# Scam (Internet and Otherwise) Omnibus Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265 "2022-04-04T18:23:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/521 "2023-05-14T13:43:19Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > I’ve had this one running since the 12th. 231 emails so far. This exchange was just this morning. (I’ve broken the links to the(fake) bank.) I always get registration info at ICANN and I use [https://urlscan.io/](https://urlscan.io/) to get a screenshot of the home page. > > > > Scammer is bolded. mine are plain. > > I don’t quite get this one (as entertaining as I found his freak out). Did you lead him to believe that you had successfully taken his money? - Unfortunately, I’ve long since deleted the email chain but if I remember, the fake bank was set up to require my bank login to make the transfer. As others speculated, he may have had to put up some of his own money that he would lose if I didn’t come through. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/522 "2023-05-15T12:26:04Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > He ignored this but the idiocy continues. Email count is over 1300. This is not a scammer. This is a scambaiter-baiter. He’s using up your time so as to protect the real scammers from your scambaiting. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/523 "2023-05-15T12:47:56Z")
It’s scambaiters-antiscambaiters all the way down. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/524 "2023-05-15T12:52:21Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > He ignored this but the idiocy continues. Email count is over 1300. > > This is not a scammer. This is a scambaiter-baiter. He’s using up your time so as to protect the real scammers from your scambaiting. In case you’re serious, I doubt it. I don’t think there’s enough scambaiters to be that much of a problem to any particular group. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/525 "2023-05-15T13:05:08Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > He then insisted I deliver the cash to his office in Uganda. “Dear Orange County Credit Union. Thank you for your address. I am coming to kill you, now.” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/526 "2023-05-15T13:12:05Z")
The CU is real but it’s his money mule’s account. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/527 "2023-05-15T15:24:08Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > In case you’re serious, I doubt it. I don’t think there’s enough scambaiters to be that much of a problem to any particular group. I am part of a small but thriving scambaiter-baiter-baiter community. We get scambaiter-baiters to waste time interacting with us, when all the time the joke is on them because we’re not actual scam baiters in the first place. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/528 "2023-05-15T15:32:06Z")
I got a check from a bank I’d never heard of in the mail the other day. It immediately raised red flags, but it seemed to have a surprising amount of legitimate information. It referenced a “card ending in \*\*\*\*”. I went digging around, and lo and behold I came up with the card. Why is a bank I never heard of sending me a multi-hundred dollar check related to a real payment card? Some time back I was given some kind of award by my employer. It came in the form of money on a visa prepaid card, with the restriction that it needed to be used at “one of these online retailers”. I didn’t want to buy any of the overpriced garbage they were selling on those sites, so I never used the money and soon forgot about it entirely. Eventually, the program is shutting down and they need to get the liability off the books. I received a letter, “Please spend this money at one of the specified retailers, or we will have to send you this money as a check.” Well, by all means, please send me a less-restricted form of this money. So I waited, forgot about it again, and soon enough the check arrives. Of course, nothing in the envelope tells me, “this is that money from your employer you never spent which we need to get off the books”. So yeah, not a scam in this case. But badly enough handled that it makes all the scams look less scammy in comparison. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/529 "2023-05-16T18:20:46Z")
