Summary:

I advertised myself for tutoring on a few sites. Received a text on Jan 13 from a woman asking if I can tutor her daughter. Called but no answer. Replied to text. Her reply asked how much it will be for a month if doing X hrs/week. Replied with hourly and total cost ($240). Reply said lessons will start Jan 25 and her nanny will drive her daughter to my place after relocating to my city. She also asked for my name and address to send me an advance check for the first month, and that she is on a business trip and will be back after 2 months. Realized it is a scam, but I wanted to play along. Sent my address. She said she will send check with excess amount with nanny's payment and that I will take my payment from it and send the rest to nanny. Sure, I said. On 1/23 got a message saying her daughter fell off bike and is in hospital so lessons will start 2/1. Sure, I said. Yesterday I received a check for $1,850.

WTF?

"She" sent a me a message yesterday saying I should deposit it into my account, take my fees + $50, and send rest to nanny via "Money gram money transfer" so nanny and daughter can relocate to my city. Asked me to let her know once the check has been deposited so she can send further instructions. I said I would do it the next day (today). I received a message today in the afternoon saying by now I should have the check deposited and the nanny funds withdrawn. I replied and said I was sick today and did not go out, but I will try tomorrow.

********************************************************************************************

How does this scam work? OK, I know that there are ways for people to clean your bank account** if they have your bank account number and your name. I also believe that if X sends me a check and I deposit it into my account, they get notification in their e-banking account that I deposited the check, but not my account number. If so, how will this scam work without them knowing my acct no? If not, then I guess once they have my account number and name, they can somehow clean my account. Also, would the check bounce or would I receive the $1,850? They can't take the risk of not being able to clean their victim's account, so logically the check would bounce, right? Because otherwise I could deposit that check into my account, receive the $1,850, and tell my bank not to let anybody withdraw funds from my account, not even me, unless I personally come to the bank as people have been trying to imitate me on the phone and electronically. How does this work???


**When scammers clean your account just by knowing your name and account number, how do they do it?


The check was sent from:

Kapital Electric Company I
1240 Mark Street
Bensenville, IL 60106

The check issued by

First American Tittle Insurance Company
2125 East Warner Road, Suite 103
Tempe, AZ 85284

Bank issued from

First American Trust, FSB-
Attn: Banking Services M/S #45
First American Way
Santa Anna, CA 92797


Anyway, how do I continue playing this without depositing that check into my account?

P.S. I can post any of the texts or a pic of the check if that would help. I have not Googled any of the addresses above but will do it now.



[Edited on January 28, 2016 at 11:28 PM. Reason : ]

1/28/2016 11:24:51 PM

Go to the FBI. Help them burn these fuckers.

1/28/2016 11:35:22 PM

*Add to My Topics.

1/28/2016 11:35:31 PM

the check is bogus

if you are in good standing with your bank, the funds will post when you deposit it. in 1-2 weeks when settlement actually occurs, the check will get kicked out and your bank will remove the full amount from your account. if, in the mean time, you had actually sent the money transfer as instructed, the scammer wins and you lose

1/29/2016 12:27:09 AM

post a pic of the check

1/29/2016 12:35:46 AM

1) Google taught me. https://www.google.com/search?q=received+check+from+scammer+how+does+it+work

Specifically: https://www.bmoharris.com/us/about/security-center/scams-what-to-watch-for/dont-be-a-victim-of-check-scam

Quote :

"Here's What Happens Individuals using fake check scams usually look for victims by scanning newspaper and online advertisements for people listing items for sale. They check postings on online job sites from people seeking employment. They place their own ads with phone numbers or email addresses for people to contact them. They call or send thousands of emails or faxes to people randomly, hoping someone will respond. They win people's confidence by presenting checks that look like they're from legitimate individual or business accounts. Your bank may learn, after you withdraw or wire the money from your account, that the check you were given was fraudulent. At this time the check will be returned to the bank unpaid and the full amount of the check will be deducted from your account. Because bank customers are generally responsible for the checks they deposit, the victims of these scams are left to repay the bank the money they withdrew against the bad check. The scam usually works because under federal law, banks make the funds you deposit available quickly – usually within one to five days, depending on the type of check. But just because you can withdraw the money doesn't mean the check is good, even if it's a cashier's check. It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and the check to be returned."

Quote :

"Don't deposit it – report it! If you believe you have been the victim of or are currently being solicited by a fraudster, contact your local police department immediately."

So that means if I were to deposit the check but not send her the excess money, the scammers get nothing, right? Because later when the bank tells me the check was fake, no problem, because I didn't use any of the amount that was initially made available to me.

Also, to avoid all sorts of problems and scams, shouldn't they change that federal law so that a check properly clears before the funds are made available to the depositor?


2) I still want to play along. So it seems like tomorrow I can just say that I deposited the check and took out the excess. Then she sends me instructions on how to send her money. Just to play along, I can send a dollar (if that is allowed), and when she receives it and complains that it was only a dollar, I can blow up in her face and say she is lying and trying to rob me because I sent the full excess amount. Any better suggestions?


