discover Postal Money Orders”
Overseas
“Either way, it makes you wonder what anyone is doing sending any money to a stranger overseas.”
That’s a very un-Mike-like comment, Mike! Perhaps they’re buying stuff?! And what’s so special about “overseas”? Is there any greater a chance of improprietary for overseas interactions than there is for same-country or even same-city transactions?
Re: Overseas
“Is there any greater a chance of improprietary for overseas interactions than there is for same-country or even same-city transactions?”
-Yes. Its a bit easier to pursue legal action against those with whom you share a legal system.
I know of a local business owner who have had to blacklist an entire nation (Indonesia, I think it was) of customers because he had no recourse against the large amounts of fraud he was suffering from there.
Re: Overseas
Because 99% of fraud is from overseas!!! This is very
true, most fraud comes from other countries. Not the US but
99% of victims are in the US.
Fraud comes from Viet Nam, Korea, Nigeria, Etc. Learn
your facts, that is a fact!
Re: Overseas
A coworker of mine sells cars on eBay. Every time they had a car purchased by an overseas buyer it was a scam. The buyer would send a forged cashier’s check for about twice the sale price and told them to send the balance to an associate who would be flying in to pick up the car and take it to be shipped overseas. Every check was a forgery and every time my coworker told the overseas buyer they would not accept a check for more than the sale price they never heard from them again.
Re: Overseas
Yes, overseas is a greater risk. They’re out of reach of most law enforcement agencies except the Feds and the Feds aren’t going to get involved unless it’s a very big case and they still have to deal with the locals in whatever county the crooks are located. If it’s Nigeria or Ghana, for example, the government isn’t going to be a big help.
Avoiding this problem...
There are ways to deal with overseas buyers and avoid these problems. I didn’t use to list a bunch of terms for auctions or craigslist postings, but I do now, and it includes things like not accepting any sort of check.
For overseas orders, I prefer PayPal, which, although it has some issues, insures that you really have the cash. Western Union is also possible and widely available. Finally, I’ve used 2checkout.com’s merchant account services, which has lower fees that PayPal. Of course, as soon as they figure out how to counterfit credit/debit cards, those methods will also be risky.
In most cases it pays to “know your customer” and most of the international transactions I do are with people that are part of a wider community I participate in. Ebay is the hardest here. In general, I just don’t send items overseas anymore. It’s too much of a pain and the risks are too high. And scams are coming from everywhere, not just third world countries. I recently had someone contact me from the Netherlands and I thought it was a scam. Since I know quite a few people there, I offer to send someone to pickup cash. Never heard back from them….
Some of it is just straightforward
If you’re sending large amounts of money to Nigeria or Indonesia, you’re asking for trouble. The scam has been written about so many times that Craigslist now has a link to it off every page. Moreover, some scammers will even preclude their letters saying right away that they’re from Nigeria, and asking whether you’d agree to ship there. This is so that they won’t waste any time on you, either, if you’re familiar with the scam.
Scam
Hi i recived a moneyorder from some one for 2800 dollars and i went to cash it and the bank cought it. it was counterfit. so watch out for wal mart money orders se they put a ca address on it and it came from mexico.
Re: Scam
Thank you the info. I received $4750.00 in Wal Mart money Orders today and I suspect that they are fake. I had been searhing the internet for any info on fake Wal-Mart mony orders and your comment hit the nail on the head. The missing microprint feature was missing on the money orders, so that made me start checking. In addition the money orders were sent from New York but have a CA address on them for the purchaser.
We must continue to spead this kind on infomation to help stop these scams. Thanks
Re: Scam
I got some fake money orders that even the bank thought they was real, but We researched and came to the conclusion that it was a scam. The money orders were signed with a fictitous name and a washington state address but mailed from south africa with overseas stamps. They wanted me to cash it, like money laundering or something, keep 20% of the 2-$950.00 money orders and send the rest to a location. They told me the address to send it to once I recieved the money orders. It was a Nigerian address. I told them they were a scam and they said they were gonna get us, I have all your information and your names and pictures. They found me via yahoo messenger. Dont fall for this, I am so glad I did’nt. I
Re: Re: Scam
Your story sounds alot like what is happening to me right now.I was contacted back in Nov.2005,and was asked if I would please help this person get some money transfered from Nigeria to here in the States.I never agreed to do it,but I did answer the email and asked what was going on,that they needed help from a stranger to get money that belonged to them,transfered over here to the states,and that they would be willing to give a stranger as much as 40% of their own money.Needless to say,they took my questions as a “yes” and they started sending me all of this information,telling me what all I needed to do etc. Anyway,to make along story short,they tried to get me to send them thousands of dollars and I wouldn’t.And they threatened me and accussed me of betraying them and all kinds of things,but I stood my ground.So,then they wrote and said that they had found someone who was willing to pay the money so that we could make the transaction happen.I was/am still kind of afraid of these people,because they know my full name,my address,and who knows what else.I’m a widow,with 3 children and no immediante family,and somehow they know all of that too.But recently I went to my mailbox and there was an envolope addressed to me,and inside there were 7 money orders,and all of them were made out to me and they are all worth $750.00. They also sent me an email and gave me 4 different names and addresses and told me to open an account at the bank and cash them and to withdraw the money and divide it and send equal amounts to the 4 diffrent names.But I can look at these m/o and see that they are all fake. I am araid that if I don’t at least try to cash them that they will know it and hurt me,my children or someone that I care about. Please tell me who I should talk too,or who I can call.
