Why we do this...

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:44 pm

While surfing around today I found a story about a victim that helps define why we bait: link

Quote:

VERNON — - A 51-year-old woman from Mount Vernon Drive tried to wire money to Ghana using 11 counterfeit $100 bills, police said.

Susan Mcalpine had received the money in the mail from someone in Ghana, along with a letter telling her to wire it back. Store employees at Western Union quickly recognized the money was fake and called police.

Mcalpine was charged with first-degree forgery and released on a $1,000 non-surety bond.

The letter told Mcalpine she had inherited money from an unknown person in the West African country. In order to collect, she needed to take the counterfeit bills to Western Union and send it back to Ghana.

Police are asking residents to beware of similar scams that are usually started on the Internet by asking for personal information such as addresses, telephone numbers, bank account information and social security numbers.

This can lead to lead to phone calls, letters or financial loss.

Receiving money or checks, especially from foreign countries, for an inheritance, winning money, or any other reason should be looked at with skepticism.

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:30 pm

Too bad the police can't give us the lad's e-mail addy so we could bait the fork out of them. Think of all the counterfeit bills we could take out of circulation with a mass bait.

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:42 pm

The minute these scammers involve US citizens in counterfeit cheques and currency, it becomes a matter for the Secret Service and that is likely to ruin the rest of the person's life.

This type of scam seems to becoming more common, perhaps indicating that Lads are getting access to more sophisticated resources, becoming more akin to organised crime.

The only good thing is that counterfeiting US currency is likely to be enough to make the US authorities go looking for them, if we don't get to them first. Very Happy

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:54 pm

Unfortunately, from what I read it appears the lady was aware they were counterfeit? This is probably why she is being charged. Hopefully, the judge will be reasonable and give probation.

In my experience with the counterfeit $100's that come out of West Africa, the print is horrible. Without revealing the many security features and educating any lads out there, their printing techniques are absolutlely abysmal. They would be better off freehanding! I have seen some talented artists in the hall of shame!

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:28 pm

Nap Olean wrote:

Too bad the police can't give us the lad's e-mail addy so we could bait the fork out of them. .

The story doesn't mention email. Some scams are worked by snailmail.

www.wtic.com/2009/08/05/local/Police--Funny-Money-in-Vernon/4944733

Quote:

Police say this is not the first time that Mcalpine had been involved in such an incident and had been told by others that her actions were wrong.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 15

Badgerbait wrote:

In my experience with the counterfeit $100's that come out of West Africa, the print is horrible. Without revealing the many security features and educating any lads out there, their printing techniques are absolutlely abysmal. They would be better off freehanding! I have seen some talented artists in the hall of shame!

Back in the early eighties Western Union, and foreign exchange offices, were a favourite with counterfeiters to exchange counterfiet currency. They used to wire themselfs money. Counterfeit detection has become much more sophisticated since then and I can't see this becoming too common.