I am. It’s outright attempted theft. It only didn’t become theft due to it being a scam.
Not much different from the “pass you off as a relative to get an inheritance”.
How does the scammer get the TRX? Isn’t that a transaction fee that goes to SafePal wallet for the transfer? I’m thinking it’s like paying a fee to Western Union to complete the transfer. Western Union gets the transfer fee, not the person getting the transfer.
They never get as far as paying the fee because they don’t have the two signatures. They pay in the different currency required, in hopeful preparation for the fee, and that’s as far as it goes - they can’t make any transfers out.
I don’t find it to be as simple as that. A perpetrator of an intended crime becomes a victim of a different crime. Certainly I can see why this would appeal, but I don’t think that makes it completely right and proper. There is also an angle to it that seems a bit like entrapment where a person is being induced or tempted to do something they might not seek to do otherwise.
I just don’t find it as simple as all that.
I don’t agree but fair enough.
I have no interest & will not be replying no matter what but I’m not sure if this is legit email or a scam; cant be much more than a warm body if it’s for one day (tomorrow) & it seems more cable troubleshooting but the cash advance part has my suspicions raised; what say you?
I am {Name} from {Recruiting firm}. Regarding below Job requirement. Kindly have a look at it and please revert me with your updated resume if interested.
Job Task: Cash Advance device Troubleshooting - Philadelphia, PA
Location: {Redacted}
Schedule Start Date & Time: Jul 08, 2025, 10:00 AM
Schedule End Date & Time: Jul 08, 2025, 14:00 PM
Duration time : 2 hrs.
Rate : $25/hr Flat
Description
SOW: {Job #} - Cash Advance Troubleshooting,
Tech needed to validate cash advance Cabling/patching for a new machine.
Tech will be released from site once machine is online.
Another new one by me. I’m guessing it’s to start a conversation with ‘her’ which will eventually lead to a recommendation to buy some special crypto.
BTW, I don’t play or own a piano, now or ever. I know the difference between an upright & a baby grand but that’s about the extent of my piano knowledge. The only Daisy I knew was not married, & if she was, it wouldn’t be to a ‘husband’. Of course, I don’t remember ‘her’ previous email, either.
Dear {Spidey},
I hope you’re doing well. I’m following up to see if you had a chance to read my previous note about my late husband’s Yamaha piano. This instrument holds profound sentimental value for me, and I’d love for it to find a new home with someone who will cherish it as much as he did.
I’d be delighted to tell you more about its history, condition, or anything else you’d like to know.
Any help or advice is appreciated.
Warm regards,
Daisy
That there is scammer grammar.
Also, if they need a tech to work on a machine, they wouldn’t be emailing random people, they would go to a local company that has the techs and tools.
Likely a “free” piano but you’ll be asked to pay the shipping fee to their chosen delivery service. Guess who owns the delivery service(that doesn’t exist)?
Got a scam letter today, supposedly by my mortgage company.
The line was that 3 years ago they sent us a check for $1400 that was never cashed. Call this number otherwise we send it to the state unclaimed property office. So I call the number on the letter which I know is a bad idea but the bank’s website have a dozen number none of which seem to go where I need. They ask for the account number and I give them the number in the letter - no harm there right? Then they ask me to verify with my SSN. I confront him that this seems suspiciously like a phishing attack and why and can HE confirm this is actually the bank I’m calling. He says he can’t but maybe his manager can so he puts me on hold. I look at all of the public numbers for my bank - nope not here. While waiting I type the phone number into Google and wouldn’t you know it, the first site is my bank’s fraud page … which says we will never ask for your SSN over the phone.
So I hang up and call the real main line to be a good citizen and report the fraud attempt. I make it through the phone tree; oops wrong department, sent to the right one and report all of the information which includes that the account number in the letter was (thank God) not my real account number. And he was able to give me a datum from my account to confirm that yes this is may bank. At the end of the report, he said, “What was the account number they put in the letter?” so I told him.
It was totally legit. They are sending out the check next week. The account number difference and number not on their website was it was a completely different non-bank account number because it was “unclaimed property”
I got an email yesterday from Mehmet Oz, on behalf of Medicare.
He is warning me about Medicare scams, and that I should never give out my Medicare account number to strangers knocking on my door.
Hmmm, a guy who was a proponent of homeopathic remedies and other quack treatments warning me about scams. Ironic, is that the right word?
I showed the letter to Mrs Cad and she agreed it screamed out “SCAM”. The letterhead was not in color and the font and layout was so far off.