I you can give me any advice,I will be orever in your debt. Sincerely,Lynn Phillips
Re: Re: Re: Scam
hi please let me know what you did because i have recieved that same tyrpe of thing two days ago i dont know what to do im a single parent as well and i cant afford to have this kind of mess going on, im scared too please help. should we just go to the police or what? thanks melissa
Re: Re: Re:2 Scam
Don’t be afraid, Ms. Melissa… these scammers cannot harm you unless they get your account no. when you encash the check. I also received a Postal Money Orders yesterday, 6 pcs of $850.00. The guy, Mr. Daniel wilfred, apparently from Brussels, Belgium, instructed me to encash the money right away and send it to Lagos, Nigeria. The funny thing is that the checks were issued by James Brian from Fayatteville, NC but the mail envelope that contains the checks was sent from Republique of Benin… as if to mislead me. I knew it was a scam from the very start of my communication with Mr. Wilfred but I just wanted to know what kind of a scam pattern that he’s going to do. I researched every keyword like his name (which is fake), James Brian’s address (which doesn’t exist), and Postal money order, and the results are all leading to a scam. Thank, God for the power of Internet!
Re: Re: Re:3 Scam
I think I have fallen into this same pattern and I am now nauseaus. Not once but twice. Right now I have a large amount of money orders in my hand that were just sent to me via fedex. How can one know if it is a scam or not? Now I also have been corresponding with a Daniel Milford, which I am thinking is also Mr. Daniel Wilfred. He is currently working in Nigeria. Parents killed when 4, raised by a family friend in the UK. Has a 10 year old son. He wants to send me MO orders to cash and then Western Union. How do I know who to trust??? So AJ, if you see this I would love to compare notes and see if we might be or dealt with the same person. Right now I am just feeling very vulnerable. I should of known this was all to good to be true.
Re: Re: Re:4 Scam
Just sold a car on craigslist…guy says he’s in Arizona, money order shows up from Nigeria. Asked for 600, got a wal-mart m/o for $2500. Went to wal-mart today…they can’t cash an endorsed money order (to me), but they can call to verify…found that the number on the m/o was cashed last december for $125. If you’re suspicious, go into your local post office, wal-mart, or wherever the money order was drawn…tell the clerk you think it’s a fake…and could they please verify. They can find out in under a minute.
Re: Re: Re:5 Scam
Very Helpful Thank You for the facts
Re: Re: Re:5 Scam
Whatever you do, don’t trust the U.S.P.S., they won’t take responsibility even if they stamp it and you cash it! They’re a bunch of a******s who don’t care if you lose money because of them.
Re: Re: Re:6 Scam
Neither will the banks. Even if they accept the deposit when it comes back as counterfeit, guess who pays? Don’t put in on the USPS. All financial institutions have the same policy. They should have caught it though. USPS counterfeit M.O.s are usually easy to identify.
Re: Re: Re:4 Scam
i have been talking to this daniel milford myself. he has not asked for money, but he claims he want to marry me. please send me more info that you know of.
Re: Re: Re:5 Scam
Read this:-
dating sights by karen morris on Jun 24th, 2006 @ 8:13pm
single females beware! don’t fall prey to prince charming-types on dating sites who reel you in so far that you think you’re the luckiest girl in the world. they converse all the time with you for a week or 2, pretending to be visiting a foreign country, then find themselves in unfortunate circumstances in which they need to send you a money order that they cannot cash where they are. they need to do this so they can have the money wired back to them by you, so they can come back to the states to meet you, the woman of his dreams. they may claim to have no friends or relatives who can help or be trusted and that you are their only hope. please be careful and suspicious of everyone online, the pictures they send you can be of anyone, and their personal dating profile can be only imagined.
Re: Re: Re:5 Scam
Read this:-
dating sights by karen morris on Jun 24th, 2006 @ 8:13pm
single females beware! don’t fall prey to prince charming-types on dating sites who reel you in so far that you think you’re the luckiest girl in the world. they converse all the time with you for a week or 2, pretending to be visiting a foreign country, then find themselves in unfortunate circumstances in which they need to send you a money order that they cannot cash where they are. they need to do this so they can have the money wired back to them by you, so they can come back to the states to meet you, the woman of his dreams. they may claim to have no friends or relatives who can help or be trusted and that you are their only hope. please be careful and suspicious of everyone online, the pictures they send you can be of anyone, and their personal dating profile can be only imagined.
Re: Re: Re:4 Scam BY JAMES F.
HEY AL NOW WE MIGHT BE DEALING WITH THE SAME PERSON ONLY THING IS FOR ME IT’S A WOMEN USEING THE NAME JANET PHELAN SHE TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT SHE LOST HER PARENTS AT 4YRS OLD AND WENT TO LIVE WITH AN UNCLE IN THE UK.THEN HE DIED AND SHE NEED HELP GETTING BACK HOME HERE IN THE STATES
SO SHE SENT ME 4MONEY ORDERS FOR $850 EACH
NOT KNOWING I CASHED THEM AND SENT THE MONEY BACK WESTERN UNION.AND YESTERDAY
SHE SENT 10 MORE FOR $850 EACH THOSE I DID NOT CASH .SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY MY BANK BACK $3400 DOLLARS.WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE 10 MONEY ORDER. YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT
J1071DGN1@YAHOO.COM IM PUTTING HER NAME ON HERE TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHO SHE IS OR WHAT NAME SHE/HE IS USEING
Re: Re: Re:4 Scam BY JAMES F. ON 11/10/2006
HEY AL NOW WE MIGHT BE DEALING WITH THE SAME PERSON ONLY THING IS FOR ME IT’S A WOMEN USEING THE NAME JANET PHELAN SHE TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT SHE LOST HER PARENTS AT 4YRS OLD AND WENT TO LIVE WITH AN UNCLE IN THE UK.THEN HE DIED AND SHE NEED HELP GETTING BACK HOME HERE IN THE STATES
SO SHE SENT ME 4MONEY ORDERS FOR $850 EACH
NOT KNOWING I CASHED THEM AND SENT THE MONEY BACK WESTERN UNION.AND YESTERDAY
SHE SENT 10 MORE FOR $850 EACH THOSE I DID NOT CASH .SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY MY BANK BACK $3400 DOLLARS.WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE 10 MONEY ORDER. YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT
J1071DGN1@YAHOO.COM IM PUTTING HER NAME ON HERE TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHO SHE IS OR WHAT NAME SHE/HE IS USEING
Re: Re: Re:4 Scam
We work for a courier service who sees these all the time. We turn them over to our security dept and never hear from the shipper. Doesn’t anyone watch Dr. Phil? They explained the scam in which they lie with ridiculous sob stories to get suckers to fall for them. Toss the fakes.
