Tattoo shop scam

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 1

Our tattoo shop has been hit lately with calls from an operator who is connecting a "deaf" customer. This person wants to hire us for a tattoo party for $1500 and is having his personal driver drop off the guests to us. The only issue is he is in the hospital and wants to charge the entire purchase plus $1200 on his credit card. he then wants us to wire the other $1200 to the "driver" by western union. I am gonna see how long I can keep this going. They have been calling all the shops in my town with the same crap.

Any advice on how to play this out would be great.

Baiting Guru Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 3877

I think, as in every bait, if there are RL-data involved, it's not really a good idea to bait.

I have no idea what to do in this case, but here are very experienced people.

Baiting Guru Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Posts: 21158

^I'd follow Robert here. He has your info and shops associated with you. You should drop contact.

If you could post his opening mail and header info into Surplus, I think he may have some inkslingers hitting him up!

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:26 pm

^ Yes, the general rule is that if third-parties are involved, then do not bait. This is a different situation than I'm used to, which is emails only. Hopefully an experienced baiter can answer questions, but I'm pretty sure you should just say "no thanks" and let the other shops know it's a scam.

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:31 pm

if they give a phone number, would it be fair game for an insult bait or a "hello ladies" job?
A the worst it would annoy them, at best leave them worried and upset, and there's no comebacks for the legitimate businesses.

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 2:25 am

Hey scarmaker! Whilst your here, why not sign up for a mentor and have some fun? Wink

http://forum.419eater.com/forum/cherrie_mentor_program.php

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:59 pm

Tell him you are booked solid but know of a new shop that just opened and are not known yet. Would you like his phone number?

Use a Google Voice, Skype, Magic Jack, or other number for him to call that is not tracable to a physical address. I have an IPKall number and a Google Voice number I share with lads. Both are linked to a VOIP desk phone that can be anywhere there is an Internet connection.

Due to the limited new shop space, recommend he rent a public hall for the party. Maybe he can offer you a higher value fake check or stolen CC charge to pay for the driver and venue rental. Remember, what ever he pays you with will bounce, so don't even process it. He has no way to know if you processed the stolen credit card so go ahead and tell him you ran the card. Then delay on the westy.. Remember, you are busy and have not made it out to the WU office.. Delay up to the date and offer to give cash to the driver.. He is as fake as the guy in the hospital.
Rolling Eyes