My friend is beeing scammed, please advise

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Not quite a Newb Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 48

A friend of mine who has a debt problem has been approached on a dating site by a lady "from Brasil" that want's to help him. Her father is dead and she has inherrited a lot of money.

She is now going to fly to Portugal and then to Stochholm to meet him and give him tthe money (about USD 30 000) in cash. He must then exchange it to swedish kronor and deposit it in his bank account.

This has scam written all over it....what is the likely scheme of this scam??? How can I help my friend if I don't manage to convince hhim to drop it? He don't believe this is a scam because he can't see the catch...

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 10:21 pm

The catch will come soon. Probably in the form of fees to get her there, etc.

I would highly suggest checking out this place's sister site, www.scamwarners.com. They specialize in explaining scams, and convincing people that what they have is actually a scam, and telling you what you should do about it. This site specializes in baiting the scammers and wasting their time, not victim assistance.

Good luck, your friend is lucky to have you around.

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 10:26 pm

^^^

Yes, "she" will need a visa, plane ticket, money for food, money for maxipads etc etc.

Then she'll get robbed and need more money for all of the same items.

If your friend doesn't send any money, she'll never show up. And even if he does send money, she'll never show up.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 48

He's going to meet with her already on monday. I'm following this closely. Not sure if it's an advanced fee or a check mule type of scam. He is beeing targeted, that's for sure.... Crying or Very sad

419Eater is my life Joined: 08 Aug 2008 Posts: 475

hi, and welcome to eater, even if you wish you would'nt have to come for that reason.

if you could get some of the mails, than google for phrases in it which could be typical. most scams have something like a script and are used again, so chance is, you can find in the webs other examples of i.e. ...and then my father gave me that red black full of cash...

i guess, the point of this scam (if its one) would be that on the way to stockholm a lot of bad situations can happen to her.
and then she will need him, that he pay a bribe to get her out of bad immigration custody, or she gets sick and must pay hospital, but her money is ....

I have heard that sometimes victims are not easy to convince.
good luck.

edit: I am a slow typer, it seems.

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 10:32 pm

^^^

It is also possible that it is a "wash wash" scam. I've read a few articles saying that the scammer will show up and have a bunch of black-colored paper they claim is money. The catch is that you have to buy the "cleaning" liquid in order to rinse the black dye off the "currency".

But again, my money is that the scammer wont show up.

She'll call at the last minute and tell him that she's been held up by customs or some crap. She may even have a male call your friend and pretend to be a "customs agent" or immigration official or something.

They will of course try and get your friend to pay bribes or fees.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 48

frank.lester wrote:

hi, and welcome to eater, even if you wish you would'nt have to come for that reason.

Old baiter here, just haven't had the time for it for a couple of years. Never done love scams or check scams, and I expect maybe there's some new scams going on out there. Don't recognize what this is. Time will show....

IM'ing with my friend right now. He's spending some time on ScamWarnes now. Think he's begining to get more sceptical. Smile

419Eater is my life Joined: 08 Aug 2008 Posts: 475

^^was hypnotised by the eye, could not read more.
so - welcome (back).

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 1:38 am

If your friend is planning to travel, there's always a chance that it's just a simple kidnap/ransom/murder type scam. Rare, but it can happen.

Why would anyone need help changing currency? Why would anyone need to change currency before transferring money? Tell your friend to tell her to send the money via Western Union. That should draw some entertaining excuses.

Good luck with it. Let us know what happens.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 8:01 am

reodor wrote:

A friend of mine who has a debt problem has been approached on a dating site by a lady "from Brasil" that want's to help him.

have you seen the introductory email from the scammer lady?
if so, can google find any of the key phrases?
many scams can be proved to be scams by showing that scammers are writing to lots of people with the same story.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 10:40 am

reodor wrote:

She is now going to fly to Portugal and then to Stochholm to meet him and give him tthe money (about USD 30 000) in cash.

That's a very small amount for a scam; it's normally several million. The larger the bait, the more the victim will be prepared to pay to get hold of it.
I've no doubt it's a scam though. Wash wash was my first thought.

