Email inquiries from Reverend So-and-So...??

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T

traflet

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Oct 28, 2007
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Beautiful Gig Harbor, WA
My shop has been open since Nov 07 and I have received probably a dozen emails that all say basically the same thing . . . usually in poor grammar and sentence structure, and usually but not always from a Reverend Smith or Jones or whatever. They always ask for a quote on 30 or 40 shiny gold frames.
I can't figure out what kind of scam this is. Anyone know?
 
The short answer: Most likely a scam

Be cautious with this one, even if they offer you a credit card number that goes through. Without a swipe, you are the one liable. Here is a thread about this from less than 2 weeks ago, which contains advice and links to similar threads from the past year.

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=30228

best regards,
Mike
Co-Moderator
 
This was up on TG about a month or so ago. It's a scam, ignore it.

John
 
Apparently, that is why I don't get them any more. They are all going to your email address. :beer:

Trash them and forget about it.
 
DeleteDeleteDeleteSpamSpamSpam.

Got one from the Rev just this morning....don't know how it gets past my Spamfilter, but if I don't recognize you....DeleteDeleteDelete and report as Spam.
 
I got this one just a few minutes ago.


Hello my name is Rev Jackson and i would like to make an order for custom picture frames

And can you give me the price plus tax for the size 30 by 40 Gold metal frame with regular glass.

Let me know the price and the surcharges for using Visa or Mastercard for payment,And also can i have your contact name and number.
Thank you and looking forward to hear from you soon with the prices and contact informations.

Best Regards
Rev Jackson Morrison


Rev Jackson Morrison


 
I think it works a few different ways.

1. I don't think this applies to framing as much but often they are using stolen numbers and want the merchandise right away. That way you have already mailed it off before the card owner files a fraudulent charge complaint. Then you lose product and your money. I don't think this is what's going on because our product wouldn't have much value on the black market. Heck frames are hard enough to sell legit. Jewelers and electronics people have to watch out for this scam.

2. Another thing they do, and I don't think its the case here either, is they place a small order just to see if the card works. The emails we get are for several hundred dollars. To test the cards they want very small charges as to not alert the bank.

3. This may be whats actually going on.....They place a medium sized order but want to pay with a few cards. They are doing this not because they want the frames but they are fishing for a sucker with a merchant account that will run a half dozen CC numbers until they get them to work (see #2). It will take many many tries to get the cards to work and they'll keep tweaking the expiration dates till they hit on a winner. They don't want the frames just your merchant account.

or 4. They are looking for a small shop who gets excited about large orders. If you agree they will hook you with "Let me wire the money to your account." When you give them your checking account number they will set up a draft much like an auto pay from say your phone company and they'll clean your account out.


Either way I think the emails we get are just the fishing expedition. You are one of thousands who got this “offer” and they are just hoping somebody will respond – dont!
 
Not only is it a scam they are probaly identity thieves, alert your Internet service provider and block thier messages. Just saw something like this on MSNBC, To catch an Identy Thief w/ Chris Hansen. Not only are they from Nigeria but they are moving to surrounding countries because they have such a reputation. Always question a cold call regardless of it's source; a phone call or email or in person. It might be harsh but I gave up giving people the benefit of the doubt a long time ago.
 
Scam, almost certainly.

The scammers are getting (or trying to get) smarter though, targeting messages like this, reevied a couple of days ago . . .

****

Hello Good Day
My name is Mr Gordinburg James and i would like to order or make some purchases of some glass from your company.
30 by 30 1/4 thickness temperred clear glass.
pls i would like to know if u can order some for me and the price ranges.
Thank U
________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

****

Now, this message had a very relevant reply address in the sent from line, I checked out the domain web address, and it was a very legit associated company located in Brisbane Australia, that COULD have been writing such as inquiry (although not in the poor way Mr Gordinburg James writes).

Checked out the actual header though, the reply address was yahoo, always a spammer clue, along with hotmail addresses etc.
 
If you are up for it, play them like a fish.

I have $36,000 in bogus money orders from a guy I kept going for nine months for a $200 darkroom print easel. I had him send 'payment' three different times and even clued in my bank to the deal. They deposited the first money orders and we put a hold on the account and sure enough, they turned out to be no good. It took ten days for that to come out but by warning them I didn't get hit, they didn't get hit and I told the guy who sent them "I never got them". So, he sent more.

Now who would send you $9,000 in three money orders to pay for an easel? The story of 'his shipper needs to be paid when he picks up the easel' was a good one an I kept this up until he finally quit and went away, three more rounds of money orders in varying amounts.

Funny thing was the FBI was not interested enough to even return my calls when I reported it. Seem to me if they did something about the little guys they might not make it to be bigger scam artists.
 
scam.


Many times if you take their email address, and google it - or google the FIRST HALF of it, you'll see other BBS messages of scams. That's how I found out about our first one - though it's easy enough for them to change their "name".

Eg: If their email address is jon.bonjovi@gmail.com

you can google either: jon.bonjovi@gmail.com or just jon.bonjovi since they may use this same scam with yahoo and hotmail addresses too.

(sorry to any bonjovi fans) ;)
 
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