Re: Re: Re: Scam
I also have experienced these *******s. I got screwed out of $3,400 from 5 $850 fake money orders from a “woman” in Nigeria. My own post office validated them! My bank never knew they were fake until 3 weeks later. And as soon as I get the fakes back from my bank, I’m gonna nail someone for the full amount.
Re: Re: Re:2 Scam
i am late reading these emails but as i found out we all are out of the money there is no recourse and it seems no body has a clue how to catch them or stop them very sad that is true
Re: Re: Scam
I had a very simplar thing happen.
Re: Re: Scam
I have hundreds of thousands in money orders sitting on my kitchen table right now. I have children and the last thing i want is to get in trouble because of this Nigerian scam. Help!!!!
Re: Re: Scam
Well the same thing almost happen to me. I received a check in the mail from this person who soppose to send me the supplies over sea from London. I cash the check not known for sure it is fake. After I have the money in my account he wanted me to take out 10% for me and send the rest back to him. I took the letter in to my credit union and decide that it is a fake. So that amount in my account is permently on hold while the security offiecer and the FBI investagate the fraud. I hope I do not have to pay the cridit union back if the check is real. If it fake they will take the money sent to me that is deposit out of my account. They do not tell you much about them selve. You learn to late that they are from over seas or going there. This is what I did. I stop e-mailing to this scam jerk.I block his incomeing e-mail. Have the bank freeze your account and tell the security officer of this scam. Report this to your law enforcement. Report to the FTC and the FBI.
I told this scam jerk he was scamming me that I was not e-mailing anymore.
Re: Re: Scam
He who cashes the bogus money orders gose to jail!!! NO IF AND OR BUTS>
Re: Re: Re: Scam
Fake postal money orders are handed over to FBI. WHY? REAL ONES ARE BACKED BY THE FEDERAL GOV. IT IS JUST LIKE PRINTING FAKE US DOLLARS. IF you have any DONT CASH THEM!! Turn them in to the P.D. {If you thik you may get burned over them] shread and burn them first. some come out of prisons. Its not funny to find out your cell buddy sent them to you.
Re: Scam
i believe the same thing has just happened to me. i recived 3 moneygrams for $730.00 each = $2,300. i cashed one check yesterday and today have the bank investigation person laving a message to return her call.
i was to send take $500 and send the rest of the money to a man in ill heath needing surgery. once i told the sender i recieved the check he wanted me to go that day to transfer the money to the sick man needing surgery. once i recieved these money orders the man began gettin “worse and worse”
im sure now that the checks are faulty. lucky for me i dont have enough money to cover the $2300 balance in my account so i couldnt use money of my own out to send off.
this is one case where it pays off to be broke because i was worried about this sick man. i went threw my own sickness not too long ago and required surgery. i havent talked to the bank investigator yet. luckily i didnt get the money and spend it so wont have to pay anything back! like i said: good thing i was too broke to get the check cashed on the spot. im really grateful for this site. lets keep it up!
Re: Scam
I was only verifying if the checks were valid, the bank called the police and I got arested, and face a Felony charge for attempted passing of a fradualnt financial insturment. Idi dnot even sign the damn thing, just asked her to verify funds , i have no record of thsi type of thing ever, now its 280 days or 5 years. my new bornb baby is really happy
We need to educate others so we can defend against
If we all take time to do research, we can learn so much from victims. And by understanding, we will protect ourselves against scammers. I think the scammers are so successful today is because of human greed…easy money for both perpetrator and victims! I also think victims were not informed to combat these types of crimes. Ask yourself “why.” I believe there are answers for every question. However, we might not be technologically advance to answer them. Be skeptical! Be smart!
Fake money orders
I received 5 money orders for 850.00 a piece. They wanted me to cash them take 15 % then send them back out to a particular person. Something about then just do not look real. Can somebody tell me how I can make sure these are conterfeit or stolen so I don’t get into any trouble for them?
Re: Fake money orders
Take them to the bank or the FBI
Re: Fake money orders
you can tak ethe money orders to your local post office and they will tell you if they are fake. I will tell you from past experience they are fake.
Re: Fake money orders
they’re fake…I received 3 for the same amount today from some chick in nigeria.
Re: Re: Fake money orders
Dan, exactly who was this person you think scammed you? Wouldn’t happen to be “kim rose” would it? If so, contact me with whatever you know, and file a complaint with the IC3 division of the FBI.
hi
hi are you seroius I just gor this type of money oders but its postal money oders told me i keep 7% so its all a scam and you could get into trouble and they could find out about you pleaaaaase help what sahould i do with the money order should i return it to them or turn into police!
weird stuff
I just got two money orders for 950.00 a peice. Ha free money I thought. Although, I have not cshed them yet because I dont know where they are from or what they are for. I dont even know how anyone knows I am at this address. I dont know what to sdo it looks real but I cant think of a reason why someone should send me 950$. Write me back please their was no return address and only my first name was on the money orders, the money orders came from a real place in the us but are stamped in the nederlands what should I do?