Master Baiter Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 112

Just tell your friend that the scammer would never send such an e-mail to a random person. I assume the scammer does not know the victim personally?

Maybe even ask your friend to name reasons why a scammer would send out an e-mail to a random person.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:28 pm

^^ it wasn't entirely random - the poster said they met on a dating site.
so i expect they got chatting and then the money thing 'just came up in conversation'. Wink

Not quite a Newb Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 62

Allow me to introduce myself.
So, I'm personally the friend spoken of.

This whole thing started as something different. I would describe it as a "creative" way to initiate a scam, but anyway, here goes the entire story from the beginning.

I met a girl on dating site, from Brazil. She told me she was quite fond of me, and very interested to get to know me. Well, you know, since I was actually a member of a dating site, I was more than happy to get to know a most attractive, young woman from Brazil. Although I was actually quite skeptical at the beginning, firstly because I'd had a long a relationship with another girl from South America (a Spanish-speaking country), which didn't work out in the end, and secondly, because I have been contacted earlier by "attractive women" who have no other interest than to get me hooked on a porn site or such.

Anyway, I gave it a shot. We were (and are) communicating in Spanish and Portuguese. It's not the typical "international approach", as she is not able to communicate in English. Anyway, we have had contact for some time now, and spoken about various topics, culture differences, relationships, every-day life, etc. I have had the chance to get to know her opinions and thoughts on a broad selection of topics. She first introduced her self in a humble way, saying she was studying at a nursing school in Portugal. She had the opportunity to study there because of here double nationality (Brazilian and Portuguese). Which is why she is able to travel to any EU country WITHOUT a visa. After a lot of conversations it turned out she was not studying at a nursing school. She had been, anyway, and is now studying to be a doctor, completing two careers in the end. Her vocabulary and choice of words gave me the impression of a well-educated person, BEFORE she told me that she was studying medicine.

I'll try to get to the point faster. She was interested in visiting me. I basically thought "what the hell" at first, but then I was starting to get more interested in a girl I knew, and well, the visit was canceled. After we had planned the visit, before it got canceled, I was telling her I was kind of stressed, because I had to get a full-time job quite fast. She asked what made me stressed, if I had problems paying the rent. So I told her about my debts. And she offered to help me out. I first refused, and made a joke about her "intentions to buy me", which she didn't get. She was deeply offended, and almost broke all contact with me, but in the end I made her understand I was making a joke. She understood it at last, and explained how difficult humor and irony through a chat client was for her.

Well anyway, after we agreed to cancel the visit, she told me she still wanted to help me, and since she was no longer going to visit me, which removed the possibility for us to work out the details in person, she was going to send the money to the Brazilian embassy, for me to collect it there, which kind of seemed like a good deal to me. I'm guessing a money transfer via the embassy itself, kind of makes the whole thing risky for a potential criminal, with more risk of getting caught.

Well, the day she had spoken to the embassy, she told me they would charge her a lot, for me to be able to collect it there (South American taxes are a bitch, in case you didn't know - talking of personal experience), so she wanted to deliver the money personally. Another reason for a donation in person" was that she wanted to see what kind of person she was really giving the money to.

She said earlier she was finishing her vacations in Brazil, and had some days off when returning to Portugal, before starting classes again, which would make it possible for to make the visit we had initially planned. Now her plan is to go almost straight from Portugal to Stockholm, after having collected the money there, then meeting with me in Stockholm, to make the delivery in EURO. The whole "money exchange" business was kind of my idea, because I don't fancy carrying foreign cash with me to the bank. Not that large an amount of money, anyway. And also, I want her to be there when making the exchange, in case there would be questioning. To see if she freaks out or anything. My plan is to test her out all I can. To see for sure if she's a fake.

I've dealt with some corrupted people in South America before, and feel I am able to detect abnormal behavior, which separates them from honest, legitimate people.

I am also bringing a friend as a stand-by. If anything should go critically wrong, as in a "staged robbery" or anything similar, he will call the police. He is also to accompany me when the money exchange is finished. Dealing with money in cash of such a quantity in any kind of way, all on my own, sounds like a reeeeally bad idea.