3) It says above that I should contact local police. Is contacting the FBI better? I have never called police... do I just dial 911? Or is that for emergencies only?


EDIT: Thanks MrGreen. Yeah, I Googled and was typing this post while you answered, so thanks for the confirmation.


[Edited on January 29, 2016 at 12:37 AM. Reason : ]

1/29/2016 12:35:54 AM

You should tell her you deposited the check, but just tell her you can't send the money because you need it to collect an inheritance and you'll send her double once the inheritance clears.

1/29/2016 12:48:36 AM

1/29/2016 12:51:05 AM

1. Find a guy to make you a fake ID and fake social security number, and some fake pay stubs
2. Tell him you'll pay him for those in a week
3. Take the check to one of those ghetto 7% check cashing places where they'll actually give you money
4. Use some of the money to pay the fake ID dude
5. Go off the grid
6. ...
7. Profit

1/29/2016 12:51:20 AM

First American Tittle Insurance Company

1/29/2016 12:51:51 AM

^it's in Tempe. Shell company that Herb helped setup.

1/29/2016 12:52:48 AM

^ , ^^
That's what it says on the check, but Google says it exists but with "Title".

^^^
Damn... do you know any fake ID dude?


[Edited on January 29, 2016 at 1:00 AM. Reason : ]

1/29/2016 12:56:44 AM

http://www.419eater.com/

1/29/2016 12:57:11 AM

Can I just tell her tomorrow that I deposited the check but that I am poor and won't send her the excess... "thanks for the free money, ma'm... sorry i badly need the money. i understand if you decide not to go ahead with the lessons for your daughter."




^ yeah i will look up some techniques, i guess.

so anyway, should i call police or fbi? can they really catch them using the check and the phone number? all addresses actually exist, and obviously the scammers have nothing to do with those legit businesses. so how will they catch them?

also, how do they issue such a real looking fake check with all the apparent security features? advanced printing equipment? where do they get such equipment? you would think such equipment would be sold only to legit financial institutions.

1/29/2016 1:03:04 AM

Quote :

"Can I just tell her tomorrow that I deposited the check but that I am poor and won't send her the excess."

I actually like this plan

or you can always just tell them you deposited the check and sent the money, and keep on insisting this despite their not receiving shit.

or you can say you gambled with it and lost it all, and sound horribly apologetic and guilty, and beg them not to call the police. then just see where it goes from there.

also, the precise workings of many scams just aren't understood. somebody tried to pull the exact same scam on me, and my buddy (who works at a credit union) said it's possible that if I deposited the check, they'd somehow get my account # or some shit and proceed to steal my identity to some degree.

1/29/2016 1:12:13 AM

^ thanks!

that second suggestion is awesome! i will sleep on it and decide tomorrow what i feel like saying

1/29/2016 1:42:09 AM

report the bitch and stop trying to be a hero. the fuck is wrong with you? /dad

1/29/2016 2:46:16 AM

^ wait, wouldn't reporting be "trying to be a hero"

is there any way i can scam some real cash out of this cow? y'all gotta read this:

http://419eater.com/html/joe_eboh.htm

i promise, it is one of the funniest real stories you will ever read. that story inspired me to try to scam some real money out of them.

i could say something like "if i withdraw 1,600 from my account in one go, my bank charges $50 fees, so you need to send me $50 cash". but they can simply say "take the $50 out of the $1,600", so i need to come up with some believable AND workable, so they send me a bit of cash by mail.

that's what you will find in the story above... but the story is far greater than the $80 that the scambaiter received by mail from nigeria... it is hilariously unbelievable!

1/29/2016 4:13:41 AM

Yes, please try to scam them as well so you both end up in prison.

1/29/2016 8:44:38 AM

It's time for another




Good idea: Posting about things you are planning to do on TheWolfWeb

Bad idea: Posting about ILLEGAL things you are planning to do on TheWolfWeb

1/29/2016 3:04:56 PM

speaking of are we selling drugs in the advisory council since we aren't supposed to in the premium palace or

1/29/2016 3:06:51 PM

Man i forgot about Good Idea Bad Idea

1/29/2016 3:18:25 PM

Depositing a check that doesn't clear can still cost you a bounced check fee. So if you deposit it you may still be out $25-$50.

311 can connect you to the police non-emergency. Technically it involved the mail, so usps and interstate commerce fraud laws apply.

1/29/2016 5:29:08 PM

Quote :

"Also, to avoid all sorts of problems and scams, shouldn't they change that federal law so that a check properly clears before the funds are made available to the depositor?"

i've personally asked state employees to verify funds on large checks i've received. They will call the bank, have them verify, etc. I think anything over 2k they do this.

1/29/2016 5:49:39 PM

Who are you?....Scam Newton????