2 $950 walmart cashiers checks
Recieved 2, addressed to me, from a “Larry Smith” living in New York, a call later and talked to my wife. He asked for me, but I was at work. He asked if I recieved the checks, She said she’s not sure and asked “why?, where are you from?” He said he’s from London, and she says he doesn’t sound like he’s from London.He now gets defensive and claims that I’m working for him… His name is now Don Johnson… yeah real English!!Left a fake “Uk” number, doesn’t exist. Bunch of thieves who have come across some good data and are attacking our homes. Best deal is put the checks away in a really safe place in case the feds neeed evidence, other wise don’t give these a@#&@@ a minute of your time!!
dating sights
single females beware! don’t fall prey to prince charming-types on dating sites who reel you in so far that you think you’re the luckiest girl in the world. they converse all the time with you for a week or 2, pretending to be visiting a foreign country, then find themselves in unfortunate circumstances in which they need to send you a money order that they cannot cash where they are. they need to do this so they can have the money wired back to them by you, so they can come back to the states to meet you, the woman of his dreams. they may claim to have no friends or relatives who can help or be trusted and that you are their only hope. please be careful and suspicious of everyone online, the pictures they send you can be of anyone, and their personal dating profile can be only imagined.
I got scammed!!
Is there any advice for victims of these types of scams. I can’t afford to pay the bank back! $3800. Should the bank be partly to blame if they cash it on the spot?
Re: I got scammed!!
i got scam too need help find if i will get in trouble for cash fake money order
Re: I got scammed!!
“[I got scammed!! by Renee on Jul 21st, 2006 @ 12:02pm
Is there any advice for victims of these types of scams. I can’t afford to pay the bank back! $3800. Should the bank be partly to blame if they cash it on the spot?]”
I’ve been there too, I’m still paying my bank off after almost a year. I haven’t found any legal recourse yet, but maybe you can help me help you. Maybe we all can create a single international counterfeit money order group and get some justice somewhere. Knowledge is power! Learn from other’s mistakes so they can learn from yours. Let the world know how big of a problem this is. Track these cons down and put em behind bars. If you want to share your experiences or ANYONE here for that matter,
I can be contacted at “justinluttrell2003@yahoo.com”. I’d love to hear your stories and learn what you did in response.
scamms all most
ok renee did you withdral the money without geting it checked uot farst well man that is just a mistack you will have to pay back and never do it again see my wife is tryin to sale her atv on the net and this guy said he was from london and he gave my wife his phone # but it was a dissconected # wich he said he wanted to buy the atv ask how much she wanted for it and she told hem $2000 so he wanted to know if she would take us cashier’s check ans she said yea so he sent here a $3.500.00 dollars and wanted her to send 1.400.00 to a guy to come and pick it up but we havent cash the check we are get it checkt out farst and we told hem that and that about 10hrs ago and we havent heard from he yet but the packeg is from london but he told me that he bught us checks the last time he was in the states the check is from putnam county federal credit union bank FL so can any one give me email tell me if it is a bank by that name and do you think it i lojet thanks
Re: scamms all most
Wow!!! I on 8/25/10 recieved what i thought was a school loan check, yet i did also have a car for sale on craigslist at the time as well…guess what…got a cashiers check for $3650 deposited it, it cleared, 3 wks later…its fraud….now bc i cant pay immediately in full I am up for Felony fraud and felony theft!!! This guys name was “Tim Hall” I do believe. Same guy??? and what happened with u???
Re: Re: scamms all most
def. not legit….I even deposited it…it cleared by firsmerit bank and 3 weeks l8er they’re pressing charges on me 4 2 felonies….kicker is…the teller had the nerve to say “yeah they were really good fakes….would have never know!!!” I CANT pay this back….i want to hunt down thi p.o.s mother fucker and make him pay…n e advice anyone….this is crazy. im a ft college student 25 yr old single mom going thru a divorce from a very violent man…my major is early childhood education..this fuck WILL fuck up my entire life b/c of this!!! WTF do I do??
Re: Re: scamms all most
def. not legit….I even deposited it…it cleared by firsmerit bank and 3 weeks l8er they’re pressing charges on me 4 2 felonies….kicker is…the teller had the nerve to say “yeah they were really good fakes….would have never know!!!” I CANT pay this back….i want to hunt down thi p.o.s mother fucker and make him pay…n e advice anyone….this is crazy. im a ft college student 25 yr old single mom going thru a divorce from a very violent man…my major is early childhood education..this fuck WILL fuck up my entire life b/c of this!!! WTF do I do??
i need to know if i will get trouble for cash them
i got money order and i found out today then was fake and now my bank want me pay back the money .. i will i go to jail for cash them .. i don’t then was fake money order i need someone help what is my next step
More Wal-mart money orders
I’ve been looking for work online, and I made the horrible mistake of giving my home address to a guy claiming to sell art from the UK. I checked out his “website” and it looked shady as all hell. It was very unprofessional. Anyway he sent me further “applications” asking for my address and information again. Fortunately after he sent me the details I researched the whole thing to find out it was just a huge scam. I deleted all his further correspondance and haven’t heard from the guy since. Now 5 presumably fake money orders fror $907 a piece have shown up at my house. The funny thing is that the money orders have the infomation about how to tell if they’re fake printed right on the front and infact the same money orders do not have the base requirements to be real. Wow, that’s pretty dumb.
Yes, I was ALMOST scammed
I received and email for the purchase of an item. I knew by the english that it was a foreign person. I agreed to the sale and told them i would email when the money arrived. It did, in an envelope with a stamp from the Republic of Benin (Africa). The money orders were “bought” by a person in Pennsylvania and mailed from Africa- this was getting fishy. Then instruction were to Western Union the remaining money to someone in London- now my husband and I were really feeling uneasy about it. I had a friend in London who checked the address- it was fake. The address on the money orders was fake too. My husband took them to the post office and was told they were fake. He filled out the necessary paperwork to try and catch these scammers. So BEWARE!!