> Good day, We hereby inform you that we have credited your total sum of USD $8,950,000.00 to a VISA ATM card and deposited it with the UPS Express company for delivery to you. We have only paid our responsible fees such as company registration and Security, but the $69.08 is for a delivery fee/tariff is pending to be paid as soon as possible by the receiver. We have an alternative to release your compensation payment of $8,950,000.00 via Western Union Money Transfer for $10,000.00 per day until your $8,950,000.00 is fully transferred. Meanwhile, Money Gram Office also has a payout of $10,000.00 per day. Beware and respond for your first immediate payment if you prefer either method. Credit card, MoneyGram, Western Union or international bank transfer to any bank worldwide. UPS-express E-mail; **(Bullshit email redacted)** Mr. Philippe Gilbert Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Solutions. Respectfully Sandra Synder. _How do I pay the 69.08?_ _Peter Mosse_ > Hello > > Thank you for your polite response. You can pay the $69.08 via Bitcoin wallet deposit using QR code attached to this email. > > Yours in service, > > Mr. Philippe Gilbert. > > UPS COURIER EVP, Supply Chain Solutions _Mr. Gilbert,_ _I went down to Wolpert’s and they don’t carry Bitcoin wallets. They have a number of other brands, will any of them do?_ _Peter Mosse_ (Wolpert’s is a department store in Loris, SC where Peter Mosse “lives”) > Hello Mr Peter > > List the numbers of other brands they have to enable me crosscheck if it works. _Bally, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Levi Strauss, Givenchy, Harber London, Bellroy, Lacoste_ _Peter Mosse_ > All you listed has nothing to do with any gifts wallets or payment method, like PayPal, Steam, Apple, Amazon, Zelle eBay Etc _Are those wallets?_ _Peter Mosse_ > Get those ones _How?_ _Peter Mosse_ > Look for a place to buy itunes gift card, steam wallet gift card, Amazon gift card, Google play card, eBay gift card, Apple gift card, and Etc. Anyone is good _So the wallet is to put the cards in? I already have a wallet with cards in it._ _Peter Mosse_ > Send the wallet you have with cards in it. _Here it is. Knife for scale._ _Peter Mosse_ (Attached photo of my wallet with cards exposed, Safeway, Costco, CVS, nothing with ID exposed. The rest of the cards are just edges that show I have many cards. Large kitchen knife just above) That’s it as of 9:22am Pacific, either they bailed or it’s quitting time. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/530 "2023-05-16T19:34:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > (Attached photo of my wallet with cards exposed, Safeway, Costco, CVS, nothing with ID exposed. The rest of the cards are just edges that show I have many cards. Large kitchen knife just above) - Imgur is working again. [https://imgur.com/a/g5pqAki](https://imgur.com/a/g5pqAki) ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/531 "2023-05-16T21:50:27Z")
I like that you included an AARP card, which probably got the scammer excited, thinking he’s dealing with an old fart (no, I don’t think you’re an old fart). I wonder if he knows what AARP is. And please keep posting these, they’re so entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/532 "2023-05-18T00:32:28Z")
Thanks. I’m a beginner old fart(63). I didn’t even think of the implications of the AARP card, it was just one of the few that didn’t have a name or membership number in an awkward place. This one started this morning but I had to cut it short to go to my coaching job. There’s still a chance it will continue. > U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, > MG Timothy J. Lowenberg,Adjutant General and Director State Military > Department Washington Military Dept, Bldg1 Camp Murry ,Wash 98430-5000 > USA > > GOOD DAY TO YOU: > > I HOPE THIS MAIL FINDS YOU IN GOOD SPIRIT AND IN GOOD HEALTH? BECAUSE > I AM QUITE AWARE OF YOUR LOSSES IN THE PAST YEARS NOW, IT MAY SURPRISE > YOU THAT I AM ALSO AWARE OF YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOXES PURSUIT IN BENIN > GHANA TOGO NIGERIA SPAIN FRANCE MALAYSIA INDONESIA CHINA AND KOREA .MY > NAME IS MR. ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS,THE SECRETARY OF U.S DEPARTMENT OF > HOMELAND SECURITY OF AMERICA , AM IN CHARGE TO MONITORED ALL FOREIGN > TRANSACTIONS IN AFRICA EUROPE AND ASIA. I HAVE BEEN IN THE U.S > DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY NOW SINCE THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT > JOE BIDEN, MONITORING THE VARIOUS TRANSACTIONS GOING ON IN AFRICA, > EUROPE AND ASIA, MOST ESPECIALLY CONSIGNMENTS CASES AND BANK TRANSFER. > I DO NOT INTEND TO SPOIL YOUR DAY OR TO PUT YOU UNDER DURESS. > > BUT YOU CANNOT RECEIVE ANY OF YOUR CONSIGNMENTS BOXES PURSUIT, WITHOUT > A CLEARANCE FROM THE U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. HOWEVER, > UPON MY ARRIVAL IN BENIN REPUBLIC AFTER SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH OUR > PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON, > DUE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINS FROM OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES FROM AFRICA > ASIA, EUROPE, OCEANIA, ANTARCTICA,SOUTH AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES > OF AMERICA RESPECTIVELY, AGAINST THE BENIN GOVERNMENT AND NIGERIA OVER > THE RATE OF SCAM/FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY AND > AFRICA. WHEN I ARRIVE IN THE BENIN PARLIAMENT IN COTONOU, I FOUND YOUR > CONSIGNMENT BOX CLEARANCE FILE LYING ON THE FOREIGN AFFAIR OFFICE DESK > WITHOUT ANY ATTENTION ON A THOROUGH SCRUTINY I DISCOVERED THAT YOUR > CONSIGNMENT HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY YOUR DELIVERY AGENT. MEANWHILE, I > WAS MADE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE TRY TO REACH YOU, BUT NO WAY AND > THEY HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT YOUR DELIVERY AGENT BUT TO > NO AVAIL. > > TO MY GREATEST SURPRISE, DURING MY RECENT ROUTINE RE-CHECKING, I > PERSONALLY DISCOVERED THAT YOUR CONSIGNMENT CONTENT DECLARATION > DOCUMENTS STATED THAT YOUR CONSIGNMENT CONTAINS PERSONAL EFFECTS > MEANWHILE, IT CONTAINS UNITED STATES DOLLAR BILLS WORTH OVER > US$10.5MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONSIGNMENT > TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU EARLIER BEFORE NOW. BASED ON THIS PERSONAL > DISCOVERY, I AM CONTACTING YOU NOW TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WITH MY > POSITION AND POWER AS THE SECRETARY OF U.S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND > SECURITY, I CAN ASSIST YOU TO LEGALLY CLEAR YOUR CONSIGNMENT FUND, BUT > YOU MUST AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS. BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED > OUR OFFICE IN WASHINGTON,DC FROM BENIN, WHO HAS BEEN INTERCEPTING ALL > YOUR TELEPHONE CALLS, WITH THE HELP OF MTN, TIGO VODAFONE AND AIR-TEL > NETWORK BENIN. > > I ALSO RECEIVED SOME INFORMATION FROM OUR HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE IN > BENIN REPUBLIC, ABOUT YOUR EMAILS, THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DEALING AND > SENDING MONEY TO PEOPLES IN BENIN GHANA SOUTH AFRICA TOGO BENIN AND > NIGERIA, WHO CLAIMS TO BE THE WESTERN UNION DIRECTOR. YOU ARE ALSO > DEALING WITH A BANK, AND OTHER NAMES WHICH I AM STILL WAITING TO BE > FORWARDED TO ME FROM OUR OFFICE IN WASHINGTON,DC. WHO HAVE MONITORED > ALL YOUR DEALINGS WITH THIS HOODLUM. YOU ARE ADVICE TO HENCE FORT STOP > FURTHER DEALINGS WITH ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED PEOPLE, UNTIL WE > COMPLETE OUR INVESTIGATION. > > BECAUSE YOUR DEALING WITH THEM IS TERMED AS ILLEGAL TRANSACTION. > I WISH TO INFORM THAT WE THE HOMELAND SECURITY IS ON LOOK OUT FOR ALL > THE ABOVE MENTIONED NAME, MOSTLY THOSE WHO CLAIMS TO BE THE DIRECTOR > OF WEST AFRICAN DEBT WESTERN UNION AND MONEY GRAM AND PROPERTY > RECOVERY BENIN. ALL THIS MENTIONED PEOPLE ARE IMPOSTOR, AND WE INTEND > TO APPREHEND THEM SOON. I WANT YOU TO PLEASE STOP COMMUNICATING, AND > DEALING WITH THEM UNTIL WE COMPLETE OUR INVESTIGATION. I WISH TO > NOTIFY YOU ABOUT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT CONCERNING YOUR BOX OF > CONSIGNMENT THAT WAS HANDLE OVER TO ME AFTER THE MEETING HELD BETWEEN > ME AND SOME OF THE TOP PARLIAMENT MEMBERS OF BENIN AND THE FOREIGN > AFFAIR MINSTER IN THE BENIN CAPITAL HEADQUARTERS COTONOU, DUE TO THE > DELAY FOR YOU NOT HAVE RECEIVED YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX FOR LONG TIME > NOW. > > ACCORDINGLY, WE HAVE WAIVED AWAY ALL YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX CLEARANCE > FEES AND AUTHORIZED THE GOVERNMENT OF BENIN REPUBLIC TO ALLOW ME FLY > WITH THIS YOUR APPROVED CONSIGNMENT BOX TO YOU WITHOUT ANY DELAY WHICH > THEY HAVE AGREED. THE ONLY FEE YOU WILL PAY TO CONFIRM YOUR > CONSIGNMENT BOX RECEIVED IN YOUR POSSESSION IS THE WEIGHT FEE OF YOUR > CONSIGNMENT BOX WHICH IS SUM OF $55.00 ONLY. IN ORDER WORDS YOUR BOX > IS WITH ME NOW AND I SHALL BE COMING