Also, I have informed her that if she's to import money in cash to the country, she'll have to declare it in customs at the airport. If she gets stopped there, for not informing the officers, it's out of my hands. I'm also requesting some personal information of her, because I'll have to inform the government when receiving a money gift, because of the taxes.

Just so you all now, I myself am very skeptical to all of this. It contains one of the first signs of a scam, it's too good to be true. That's why I'm taking precautions. I don't have any money for her to scam from me, so if such an attempt is initiated, too bad for her. Bad choice of victim.

My best guess, if she is a scammer, is that I won't hear form her, or that she won't show up. Because of all that I've asked from her, and the whole customs thing, which is really an effort to scare off a potential scammer.

She is to inform me soon, where to meet with her (which hotel). I am going to insist to meet her at the entrance. I am not entering the hotel room of a stranger/potential scammer. As mentioned, my friend will be standing by, probably "stalking us", and if anything should happen, he'll be my "guardian angel", meaning not a bodyguard, but a person who can call the police.

I am really interested in hearing any more theories in what kind of scam this could be. How is she/are they going to use me as a victim? I've read tons of theories and stories, none of them really comparing to this one. So I'm all ears.

Any request of financial help from me, I will reject politely, simply because I do not have access to the money. I will travel to Stockholm if she replies to me with the name of the hotel, although I'll carry with me an open mind and eagle eyes.

I actually admit that there is a risk of this being a scam. But on the other side, I won't eliminate the possibility of this actually being true, not entirely anyway. I know this is "too good to be true", but sometimes really strange things happens.

Feel free to enlighten me Smile

Edit: I should mention I have not given, and will not give, any personal details, like home adress, phone number, bank account etc.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:03 pm

Welcome!

I am impressed by how well screwed on your head is, I would probably be posting your post in the same position. It is clearly too good to be true, but you're right, the playout isn't obvious.

If you really do propose to meet her, take the added precaution of doing so in front of active security cameras too - can't hurt to ID where your kidney ends up, or whatever transpires (medical degree, and all). Perhaps she will have visa problems, or something else to get small cash from you? Or maybe she's nuts and very rich? Or laundering forged notes?

I'm sure wilier minds than mine will have suggestions, but however it plays out please please promise to report back to us here - if this is the start of a clever new format, we need to know!

Whoever it is, if it is a scam (and it's hard to imagine it is anything other), they've really put in the groundwork with you, so make sure you bring multiple friends...

Not quite a Newb Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 62

Thank you for replying, not to mentioned for being the first person to have read my thorough, though not exhaustive post. I tried to make y'all get a better picture of the whole deal, and at the same time not to bore you with all the minor details in this. Which by the way, turned out to be quite a mind-twisting task. Confused

Any major hotel will have security cameras. As will the location where the money exchange is supposed to happen.

I will surely post the end of this story, if the encounter actually takes place. If anything should happen to me, making me unable to respond, my guess is you'll hear from my friend, the original poster of this thread.

Obviously, you realize I don't actually expect to be assaulted. The main reason of this is the location of the encounter. Attacking an innocent person in broad daylight in a big city would be a dumb thing to do.

I do agree, if this is a scam, I have to give them credit for working out all the details around the whole operation, not to mention the psychological play. I have to be honest with you, and say that I truly do believe I have quite an impression of the personality of this person. It's complex, alright, and if it's all invented, they're lucky to have invented a person of my taste exactly, when it comes to opinions and thoughts and such.

At the same time, I would be SUCH a bad choice of victim, as mentioned. I have absolutely nothing to offer, if she asks for economic assistance.

I would like to hear more about how this could work out if it's a question of money laundering. My point is, just how would it be more convenient to give such an amount of money to an internet pal, instead of just flushing it down the toilet? I've googled it and read stories and all, but can't seem to find that answer anywhere.