Scammed by money orders does any know if it can be
I sold my old cingular phone online for a woman who wanted me to send her husband a phone who was abroad in Nigeria. First we tried this money order thing that said once I sent it, an international money gram would be delivered to my house. So I sent it and received the tracking number and she claimed that there was problems with the international money gram. She said she was going to send me a money order. When I received the money orders there were 4 for the amount of $850. I couldn’t believe the amount of money that she had sent me. So I put the money in the bank and I have had a financil drought lately, my rent was late, I owed 3 months of cable and I didn’t want it to be shut off and my car broke down. I had told the woman about my finacial problems so I thought this was her way of helping me out. So I put the checks into my bank account and the money said it was in there so I paid my rent, I paid my cable and I paid to get my car fixed with a check. Then the next day the lady emailed me and said she wanted me to send the balance to her husband in Nigeria via Western Union. The next after that the bank took the money out of my account because the money orders were counterfiet and now the checks that I wrote are being cashed and I don’t know what to do. Does anyone know of a way to help.
I was stupid and didn’t catch onto this early enough and am now halfway in, halfway out. I sold a laptop on craigslist for $350, got the money order for $850… was sent a hand written note that this was the “full amount owed by me to Dr Julia Moore”. I figured it was an honest mistake and that this person had sent more money than they were supposed to because of a miscommunication. I emailed Julia who said to western union the rest to her grandson in Nigeria who is studying computer science. Also send the laptop to Nigeria. I didn’t want to do this and didn’t agree to at first, but I figured it wasn’t Julias mistake nor mine ,but her friend who owed money. So I agreed to ship FEDEX because they would have a tracking number all the way through to pick-up unlike US Global Express which is what she wanted me to do. Well Fedex never ended up shipping the package, and they refuse to ship it so I am now waiting on the clearance for it to come back to me and I’m praying I will get a refund because that alone cost $265. I have already lost $235 by sending the remainder western union. I actually don’t know what to do because the bank has not contacted me and when I went in to deposit the MO I asked her if it was real and she looked at it and said “it looks real”. So is the bank going to be liable or will it be me? Who should I contact? I am a single parent and full time student and only posted the laptop so I could pay RENT and now I find out all of this.
By the way, the way I found out was even more strange. I was sent a first edition book of Cold Mountain by someone in PA who I don’t know via UPS. I called the number on the box and he told me that *I* sent him a MO for $850 for this book. The MO was signed by me, and the SAME LETTER I got from the friend who owed money, was apparently written by me to this guy who sent me a book!!
Thats when I knew this was all bogus and found this site.
Please send me an email or something telling me who I should contact. I don’t want my bank to think I’m trying to steal money, but I also don’t want to be out $850.
what now???
Yesterday I got 3 postal $ ordes in the mail for $850.00 From a man name Mike Sutton in Tallahassee AR and an Email asking did I get tham from a Mike Rodgers whom I have been chatingwith via Email for a couple months. He told me weeks ago I was getting a large check in the next couple weeks in my name and he wanted me to take 10% out for me and he would Email me with what to do with the rest the postal money orders came from Nigeria in a brown paper envlope w/ a paper in it taking about satalite Tv and home business I tryed cashing checks and the post office took them to investgate said they are not real Thank God someone caught it be for I got in trouble You know in the back of my mind it sounded wrong but being a Mother of 5 children who have no winnter clothes and your lights are about to shut off in 40 degree weather I just so wanted it to be real. I am really hurt by this what can I do about it? These people have to pay some how. You can’t sue when there in a diffrent country from what I have been told. Is there a way to find Help on my end? What next?feel free to Email me @ amberthompson2000@yahoo.com
concernin moneyorders from someone in nigeria
i’m sendin this email concernin a person in nigeria who i have been chattin with over yahoo im and who first seen my pic on blackplanet.com so he have sent me some emails about him and a interest in lookin for a wife for his kids and he has asked me to cash some money orders for him and send him the money so he can come and visit me out here so plz send me whatever input u can give me
chicks and money
I’ve talked to two girls from Africa and both of them want me to do the same thing. It’s got me thinking that they are using love to make people screw thier live’s up. Ones’ name is Aaliyah and the other is cherry or heinz hummer. Do you remember seeing this names?
More info reguarding OCt 15 Statment!!!
The Post office invest. have the money orders still but @ the same time this man is still talking to me via email I have been getting phone calls all hourss from this man he is pretending to be deaf and calling thru ATT Internet relay so as of now we still have no way of tracing these calls but this theft is pretty stupid I lied and said I cashed these fake checks and he has went as far as to give me a home number in nigeria. So now my local post office and the FBI hopefully are going to find this large ring of thefts and lock the up for a long time and also make them pay for all the pain and suffering they have caused people…….thank you for taking the time to read this please feel free to Email me! Amber
Re: More info reguarding OCt 15 Statment!!!
The FBI? The local posta office is instructed to hand these cases over to the Postal Inspectors. Postal Inspectors are Federal Agents and they investigate mail fraud along with many other postal related crimes. The post office will not call the FBI. You can if you want to but They’d probably think it was too small for them to bother with.
fraud
Ihave been a victim of a fraud and been trying to see if i can get out of paying the bank? does anybody know how? are am i screw and have to pay the bank?
Money order Scam
I’m glad I found this site, because I too got an email from first an Adam Smith and then a Andrew Samson regarding making some extra cash by being the go between for this company called ARINI(Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, over seas. He said that he was a researcher and traveling most of the time and isn’t able to cash the money. He sent me 5 US Postal money orders for $850.00 and then said to wait for instructions to send a Western Union Money Transfer but I could keep 10%. I didn’t receive the information yet. I didn’t know what to do with them. Boy, the money sounds great but I don’t want to get involved in a scam like this. Sounds like these people really know what they are doing and hopefully someday they are caught. I even checked out the authenticity of the money orders and they are authentic but the amounts may have been changed, it’s hard to tell. Anyway Thanks for the postings.
