Stophovr6 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 People don't have guns in England silly. Ok so they do, but I doubt there are too many gun point robberies there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianforster Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Seriously how is this not western unions fault? Unless Andrea actually picked it up there is no way you should be out this 300$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketCitySkins Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 We just had to take a course at work on scams. This was the first one that was covered. This is very similar to the one Mickalino posted a few weeks ago. If I remember correctly, that lady was supposedly out of the country and needed money to get back. You said you were scammed on Ebay. It wasn't about a mountain bike, I hope. My friend's Ebay account was hacked and someone sold 10 or 11 non-existent mountain bikes on it. Expensive ones around $1500. He started receiving a ton of angry e-mails from people wanting their bike or their money back. He had to change his e-mail address. Ebay closed his account and he can't get another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tastes Like Chicken Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Damn SS. Sorry that happened to you. Just trying to help a friend in need. Her reaction is- bizarre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnedAussie Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 The obvious give-away that this was a scam was the Western Union connecton. 95%, if not 100%, of these types of scams all need the money transferred via Western Union. You just need to look past the (BS) sob story once Western Union is mentioned. This is another of the 419's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Did it go something like this?This about happened to my roommate as well... Obviously if you've seen any threads about this, you won't fall for it, but if anyone online asks you for money or anything, you've GOTTA ask them some personal things... Such as, if you went to high school together, ask them what the mascot was... Or if they know your house, ask them what floor your apartment is on (especially if you don't live in one)... My roommate almost fell for one of these, but I recognized it because of stumbleupon where I saw basically the exact same conversation he was having... Yeah, that was fairly close to how it went. She hit me up as I was running out the door and had a million different things to do. Being a bit scatterbrained and being too nice to a fault is a lethal combination, apparently. No chance Western Union takes any responsibility for not stopping the transfer like you requested? Yeah, I called them back a 2nd time and ****ed them out and they said I'd have the money back tomorrow. The obvious give-away that this was a scam was the Western Union connecton. 95%, if not 100%, of these types of scams all need the money transferred via Western Union.You just need to look past the (BS) sob story once Western Union is mentioned. This is another of the 419's. I've never used WU before so I never would have known. Damn SS. Sorry that happened to you. Just trying to help a friend in need. Her reaction is- bizarre. Yeah, it was a little weird, I just think she was in denial about the whole thing and I suppose that reaction is natural for some people. Me, I was scammed, I don't have a problem admitting it, obviously. I don't want to waste any time in fixing it. Literally, she sent me this email a few minutes ago: -- Check out this email I just got from Facebook Security!! I will call you tomorrow to follow up to make sure everything is ok on your end and to THANK you for even considering helping me in that way. Here's the email: Hi --------, Our systems indicate that your Facebook account has been compromised by cybercriminals attempting to impersonate you. These criminals often will try to trick your friends into sending them money by claiming that you are stuck in a far away location and need assistance. It is possible that your email account was compromised as well. As such, we have sent this email to all email accounts recently associated with your account. Obtaining access to a victim's email is one of the primary ways these cybercriminals have been operating. Please change the passwords to any email addresses associated with your account. Once you regain control of your Facebook account, be sure to verify that you control all of the email addresses associated with your account on the Contact Email section at: https://register.facebook.com/editaccount.php We strongly recommend that you select a new, unique password for any email address associated with your Facebook account. You should make sure to avoid using the same password for multiple sites. We also encourage you to visit the following page for more information about Facebook security and how to report suspicious material: http://www.facebook.com/security In order to regain control of your Facebook account reply to this email to get the account verification process started. Thanks, Facebook Security Well, she obviously believes me now Being a real estate agent, I get hit up for scams and solicitations all the time...I've got access to a lot of information and things that people want...I like to think that my BS detector is pretty good, as that prior ebay scam is the only scam I've ever fallen for before. Just wanted to give you all a heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGI Jef Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 also just scammed on fb chat someone claimed to be a woman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renaissance Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Weird. Brandon Lloyd facebook chatted me earlier tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smitity Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Am I the only one who would have been wary of a scam as soon as someone was seeking emergency financial help on FACEBOOK? Maybe I'm old fashioned, but logic and common sense that if someone was in that situation (robbed in a foreign country), you would contact a close friend or family member for help, or the embassy, etc. Or since she had access to a computer and internet, even contact your bank, or about 10 million more logical outlets than facebook. Facebook would be at the bottom of my list of places to go looking for help getting money in an emergency, right next to my favorite porn site. It just defies logic, which is a sure sign of a scam. A little common sense will save you from many a scam (and virus) when dealing with the interwebs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskins0756 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Sorry but that was a really dumb decision. I think the dead giveaway was her asking you to wire money through a Western Union account. Even if you had never heard of these Nigerian scammers using that bank or any of that you should have been much more suspicious. Handling your money the way you did is a good way to get it all stolen. I would make sure all of your accounts haven't been drained because what these scammers will do is steal your account information somehow and take all the money out of your accounts. Pretty unbelievable though you couldn't spot this scam when she mentioned the word "wire" and "money" in the same sentence over the internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskins0756 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Am I the only one who would have been wary of a scam as soon as someone was seeking emergency financial help on FACEBOOK? Maybe I'm old fashioned, but logic and common sense that if someone was in that situation (robbed in a foreign country), you would contact a close friend or family member for help, or the embassy, etc. Or since she had access to a computer and internet, even