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 12:08 am

In my opinion it's likely to be a (well played) scam. There most likely will be clearance/ customs/ legal fees or such to be paid first. Me, I also would be very interested about the outcome of this transaction. In your position I'd just play along, but never show up at the hotel. I'm almost convinced it will ever reach this stage though.

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 12:23 am

A few thoughts as to where this could go if it is indeed a scam:

1) She shows up with the money in the form of a fake check or money order--you are to cash it, keep the 30K and give her the rest.
2) She shows up with the cash in fake currency, again having you change more than 30K and return the rest to her.
3) She is setting you up to be a mule for something else--drugs, stolen goods, whatever (of course South America leads me first to drugs). Either she is giving you money now to gain your trust, or she shows up with something that needs to be transported / delivered in addition to the money.

The other thought that comes to mind--is it possible that she thinks YOU are a scammer and she is actually baiting/trying to safari you? The smaller sum of 30K, along with the changing itinerary and public meeting place also fit in with baiter tactics.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 62

Thank you both for replying.

The ideas you bring up, Dorothy, I've been through those already.

Obviously I won't accept such a major change of plans. If she suddenly shows up with something else than spoken of, she's revealed as a scammer. And if she is indeed a scammer, she would surely understand the need to be really careful, because I'm pretty sure that I have not given her the idea of being a naive victim that would go for just anything. If she's been playing me, she should have a pretty complex picture of my abilities and personality by now.

The idea of setting me up as a mule is perhaps the most probable of the ones I've read. And it would have to do with drugs of course.

You might think I'm out of my mind, but I am actually planning to go through with the encounter, if there are not any other clear signs of a scam.

You should all keep in mind, that there was actually going to be an encounter that had nothing to do with her giving me money in the first place. And if it weren't for the fact that I TOLD her about my debts, well then this thread wouldn't exist, would it?

If we're talking about a scammer, it's a person that knows the ins and outs of the business, and is familiar with a broad selection of techniques for realizing the scam. A person that shows a remarkable effort to play with the notes, improvising on a high level. Truly a professional.

Then again, like manbiteslion said, maybe she's just rich and nuts.

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 1:18 am

Welcome, mrJazz!

My first thought was what Dorothy wrote:

Quote:

is it possible that she thinks YOU are a scammer and she is actually baiting/trying to safari you? The smaller sum of 30K, along with the changing itinerary and public meeting place also fit in with baiter tactics.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 62

Hmm...Pardon my ignorance, but why and how would she think I was a scammer? I don't get that.

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 1:29 am

^^^ Keep us updated. I know I'm on the edge of my seat.

That having been said, I'm a little worried. How much of your personal information does she know? It may be wise not to accept the money. It is possible that if there are other illicit activities beyond merely scamming going on here that they may use the money to extort you down the line.

Just please be extremely cautious. We all want to know what the scam here is, because were sadists like that, but no one wants to see you get hurt. IMHO, I don't think you're in any immediate danger, but I'm afraid that you will come to regret meeting this girl in person.

Edit to Add Info on Safaris:

A safari is when a baiter gets a scammer to travel long distances for them. Usually they think they're going to be meeting a victim and collecting a bunch of money. The baiter never shows up, and the scammer is left with travel costs and sometimes is stranded in a foreign country. It's a very epic bait in my book. The things that this woman have done (in terms of changing the meeting location etc...) are some of the things that baiters have done/can do to make their safari's more successful. The thought is that perhaps she thinks you're a scammer and is trying to get you to spend time and money to meet her when she's never even going to leave her home country. It seems improbbably, but is not outside the realm of possibility.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 62

The personal information I've given is practically nothing. She does not have enough information to find me, if that's your worry. Nor will I give her such information.

Hellish Taskmaster Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 537

mrJazz wrote:

Hmm...Pardon my ignorance, but why and how would she think I was a scammer? I don't get that.

Neither do I. He is not the kind of guy I would approach as a baiter.

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:50 am

She is studying medicine yet has $30,000 to give away ? to a person she has never met before.

99.9% of people who are studying have no money

This is a scam

My advice is keep out of arms way as you don't know what might be going down and you could get yourself into a lot of trouble.

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