TO YOUR COUNTRY AS SOON AS I HEAR > FROM YOU AND I WILL BE COMING ALONG WITH YOUR BOX OF CONSIGNMENT,BUT > REMEMBER THAT AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, I AM A US GOVERNMENT SECURITY AGENT AND I > HAVE THE POWER TO GO THROUGH ANY AIRPORT CUSTOMS WITHOUT INSPECTING > WHAT I CARRY ALONG. > > AND AS SOON AS I ARRIVE IN YOUR STATE I WILL GIVE YOU A PHONE CALL FOR > YOU TO GIVE ME DIRECTION TO YOUR HOME ADDRESS SO THAT WE CAN MEET FACE > TO FACE AND HAND OVER YOUR BOX TO YOU BEFORE PROCEEDING BACK TO THE > STATES. SO I WANT YOU TO RE-CONFIRM TO ME THE BELOW INFORMATION FOR > PROPER UNDERSTANDING BY FILLING THE ATTACH HOMELAND SECURITY > REGISTRATION FORM OKAY. > > BENEFICIARY NAME:… > ADDRESS:… > TEL PHONE:… > OCCUPATION:… > COUNTRY:… > SEX:… > > AS SOON AS I ARRIVE I SHALL CALL YOU ON YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER THEN > MEET YOU IN PERSON AND HAND OVER YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX TO YOU BEFORE I > RETURN BACK TO WASHINGTON DC. I HAVE TAKEN THIS ASSIGNMENT UPON MYSELF > BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE REALLY PAID SO MUCH ON THE COST OF > DELIVERY, BUT NOTHING WAS RECEIVED BY YOU. SO BE ADVICE TO CONTACT ME > IMMEDIATELY YOU GET THIS EMAIL NOW BECAUSE EVERY THING HAS BEEN DONE > OK. THIS IS DIRECTLY FROM OUR PRESIDENT > JOE BIDEN. > > ONCE YOU SEND THE MONEY, TRY TO NOTIFY ME WITH THE MTCN FOR EASY PICK > UP AND FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THE DELIVERY OF YOUR CONSIGNMENT > BOX,FOR YOU TO RECEIVE YOUR INHERITED FUNDS WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY > AGAIN . SINCE YOU WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE IT SINCE . > > SEND THE FEE VIA WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM MONEY TRANSFER. > > RECEIVER’S NAME:…( **redacted** ) > COUNTRY:…BENIN REPUBLIC > CITY:…COTONOU > MTCN:… > SENDER’s NAME:… > SENDER’S ADDRESS:… > > AS SOON AS YOU SEND THE FEE MAKE SURE YOU SEND ME THE PAYMENT > INFORMATION.ONCE YOU SEND THE MONEY, TRY TO NOTIFY ME WITH THE MTCN > FOR CONFIRMATION AND FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THE HANDLING OVER OF > YOUR FUND TO YOU.ALSO YOU ARE TO FORWARD TO US ANY MAIL THAT YOU HAVE > BEEN RECEIVING FROM PEOPLE FOR PROPER VERIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION > BEFORE YOU DEAL WITH THEM OKAY. _Mr. Lowenberg,_ _Since I’ve already paid the fees, why do I have to pay more?_ _Peter Mosse_ _760 Meadow Dr._ _Loris, SC 29569 USA_ _I do not use a phone due to a severe speech impediment_ _Peter Mosse_ > Thank you very much, this $55 is for delivery fee and after this $55 no more fee again till you receive your consignment box ok. > > So go ahead and send it so that our agent will leave here and going to your country to deliver your consignment box to you ok. _I asked why I have to pay another fee when I’ve already paid._ _Peter Mosse_ > DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND OUR MAIL? WITHOUT THE $55 WE CANNOT DELIVER YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX TO YOU OK, > > LISTEN IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX GO AHEAD AND SEND THE $55. > > THANK YOU _Of course I understand your mail. I want to know why I have to pay yet another fee when i was promised there were no more fees to be paid._ _And why am I sending the fee to someone in Benin?_ _Peter Mosse_ > YES AFTER THIS FEE OF $55 NO MORE FEE AGAIN, > > AGAIN IF YOU CANNOT SEND THE FEE TO BENIN THEN BUY ITUNE CARD SEND US HERE IN THIS EMAIL OK. _How do I know this is the last fee? I was promised no more fees before._ _Peter Mosse_ > LISTEN WE ARE NOT HERE TO PLAY, AND AS SOON AS YOU BUY THE ITUNE CARD AND SEND OUR AGENT WILL LEAVE HERE AND COMING TO YOUR ADDRESS TO DELIVER YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX TO YOU WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY OK. _I never said you were here to play. I’m just trying to clear up a misunderstanding._ _Peter Mosse_ > AM SURE YOU AS SOON AS YOU SEND THE ITUNE CARD YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY OK. _I looked outside. There’s no one waiting with my box so there’s no way I will get my box without further delay once I send the card._ _Peter Mosse_ > Mr. Peter Mosse, what is going on? Have you buy the iTunes card? _Yes, I’m waiting for the courier to arrive so I can go buy the card then give him the card so I can get the box with no delay as you