contact your bank, or about 10 million more logical outlets than facebook. Facebook would be at the bottom of my list of places to go looking for help getting money in an emergency, right next to my favorite porn site. It just defies logic, which is a sure sign of a scam. A little common sense will save you from many a scam (and virus) when dealing with the interwebs. Amen. Today it's becoming incredibly difficult to verify identity over the internet and especially catch people who pull off these scams. If someone was really in trouble I would first call to verify and then require that I meet them somewhere or have a more secure transfer of funds on my own terms. Not through some financial institution I've never worked with before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Guys, I think he understands that what he did was not the smartest thing. He's even said so himself. Berating him is not only pointless and a little bit mean, but it actually is counterproductive because it discourages others from sharing their stories in the future for fear of ridicule, making it easier for scams like this to work. I'd suggest you keep your comments about how he was stupid, or should have known better, or whatever, to yourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Guys, I think he understands that what he did was not the smartest thing. He's even said so himself.Berating him is not only pointless and a little bit mean, but it actually is counterproductive because it discourages others from sharing their stories in the future for fear of ridicule, making it easier for scams like this to work. I'd suggest you keep your comments about how he was stupid, or should have known better, or whatever, to yourselves. Nah man, I freely admit it and I knew that before posting this there'd be people who'd say it. Deservedly so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Nah man, I freely admit it and I knew that before posting this there'd be people who'd say it. Deservedly so. No offense, but it wasn't you I was defending, really. I'm more afraid of the chilling effect on others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGI Jef Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Weird. Brandon Lloyd facebook chatted me earlier tonight. dont buy it for a new york second Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskins0756 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Guys, I think he understands that what he did was not the smartest thing. He's even said so himself.Berating him is not only pointless and a little bit mean, but it actually is counterproductive because it discourages others from sharing their stories in the future for fear of ridicule, making it easier for scams like this to work. I'd suggest you keep your comments about how he was stupid, or should have known better, or whatever, to yourselves. No one is "berating" him. I'm responding to his original post. If the OP is willing to share a story about how he got scammed on facebook chat, unfortunately he has to realize it wasn't the most intelligent thing to do and people are going to say so. I do feel bad the OP was caught in this scam and had to be put through such an ordeal, but I don't think I crossed the line at all. Nor do I think my comments will discourage others from providing their experiences, that's a bit of a stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidFan Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Sorry you got scammed but you never wire money or give your bank acct or SSN# to somebody you don't know online.....not to be a prick but you should have known better.....glad it only was $300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnedAussie Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Pretty unbelievable though you couldn't spot this scam when she mentioned the word "wire" and "money" in the same sentence over the internet. It's not so much 'wire' and 'money' being used in the same sentence, but when 'Western Union' is also the destination, that's when the red flag should drop. SS, you wrote this: Being a real estate agent, I get hit up for scams and solicitations all the time so you should be up to speed with the 419 scams coming out of Nigeria. The common factor with ALL of those is that they use Western Union as their collection point for YOUR (wire transferred) money. Go to http://www.419eater.com/ and read up on how to spot a scam, and if inclined, how to turn it to your advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrfriedm Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Good for you for being such a good guy willing to help out an acquaintance/friend in their time of yikes. Sorry that it turned out to be a fraud. Andrea's reaction would piss me off. I would have felt really bad that this happened to you on my behest. What a ****ty way to treat a friend who just got rooked trying to help you. I couldn't agree more. I think that I would be more upset about the fact that my "friend" that I was thought I was helping out, couldn't care that I'm potentially out $300 for trying to help her (or atleast what I thought was her). If I was in your place, I would be like if you ever need help in the future don't come to me. Did the Fraud department say if you'll be able to get your money back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Rich Fla Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 These scams are rampid these days. I blame Obama.:evilg: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. S Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 UK is the new Nigeria for a lot of these scammers. I had a co-worker essentially fall for one, the types where they send you bad checks and ask you to deposit them in your account and send money to them, and you end up being out a ton of money. They are getting mroe creative in their angles. The one my co-worker almost fell for was a job offer working as an office manager for someone overseas (in the UK) at times. My favorite scams are still the office supplies scams. I just love when they try to call and ask for the copier number just so I can mess around with them a bit until they get mad and hang up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 One way to prevent getting scammed in the OP scenario is to ask a simple question that the real person would know and the faker wouldn't... Pretty easy, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD_washingtonredskins Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 One way to prevent getting scammed in the OP scenario is to ask a simple question that the real person would know and the faker wouldn't... Pretty easy, right? That's easier said than done unless that type of question had already been agreed upon. Remember, the scammer had hacked this lady's Facebook account so he/she would have known a lot of information about her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisha Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 That's easier said than done unless that type of question had already been agreed upon. Remember, the scammer had hacked this lady's Facebook account so he/she would have known a lot of information about her. No, it's not. First of all, if you know this person fairly well, then you should have plenty of things to confirm that the person is real. Second, if you are not that close to that person but you want to help out, do NOT give the money unless you have verified the situation. There are also other ways to help out other than giving money, like passing the info to her relatives or close friends. This was a fairly easy scam to recognize, though. Lesson learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte51Coleman Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Next time run it by Mickalino before responding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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