Full Version: ARA Member Email (Scam Alert)
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1]
29 Jan 2007
To: ALL
ARA sent this email to its members, some of which are EE members.
Whether you're an ARA member or not, these should serve as words to the wise.
=============================================
Hello ARA Member -
We've received alerts from several ARA members this week that suggest that the awards industry is currently being targeted by scammers attempting to purchase large orders of awards.
In one case, an end user is contacting many dealers attempting to order a large quantity of bobble heads and put the order on a credit card. The order is supposedly for a user in Algeria or Ghana and is typically phoned in or e-mailed to the dealer. The credit card number they use in each case is the same although sometimes they claim to be from Florida, other times, Detroit, etc. Today alone, four dealers in Baton Rouge received this very suspicious order.
In another case, a member received a very unusual operator assisted phone call as well as a very strange accompanying email from someone claiming to be in Ghana, wanting to order 1200 awards with a credit card.
In yet another case, a member received an urgent email requesting an order for 50 trophies, 36" tall to be shipped overseas. They replied to the email, only to receive a curt reply stating that the ONLY way they could pay for the order was by Charge Card.
If you receive similar correspondence, please proceed with caution. If you believe you are the target of a scam, please contact your local authorities.. Additional information and resources can also be found at the following link:
http://www.ic3.gov/preventiontips.aspx#item-15
Thank you,
ARA
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EDITED: 30 Jan 2007 by DGL
From: JHayes55 [#2]
29 Jan 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 29 Jan 2007
Wow - I read this thread here before I got the email from the ARA.
David - can't you be a little faster ;-) LOL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
29 Jan 2007
To: JHayes55 [#2] 29 Jan 2007
Joe,
I hope they don't mind my posting their email here, but I can't imagine they'd object to our helping them spread the word.
I actually received the email from one of our astute forum members.
EDITED: 29 Jan 2007 by DGL
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4]
29 Jan 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 29 Jan 2007
David,
If the ARA has a problem with you posting something like this here, than I have a problem with that problem. :-) I'm sure they appreciate it, as I appreciate them sending it out originally.
From: JHayes55 [#5]
29 Jan 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4] 29 Jan 2007
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#6]
29 Jan 2007
To: JHayes55 [#5] 29 Jan 2007
From: bandit (LYLEKING) [#7]
29 Jan 2007
To: ALL
To all,
Another scam that raised its head last week was reported by one of our distributors. They shared the following with myself and our distributor network.
Hi Guys,
FYI - Most of you should be aware of this, but just in case here is some info. Someone is going around to many of our customers and attempting to order 500 59520GS, 59514GS or 52515GS. We have had this order placed about a dozen times now through numerous branches. When the retailer asks for a picture ID to go along with the CC # given, the order is cancelled. The end user is supposedly getting the product for someone in Africa. Algeria and Ghana have been mentioned. We had 4 customers in Baton Rouge get this order today claiming to be from Florida, Detroit, etc. using the same CC #. In 2 cases they used the name "Nanny Larry". I really don't know what their angle is or how they sting the dealer, but this is definitely a fraud situation.
Please be careful.
