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cg11
Hello I'm New here!
Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 6
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:16 am |
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Nigeria Scam aided by Western Union & Alibaba.com
First there was the Nigerian scam with the spam letters that
promised you a percentage of a huge inheritance from
their uncle or family member who just passed away.
I get these daily in my email as spam, I've learned to tune
them out, yet, people still get caught by them.
Recently, a more elaborate scam from Nigeria has evolved,
and one that I fell victim of, and lost $1200 U.S.
I was using the site Alibaba.com to find potential suppliers
to purchase goods from. I wanted to test purchasing some
Macbook Pro's, so that I could resell them and make money.
I'm mainly interested in dealing with suppliers from Hong Kong.
Since anyone can open up a free account, and post items for sale, I fell
victim to finding these scammers as a potential supplier to purchase from.
To make a long story short, we spoke on Yahoo messenger for about
10 days, before I finally felt comfortable with the arrangements to get the
goods delivered, they sent me pictures of the laptops, etc.
They agreed that I could hide the MTCN, while the goods were delivered
to me. In my mind I thought since they don't have the MTCN, they won't
be getting the money if they didn't deliver the items to me.
Boy was I wrong with Western Union!
Western Union is helping these scammers because they delivered
the money to them, WITHOUT the need for the MTCN. I hope
anyone reading this really brings up the issue at Western Union, because
Western Union is aiding these scammers.
Yes I know, how is that possible?
A fellow named Jonathan Aaron Mensah from Hong Kong,
either works at Western Union, or knows someone who
works there that is aiding this scam to receive the funds.
These guys received the money WITHOUT the MTCN,
when I called Western Union, the guy on the phone was
very rude, not helpful, and actually blamed me and said
that I should not have purchased goods on the Internet,
and it was my fault I was scammed.
I was under the impression that Western Union would NOT
release the funds unless they had the MTCN.
At least, that's what the lady told me when I purchased it,
and they had a big sign at the Money Mart window, that said
Western Union's new policies required an MTCN and proper ID,
before releasing the funds to the recipient.
Of course, there's much more to this story, but there's only
so much I can cover here. Bottom line is, I was scammed
out of $1200, Western Union delivered the funds to the scammers
WITHOUT the need for the MTCN.
Here's the key info to avoid from these scammers.
Their Phone # in Nigeria is +2348087208883, if anyone
can trace these scammers with the phone #, it'd be great!
They use the name Bestshop Sellers LTD.,
email [email protected]
The Alibaba Company Info is below:
Name: Mr Mike Benjamin
Company: Dedexsales Rem Limted
Address: 8921 Franklin Street
Country: United States
Phone: 1-1-9876095532
Fax: 1-1-5645783
The scammer receiving the funds is:
Jonathan Aaron Mensah
30 Fue yeng street
Tai su, Kowloon
Hong Kong
1218
Of course, these are scammers we're dealing with,
so they'll likely change the company name, email, etc.
My advice is, DO NOT do business with anyone from Nigeria, PERIOD.
I have heard nothing but bad things from anyone that has dealt
with Nigerians, these people are heartless, they have no souls,
they actually laugh about it when I called requesting my money back.
If you deal with anyone from Alibaba, deal with Trust Pass members ONLY!
I know I've learned my $1200 lesson
Carlos Garcia |
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Breddan Butter
Retired Moderator
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Posts: 4170
Location: Soligorsk, Belarus
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:03 am |
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Don't blame Western Union for your own failings.
If you were not familiar with how their money transfer system works then you should have made an effort to find out first.
See this link for some information about receiving funds:-
http://www.westernunion.com/info/faqSecurity.asp
If you only read one tiny bit of that then make it this bit:
"Remember that Western Union does not require a receiver to present a money transfer control number (MTCN) to pick up funds".
I'm sorry that you became yet another victim of fraud but, unfortunately, you won't get any sympathy here, nor will we accept that, as you have tried to imply, it was the fault of Western Union, Alibaba or any party other than yourself.
There are so many clues in your post above that this was a scam that the smallest amount of research should have made you run a mile away from it. |
_________________ Можно заплатить кредитной карточкой ?
Пошёл на хуй, мудак !!!
(x4)
My IP address is 217.21.39.255. (86.57.134.49 on Sundays) Please don't come knocking on my door. |
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cg11
Hello I'm New here!
Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 6
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:21 pm |
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Hey,
Thanks very much for justifying these scammers, and blaming me once again.
It's typical of people who have no idea how it feels to lose $1200.
