Money transfer companies and scam prevention

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Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:37 am

Shinsengumi wrote:

well we get info from victims... had a guy who was toyed by Vlad, said that he supposedly received funds from India, for somekind of a job Vlad did and he was resending the whole amount. Didn't send any money previously, and was in contact with Vlad for 7-9 months, there must be somekind of a hook.

With Vlads there is always a hook.

Again, not knowing any more info than what you've presented, there's no way to determine the nature of the scam.

From what you've stated in this one instance, this unknown person received money from India and then forwarded it on. That, taken by itself, sounds more like money laundering than a scam.

By the way... Have you followed up on the advice that Tsnerd has given you?

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 12

yeah I did.. yeah i think its money laundering too but its strange that he played with a guy for 7-9 months just to launder some money..

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:49 am

Why would that be strange?

Though we don't deal with money laundering here at Eater, one could reasonably assume that a professional criminal isn't simply going to start sending large sums of cash to an unknown entity and hope that he/she will just follow along and do as instructed, no questions asked.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:50 am

^^ not really.

He didn't cost the vic any actual cash. (maybe his freedom if that cash was sent with a stolen cc).

He can always go back for more once he finds another person to send cash / has more $ to launder.

Many businesses spend more than 7 to 9 months building a relationship with a customer - and vlads see themselves as businesses. This mule is a tool for them to use. Once - or more, if they can keep him on the hook.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 12

mhm.. well I thought that maybe there is other option like to take a a loan on victims name... if you have all info about the victim it shouldn't be hard to take a credit online..

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:03 am

Well, if you're getting your info from the victim, why don't you ask him if anyone has taken a credit online, since said money transfer antics occurred?

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 12

well you see if it would be so easy.. most of the victims are not so cooperative and not very bright if you know what i mean..

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:09 am

No, I'm not really sure what you mean. Please explain.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:17 am

Quote:

most of the victims are not so cooperative and not very bright if you know what i mean

NO. I'm not looking through that side of the glass, sir.

"Most" of "the victims" are innocent and intelligent people who deserve respect and compassion. "Not very bright" denigrates not just them, but how many intelligent and well-meaning people try to help.

Really?!

Mad

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:25 am

Not very bright?There are doctors,lawyers,and other professionals among them.More than a few successful businesses also.Not cooperative?Some are not.A lot don't want to admit to what happened for fear that some may think them not very bright.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:55 pm

@Shinsengumi

I am thinking that you are not grasping what we are saying here, esp. about victims and people that fall for these scams. doc pointed out how even professionals get scammed. IIRC correctly one law firm got scammed out of over $300,000. Having worked in law firms and know how the big law firms operate I can see how easy that would have been able to be accomplished. Even the best and most well-educated have fallen for such scams. Thus saying that these victims are not "too bright" is to have a whole host of baiters, such as ourselves, to heartedly disagree with that statement.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:02 pm

Quote:

most of the victims are not so cooperative and not very bright if you know what i mean..

Scam victims come from all socio-economic classes. Some are MENSA members. Some aren't.

Google 'scam victim'. Then add the profession of your choice to the search terms. Whether doctor, lawyer, or the unemployed Joe down the street - they all have one thing in common. They have the potential to be a victim.

Scamming is all about filling an emotional void. Everybody has a passion. From the toy collector to the family facing eviction. Whether a scammer is selling the prototype for the first Lionel engine or offering $500,000 to keep mom & dad from moving the kiddos into a cardboard box under the bridge, the scammers 'job' is to exploit that void and fill a (perceived or real) need. Or at least make the victim believe they can fill the need.

In one way, the scammer is like your 5-year old. They have learned to read the emotions of the potential victim. Much like your 5-year old knows that a fist-full of freshly picked flowers & a sticky kiss for mommy will offset any damage from a broken (vase, window, whatever) - the scammer knows when to offer words of encouragement to offset any misgivings a victim may be having about the entire transaction.

Unlike your 5-year old, the scammer will lie, cheat & steal to achieve his goal.

The original post seems like a romance scam. In this instance (from the information given) the victim did not see any potential financial loss from just forwarding the funds to their g/f. The scammer got cash. The victim got the continued 'lurve' of the scammer. In the victims eyes, there was no possibility for loss, since they weren't actually out any cash (except maybe transfer fees) and much potential for reward. Who wouldn't send emergency cash to their wife / sister / girlfriend? The emotional need was being met even without the outlay of funds.

It's not that the victims are less than intelligent. It's just that the scammer was able to exploit the emotional need. Everybody has a 'hot button' - something they're passionate about. When the scammer finds it - common sense goes on vacation.

And when common sense goes on vacation, even the doctor, lawyer, PhD - can become a victim.

(imho, etc etc. all usual caveats apply. YMMV)

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 12

guys i see your point here, English is not my native language might be that i used the wrong word, what i wanted to say is that, when they are not sharing the info they are not helping themselves... sorry if you misunderstood what i wanted to say..

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:08 pm

^^^ MuzunguTheHuntress Well said. Very Happy

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:12 pm

Quote:

when they are not sharing the info they are not helping themselves

And this not surprising, given that so many people automatically and wrongly assume that scam victims are stupid or greedy.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:05 pm

Interesting debate. Some valid and not so valid arguments. Basic fact is that wherever cash is concerned, someone will try and take it, whether it be a sticky fingered employee, a common thief or a scammer. Only the methods vary. WU is a legitimate business but deals in cash ergo it is vulnerable. Surely this is our raison d'etre? and that of eater too. We are here to lessen the crime and to educate. My penchant is love scams. These are very vulnerable people but not by any means dim or socially inept. We just need to keep on keeping on and diminish their chances of success.

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:10 pm

Just wondering through...

I worry when people make assumptions about others without knowing them. I also worry when people say "just trust me".
I also worry when people say or imply, "you don't know what you know."

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:04 am

I worry when ParaNoid worries. Laughing

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