promised._ _Peter Mosse_ > Listen without the fee our agent will not leave here to deliver your consignment box to you, I think we told you before to send the iTunes card so that our agent will deliver your consignment box to you? _You promised that when I got the card, I would receive the box with no delay. If I go and buy the card, then there will be a delay until the courier arrives with the box._ _Peter Mosse_ > Listen if you Know you want to receive your consignment box go and buy the iTunes card and receive your consignment box ok. _How far away is your agent? Maybe we can meet in town._ _Peter Mosse_ > When you send the iTunes card we will tell you how long you will receive your consignment box ok. _You said without delay. That means I hand over the card, the box gets handed over to me immediately._ _Peter Mosse_ > Listen this is company and without the fee our agent will not leave here ok. So is better go ahead and send the iTunes card ok. _You promised no delay, now you’re saying I have to wait. Why should I believe you’re going to deliver the box at all? The only way I can protect myself is to do a face-to-face exchange. How far away is your agent? We could arrange to meet somewhere._ _Peter Mosse_ > Listen this is company and without you pay the fee and sign that you pay the fee our agent will not leave here go and deliver your consignment box to you ok. _How can I sign that I paid the fee unless the agent is here with the paperwork?_ _Peter Mosse_ > Listen we did not ask you to come and sign, I said without the fee and sign in this office that you are paid our agent will not leave here and coming to deliver your consignment box to you ok. _I have to pay the fee and sign for the box in your office? Where is that?_ _Why didn’t you mention this before?_ _Peter Mosse_ > Since you said that then go to Benin Republic and sign the document, > > We want to help you to get your consignment box but since you said you know more the us go to Benin Republic sign the document ok. _I’m nowhere near the Benin Republic. I’m sure your agent is much closer. Where is he so we can make the exchange?_ _Peter Mosse_ > Call our office with this number +22953480690 or chat us in WhatsApp ok. _Try reading my previous messages, I do not use a phone and no one text me except my friends._ _I’m going out to get some lunch, I’ll be back later._ _Peter Mosse_ (I always claim a speech impediment to avoid phone calls) At this point, I left for my coaching job. I did make a mistake, mentioning lunch when it’s 3:30 pm Eastern. Oops. Upon return. > You are not serious and we will cancel the delivery ok. _You’re the one who won’t deliver in the time frame you promised. Don’t blame me and claim I’m not serious._ _Peter Mosse_ And this is where it stands for now. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/533 "2023-05-25T16:15:55Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > You are not serious and we will cancel the delivery ok. > > _You’re the one who won’t deliver in the time frame you promised. Don’t blame me and claim I’m not serious._ > > _Peter Mosse_ > > And this is where it stands for now. - He never came back after this. \< shrugs \> The guy upthread with the 100s of emails (appx 1500+ exchanged) has been demanding another payment. I finally gave in and sent a _fifth_ fake payment(ties my record). He also couldn’t understand why a person couldn’t have the same name as first and last and why the bank would find it strange. This has been ongoing (with a couple of weeks when he disappeared) since late February, my longest so far. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/534 "2023-05-25T19:24:26Z")
OK, here’s an “otherwise”. Anybody run into this one? I’ve been getting a particular product from a particular company, which produces it, for years, but I don’t order it every year; I think it’s been two or three years since my last order. When I try to look them up online, I can’t find a functioning web page – that is, there’s a Facebook page, but it hasn’t been updated for ten years (that is, they last updated it long before my most recent order.) So I dig out a jug of the stuff; mailing address and a phone number. I dig out my old notes; two phone numbers. I google the company by company name and address; nothing found except old references, and not many of those. I google the product in terms of general shopping; various other sites listing it, all of which say out of