I still cannot believe it was legit.
You probably wouldn’t believe how often people tell me that as a general response to scams. Certainly it’s true that there are a lot of scams that exploit the more selfish and unlawful side of human nature (and part of the deal with those scams is that the victim will be more likely to keep the whole thing secret and thus not encounter anyone who tells them “you know this whole thing is a scam, right?”)
But there are also a lot of scams that exploit innocent victims - such as:
Fake job offers
Pension theft
Fake charity stuff
‘Mum I broke my phone’ scams
Any number of phone scams where the victim is told they need to act urgently to prevent a problem.
A few people did actually suggest that the crypto scam I mentioned above could possibly ensnare innocent victims who are trying to help the apparently naive person from losing their money by taking it into their own safekeeping, but I think that’s not going to be especially common.
One thing I did learn after making a video about that crypto scam is there’s a whole group of victims I didn’t account for - the Dunning-Kruger crew. Quite a few people commented on the video saying they know it’s a scam, but because they know crypto, they would certainly be able to outwit the stupid scammer and make off with the USDT. (They wouldn’t).
Forgot to add. She says the letter was so scammy-looking, she would have thrown it away upon seeing it.
Being honest, I would still be a little shocked that despite doing it (mostly) correctly we will still get the check. Mangetout, have you or anyone else you know ever seen something that screamed out SCAM! yet was perfectly legit?
I receive more and more sloppy, typo-riddled messages and letters that turn out to be legitimate. Since the legitimate news now frequently appears to have been written by a 12-year-old with an AI assistant, I’m not surprised.
I’m not going to start a new thread, so here’s my ‘was this a scam’ post.
I’m at work, grabbing something from my car when someone parked next to me asked if I have a coat hanger or something similar to fish his keys out of his car. I went back in, grabbed him a piece of bailing wire and left him to it. A few minutes later, he’s in the store asking if he can use the phone to call someone. I suggest the police, since I’ve seen them help out in these situations a number of times. Some of our local cops even carry tools in their cars to do just this. He said he would but they police don’t do that any more.
*Red Flag: It seemed odd that he knew that already, but I dunno, people know things, maybe they don’t do that anymore and maybe that’s just a thing he happens to know.
I offered to call a local locksmith, but he wanted me to look up the phone number for “auto rescue”. I found it, handed him our landline to call them and went back to what I was doing. A few minutes later he said they require the payment before they do this and without access to his cash, he was SOL. As he holds out his driver’s license as if to hand it to me, he asks if he can borrow $40 to pay them, and then he’ll repay me as soon as they get into the car. My replay was a very unambiguous “I’m sorry, I’m not going to loan you any money” and after he pushed a bit more “I just work here, it’s not my money to loan” and he went back out to his car, presumably to keep trying to get into it.
*Red Flag: It seemed odd to me that he only needed $40, that seemed low to send someone out to do this. But it’s not a service I’ve ever needed, so maybe that’s all it is.
He also played the “I’m a good customer” card, but none of us recognized him. Doesn’t mean he isn’t a good customer, but we usually recognize most of our ‘good customers’.
A few minutes later I went back out to the parking lot to check on him. I was going to offer to try getting the keys out myself. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done that for a customer. Alternatively, remembering that he showed me his DL, I was going to see if he had a credit card on him. While I wouldn’t loan him money, if he wanted to swipe his card for $40, I’d do that for him. When I got out there, however, he was gone and the wire was laying in the parking lot.
*Red Flag, he was gone and the wire was laying in the parking lot.
I checked the cameras and, while there was another car partially blocking my view, I could see that after he walked out the last time, he did something near the car (that I couldn’t see), then tossed this folded up 15 foot piece of bailing wire a few spots over, got in the car and left.
I have no idea if he was mad that his scam didn’t work or if he managed to get the keys out of the car and was just being an asshole WRT the wire.
All these Red Flags, on their own, I didn’t think much of, but all of them together seemed like too much, but in the end, for whatever reason, it was throwing the wire across the lot that bugged me the most. But I’m really not sure about that one. Even watching (what I could see) on camera doesn’t give me any more clues. It’s hard to tell if he was actually locked out or pretending to be locked out.
And a classic one from years ago. This WAS a scam. I’ve probably told this before:
A guy comes into our store saying he was in a few days earlier and exchanged a propane tank, but was charged for a new tank. Not a big deal, mistakes happen, can I see you’re receipt? He didn’t have it. I asked when he got it so I could fine the sale in the POS and/or on our cameras. He didn’t know. He told me he’d go get the receipt and come back later.