MoneyGram Scam
I recently received 3 MO’s for the sum of 900.00 each. I had been communicating with a Paul Anderson who said he was from Albany, Georgia. We communicated for a couple of weeks and then the “I think I love you” line came into our conversation from him. He even had me write to his supposedly “mother” and she (or whoever she was) replied each time. He said he was thinking of relocating to my province when we first started chatting and that he was a widower and his wife died in the 9/11 incident and he had twin girls and was looking for a mother and wife. Anyway, I let it go on for a bit and then when money came into it a couple of weeks ago, I started to get suspicious, but still allowed him to send the MO’s and I called the MoneyGram International office and was told they were phoney MO’s which had already been cashed. O ya, he (Paul) was now in Lagos, Nigeria working on some sort of Petroleum Dam project and was needing money because he was unable to use debit card or credit card where he was located. When he contacted me again to see if I had received the MO’s I told him that my bank wouldn’t cash them until they had confirmation that they were valid which would take about 20 days–guess what, I haven’t heard from him or his mother since. I am turning over the MO’s and FedEx envelope to police. So beware interneters, especially single parents. Has anyone had this same experience with this person or someone using this story to lure you in? Thanks
Re: MoneyGram Scam
This same guy is using eharmony.com to find new victims. I heard the same stories from him. Spoke with him twice on IM. I then did a web search on his name and info he had given and luckily found your story. Thank you. Have contacted eharmony to alert them to his scams.
fake shipping agent?
I just got caught up in one of these scams involving fake money orders-I never heard of them before. 2 money orders for $850 each. Was selling some car parts. The guy said he would send me my money and also include funds for me to send to his shipper. It seemed a little odd but he said he was leaving town and didnt have time to get a hold of his shipper so could I send him the money. Well now I owe my bank $1700 which I dont have. I just got off the phone with them and they said oh yeah we know that scam is going around. No one at the bank questioned them they just cashed them now they tell me a week later I been scammed. What can I do other than report it? Bank says too bad you owe us the money.
more info
I did some more research on these money order scams. Might be old news to some. Most of the money orders are for $850. Also seems much of this money is going to fund terrorist groups. We, American citizens may be unknowingly funding the very people that want to destroy our country and way of life!!! Since yesterday I have contacted almost every government office I can think of giving them my info as well as severalpolice departments around the country. Having to pay my bank back is the least of my concerns now that the money I sent may be going to fund these groups! As a victim of one of these scams it is my duty as well as anyone else that has been a victim to do all you can to help stop these people. It is our duty to our country!! Please tell me someone is out there who gives a damn and wants to do something about it!!
Re: more info
yes that is exactly what i think too as i was scamed several months ago by a non secured loan deal and the person towards the end asked me that DO YOU REMEMBER 9-11 wow that was the icing on the cake to think i had been scamed and those funds are being used against us i did all i could as far as i know contacting officals but you know there is nothing being done about any of these as far as i can see now i have recieved money orders too i never agreed to do business with them i had only ask for information which i did not get scarey stuff these people are getting away with this now atleast i know they are fake what can we do to alert the general public????
getting to this site is most helpful but one does not think to look for a site etc. in the beginning people need a heads up and get this stuff stopped the ones i had unknowing dealt with were said to be in Canada no recourse there either thanks for sharing
Re: more info
AMEN i totally agree with you. i too want to know IF there is anyone doing anything about this stuff.
indenty theft
I have had problems recently with this scam. I found this thread by searching “fake money order” because i was trying to figure out what is going on in my situation. I have recieved calls from people all over the country because they recieved ups envelopes with my name and address because someone keeps starting accounts in my name and they are using the accounts they start with ups to send out these fake money orders. All of the people i talk to have similar stories about buying something online and the buyer offering to send more and then wire the excess to account. If anyone can tell me what i should do, i would appreciate some advice.
Money Order Scams
OK People – the old saying “If it’s too good to be true it probably is”, is definitely what we all need to remember. If you make a bank deposit, and what you have deposited is fake, you are responsible for any money that you have spent out of the amount you deposited. We all need to think twice when we receive the “deals” via the internet. First ask “Why?” and “Why me?” There are millions of scammers out there just looking for someone who is gullible and will do something so stupid as some of these ask you to do. Why would someone pay you 7-15% of their money to do nothing. Even if the money orders, checks, travelers checks, cashier’s checks or whatever “clear”, it may be found out later that they are fake and you are still responsible, and if not money laundering is illegal also. THINK PEOPLE – Think!!!
Re: Money Order Scams
wow…so helpful now….when u r expecting a check and it just so happens to come at the same time…its an easy fucking honest mistake. so stop the judgemental bullshit. maybe if our government gave a shit they’d teach in schools about this shit and u know things like a credit score to help the economy….they dont give a rats ass and apparently neither do u….fuck u.
I was scammed by a guy who told me he was in Germany on a mission and he wanted to purchase my laptop from me and have me send it to a co worker in Nigeria. So we did it through PayPal and I go to find out after I had mailed the laptop that it was a scam! So I lost the laptop which is my own fault but now he has my address from the return address on the package. He emailed me back asking for my address saying he would be in the states in a week or so and I told him that I was moving which is why I wanted to get rid of the laptop anyway which is true, but now I fear that the original guy sending the emails is american and going to try and hunt me down. They do have my address from the return label. Any advice? I’m going to the police to file a report tomorrow.
Received 5 postal money orders for $850.00 each
A friend of mine in Philadelphia, PA received 5 postal money orders in the amount of $850.00 each. She was suspicious and called me about the legitimacy….Seems people all over are getting these money orders. On the money order was: Mike Owen, 2540 Kennesaw, GA 30152 as purchaser. Return address was: Martin Shelton, 3866 Oxborough CT N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. I advised her to take those to the Post Office or the FBI immediately and under no cirumstance even think about cashing them.