Sincerely,
Lyle King
PDU
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8]
19 Feb 2007
To: ALL
GOOD DAY, MY NAME IS REV. LARRY AND I CONTACT U TO TO FIND OUT IF U SELL TROPHY CUPS. I NEED THE 18 INCH SILVER PLATED CUP, I NEED 15 PIECES OF THE SAME SIZE CUP AND ALSO I WANT TO INFORM U THAT I NEED THIS TROPHY CUPS FOR MY COMPANY AWARDS AND SO I WANT U TO GIMME THE ONE THAT WILL SWEET THE PEOPLE AM GIVING THE AWARD TO, AND ALSO THE ENGRAVE WILL BE WRITTEN IS ( LARRY & CO. AWARDS ). I WANT U TO GIVE ME THE ONE WITH A QULITY SILVER. SO I WILL BE WAITING TO HEAR FROM U WITH THE TOTAL QUOTE FOR THE 15 PIECES, SO THAT I CAN PROVIDE U WITH MY MASTER CARD FOR U TO RUN IT THRU FOR THE WHOLE TOTAL AMOUNT PLUS TAX, IT WILL BE PICKED UP AT YOUR LOCATION AS SOON AS I MAKE PAYMENT TO U AND IS READY FOR ME, AND ALSO I WANT TO KNOW HOW SOON U CAN GET THEM READY FOR ME TO PICK UP?. BY THE WAY WISHES U ALL THE BEST BY SAYING GOOD LUCK. WAITING TO HEAR FROM U SOONEST WITH THE TOTAL PLUS TAX, SO THAT I CAN PROVIDE U WITH MY MASTER CARD FOR U TO RUN IT THRU FOR THE WHOLE TOTAL COST PLUS TAX.
EMAIL: LARRYKELVINP@YAHOO.COM
BEST REGARDS...............................
REV. LARRY KELVIN.
Does THIS look familiar to anyone? ( insert laugh here)
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#9]
19 Feb 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8] 19 Feb 2007
From: UncleSteve [#10]
19 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#9] 19 Feb 2007
From: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#11]
19 Feb 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8] 19 Feb 2007
What was your quote?
Anything less than 6 figures would be a dissapointment.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#12]
19 Feb 2007
To: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#11] 19 Feb 2007
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#13]
19 Feb 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8] 19 Feb 2007
The Rev. Larry should remind u to, "mot lead u in to temptation".
How SWEET of him, just like your engraving.
From: Awardsguy [#14]
3 Mar 2007
To: ALL
From: trophyman (MIKEBERGER) [#15]
11 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#8] 12 Mar 2007
----Original Message----
From: sudais1@yahoo.com
Date: 02/12/2007 12:40
To:
Subj: Trophy Order
DEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE,
GOOD DAY MY NAME IS REV. LARRY , I CONTACT YOU TO KNOW IF YOU SELL TROPHIES CUP AND I`M USING THIS TROPHIES FOR MY COMPANY AWARD AND SO I WANT U TO GIVE ME A BETTER ONE THAT WILL SWEET THE PEOPLE I WILL BE GIVING THE AWARDS TO AND ALSO I NEED THE SIZE LARGE WITH THE sIZE (-3) 23-24 IN TALL, I WILL NEED 100 PIECES OF THE SAME SIZE TROPHY AND SO CAN YOU EMAIL ME REPLY WITH THE TOTAL PRICE PLUS TAX, IT WILL BE PICKED UP IN YOUR LOCATION AS SOON AS I MAKE PAYMENT TO U AND IS READY FOR ME. EMAIL ME BACK ALONG WITH YOUR FULL CONTACT INFORMATION SO THAT I CAN CALL YOU.THE ENGARVING SHOULD BE MADE ON THE NAME ( LARRY & CO. AWARDS ). THANK YOU
MY EMAIL: SUDAIS1@YAHOO.COM
BEST REGARDS...
REV. LARRY KELVIN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: MICHAEL BERGER
Date: 02/12/2007 18:30
To: <sudais1@yahoo.com>
Cc:
Subject: Re: Trophy Order
Add Contacts
Metal Loving cups this size mounted on walnut bases would be $224.60 each. The engraving will be on a plate mounted on the walnut base. On an order of this size we must require that the full amount be pay in advance by certified funds. Total cost for 100 with sales tax amounts to $23,863.75 Once placed this order will be non cancellable.
Please forward a certified check in this amount drawn on US bank, along with your complete address and phone number to
From: MIKEY (JADEPUTTERS) [#16]
12 Mar 2007
To: trophyman (MIKEBERGER) [#15] 22 Mar 2007
From: Awardsguy [#17]
26 Mar 2007
To: ALL