Just found this in my spam folder, ostensibly from the US Postal Service:
Scammer sent me this as proof of his existence. Added his name but left the watermarks.
Now that’s just bad craftmanship!
More like no craftsmanship.
The sad thing is that there are people who will fall for it.
Hey, I was comparing to the death certificate you linked in #287, which, by contrast, was a marvel of hard work.
Back to the thread, almost certainly due to the recent gift-giving holidays, I’ve had about a 300% increase in the Walmart and Amazon ‘customer service’ scams regarding returned items / undeliverable items, but only about a 50% increase in the FedEx ones for the redeliver fees.
Lots of otherwise smart people are going to be hurting from those, because it’s so damn plausible. 
I just got one of the standard “Your email was randomly selected to receive a ridiculous amount of money for no reason”.
What’s different is it’s from Mr. Bulk Assets Warehouse who claims to be the Secure Storage Facility Supervisor.
I’m ashamed to say I fell for it and sent an urgent response.
No, I think he’s real. He probably put the watermarks on there so that actual scammers couldn’t use his photo to trick people, it seems quite considerate.
One of my current baits.
Right now, you should get us the US MANDATORY TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE for such a Fund transfer before the release of the Fund into your Bank account
As soon as you send the Tax Clearance to us, we shall have your Fund transferred without further delay.
You can get the US MANDATORY TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE from our Tax Department here. It will cost you $6400.00.
Wanna bet it’s going to be something no bank would ever use like gift cards? Or a wire transfer to a personal account at a different bank.
My wife’s niece fell for a pyramid scheme even after I told her what it was. A few months ago she posted on FB about a “new” way to get more books to read. Buy a book and send it off to someone and in a few months you will get 36 books in the mail. It smelled like a pyramid scheme to me and after a bit of Googling, that was confirmed. She said the person that told her about this would never do a pyramid scheme. She sent a book off to the person on the top of the list she received and waited for a bunch of books to start arriving. I talked to her last Friday, she admitted I was right.
Finally got a reply. Their receiver agent has an account in Prosperity Bank in Houston Tx. and the account holder is an LLC based in an apartment in Houston.
Sound legit to me.
ETA: I forgot to mention the scammer is claiming to work for the National Bank Of Arizona(which is a real bank).
If you have to ask and etc., but I’m a-askin’…
For about a year or so I have been getting text messages confirming payments from a “Mikki” for a storage place in South Carolina. Note there is a chain of such establishments in SC with the name they are using. I’ve ignored them until now…
But today I have gotten 2 actual phone calls from them, saying that there is a problem with “my” account, and to call them back.
I did some research earlier. I’ve tried to mute the text conversation, to no avail; next month like clockwork I’d get another text anyway confirming payment. Turns out that unmuteable convos may be a big red flag that it is a scam.
So do I let some lady lose all of her stuff when they clean out her unit for nonpayment because one digit got mistranscribed in the phone number? Or do I fall for the bait and call them back (out of the goodness of my heart) and open myself up to some nonsense, such as them trying to stick ME with the unpaid balance?
Look up the number for the corporate office and explain the situation.
Never call the number in a text or email.
Typical “We’re looking to pass you off as the relative of a dead guy with lots of money”.
Decided to try something different.
Greetings upon the day, Barr Thomas
I go by the name of Peter Mosse but that is not my real name. I am in the Witness Protection Program and cannot reveal my true name.
My mailing address is 4251 Main St #1337, Loris, SC 29569
Due to injuries suffered in the attack, I am unable to speak so I do not use a phone.
(followed by fake banking info)
They fell for it. I’m willing to bet they have no idea what “Witness Protection Program” actually means.
I’ve been getting daily emails about my McAfee subscription “may end soon”.
Looks legit, but the sending email is
“enewsletter@nnolhobqtyxjxkjnjpdvchcyuxop.wiesenthal.com”
Just seems that McAfee would be using an email more closely associated with their company name.
I just got a long text that my “Movies Account” has been suspended due to credit card issues. All I have to do is to click on the long gibbereshy URL. At the end of the text, it says:
Best regards,
IMDb. Inc
Since the start of the year, it’s been as if some law expired. Several calls/texts a day where my “settlement” is waiting. “Delivery” is pending. Contact us immediately about credit card account “actions???” etc… I’m deleting and blocking but the numbers are obviously spoofed and random. Starting to slow though.