Received 5 postal money orders for $850.00 each
A friend of mine in Philadelphia, PA received 5 postal money orders in the amount of $850.00 each. She was suspicious and called me about the legitimacy….Seems people all over are getting these money orders. On the money order was: Mike Owen, 2540 Kennesaw, GA 30152 as purchaser. Return address was: Martin Shelton, 3866 Oxborough CT N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. I advised her to take those to the Post Office or the FBI immediately and under no cirumstance even think about cashing them.
I recieved an email about cashing wallmart money orders 2 days ago and today I recieved them. David johnson is his name said take these money orders to my bank and cash them and I make 10 percent to me it sounds to good to be true
ONLINE MONEY ORDER SCAMS
I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on this. A couple of years ago I too answered one of these online job scams, not realizing it was a scam until the money orders arrived. Luckily they were Postal money orders and I could go online to check the numbers. I immediately too them to the Post Office for confirmation and lo and behold they were fakes.
Since then I have “applied” to several of these online job scams and received money orders now totalling about 10000 dollars. They are mostly Western Union money orders, and I have found out that since they were delivered via DHL and UPS, that there is not much that can be done to find the people that have sent these. I have asked about followingup on te names andaddress in Nigeria and South Africa that were given to me to send the money to, but I have not heard back about this idea. It seems that neither country feels that they have an obligation to stop this fraud, so they dont seem to want to have someone available to meet the person picking up the “money” and arresting them.
I do email the senders back stating that I have “discovered” that the money orders are fakes and reprimand them and of course I never hear from them again, but I was wishing for something more to do.
At least the money orders in my possession and they cannot be used again, though I guess that they can always make more. Isnt there someting more that can be done to put a stop to this? I hve heard too may stories of people actually sending the money to these people. I guess as long as there is one person willing to send the money, then the scams will remain in place.
I got these too
Yes i did, 4* 850.
but i called up the money order company nad found these numbers were already encashed.
Here is the info on money gram if some one else needs,
http://www.moneygram.com/MGICorp/ConsumerProducts/MoneyOrders/MGICORP_27APR2007115657#MO8
Be aware never again encash
It AMAZES me that this scam is still working!
This scam has been around for such a long time now that I can’t imagine why anyone would still fall for it. Even if you haven’t heard about it, common sense should tell you that you never do anything until any payments to you clear. Just because they initially deposit it to your account doesn’t mean it’s cleared. Nothing officially clears until it’s returned to the issuing bank. Please, throw them away and smarten up! No one sends money for nothing!
Amex phoney check
Amex check scam...
I have a room for rent on Roomates.com and a woman in Nigeria said an Amex check was on the way for 1st months rent. The check would be around $3,000, I would keep $400 for rent and send her a Western Union money order for the balance of $3,000. What tipped me off was she asked for $500 right away. I’m 60, she’s 26 and has been coming on very strong to me. Says she can’t wait to hold me in her arms and will take better care of me than any other woman ever has.
Called my bank to see how to verify the Amex check could be verified as legit, when I mentioned Nigeria the bank representative gave out a loud gasp…..she said it’s the biggest money scam on the NET. So I’m very dubious it is the real deal.
Joe
Collecting them all
I have quite a few of these fake Money orders, and I am collecting them. Everytime one of these scammers come on line and ask me to help them I say yes, and they even take the time to FED-X or UPS them to me, dam they are desprate. But I figures at least they will send thm to me, and other people will not be fooled and swindled out of their money. I am asking those out ther to PLEASE BE CAREFUL, IF YOU ARE IN DOUBLT, OR IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING FREE MONEY, then you better beleive its a scam, so if I am trying to protect you, dont be foolishd and let yourself be scammed.
I Suspect I Am About To Be a Victim
I am an online teacher and apparently a woman has asked me to tutor her. I thought a first that she was a man for her yahoo i.d was a man’s name. She later told me that she’s a woman. Now, she said that she has sent me advance payment in a form of international money order checks and I have to wait until I received them, then I will start my lesson with her. I told her that there are other ways that she can pay me, but she said sending money order is easier and cheaper. Her story about her life sounds true and she tells me she’s a businesswoman in Nigeria, but her home is actually in France;said her family is in France right now. She keeps counting the days for the checks to be received by me, so we can already start with our tutorial. Now, that I have read all the comments and testimonies here, I now suspect I’m dealing with a scammer. We still communicate at yahoo. What do you advice me to do?
Re: I Suspect I Am About To Be a Victim
I feel I am being scam. I cash a check for someone that was sopose to start me on a job at home.He sent a check from lodon. The money is in my account now being held permantly while the security of the credict union and the FBI investate this scamer. Here is what you do. Stop the corasponding with this person. Report this to your law inforcment.Go to your bank and have your accound on hold.
Have them create a new account. On your computer block e-mails from her in your e-mail box.That what I did with this jerk. I was warn about this being a scam but this person was telling me that he is not scaming me. I was so comfuse to what to beleive. The person who scam me or the person who was warning me. The money order check are fake.Have your bank check this out. You will have to pay the bank back. Becuse the bank pay this woman. I know. I have not spend any of mind from this jerk.He sent the internalnail money order in the mail from where is staying in Lodon. Any one can order checks on the internet and make up this vogus check to fool any one who is the bank teller or a person. Well I have a feeling the check is a fake. Since I have not use any of it It will be takeing out of the account. If it real and it bounce then I have to pay my credit union.I am sorry you are being scam The international money order check might be fake. So get your account change and report to your law authority and stop e-mailing this person and block her e-mails. Drop her. So far 77 suspect has been arrested on check fraulds
Re: Re: I Suspect I Am About To Be a Victim
a gal nammed kareen morris is asking me to pick up a monygrahm for her she is from adateing site. says shes from london. i have her adress.. i know she s fake caue she says she loves me after 30 days of off and on emails. asked me what bank i use asked mefor 400$ asked me to pick up the mony prder and resend some where elese… its bull, and im looking at photos at ask.com. ive already seen photos of women who claim there amereican but they are not… be careful people i wrote this in case anyone ever heres from a kareen morris. shes ascam.
money gram
I just received 4 money gram m/o’s. I called money gram myself before I put them in my bank. Of course they are fake. People, all you have to do is call the bank on the check for funds availibility or by calling money gram. We all work too hard to be sucked into some scam and having to pay back our banks.
can any one help please!!!!