When I purchased the Western Union, they had a big sign that said,
"Western Union's new policies will not release funds to individuals without
proper Identification, and a Money Transfer Control Number"
I also asked the lady if they would be able to cash the Money Order
without the MTCN, and she told me there would be NO WAY for them
to cash it without the MTCN.
So, their sign, and the person whom I purchased it from BOTH told me
that they could not cash the money without the MTCN.
Perhaps if they told me they could cash it without the MTCN, I would NOT
have sent these scammers any money.
So it's still my fault, huh?
What about the scammers who take the money?
They've stolen $1200 from me, yet it's my fault.
How typical of ignorant people like yourself!!!!! |
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jxd
Master of Master Baiters
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 756
Location: Altered by observation
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:11 pm |
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You are the one who takes care of you and your money. Not WU, not the government, and depending on your age not your parents.
Please do not call us ignorant, and take out your frustration in an xbox forum like everyone else. Each time someone dodges blame, God kills a kitten.
EDIT: Consider yourself extremely lucky it was only 1200 and not 50,000 like someone I know. |
_________________ Welcome to 419eater.net "It's Dot Com!" x7
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cg11
Hello I'm New here!
Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 6
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:24 pm |
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ok, you're right, it was my fault, I made the decision to send these guys money.
I just wish I had some sort of protection as advertised by Western Union.
I've learned my lesson the hard way, I know I won't be dealing with suppliers who are not Trust Pass members on Alibaba ever again.
After losing money, the last thing I need is for people to rub it in. |
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jxd
Master of Master Baiters
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 756
Location: Altered by observation
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:26 pm |
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Sorry, I'm not trying to rub it in. Just be grateful! You are alive and not in debt, which is far more than many victims can say.
EDIT again: And I agree, WU should be VERY suspicious of people sending money to Nigeria, give them some information or something. But again, that's not their job. |
_________________ Welcome to 419eater.net "It's Dot Com!" x7
"I was brought up in a motherless babies home"
"I have the Consignment Code here with me which I will send to you and without this Code no Human Being can open that Box"
EmailParser
Ponies taste like cyanide and happiness. |
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SlayerFaith
Baiting Guru
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 5778
Location: Vegas, baby!
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:56 pm |
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Hi cg11,
You might want to post your story over on scamwarners.com. They are a victim support site and I'm sure the members there would be interested in hearing what happened to you. |
_________________ x2 x24 x7 x5 x5 x96 x2 x2 x2 x2 x2 x2 x3 x3 x2 x2 (in a team effort)
ANIMAL,MY FRIEND MY PRAYER IS THIS,LET ALL MY ENEMIES BE IN TROUBLE LIKE CHRIST INGIGE,AND LAZY PEOPLE LIKE YOU BE LIKE WABARA.THANK YOU- Kelechukwu Nduka
"Did he say they have an inflatable pig? That's sick!"- Crash, Vegas 06
"You can be a right Bitch sometimes SF"- Cherrie, GenChat 07
Naked Mod pics!
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cg11
Hello I'm New here!
Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 6
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:20 pm |
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Problem is, I am in debt now.
I wanted to buy and resell these goods, and now, I'm in deeper debt.
Thank you for that SlayerFaith, I just want to warn people so it doesn't
happen to them either. It sucks to lose money like this, and these
people are very deceitful.
Wish there was a way to shut them down. |
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jxd
Master of Master Baiters
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 756
Location: Altered by observation
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:24 pm |
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You can shut them down
You can also string them along and waste their time and money. It may make you feel better too! |
_________________ Welcome to 419eater.net "It's Dot Com!" x7
"I was brought up in a motherless babies home"
"I have the Consignment Code here with me which I will send to you and without this Code no Human Being can open that Box"
EmailParser
Ponies taste like cyanide and happiness. |
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SlayerFaith
Baiting Guru
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 5778
Location: Vegas, baby!
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:25 pm |
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cg11 wrote: |
I just want to warn people so it doesn't happen to them either. |
Good for you! Then scamwarners.com is where you want to post. Most people on this site already know about these scams and how they work; scamwarners seeks to get the info about scams and their particulars out to the general public, so that they will not become victims. |
_________________ x2 x24 x7 x5 x5 x96 x2 x2 x2 x2 x2 x2 x3 x3 x2 x2 (in a team effort)
ANIMAL,MY FRIEND MY PRAYER IS THIS,LET ALL MY ENEMIES BE IN TROUBLE LIKE CHRIST INGIGE,AND LAZY PEOPLE LIKE YOU BE LIKE WABARA.THANK YOU- Kelechukwu Nduka
"Did he say they have an inflatable pig? That's sick!"- Crash, Vegas 06
"You can be a right Bitch sometimes SF"- Cherrie, GenChat 07
Naked Mod pics!
