i am a victim of a fraud

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Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

i want to delete this topic.

I've deleted your real name to protect your privacy. P

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

topic closed

Not quite a Newb Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 70

Don't feel to bad some of these people are very good at what they do. There is many horror stories on here. There has been many people taken in that is why we do what we do here.
Sorry to hear of your loss but now you know at least .Read up in the forums about setting up a persona and go for revenge it is a lot of fun beating them at their own game quite addictive too....

Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:52 pm

Hi, Rromario, and welcome to Eater! Very Happy

Don't beat yourself up about this. As you said, you are young. You are also obviously a very compassionate person who was trying to help someone out. The fact that the person was a scammer - a criminal - does not make you stupid. Trickster said it: some scammers are very good at what they do.

You have taken a step towards making life very difficult for this person. You have come here. If you post the details - emails (with your personal details cut out), email headers, and the pictures you have mentioned, anyone doing a search on "her" will find this thread.

Yes, I said "her" - with quotes. "She" is most likely a young man in an internet cafe. Again - these people are very good. It's too bad they don't use their talents in a positive, productive manner. Evil or Very Mad

Sadly, the money is lost forever. Monegram and Western Union are so totally anonymous that there is no way of finding who picked it up - and in any case the person picking it up is not likely to be the actual scammer.

BTW, your English is just fine. Very Happy

Baiting Guru Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 3551

Rromario,

I am sorry about what happened to you. Scammers are very skilled at convincing victims that they are honest.

We have a sister site where you can post her pictures and scam e-mail, if you feel comfortable doing so. www.scamwarners.com has advisers who can answer any questions you might have. If other potential victims are looking for her name, they might be saved because the information was posted.

I would suggest you drop all contact with the scammer if you have not done so already.

I'm glad you found 419eater.

Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 9:27 pm

Sorry to hear that Rromario , but it happens. Actually it happens a lot, I think that some 30-40% of the members here was scammed at one moment, I know I was. Feels terrible when you discover it and you can't believe that you were so stupid not to see it sooner. Sounds familiar to me.
The best thing is that you discovered it before the costs ran up too high or they had you cash fake checks or something like that.
It happens, about $200 million US a year they say, you're not alone and they are the specialists. I was scammed and by now I have learned so much that I never will say "it won't happen again" If they get to me in a weak moment and push all the right buttons, I'm not sure if...
Do as said above please, no more contact with that person and drop the whole story in scamwarners.com and that way you can help warning hundreds of people with in same trouble.
If you think that this could be your new hobby to get even, we help, we mentor, we advice and have the experience. If... let us know and we'll show you have to get even or better. Twisted Evil

Happy Holidays anyway, life goes on Wink

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

i am so happy that i finally found only true,real site and its here. but its today. why today. i am so dumb. i have to find this adress before 7 thousands gone. Because she. she told me that you have to do it so fast to send me money and meet her. and i did. this money its 2 years of hard work. were at home cash. and now they are gone. I don't understand why people so evil? i still can't believe what i did. too late. i can't go into past to change it. She is a woman or girl i don't know. She called on my phone almost everyday and i did believe her. She was so perfect with all words what she said to me. million times i love you! we will be together. And when i went to WesternUnion those people told that its a fraud. She never gonna come to USA to meet you. But i didn't believe them and ignored their words,and i were talking on the phone from Colorado manager WesternUnion and she told me its all lie and fraud,and they were trying to stop me do not send money, But i still didn't believe them. And send money to this heartless woman.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

bill2 wrote:

Sorry to hear that Rromario
Do as said above please, no more contact with that person and drop the whole story in scamwarners.com and that way you can help warning hundreds of people with in same trouble.

thanks. i am not gonna contact to this robber again.

Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:43 pm

Very good as that leads to nothing.
They might want to try it again with you, so you'll be getting some nice proposals in your email to make up for your losses, don't you dare to answer them Wink

Take care

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

this pictures she sent me.

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 12:20 am

I feel for you. Nice looking girl, pics taken from some modeling website no doubt. Too bad you started your research only after spending your savings to a stranger, and I'm also curious why you weren't alerted sooner when Western Union warned you. Is that the reason you used Moneygram as well?