A full week later he shows back up, not with the receipt, but he starts telling me the entire story (with some minor changes) and I realized that he doesn’t seem to remember he was already here, like he’d been all over town pulling this scam. Like last time, I asked for a receipt, and after some back and forth, he said he’d go get it and come right back.
Another full week after that, he shows up, with the same, but again slightly different, story and, again, I don’t think he remembers he was here already. But this time he screwed up. He had ‘proof’ that he exchanged, not purchased, a tank. He said he can show me exactly which tank it was that he exchanged. Curious, I took him up on the offer. We walk out to the propane cage and he points to a specific tank with a note that says “BAD VALVE”. That’s when I called him out on his bullshit. I told him, paraphrased (but pretty close to exactly this) “Now I know you’re lying. I wrote that note. I exchanged that tank. I, personally, know the person who brought it back. On top of that, if you have a tank with a bad valve, we exchange it for free, so you wouldn’t have been charged anything at all” and then I offered I’ll call the police and let them sort it out. Last time I ever saw him.
Yeah, it’s been a while since I had anything to post.
Still getting the usual, just nothing drawn out enough to be worthwhile.
I have been getting a ton of romance scam attempts like this.
My tough man!
My name is Marina;) I am 36 years old wonderful girl from Kazakhstan)
I’m looking for an interesting German man!
email me < redacted.>gmail.com I can send you my pictures!
The bolded words are always different, often ridiculous in context like they’re playing MadLibs.
No matter how I answered, I never got a response until now.
My tough man!
My name is Marina;) I am 36 years old wonderful girl from Kazakhstan)
I’m looking for an interesting German man!
email me ************@gmail.com I can send you my pictures!
Sent from my iPhone
(All in German)
Guten Tag, Marina
Ich bin kein Deutscher, aber ich bin daran interessiert, mit Ihnen zu sprechen.
Wenn Sie kein Englisch sprechen oder schreiben, kann ich Ihre Nachrichten über Google Translate übersetzen.
Peter Mose
Hello, Marina
I’m not German, but I’m interested in talking to you.
If you don’t speak or write English, I can translate your messages using Google Translate.
*Peter Mosse
Good evening Peter, I speak German and English.
I’m also very interested in getting to know you. I will be waiting for your photo and your detailed answer about you, your life and your hobbies. Openness and honesty in relationships are important to me, so I always say everything I think and feel, I am who I am
I’ve attached my photo. I will warn you, I am not very attractive.
I’m retired, I bicycle for exercise and I’m in the local grainspotting club.
Most of my time is spent online just gaining random knowledge.
Peter Mosse
I have a pretty busy day at work today. But your message cheered me up! I am very glad to see your photo. I liked you in the photo! I’m really glad that we found each other! For me, the inner beauty of a person, respect and warm attitude towards me are more important. If you have all these qualities, then age doesn’t matter to me.
I like wise and mature men. I don’t want to have relationships with young guys, they still have the wind in their heads. That’s why I need a real man with serious intentions, ready to do men’s things for the sake of his beloved woman.
It’s great that you have a lot of free time.
I will be glad to get to know each other as closely as possible. Marina. I wish you a good mood.
(“she” sent three very similar photos. Obviously modeling portfolio shots)
Hi Marina,
I hope you have a good day at work. I’d like to know what your job is.
I was out for several hours on a bike ride combined with stops to search fields for new grains. No luck this day but I verified two finds by others and had a good ride overall.
I don’t know if I’m wise but too much maturity makes for a dull man. I do like to let my inner child out to play occasionally.
I hope you don’t mind if I tell you you’re a lovely lady.
Peter Mosse
Good evening Peter. Today I had a pretty busy day at work, but I made it through. I’m glad you had a good time riding your bike.
Yes, I agree with you, sometimes I want to feel like a child.
Thank you for the warm compliment. I would like to tell you a little about myself. I work in a small company that produces doors, I am a sales manager. I love nature. I like to go hiking. I like cooking.
What else can you tell about yourself? About your hobbies
I hope you’re set for a serious relationship!? I hope that we can meet in the future to get to know each other as closely as possible.
But for now I would like to know more about you. Tell us more about yourself.
I would be happy to see your new letters. See you soon
Hi Marina,
Just got back from a ride. Uneventful.
I’m retired, I was an industrial airflow technician and still do consulting work occasionally. There are only a few who know the oldest systems still in use.
My only hobbies are grainspotting and just searching out random knowledge online.
