# Ok, so someone is trying to scam me. What should I do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 22, 2005, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309 "2005-02-22T06:27:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/1 "2005-02-22T06:27:48Z")
I have been looking for a roommate recently so I posted a listing online. Shortly afterwards, I received this email (I edited it for your viewing pleasure): > [@Evil Scammer](#): > > Hello > > I am interested in the Apt but am presently in west africa {nigeria} i may be in the states 28th of feburary 2005, I hope this is ok by you.i will be paying for 2months for now, > > As regards payment, this is what i am going to do. I have a client in the US who is owing me US$4,500. I would instruct him to make out MONEY ORDER to you in that amount you can now deduct your money from it and send me my balance. > > Although the value of the MONEY ORDER is more than the total price but i think i should be able to trust you with my balance. The reason why I am doing this is that it would take a MONEY ORDER sent from over here in Africa 21 days to clear over there,whereas a MONEY ORDER sent from the! US would clear tops within 48hrs. > > Please let me have your full contact address where the MONEY ORDER will be mailed out to. Also i will like to know the full name the MONEY ORDER will be made out to So that i can instruct my client to make out the MONEY ORDER to you. > > Pls get back to me as soon as you get this mail so that we can round things up in a timely fashion. You will email or fax me a copy of the receipt after payment as been received. I will send you a copy of my pics. > > Thanks in this regard Now it just so happens that as an educated netizen, I am familiar with this scam. The guy sends a fake money order and stresses that it is imperative that I send the difference immediately. Of course, after I send him my hard earned money, I find out that I hold nothing but a useless piece of paper. Sorrow ensues. So, any ideas as to what I should do? Simply ignoring the guy is not a very fun possibility plus I’d like to make the guy spend as much money as possible. PS: I’m not sure if this belongs in GQ. If it doesn’t, please move it/ delete it as appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/2 "2005-02-22T06:46:30Z")
Before I was an “Aware Netizen,” I went forward with telling the person on the other end to go ahead and send the cashiers check, and it arrived through some rather pricy next-day air-mail. Then I checked the routing numbers, which of course didn’t work out, and I figure I cost the spammer some $15-20. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/3 "2005-02-22T06:47:54Z")
Oh, and before I look too stupid, I wasn’t doing this in response to an e-mail, but in an attempt to sell a bike over the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/4 "2005-02-22T06:52:16Z")
> [@recurriman](#): > > So, any ideas as to what I should do? Simply ignoring the guy is not a very fun possibility plus I’d like to make the guy spend as much money as possible. > > PS: I’m not sure if this belongs in GQ. If it doesn’t, please move it/ delete it as appropriate. It doesn’t belong in GQ, and I’m sure a moderator will move it, but in the meantime: You won’t be able to scam the guy any more than he’ll scam you (since you’re wise). You _could_ turn it over to the state Attorney General’s office but since it’s out of country they’ll probably do very little about it, as they lack jurisdiction. You could yank his chain a bit more, but frankly, he’s just trolling for someone less aware than you to bite. I’ve cranked grifters along a couple of times, in revenge for having fallen prey to a scam in my more naive days, but it really is of limited entertainment and vengence value. Maybe check out one of George Heyduke’s books (_Get Even_,_Get Even II_) will give you some ideas, but IMHO, you’re better just to move on. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![jeffh3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/34f0e0/32.png) [@jeffh3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeffh3000)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/5 "2005-02-22T06:56:33Z")
> [@recurriman](#): > > I have been looking for a roommate recently so I posted a listing online. Shortly afterwards, I received this email (I edited it for your viewing pleasure): > > Now it just so happens that as an educated netizen, I am familiar with this scam. The guy sends a fake money order and stresses that it is imperative that I send the difference immediately. Of course, after I send him my hard earned money, I find out that I hold nothing but a useless piece of paper. Sorrow ensues. > > So, any ideas as to what I should do? Simply ignoring the guy is not a very fun possibility plus I’d like to make the guy spend as much money as possible. > > PS: I’m not sure if this belongs in GQ. If it doesn’t, please move it/ delete it as appropriate. Well I notice that they say they are in Nigeria. This country is known to be the largest mail/email scammer in the world. They are actually quite sophisticated in their scams and the FBI/INTERPOL have claimed that up to possibly 30% of income in the country is generated from mail scams. It is a major industry. Bottom line, there is not much you can do and they are experts at this game, so aren’t likely to fall for any “tricks” that you come up with. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/6 "2005-02-22T07:02:42Z")
> [@threemae](#): > > Before I was an “Aware Netizen,” I went forward with telling the person on the other end to go ahead and send the cashiers check, and it arrived through some rather pricy next-day air-mail. Then I checked the routing numbers, which of course didn’t work out, and I figure I cost the spammer some $15-20. If you’re set up for printing you can kick these things out for pennies. Read _Catch Me If You Can_ (don’t watch the excreable film) for a precis on how this was done in pre-laser printer days, and imagine how much easier and cheaper it is to do now. I’ve seen some recent counterfit bills (and was almost passed one, incidentally, at a bar while breaking a $100.) These things look _good_, and if it weren’t for the recent anti-counterfitting measures would be virtually indistinguishable by eyeball inspection. Back when I was working service industry, you could tell funny money by feel and the crappy printing alone. And it’s probably a lot cheaper to do these days. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/7 "2005-02-22T07:09:57Z")
As to the OP, if it were me… I’d keep the fake MO as a souvenir. Frame it and keep it around for friends and family to wonder about. Remain mysterious with regard to its origin. …if it were me. On second thought, only do this if you can have it shipped to somewhere other than your home. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/8 "2005-02-22T07:53:22Z")