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cg11
Hello I'm New here!
Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 6
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:27 pm |
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Thanks, I've posted there now.
Good to see there are a few people who care, and don't beat others while they're down. |
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Breddan Butter
Retired Moderator
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Posts: 4170
Location: Soligorsk, Belarus
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Posted:
Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:12 pm |
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cg11 wrote: |
Thanks very much for justifying these scammers, and blaming me once again.
It's typical of people who have no idea how it feels to lose $1200. |
I'm not in any way justifying the scammers.
I hate them with a vengeance.
I'm also not blaming you 'once again'.
I've never come across you before so this is the first time.
However, I make the point again that you should not blame others for your own shortcomings.
You've been foolish and been duped. Why not accept that it was your own fault instead of looking for someone else to lay the blame on.
You are correct that I have no idea of how it feels to lose $1200, but that is because I take sensible precautions before launching into money-making propositions. I would certainly be ultra-cautious about getting involved in a deal that was to be brokered with USA - Hong Kong - Nigeria connections.
cg11 wrote: |
They've stolen $1200 from me, yet it's my fault.
How typical of ignorant people like yourself!!!!! |
Yep, it is your fault.
Nope, I'm not ignorant, which is why I'm not a victim of a scam.
If you had come to this site and just said that you were a victim of scam and asked for our help or advice then you may have had a more sympathetic hearing than you have by making your main emphasis the blaming of others for your own stupidity.
I trust that you will now do two things:-
1. Never make the same mistake again.
2. Use your new-found knowledge to educate others. |
_________________ Можно заплатить кредитной карточкой ?
Пошёл на хуй, мудак !!!
(x4)
My IP address is 217.21.39.255. (86.57.134.49 on Sundays) Please don't come knocking on my door. |
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DementedAngel
419Eater is my life
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 344
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Posted:
Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:51 am |
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Quote: |
I just wish I had some sort of protection as advertised by Western Union. |
This is one of the things people fail to realize, WU offers the exact same protection as sending cash through the Post (zero protection). |
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Murry Guru
Baiting Guru
Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 5561
Location: Turned into Ralph
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Posted:
Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:10 pm |
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CG11
As previously stated you are very lucky it was only $1,200 dollars you lost, read for yourself about my neighbour in the post here http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=117429 (hope i have done it right) they borrowed a little short of $10,000 and have nothing to show except a $10,000 loan.
They are lucky, they only lost $10,000 and they were not murdered, yes, scammers have been known to murder as well
Many people come here for the first time after being scammed, others come here before they are scammed by doing some research on the people they are dealling with on the internet and ending up here and thankfully not losing their money.
We are generally an unsymphetic lot, but please realise that people here are giving countless hours of their time to help promote awareness, warn people, help the scammed and waste time and resources of the scammers in the hope that while we are playing with scammers they are not off scamming the likes of you.
I have been here for a relatively short time and when I hear about stories like yours I do have a small amount of sympathy, with each scam victim I hear about I have a little less, I am getting numbed by it all and I guess a little annoyed that the warning signs of a scam are there to be found but are so often ignored, put your new knowledge to good use by warning others, read up about how the scammers will most likely try to get more money from you and make sure that does not happen.
Then release your anger by learning and having a go at scambaiting, you will no doubt get plenty of help with that too if you ask |
_________________ "I want to hold your hand and let you scream at me while you bring our child into this world"- Linda Lopez
Bait with Frumpy on the hitman "i though we are partners in this and now u turn around to stub me on the back"
Click to learn how to romance bait Click to get your name in mugu gold
Got info on a scam vic? PM a mod Recieved a scam warning? Say "thank you, I am a baiter"
Ruin your pets day, post their details at scamwarners
<- I run like a girl
x12 ? not enough
<- this one belongs to Ralph. |
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cg11
Hello I'm New here!
Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 6
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Posted:
Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:25 am |
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Thanks for your message Murry,
Like I mentioned in my post, I did not put the WHOLE story because it is
way too long.
I've run businesses online since 2002, and I've mostly sold digital products.
I was trying to sell laptops as there's a high demand that I've found through my research.
Using Alibaba.com, I was able to find over 25 suppliers, and I interviewed
all of them, via email and Yahoo messenger.