Follow up. They sent me the name, address and bank account of their money mule. Apparently, they still don’t understand I can’t use my bank account or real name. So I sent this.
I’m not allowed to use my bank account while under protection. The FBI is paying my bills through under The Witness Protection Act. I’ve forwarded the payment information along with the supporting emails for verification.
An agent will deliver the payment.Peter Mosse
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/ to get a screenshot of the home page.
Scammer is bolded. mine are plain.
Attn: Peter Mosse,
Congratulations on your newly activated Online Offshore Account. We welcome you to HCC Trust Private Bank (Offshore Banking Section). Your completed Form is received and your Offshore Account is active for use.
Note that your Online Offshore Account is in Great British Pounds (GBP). Having received your account opening balance of £1,600.00 GBP, the Accounts Department has finalized your account activation process and your Online Offshore Account is ready for use. It is on this note, your newly activated Online Offshore Account has been credited with your opening balance of £1,600.00 and also with £25,000,000.00 as released with authorization by the Diplomatic Reserve and Security Company. You shall have a daily transfer limit of £300,000.00. (Three Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds Only) or its equivalent. This may however be reconsidered after your first transfer. That is, if you wish to increase or reduce your daily transfer limit.
Kindly note that the total amount in your Online Offshore Account is exclusively in Great British Pounds. When ‘Funds Transfer’ is effected from the account to any other Bank account anywhere in the world, the transferred amount will automatically be converted to the receiving country’s currency. The rate of this conversion will be equivalent to the currency conversion rate of the domicile country. For instance, if you transfer to your personal account in the United States of America, the transferred amount will automatically be converted to US Dollars.
You are advised to follow the below instructions carefully. We have provided the login details to your account to enable you to have complete access and effect funds transfer.
Your Account Number is: 3324365762
Your Customer Number: 10659
Your Pin is: 6754
Your Password is: PeMss29660
To transfer funds into your local/personal account in your location, you are to follow the instructions below;
-
Click Here to go directly through our Online Offshore Accounts Login Page OR you may click on “Personal Account” when you open our website on www.hcctrustprivate.com
-
Enter your Customer Number and Pin
-
Click “Next” to sign in; Click “Confirm” to view your Account
-
Your Domiciliary Online Offshore Account details will display.
-
Click on the “Transfer” icon on the left area of your account page.
-
Click on ‘Make a Transfer’
-
Enter your destination/beneficiary bank account details and then click on “Transfer”.
The specified amount will be transferred into the provided beneficiary account.
Be informed that your Customer Number, Account Number, Password and Pin are private and personal. Do not release it to any person or group of persons as HCC Trust Private Bank will not be held responsible for any erroneous transfer of funds into a third party’s account. You are hereby advised to be careful and keep your account information and the entire transaction confidential.
Do not hesitate to immediately contact us in case you experience any difficulty in the transfer process.
Giving you the best in banking is our priority
Yours sincerely,
Mr. John Shannon McDermott
Foreign Remittance Department
There is one gullible person in this conversation and it’s not me.
Peter Mosse
Good day Peter,
I dont understand your email. Have you transferred the money to your account? I need to know what’s going on now.
That shitty looking bank made me change my mind. I’m no longer interested.
Peter Mosse
Tell me what happened. We can’t afford to change our mind at this point.
You can afford to change your mind if it’s your only option.
Peter Mosse
I can see from your last email that you have already been given the bank login details. Please all my life depends on this money. Please explain to me what’s happening.
If your life depends on this money, you’re in BIG trouble.
Peter Mosse
Please changing of mind is not an option now. What happened? Please let me know. I’m beginning to have high blood pressure now. Kindly explain to me please
Just wait, your blood pressure is about to go through the roof.
Are you planning to go with the whole money? Why dont you take time to explain to me what’s happening?
Of course I’m going to take the money. How are you going to stop me?
Please don’t do that to me. I trusted you with all that I have. I beg you in the name of God.
Have I offended you in any way that made you decide to sideline me? Please dont do such thing to me for christ’s sake
There is a way to stop me from taking the money. You’d realize what it is if you weren’t so stupid.