*I’ve never been in a relationship of any kind. *
Women avoid me on the streets so I tend to run errands when few people are about.
I’d like to meet you but traveling from Germany is quite an undertaking.
Peter Mosse
Peter, Good Afternoon. I am very glad to see your letter. I’m glad I met you.
You used to have a very serious job.
I like your hobbies.
I haven’t been in a relationship for a very long time either, but I hope we’ll get along well and not be lonely anymore. I’m also very tired of being alone.
It is important for me that our relationship is mutual, honest and sincere.
I love cooking and doing household chores, and I devote almost all my free time to this. I don’t like to sit still and I always need to do something. I am glad that you are so open and sincere to me.
I don’t have anyone here, I live alone. I only have an uncle and an aunt who live in Kazakhstan, so I came here.
But we are similar to you in that we are single and have not yet found our love. I think when we get to know each other better and meet, maybe everything will change.
If I find my love, I will be faithful to this person and I will love him for the rest of my days.
How did you spend your weekend?
I believe it’s never too late to start a new life and build your love. Do you agree with me?
Honesty and kindness are the most important qualities in a person. I am very glad to meet you. I’m interested in learning more about you. I’ll be waiting for your next letter.
Hi Marina,
As usual, you look stunning.
I can produce edible food, I’m not much talented at cooking.
While I do household chores, it’s not something i enjoy.
I’m glad you have some family, I was put up for adoption at birth and grew up in the orphanage as no one wanted me.
Weekend was no different than any weekday, riding and surfing the web.
I had long ago given up on finding someone but you’re given me hope.
Peter Mosse
I am very glad to see your letter, Peter. Have a nice day. I am very pleased to hear how warmly you treat me. I understand you, you’ve been through a hard life. Horseback riding is great. I’ve never ridden a horse before, but I’d like to give it a try. I do not know how to explain this, but when I think about you, when I read your letters, when I write you a reply, I am overwhelmed with pleasant emotions, I thank you for making my life better.
I hope that with each letter I will learn more about you. My heart tells me that you are a very good man. I’m very glad because I recognized you. I want to be happy, I dream of a relationship based on love, trust and understanding. I will try to make a man happy.
I want to love and be loved. I really hope so. That’s why I’m writing to you. I hope you understand my words. I want to know your opinion on all this? I am convinced that you don’t need much for happiness, the most important thing is a loved one next to you. Despite the fact that we are far from each other, I feel like we have known each other for a very long time. You gave me hope too, and I hope that everything will work out for us, I feel it with all my heart. I want to continue my relationship with you and believe that everything can be very good. I wish you a good mood, I think about you all the time.
(another modeling headshot attached)
Hi Marina,
I’ll tell you this, you’re making my life better. I’ve never had a woman accept me for what I am.
I feel like things are working out for us but I long to meet you in person, I so want to get my hands on you.
You’re always on my mind.
I’ve never tried horseback riding, I tend to scare livestock for some reason.
Peter Mosse
I used to do that but got tired of serving hard time.
What happens in Vegas should never be admitted to in open court.
To continue the saga of Marina.
Peter, Hello dear
I’m also very glad that a man like you has appeared in my life. I always say what I think and feel.
I hope we will come to this and be able to meet, I would sincerely like that.
I wish to have a loved one by my side, to feel care and constant support in difficult times, that’s what every person in life strives for, and so do I. I was close to happiness in the past, but my heart was broken. There is so much meanness and deception in the world right now that you need to be very attentive to the people around you. I’m not telling you to distrust everyone, you just need to know the person so that you can be completely confident in them. I haven’t known you for long, but I can say that you are very honest and open, and this attracts me very much and makes me believe that I can be with you.
I’ve heard that many women find their true love in another country. I think this is normal, it’s the 21st century now and there should be no borders between peoples and countries. I like you and I think our relationship can be deeper.
Until Monday
Good morning, Marina
Every time I see one of your photos, I am amazed that such a beautiful woman wishes to be with me. Even more important, I have found that the person you are is as beautiful as your outward appearance.
Once you’ve established residency here, I will be willing to move wherever you would like in the USA, I have no ties to this area.
The reason for this is that while outwardly polite and welcoming, Southern culture is very insular. Outsiders will be outsiders for their entire life and a strong, independent woman like yourself (as well as being foreign and from a Communist country) is a threat to their view of a woman’s place in society.
The weather here is hot and extremely humid much of the year with rain year round. (Not constant but there’s no real “dry season”)
I long for the day I can see you for real rather than just a photo.
Peter Mosse