Need second opinions

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: Sun May 13, 2007 11:30 pm

Just got a "sponsorship" letter and am not sure whether it is legit. Initially I assumed no, but after digging, well..

Quote:

I was writing today to see if anyone can show some support and become a sponsor for our campaign. We are L & S Cleaning service located in Alabama and we service a variety of clients each day to include the fortunate and the not so fortunate.

L & S Cleaning service is also dedicated to providing free services to the Disabled, Elderly and Terminally ill Cancer Patients but are running out of resources to keep funding those projects.
The free services we provide includes but are not limited to: Window Washing, Carpet Cleaning, Disinfectant Cleaning, Running Errands, Ironing Clothes, and Preparing Meals.

We have been offering these services since 2003 with a reputation for our prompt professional services.

Please get back to me to let me know if you would like to sponsor this campaign.

Thanks in advance

Lawanda Thompson
www.miracleclean.org

The website says they are in Phenix, Alabama (which I took to mean they couldn't spell Phoenix, Arizona - but there is a Phenix, Al!)

Whois turns this up

Quote:

Domain ID:D128114107-LROR
Domain Name:MIRACLECLEAN.ORG
Created On:01-Sep-2006 05:14:57 UTC
Last Updated On:01-Nov-2006 03:46:40 UTC
Expiration Date:01-Sep-2007 05:14:57 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Melbourne IT, Ltd. dba Internet Names Worldwide (R52-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:C115707602303966
Registrant Name:Lawanda Thompson
Registrant Street1:2474 Blan Street
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Columbus
Registrant State/Province:GA
Registrant Postal Code:31903
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.7065938983
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.

The IP address (004.1.42.0) resolves to NY.

Website is basic, with errors ("Commerical "), but pobody's nerfect.

No mention of the free services on the website, but is this just a weird buisiness idea?

Legit or not? I'm confused, but leaning towards legit.

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 11:36 pm

No, after some digging there is 4 other "businesses" all using the same physical address with the same phone number which no longer exist.

The site is put together on a free host using a microsoft office beta package deal from here

It would appear that this is almost certainly just here to backup a scam.

If you look at http://ThompsonAssociates.smrated.com you can try searching for miracleclean and find 0 results

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 11:41 pm

The free service certaily does not appear in their website. The registration is only for one year. I may reply and see what they have in mind.

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 11:49 pm

It would appear they want to use the "we do charity work" theme.

They've even kept the original filenames for all the nicked images they use on the site!

Rofl, just found out where their phone provider is:

http://longdistance-t1.com/

And for further fun:

http://connectingblack.com/profile.asp?MemberID=98627

Funny how everyone else on there has a genuine looking pic, not our Lawanda tho Confused

More here:

http://www.techsoup.org/fb/index.cfm?fuseaction=forums.showSingleTopic&id=67830&forum=2025&cid=117

http://www.globefunder.com/web/user.php?uid=152

http://miraclecredit.net/default.aspx

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:01 am

Gets weirder. When I saw you had reserached the address I did the same (the address that the registrant had supplied).

But of course she may be starting many businesses using her home address as a business address. No proof of wrongdoing..

But if you look at Thompson & Associates, it is listed in the Yellow Pages - unusual for a scam. However if you then try to find them as a member of servicemagic (a legit organisation) they do not appear. Nor do they have a phone number in the Yellow Pages ad!

But then you get this http://www.servicemagic.com/rated.ThompsonAssociates.9514807.html?link_id=6656

I'm still confused - or is this a mish-mash of real and fake sites?

@fisty - why is their pphone provider a source of amusement (for us non-yanks)

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:09 am

One of my contacts has found an obscure ref to Lawanda Thompson as stating the business started in 2003 - just at the time a death of a Mrs Lawanda Thompson on 28th(ish) April 2003 was registered in GA

@GordonBennett - their phone provider (For a professional multi-state company) is being provided using a k7 / flextel style premium rate VOIP operator.

(The link to it is the tiny '-' at the bottom of Lawanda's "webshite")

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 3:07 am

fistymus wrote:

One of my contacts has found an obscure ref to Lawanda Thompson as stating the business started in 2003 - just at the time a death of a Mrs Lawanda Thompson on 28th(ish) April 2003 was registered in GA

Go to this page and scroll down until you find her name (about the middle of the page).

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a grade A scumbag on our hands. Evil or Very Mad

Get him good. Twisted Evil

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 9:00 am

See also http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=110631

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:22 pm

@Fatt Old Cat
I'm not clear on the conclusion you draw on the 2003 memorial letter, although I don't disagree with your conclusion?
Dixie sent her an email today exploring corporate sponsorship. The reply:
from Lawanda Thompson <[email protected]> hide details 11:25 am (10 hours ago)
to Dixie Harris <[email protected]>
date May 14, 2007 11:25 AM
subject RE: Your request for sponsorship
mailed-by miracleclean.org

Well basically as I said in the previous email we are lloking for sponsorship for this campaign .
Pleaqse feel free to call me with more questions at 706-984-3260

May God Bless!!!
Lawanda Thompson

Lawanda didn't want to discuss it by email. Another thought! In many countries it is mandatory to have some sort of beaurocratic permit for private organisations to perform ongoing charity work. eg State or Local Council.