I suspect some troll picked up my name from some photographer link site. Since we all tend to cross-link, here's the email verbatim so you can be wary of it yourself. Pretty obvious that it's scammy--didn't mention me by name, no mention of the media (photography) or even of the specific picture they want, and numerous grammar errors:
Hello, Sir / Madam
My name is John Kennedy and i will like to know if you do make custom picture frame for sales also i will need to know if you can get me size (30 by 40) shinny gold metal frame with regular glass,foam core,mat and backing board so i will be glad for you to let me know the rang price for each one included with tax too and also do let me know the type of payment you do accept and you can fax me or mail me okay thank you very much and i hope to hear from you asap?
Best Regarding
Fax# 856-494-1639
John Kennedy,
Consider yourselves warned,
-D
Posted by Ron Leraaen on August 24, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Dave,
These emails have been targeted to framing businesses, including mine, throughout the country for a couple years. I believe they are coming from Nigeria. They use stolen or bogus credit card numbers and over pay. Then they ask to wire part of the overpayment back to them.
There is another simular scam to this using the operator relay calls system for deaf people.
It's terrible that these scammers abusing this system.
I believe other industries are also being targeted by these scammers.
Posted by Dan Walters on August 24, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I know I have been targeted. They wanted to buy 20 prints of the same image and then overpay as well.
Probably the same people. The poor grammar gives it away.
Posted by Paul Gana on August 24, 2008 at 11:33 PM
at least there is a tell tale sign with the bad grammer, why does it seem that all the scams always seem to come from Nigeria?
Posted by Chuck Peacock on August 30, 2008 at 12:53 AM
I have a nice $4000 counterfeit check from one of these. His name was Jack Edward (yeah right), and he overpaid me by about $2500.
I knew it was likely a scam all along but wanted to see where it would go. He sent the cashiers check and the bank actually said "yes, fine, we'll take it and you'll have the money in your account immediately."
I didn't buy that and had them dig deeper. After about an hour they found it was not legitimate, confirming my suspicion.
It was a big order and I'm glad I didn't actually process anything for it. Definitely NEVER Western Union an overpayment to anyone. I think everyone's on to this scam these days though.
I actually talked to the faker on the phone. His accent didn't exactly sound like a "Jack Edward" if you know what I mean. He was wondering why I wouldn't cash in the cashiers check.
And they think WE are stupid?
Discussion
4 repliesConsider yourselves warned,
-D
These emails have been targeted to framing businesses, including mine, throughout the country for a couple years. I believe they are coming from Nigeria. They use stolen or bogus credit card numbers and over pay. Then they ask to wire part of the overpayment back to them.
There is another simular scam to this using the operator relay calls system for deaf people.
It's terrible that these scammers abusing this system.
I believe other industries are also being targeted by these scammers.
Probably the same people. The poor grammar gives it away.
I knew it was likely a scam all along but wanted to see where it would go. He sent the cashiers check and the bank actually said "yes, fine, we'll take it and you'll have the money in your account immediately."
I didn't buy that and had them dig deeper. After about an hour they found it was not legitimate, confirming my suspicion.
It was a big order and I'm glad I didn't actually process anything for it. Definitely NEVER Western Union an overpayment to anyone. I think everyone's on to this scam these days though.
I actually talked to the faker on the phone. His accent didn't exactly sound like a "Jack Edward" if you know what I mean. He was wondering why I wouldn't cash in the cashiers check.
And they think WE are stupid?