These scammers had a profile page with the products they sell, with
detailed information.
At first glance, it seemed legit, so I can contacted them.
Then over a course of 2 weeks, as I continued interviewing people,
these guys had the best prices, which is WARNING SIGN #1.
I wasn't aware of the laptop wholesale prices, so I wanted to get a good
deal, or what seemed to be a good deal.
Plus, they sent me pictures of "their warehouse", and a picture
with the laptops packaged ready to go.
Lesson Learned # 1 - The lowest price is not always the best price,
in fact, the lowest price turned out to be a scam!
This scheme was very elaborate, and the whole time I was hesitant
to send ANYONE money until I received the goods.
My only form of protection was NOT revealing the MTCN # to them,
as I had 3 sources that led me to believe that people could not cash
the WU, without the MTCN.
Source # 1 - Before I even went to purchase the Western Union money
order, I called Money Mart and asked if people would be able to cash the
money without the MTCN, lady on the phone said " NO WAY "
Not "no" she said " NO WAY "
Source # 2 - AS I was purchasing the money order, they had a BIG sign
at the window that said "Western Union's new policies will not cash any
money from anyone WITHOUT the MTCN"
Source # 3 - As I was purchasing it, I asked the lady once again to verify
if they could cash the money without the MTCN, and she said "They will not be able to cash it without the MTCN"
This is why I'm so disappointed with Western Union, because 3 different
sources of information led me to believe that they would not be able to
cash the money, without the MTCN.
So I felt deceived by Western Union, and disappointed that these
scammers got my money so easily.
I'm more disappointed that I was not dealing with direct suppliers, as I
really wanted to start this side business.
Lessons Learned?
1. Lowest price isn't necessarily the best price.
2. Make sure you deal with Trust Pass members, whose identity has been verified. Though their prices are higher, you're dealing with legit companies.
3. Do not trust Western Union for money transfers under any circumstances.
They will not help you if you lose your money, in fact, they blame you.
Plus, you have ZERO chance of getting your money back.
4. Use www.Escrow.com for your payments, and if the supplier doesn't
want to, than, they're likely a scammer.
Alibaba has shut down those scammers' profiles, and I'm not sure if they
blocked their I.P.'s so they can't sign up again, but at least they're taking
steps to remove these scammers from their network.
If I think of anything else, I'll update this post. |
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Josh
Elite Baiter
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 1799
Location: Nu Zilund
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Posted:
Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:37 am |
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I picked up a brochure from my local Post Office a few weeks back that had information on Western Union. I thought I would take a look so I could quote to my lads what some of the transfer fees would be, and as a result I could get them to "pay" them rather than me.
Reading that I was quite surprised to find that Western Union clearly stated that the MTCN was not necessary for the money to be collected, only the person would be required to show ID. The brochure stated that having the MTCN would make life easier for the receiver, but that it wasn't essential. I think because of the problems Western Union has with being blamed by people for money transfers to Nigerians in particular, for all transfers to Africa (and perhaps others as well) the MTCN is now required.
The other possibility is that by having the MTCN as well as the question/answer part of the form, it means that they don't have to show any ID to collect the money. Which means they can't be traced.
I'm sure more experienced baiters than myself will understand how Western Union works better. |
_________________
If you know what is going on here, you will be shock to your marrows - Captain Brian
Ahm3d K4diri: Tamale (Ghana) - Porto Novo (Benin) |
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Murry Guru
Baiting Guru
Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 5561
Location: Turned into Ralph
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Posted:
Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:53 am |
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lesson number 3 is a good one to learn, Western union I am sure is a convenient way to send money to a person you allready know, such as you want to send some money to a family member that is currently overseas.
Other than that, dont do it
BTW Moneygram is little better
Also keep in mind,
your occupation is to go to work, do your job, get paid.
A scammers occupation is to go to the internet, contact people, scam them and get paid.
You have been doing your job for several years and you are good at what you do.
Scammers have been doing their job for several years and are good at what they do |
_________________ "I want to hold your hand and let you scream at me while you bring our child into this world"- Linda Lopez
Bait with Frumpy on the hitman "i though we are partners in this and now u turn around to stub me on the back"
Click to learn how to romance bait Click to get your name in mugu gold
Got info on a scam vic? PM a mod Recieved a scam warning? Say "thank you, I am a baiter"
Ruin your pets day, post their details at scamwarners
<- I run like a girl
x12 ? not enough
<- this one belongs to Ralph. |
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