Tell me please
No. You’re so smart, you figure it out.
So you want to abscond with the entire money? Right?
Who wouldn’t?
No problem. So you’ve transferred all the money to your account and decided to push me out. Right?
Obviously I haven’t. I’m rather enjoying your distress before I clean you out.
Then why are you doing this to me? I brought a deal to you based on trust and you feel the best way to treat me is to distress me? Let be honest with ourselves, what’s the problem now?
Only a fool trusts a stranger with their money.
I dont understand. But you have already paid for the account opening fee and the bank login has been given to you.
Why shouldn’t I take a large amount of money if I’ve been granted access?
So why did you pay the account opening fee then?
I can’t very well move that much money into my own account, my bank would notify the government and i would be in trouble.
And why did you allow me spend all the money I spent preparing the legal documents?
Because it’s better than me spending the money for the documents.
But it can be moved bit by bit. Is that the issue?
Sure is
But you were aware of the amount of money involved from the beginning. You are not expected to move the whole money at once. This is something that should be done little by little.
So I got greedy. Who wouldn’t?
Now,you’ve paid the account opening fee and you have been given the bank login details. So what do we do now?
Panic?
So you got greedy??? After letting me know I can trust you?
Yeah. Why are you surprised? Greed is a major factor in starting a life of crime and stealing from people.
So you just made the payment for the account opening fee just to deceive me or what?
Maybe.
Then why did you pay for the account opening fee?
You asked me to.
So you want to hold on to the entire money right?
Of course. Are you an idiot?
I hope you know I’m a banker and I know what to do.
You’re sure as hell not a website designer.
Let me see how you go free with the money. Forgetting that there are so many things at stake. I can’t be so stupid to entrust such amount with you without having a plan B
Then stop talking and implement it.
Go ahead and transfer the money then. Why are you delaying?
Because I’m enjoying the conversation and your utter helplessness. One of my hobbies is exercising my cruel streak.
Now you can go ahead and transfer the funds. At Least my soul will be at rest knowing that the funds are with you
I don’t need it all at once. That’s the great thing about bank accounts. The money is always there.
Now you are millionaire with money that’s not for you. Anyway, just let me know when you have the funds all to yourself.
You seem suddenly calm. I suspect you came up with what you think is a clever plan but it will undoubtedly fail.
I have left you to your fate. You better Transfer the money as fast as you can otherwise it might be too late for you if I decide to involve my attorney
Go ahead, involve your attorney. I’m sure he(or she) is as competent as you are.
I look forward to the challenge.
Just endeavour to do your transfer today. I wonder why you are wasting your time
Because I can. You’re powerless.
ok, You will definitely need me as things unfold.
I doubt that. You’re as useless as tits on a bull.
No need for insults. I will let you be and do your thing. I wish you the best.
Whatever.
For your information, I’ll be going to Scotland for an official assignment this coming week.
Sounds important. Why should I care?
But you still have to let me know how it’s going when you want to do the transfer. I might be of help.
I doubt that.
I see the reason why you said someone seems to be gullible here.
And when did the light dawn?
I need to beg you now, even if it’s some few percentage, let me still benefit from this because I have input alot to make this deal a success. Please don’t just leave me out totally.
But I want to leave you out.
Please don’t do so, consider my condition and all what I have invested as well. I have told you all I went through in life , please help me and don’t leave me out. I beg you. Any percentage will be fine.
Thank you.
I find your begging and groveling quite therapeutic.
Please don’t be this mean. We are all human.
Some of us are.
No problem then. Have a good day. But let me know when you finally have the funds transferred. Meanwhile when do you intend to transfer it?
I’m going to let it be a surprise.
ok.meaning you will let me know. Thank you
I said it would be a surprise.
I know you are just joking with me. I know with your conscience you wont disappoint me.
I don’t joke about someone else’s money.
So you know this is someone else’s money
Only for as long as I let it be.
Don’t bother trying to make me feel guilty. It’s not possible.
I read something like the prior, and occasionally wonder if some of the desperation is legit - where the scammer has figured they have a big fish, and perhaps spent some of their ill-gotten gains prematurely, only to find they’re being baited by @running_coach. And all of a sudden, they find themselves in need of that payoff and quickly.
If so, schadenfreude moment.