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 1:50 am

Sorry to hear about your luck - at least you wised up before losing more...I've personally spoken to someone here who lost 25,000$...

Money's gone, address she gave you is a fake...just going to have to accept there isn't much that can be done.

Drop her instantly - no more contact - no more e-mails, phone calls, Im's...

When you feel up to it, there are plenty of lasses that are dying to be baited - go after their real bank accounts & things like that to get your revenge against these scummy people.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

Dutch wrote:

I feel for you. Nice looking girl, pics taken from some modeling website no doubt. Too bad you started your research only after spending your savings to a stranger, and I'm also curious why you weren't alerted sooner when Western Union warned you. Is that the reason you used Moneygram as well?

She told me if WesternUnion ignored to sent money to her,use MoneyGram. and i did. because WesternUnion blocked me. address,name. because they know that i am a victim. But its ok now. At WesternUnion there is very good people and they told me here is the USA many young people do this and nothing happening,thousands of dollars were robbed.,but me i didn't believe them. i believe to her more. i am glad that i stopped. sorry for my bad english grammar words,because i still learning how to type correct without mistake.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

Ivana wrote:

Sorry to hear about your luck - at least you wised up before losing more...I've personally spoken to someone here who lost 25,000$...

but then after i already sent to her 5500$ for her STF(travellers fund) she told she can't go on plane without 5500$ to carry with her. She told me she has a problem with her passport. and she needs another 6,000$. i was in shock. and i were knowing in my head that something is wrong... but after i told her i don't have. no more. she told me i went to do my documents and everything is fine. just sent me 1,000$ to pay for my documents. and i did. and nothing. its all so stupid for what i did. But can someone stopped all this? FBI? Police? Internet Police? or someone else? Good people are losing thousands and thousands dollars. And robbers are getting more rich everyday

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:30 am

The only real defence against this kind of heartless scamming is for everyone to be vigilant and cautious without being totally cynical. Police and Law Enforcement haven't the jurisdiction or resources to combat internet scammers.

Rromario, I'll repeat what others have said; you're neither stupid not pitiful. You made a very human error in letting others take advantage of your good nature.

Be assured that we're on your side and we'll give you such support as you need.

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:05 pm

Lad acquired .... pity that I'm on holidays for the next week.

I'll let you know how I go, but I'll be keeping it straight until s/he asks for money or displays other laddish behavior.

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:36 pm

Is this her? then I got some more pictures here.

N all SFW

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:21 pm

I am sorry to hear what happened to you Rromario. Sad

The same thing happens to hundreds of people every year. You are not stupid, only young and lack experience. And you sound like a nice guy. Now you know that there are evil people on this planet who will do anything for money, and take advantage of nice people. When I was 19, I might have done exactly what you did. Wink

The best thing you can do now is tell everyone you know about these scams so that they will not become victims too. And post all the information you have about the scammers on the Internet so many people can read about it. Just do it safely. Do not include any personal information that will allow the scammers to know that you are the one posting the information. Here is another good site to post information about your story. It is specialized in love scammers:
http://www.romancescam.com/forum/portal.php

Once you calm down a bit, you can get revenge on these scum and help prevent it happening to other innocent people by becoming a scambaiter like us. Just learn to do it safely. Never use your real name or any other real information about you. Which reminds me, if the PhotoBucket account you opened contains your real name, it is better you open another one that is "safe" and move the photos you posted to there. Then just edit the links in your post for your new account. You have to remember that these dirtbags are criminals and can be dangerous. So search around the site, read all the stickies and the "Eater University" section. Then when you have learned the basics you can start to have your fun with them. Twisted Evil

And if you have the software to do it (PhotoShop for example) it is better to write "USED BY A SCAMMER" in partially transparent writing across the photos (especially the face). If you do not have PhotoShop ask someone to do it for you. Scammers use stolen photos for their crimes. So you would not want another scammer to steal these photos to scam someone else. Wink

The ones you posted are typical of an amateur modeling site. The criminals who stole your money certainly do not even know who these photos belong to, and they do not care. They do not care who they hurt or how badly. All they care about is filling their pockets with as much stolen money as possible.

