Is This A Scam

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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:31 am

I received a bit of unsolicited mail in my catcher account from Panama and I assumed that it was a scam letter. I should have read it properly, but I've become so immune to script I don't often read the whole thing.

Quote:

*Hello:

*
Panama is the most widely chosen jursidiction for yacht and ship
registration than any other country in the world!

*The Panamanian ship registration laws offer very flexible terms and
affordable costs for maritime vessels registered in the Republic of Panama.

One of the primary advantages for registering pleasure yachts, is that
there is a flat registration fee, regardless of the size or tonnage of
the marine vessel.

*Documentation requirements: *

� Bill of sale,

� Admeasure certificate of vessel,

� Cancellation of previous registry of vessel (if not a new vessel), and

� Special Power of attorney, authorizing our law firm to handle the
application.

Registering a marine vessel in Panama is handled efficiently, and the
procedure involves two simple steps:

I. The Provisional Navigation Registration can be processed and approved
if you fax us copies of the necessary documents. The time frame is
approximately 5 to 7 business days

II. The Permanent Navigation Registration can be processed as soon as we
have the original copies of the documents required. The time frame is
approximately 5 to 7 business days.

* We can also assist in obtaining a Panamanian yacht license for captain
and crew.

Please contact us to 1-800-272-7425

So I replied:

Quote:

Ahoy Me Lad.

I be a pirate of the Seven Seas and I be looking for buried treasure.
But before I can set sail on the high seas I must register my galleon.
Please send me more details so that I can lift anchor, plunder more
Spanish dubloons and buy a new parrot for my shoulder.

Ron Jeremy

I get back a script.

Quote:

*Hi Mr. Jeremy

*Panama's Ship Registry is number-one worldwide in popularity due to the
ease of use and very low registration taxes and fees as compared to
other countries throughout the world. Marine vessel registration in
Panama is widely used by international shipping companies due to the
numerous advantages. At the time of registration, all vessels must pay
a one-time enrollment fee, based on a variable scale, plus a government
fee. Registration of the bill of sale is $0.20 per net registered ton or
fraction thereof, plus 20% surtax. Annual tax is $0.10 per net ton, plus
other charges. Liberal labor laws concerning Panama flag vessels are
also an important consideration, and income earned on international
shipping activities are specifically and expressly exempted from Panama
income taxes.

Offshore Business Resources Registries was created to provide services
ship and yacht owners, shipbrokers, ship builders, and legal advisers
wishing to register commercial ships, pleasure boats and commercial
aircraft under various Flags. Register your merchant ship, commercial
vessel of any type or pleasure boat or aircraft in any of our various
available Flags worldwide. We also offer consultations to those who need
assistance.

Yacht Registration

It is possible to register recreational yachts in Panama. This has a
different pricing structure than the ship registration described above.
The registration certificate is issued for a two-year period, which is
renewable after this period.

Applicable Registration Tariff:

$1,500.00 - if owned by a foreigner
$1,000.00 - if owned by a Panamanian (or a Panamanian corporation which
is a nominal expense to arrange)

This tariff must also be paid upon renewal of the Registration.

Documents required for Registration:

Sale & Purchase Agreement, Bill of Sale - or if the yacht is newly
built, then a Builder's Certificate
Power of Attorney
Deletion Certificate from previous registry (or Builder's Certificate if
brand new)

*Please note:* you must also comply with the Radio Operator
requirements, in order to register the yacht in Panama. If the yacht is
more than 20 years old, then it will also be required to undergo a
survey and safety inspection.

Anonymous Yacht Ownership

What is done is the yacht is purchased in the name of the Panama bearer
share corporation. The ownership of such a corporation is anonymous in
that no ownership records are in any database or registry. Thus if the
yacht is owned by the corporation which is anonymous, the yacht
ownership is anonymous. The nominee directors and your law firm (us) can
handle the transaction for you completing all paperwork. We can wrap
additional layers around the boat by having the Panama Bearer Share
Corporation owned by a Panama Private Interest Foundation
<http://www.offshorebusinessresources.com/foundations/foundations.htm>
which is also anonymous, yet controllable by you. There are a number of
different strategies we can employ to keep the ownership of your vessel
anonymous and confidential as a tool to protect you from kidnapping,
extortion, criminals and to keep your affairs private in general. Panama
excels in privacy. Unfortunately financing with conventional lenders
does not work with anonymous ownership strategies. If you were wondering
when it comes time to sell the boat you basically just sell the
corporation which owns the boat leaving the boat ownership in tact.
There is no requirement to report new owners of Panama corporations.
<http://www.offshorebusinessresources.com/offshoreCorporations/panama_corporations_with_obr.htm>

ARMANDO DIAZ BARRETO

Hmm. Where is this going?

Quote:

Aaaaar me lad.

I'll not be wanting to register a mere yacht. I wants to register me
galleon - The Black Pig.
Send me more details you scurvy dog afore I run you through with me
cutlass. I needs to be out amongst those Spanish and collecting my pieces
of eight immediately.

Ron Jeremy.

I didn't think this was going to go anywhere. But today I got a reply.

Quote:

Ahoy Capitan!

No worries mate, me crew will be have'n ya sailing the 7 seas faster
than ya can chop the arms off a sea going scoundrel. Sign on with me
winches and me scaly wags for a tour of duty and ya be plundering Davy's
locker in no time.

Leighton Garner
Armando Diaz

This threw me and it was only when I checked the email address and the phone number that I found out that the company in question was genuine!!
I learnt a big lesson today. Not everyone who ends up in my catcher account actually is a scammer!!!
So if anyone wishes to register their ship, you might want to think about this company. At least they have a sense of humour!!!

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11857 Location: UK

Loved their last reply to you Laughing

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:48 am

I checked the 800 number and got this..

http://www.offshorebusinessresources.com/press/offshoreSolution.htm

and

http://www.diazasociados.com/englishservices.html

Amongst other things..

Looks right but I have contact with these types services in my other life..Some of these guys are a bit slimey but legal.. How did they hit your catcher account? They are all about off shore money stashing, basically, are they not?

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:01 am

Doesn't look like a scam. More of a spam letter to drum up business. He is getting into the swing of your replies. I'm guessing many boat owners can register their boats in Panama to save money. Those are the people they are after. Not owning a boat, I can only guess.

But having been in the offshore oil business, I know that Panama has the most lenient requirements for registration. And your boat can be close to sinking and they will still register it. If anyone is interested, registration requires that a representative of the bureau inspect your boat once a year (I think). It has to meet certain requirements for safety, operational minimums, etc. Without registration most ports will not allow a ship to enter.

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:05 am

I don't care if it's scam, spam, or other. Their last reply is FUNNY stuff.

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:26 am

Registering under a flag of convenience it's called. No scam but I bet you could register your boat yourself for half the price!!

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:41 am

I wonder if I could get my little runabout registered with this company?

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:14 am

That pix look,s like the SSMinnow,,,, you know the proffessor could contac a sattelite from a cocanut,,,,,but couldn,t repair a hole in the craft...

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:38 pm

I think you should keep it up with them. Keep responding in character. I'm sure at the very least you are making their office a lot more fun. And it only takes a few minutes out of your day! Laughing

Oh, and ask if they accept Western Union or Moneygram.