stock. I call the main phone number. Aha! Somebody answers the phone! – and does not in any way identify themselves. Instead, a very chirpy recorded voice says something along the lines of, 'Welcome! We have these great new promotions we’d like to offer you! We just have a few questions for you to answer so we can tell which promotion you’re eligible for. First question: are you over the age of 50? press 1 or press 2" I looked at the phone and didn’t press anything. After a few moments the whole spiel started up again. I continued to not press anything. After the second round the voice, sounding a bit less cheerful, said “Please hang up now.” I dialed a second time to make sure I’d dialed the right number. Same result. I dialed the other number I had, and got that standard phone company recording “that number is not in service”. I conclude that the company’s gone out of business. I wasn’t going to answer any questions, honestly or otherwise, to find out where they were going after ‘are you older than 50’; but I can guess. I haven’t read anything about this one, however. Is somebody going around signing up for, or just forging, old company phone numbers for phishing purposes? I’d think it would be more effective if they bothered to find out what company used to have the number and programmed the bot to answer with that company’s name – I might have gotten a couple or so questions in if they’d done that. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/535 "2023-05-25T19:35:51Z")
Some quick research shows that abandoned phone numbers get reassigned quickly. I have no idea how many are scams or not. Sounds like what you got is some sort of screening. Wild guess based on the over 50 question is this might be Medicare- related. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/536 "2023-05-25T22:57:50Z")
I would expect Medicare, or any health service, to have started by telling me who they were. And I’ve had considerable communication with both of them these last few years. This didn’t sound remotely like any legitimate such call; or even like the ones trying to sell you their particular version of health insurance. My guess is that they started with the over-50 because it’s relatively innocuous, in the hope that by the time they worked up to SSN and/or financial info the person would be in the habit of answering questions. Some companies genuinely have over-50 discounts; but I have trouble imagining a legitimate company not identifying themselves, or refusing to talk to you if you wouldn’t answer the question first. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/537 "2023-05-25T23:07:21Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I would expect Medicare, or any health service, to have started by telling me who they were. I’ve had a few Medicare calls that turned out to be barely legit companies. Started out by not revealing who they were until a bit into the conversation when they thought they had a victim. I checked later and they were actually scummy but real Medicare providers. Mostly the kind who shipped out extra/unneeded supplies and billed Medicare. They got reported. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/538 "2023-05-28T19:53:04Z")
Talk about not knowing your target. > Good News– > > How are you? > > I’m happy to inform you that God has finally done it for us My Good Friend. under the cooperation of a new partner from North Korea. My answer: _I don’t do jack shit for Godless Commies._ _Peter Mosse_ And the cheapskate is only offering 50K. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/539 "2023-05-28T21:04:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I’ve had a few Medicare calls that turned out to be barely legit companies. Started out by not revealing who they were until a bit into the conversation when they thought they had a victim. I checked later and they were actually scummy but real Medicare providers. Mostly the kind who shipped out extra/unneeded supplies and billed Medicare. I wouldn’t have wanted to answer their questions either – and it does seem to me that they’re scammers; they’re just using the person on the other end of the phone line so they can scam Medicare. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/540 "2023-05-28T22:23:09Z")
Now that’s he’s part of the consortium, Kim Jong Un might come in and make you an offer you cannot refuse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265.md?page=28)