I had an ad selling german shepherd puppies a man had called with IP relay and asked for me to email him pictures of puppies so I did and soon there after they sent 3 $850 money orders saying 2 where for the puppies and the other one was for shipping I took them to my bank and local post office and they said they looked good so I used the 2 for an online pets supply company and today I had the postal inspector and a police officer at my door and there are investigating me , can I go to jail for this what can I do if anything I told them iam going to pay back the company please help!!!!
Dating sites
There are fake profiles of women on dating sites doing this too. Found one on match.com. Said her parents died in a car accident at a young age, and she was raised be her uncle who just died in the UK. A couple days later, she arrives in the UK for the funeral, but can’t cash her money orders cuz they’re not in pounds, so she needs your address to Fedex them to you, cash them, and Western Union them back to her. Glad I found this forum; thanks for the warning!
I just dont get it
all of you guys has gotten letters telling you to cash and send them money back and overseas, I got 4 fake USPS money orders today for $730.00 each. It was addressed on the UPS envelope as Paul from south Carolina and William that signed the money order from Indiana I havent got no letter or reason as to why it was sent.I did get a return address (supposively)but I can say whoever this is is good b/c they have the water mark thru it and every thing.This is wrong b/c people are gullible and will fall for it in a heart beat and get there world turned upside down for nothing.
I am an idiot I didnt know anything about these scamms I just deposited four United States Postal Service Postal for $350 Money Orders into the bank then withdrew the $3060 and sent it to the address that they gave me through western union. Now I owe the bank the money back. I have not ever heard of this scam before I was looking to make extra money on line I am an idiot I understand that I have to pay the money back to the bank. It is my fault I should have been smart enough to relize that it was a scam but I wanted to believe that it was possible to trust people. They said that they were an Art company (Mencers Art) I should have researched it more but I truely did believe them. I want to pay back my bank for my mistakes but how do I do this when I have a limited income and pay all of my bills at the same time. It is my fault for believing.
Re: Re:
Unfortunately you must pay the bank back. If you have the Receipt from Western Union you can see if they Money was picked up yet and try to cancel the money gram. (Might be to late but worth a shot) Get in touch with the Federal Trade commission and file a complaint with them :FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357. They can direct you to your rights. In most cases I have heard you are responsible for paying back the bank the money you can talk to them about it and see if they have a solution. These types of scams seem harmless but these people do it all the time they are pro’s so don’t be upset because they tricked you at least you are asking for help some people don’t even do that.
Money order
i recieve a money gram mopney order from one person.. its i have a friend in Dubai and he give my address to a man named Ali B. Oshein but i cannot encash the money gram to the banks coz i am confused also about this money gram…
please reply me ASAP
Re: Money order
its ascam just leave it alone., agal nammed kareen morris is tryinmg to get me to go pick up a money grahm shes from london she says, and posted a profile at a singels site. i have already seen 1 womens picture at a scam report site in photos of scammers… be careful…
Cashier's Check Scam Beware!!
A friend of mine was selling an item on craigs list. A Person going by the name of Mike contacted him with regard to the item. The agreed payment was to be $70.00. Now I was helping my friend out because he works and I’m always home so he gave the purchaser my address for shipping & a shipper to pick up. (MISTAKE!!!) No sooner did he send this email this Mike emailed him back telling him a story about how his Secretary made a mistake and got the check for $2220.00 oh he “Sacked her for it too”! Warning anyone who is professional will know who to handle this and would never tell a stranger about the issue in the first place. Mike then offered to “Trust” my friend with the extra money and asked if he would then wire the money to an account for him. My friend not knowing any better told him it was ok but then asked me about it after he emailed him. I advised him against this and told him to tell Mike the deal is off if you don’t send the correct amount. Well Mike ignored the email and sent the check anyway. Now we have done a lot of foot work on this person the check came from a company in CA and was sent UPS from GA and the wire request was to be sent to GA as well. I have called the Federal Trade commission hot line and opened a complaint. I made copies of the check and all e-mail correspondence. My friend called the bank the check was “FROM” it was confirmed fake over the phone. Tis person picked a bank that has no branches anywhere near me. (SMART considering my friend would of had to go to a check cashing place or deposit it in his own account) My friend has emailed this Mike back and told him I know what you are up to and I will not take part the check is shredded and do not try to contact me. Always make copies of everything, always call the authorities and never ever cash the check even if you are not sure. have your bank hold it if you can wait until it clears or bounces or call the bank written on the check have them run the account numbers and tell them you are not sure. Last but not least I contacted the company who was listed on the check they are legit and they have no record of this check being written from accounts payable. They have requested a copy of the check which I faxed to them. Let them worry after all they are on the check. Just some friendly advise.
international money orders
I just got 4 international money orders in the mail from the Republic if Benin for $850.00 each.And was told to cash them at the bank.And email a man named Donald Ford and tell him I cashed them.Needless to say I’m not stupid enough to actually cash them.But don’t know who to turn them into?
Money Order Scam
I just received 2 blank Us Postal Money Orders in the mail via UPS from College Georgia they are completey blank nothing else came along with these money orders, I don’t know how the person got my name & address. Unlike some of the post i have read mine does not ask me to cash them or send any money back to anyone, do I take these to the police…..Please help i can not afford to be in trouble for some type of fraud.
kareen morris
a gal nammed kareen morris has tried to scam me ata singels site . thought ya would like to know. she 33 supoosedly and wants me to send her 400$ now wants me to pick up funds… i said no and shes ascam…….