This site seems to have some amusing ideas for toying with scammers (it’s his hobby) [Ebola Monkey Man: Pissing Off Nigerian Scammers One At a Time!](http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/9 "2005-02-22T08:47:40Z")
You could always just get him to send you the MO, then say it never turned up but that you’re happy to wait for another one. Then do it again, and then again, and just see how long you can keep stringing him. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/10 "2005-02-22T08:49:09Z")
Some possible inspiration here: [http://419eater.com/](http://419eater.com/) Or [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=242804) ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/11 "2005-02-22T11:02:42Z")
Forward it to the Financial Crimes Division of the U.S. Secret Service. [http://www.secretservice.gov/financial\_crimes.shtml](http://www.secretservice.gov/financial_crimes.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/12 "2005-02-23T08:53:07Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > If you’re set up for printing you can kick these things out for pennies. Read _Catch Me If You Can_ (don’t watch the excreable film) for a precis on how this was done in pre-laser printer days, and imagine how much easier and cheaper it is to do now. > > I’ve seen some recent counterfit bills (and was almost passed one, incidentally, at a bar while breaking a $100.) These things look _good_, and if it weren’t for the recent anti-counterfitting measures would be virtually indistinguishable by eyeball inspection. Back when I was working service industry, you could tell funny money by feel and the crappy printing alone. And it’s probably a lot cheaper to do these days. > > Stranger Oh no, I was just talking about the shipping costs. It came in some sort of British version of Fed-Ex. Come on, that has to be woth at least $5, right? And what about compensation for their time? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/13 "2005-02-23T09:18:21Z")
Basically, you can toy with them or you can ignore them. I don’t know that anyone in this country or abroad is too interested in pursuing them. Toying with them can be fun, and you can justify it on the grounds of wasting their time (and possibly their money, depending on what you can convince them to do) and the fact that it’s fun to fuck with those losers. Simply ignoring them is probably the most common response by far. Don’t get too many ideas that you’re having a huge affect on them. They’re obviously pretty much immune from prosecution and making enough money to justify their email campaigns, or at least they think they’re going to cover their own costs. Scamming the scammers is a hobby, nothing more. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/14 "2005-02-23T09:30:56Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Basically, you can toy with them or you can ignore them. I don’t know that anyone in this country or abroad is too interested in pursuing them. > > Toying with them can be fun, and you can justify it on the grounds of wasting their time (and possibly their money, depending on what you can convince them to do) and the fact that it’s fun to fuck with those losers. Simply ignoring them is probably the most common response by far. > > Don’t get too many ideas that you’re having a huge affect on them. They’re obviously pretty much immune from prosecution and making enough money to justify their email campaigns, or at least they think they’re going to cover their own costs. Scamming the scammers is a hobby, nothing more. Indeed. I gave the guy a bogus address and a bogus name. they’re close enough to my real address and name for a fedex guy to leave it at the rental office and for me to claim the letter if he sends it. Just a cautionary measure in the extremely unlikely case that the scammer attempts to locate me. I would much rather turn it in as evidence to the authorities but i know it’s pretty much certain they won’t do anything about it. On a slightly unrelated note, my guest account expires tomorrow so there won’t be any further updates past that date. ---
**Author:** ![Gaius.Cornelius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gaius.Cornelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaius.Cornelius)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/15 "2005-02-23T18:44:20Z")
I just love the tales from [419 Eaters](http://www.419eater.com/index.htm). The story of [The Godfather](http://www.419eater.com/html/user_subs/godfather/godfather.htm) is my favorite. I don’t think I would tangle with Don Bolognese for all the dilithium in Africa! ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/16 "2005-02-23T19:19:49Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > If you’re set up for printing you can kick these things out for pennies. Read _Catch Me If You Can_ (don’t watch the excreable film) for a precis on how this was done in pre-laser printer days, and imagine how much easier and cheaper it is to do now. Not that it would do anything, but you could send him has ‘balance’ on a fake money order. Or maybe it would do something, if his Nigerian bank thinks he is trying to scam them when he tries to cash it. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/17 "2005-02-23T20:12:19Z")
> [@recurriman](#): > > Now it just so happens that as an educated netizen, I am familiar with this scam. Since you already knew this was a scam it should have been deep sixed, placed in the round file, or sent to cyberspace via the delete message button immediately. OTOH follow the instructions, send the cash and you will have a nice post for the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Omphaloskeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@Omphaloskeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omphaloskeptic)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/18 "2005-02-24T00:17:55Z")
Or you could send him his balance as a [P-P-P-Powerbook!](http://www.p-p-p-powerbook.com/) ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/19 "2005-02-24T00:23:01Z")
> [@Dag Otto](#): > > Not that it would do anything, but you could send him has ‘balance’ on a fake money order. Or maybe it would do something, if his Nigerian bank thinks he is trying to scam them when he tries to cash it. As fun as that might be, you’d then be committing mail fraud. Probably not a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-someone-is-trying-to-scam-me-what-should-i-do/291309/20 "2005-02-24T05:49:57Z")
> [@astro](#): > > This site seems to have some amusing ideas for toying with scammers (it’s his hobby) > > [Ebola Monkey Man: Pissing Off Nigerian Scammers One At a Time!](http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com/) Holy cow, astro, that’s the greatest website ever. I just about died laughing at “Mr. Bo Jangles” and “Ariel (Lord of Darkness)”. Thanks for the link!