I have a particular hatred for love scammers even though I have never been scammed myself. My specialty are those from the Former Soviet Union. From your story I think it is likely yours are from West Africa. I say "yours" because the girl was probably only an accomplice. Her role was only to talk to you on the phone. The scam was actually organized by a man (or a "small small boy" as they like to be called Razz

) and he was the one answering your letters. As Titania said, that is the way these scams usually work. It is unlikely they are really from the UK because it would be too risky to scam from there if they were. This might be difficult for you to answer since you are a foreigner, but when you spoke to her on the phone, did she have a British accent? Of course you were not talking to the girl in the photos, but probably a black African girl. Do you have her phone number, or did she always call you? If you have her number, does it begin with "4470"? If it does, she was not in the UK. This is a UK forwarding number and can be transferred to any country in the world, usually Nigeria or another West African country. Do you know from Western Union and Moneygram if the money you sent has been collected in the UK? If it was, then that means the scammers must have at least one person in the UK to collect the money. In that case, you can call the UK Fraud police at: 011 44 207 230 1212
or write to them at: [email protected]
They might be able to arrest them if they have not already gone home.

One thing I was happy to learn in your story is that Western Union warned you. They did not do this before. So it is nice to know that they are now taking Internet crime seriously.

Speaking of police, it is better to be honest with you and tell you that the chances of the scammers being arrested and you recovering even a part of your money are very small. But there are some dishonest people who might try and take advantage of your situation. They will tell you that they can get the scammers arrested or recover the money you lost. This is a lie and a scam, do not listen to them! One even hangs out on this site, maybe looking for victims. Never give any money to people who tell you such things. Real law enforcement officers and victim help groups will never ask you for money to help you.

EDIT: Put back the info about RomanceScam which mysteriously dissapeared from my post. Question

I must have been tired. Embarassed

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

~ bill2,

yes. she sent me pictures. alot from that site. but i dont know if its real. maybe someone else find that site and use it. where did u find?

Baiting Guru Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 3551

This is the site:

http://www.southerndesigns.co.uk/websites/cassie/index2.html

When you right click on the image, then check properties, the site location appears.

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:36 am

or just click N all SFW Laughing

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:19 am

You are not stupid Rromario. Many people are taken in by these scams. Some are very intelligent and it isn't about you being 'stupid'. It's just that you didn't know - and why would you? I'd never even heard of Romance scammers till I joined this site. You're not stupid. And you did a good thing by coming here and posting the details because you could save somebody else from being a victim of this crime.

So you did something good today. I'm just sorry that you were cheated like this. It's not fair and it's not right but at least you did something about it by warning other potential victims of this cheat.

And your English sounds ok to me!

Sorry this happened to you but Welcome to Eater and thank you for helping to warn other victims.

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 7:44 am

Rromario wrote:

yes. she sent me pictures. alot from that site. but i dont know if its real. maybe someone else find that site and use it.

The site is real, but it belongs to a girl named Cassie Bunyan. She is a model in the UK. The scammers stole photos from her website. She certainly does not know the scammers or that they were using her photos to steal money from you. Though she might know it happens sometimes because scammers will often steal photos from modelling sites. It is the easiest way to get free photos of a beautiful girl.

Disclaimer: I'm using the word "beautiful" only generically to make a point. Honestly, this one is not my type. Wink

Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 3:56 am

Rromario,
Thank you for having the courage to come forward and post your story. I agree with the advice everyone else has posted.
I too want to add that this is not your fault. They are criminals, and it's their job to steal money from others.

Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:00 am

Hi Rromario
I'm so very sorry to hear that you have been a victim of a scam. Please don't consider yourself stupid. They gain your confidence, get you to fall in love with them and groom you prior to asking for the money.

Unfortunately all the information provided is fake. The name, pictures, email address, mailing address etc. There really is nothing you can do to retrieve any of your money lost.

Please contact me (via pm) if you need any additional support.