1/29/2016 6:56:44 PM

JUICY UPDATE, and vote for my next reply

So yesterday morning got a text asking if I had deposited the check and if they should send me the nanny info. Replied and said yes and yes. Got nanny info (see below) in the afternoon and that I should go to moneygram immediately. Got another text asking if I got info and where I am. Replied and said I am on my way and it will take half an hour as it is far. Got a text apologizing for the stress and suggesting I take a cab and deduct $20 for the cab. Got several messages asking where I am, if I am there, if I have sent the money, etc. Did not reply to a single message. Message in evening asked me to send 8-digit reference number for the transfer. Did not reply. Then at 7:30 am today and just now again got this:

Quote :

"This now seems to me that you want to run away with my hard earned money that is why you fail to repy to my text since yesterday and i will have to involve the FBI and the local CIA on this cos it seems you want to screw me and you have refused to reply my Text concerning the money you are sending to the nanny..all our conversation chain is been watched by the federal bureau..and besides,i have a cousin that works as a fraud investigator for FBI..i will be giving you 24hrs to get back to me concerning my money or else"

I AM SO SKURRED

So I definitely want to respond to that, and here are some possible responses I thought up, as well as an emoticon which sums up the reply:


**********************************************************************************************************
1) - - Sorry I misplaced my phone in the rush to go to moneygram and could not find it on me or at home when I returned. Anyway, it had fallen between couch cushions. Sorry for the trouble. I sent the money, and the 8-digit reference number is X. (I look up the format online and make up a number)

Problem with that is since they won't receive any money, they will then ask me to send them a picture of the transfer form. Now, I could find one online and photoshop it, but no, don't want to do it even though I would badly love to send a fake form picture and then blame them for receiving the money but lying about not receiving. So unless someone from TWW kindly creates a fake form for me, this option is not a good one as it will fizzle in a couple of days, unless I say I threw away the form in the moneygram office, which is a definite possibility.


2) - / - I went to the office yesterday with my friend, and he asked me how much the amount is. Once I told him, he was very shocked and started getting ideas. Sorry, we decided to keep the money as we are both poor and jobless. It will enable us to pay rent and buy food for another 3 months. I hate to do this to you, but thank you very much. If it is any consolation, I really wanted to send the money to your nanny, but it is my friend's fault. Sorry.

It would be interesting to see how they continue with the FBI/CIA threat!!!


3) - / - "Hard earned money"? Come on bitch, all you had to do to earn it was send a few fake checks and rope in just one gullible person. You want to involve the FBI and CIA? Be my guest! Oh, and ask your cousin to arrest you first, you cockroach.

This should, theoretically, put an end to the scam, so it is not that fun, and it would also tip them off to cover their tracks, which is also not good.


4) - - Sorry I misplaced my phone in the rush to go to moneygram and could not find it on me or at home when I returned. Anyway, it had fallen between couch cushions. Sorry for the trouble. The moneygram people told me that the address you gave me is under investigation by the authorities for possible involvement in fraud and they wouldn't let me send... what's going on Diana??? Please explain, and you will have to send me another address, so I can send the funds immediately on Monday morning!!!

This is good to extract another name and address from them so I have more info to turn over to the authorities. I could even do it one more time.


5) - - Yes, I decided to keep the money... the temptation was too much!!! You have a cousin in the FBI? Good for you... I have an uncle who is the Saudi King's (any better suggestion?) right hand man. Go ahead, ask your cousin to investigate me. I will ask my uncle to get the Saudi Royal Family involved... perhaps you should take a look at the picture below of Obama bowing to the Saudi King before you talk to your cousin!!!


This option could get interesting!!!

**********************************************************************************************************

What should I choose TWW??? Please reply simply with the number, or you can expand on it if you wish

Here is the "nanny info" I was sent to send the money to:

Quote :

"HERE IS THE NANNY INFORMATION TO SEND THE REST MONEY TO VIA MONEY-GRAM Receiver's Name:FRANK LEES Address: 541 N Rush St City: Chicago, State:IL Zipcode:60611"

[Edited on January 30, 2016 at 3:18 PM. Reason : ]

1/30/2016 3:15:49 PM

^that's a hotel. Chicago Marriott Downtown

Call the hotel and ask to talk to guest "Frank Lees"

1/30/2016 3:23:05 PM

Quote :

"the local CIA"

1/30/2016 3:23:26 PM

Forgot to say, I also started receiving calls yesterday afternoon, the first one from

2348054342685

[Lo and behold, +234 is Nigeria ]

and 6 calls after that from "Unknown".

Received a Google Hangouts calls from family 25 minutes ago, and as I was about to touch "Answer" on the notification at the top of the phone, I received a call from "Unknown" and ended up answering that one. Did not want to speak, so I hung up.

The scam is obviously being run from Nigeria, but they have foot soldiers in the US to send mail, issue checks, receive money, etc. These fucking cockroaches are damn advanced.

Quote :

"Call the hotel and ask to talk to guest "Frank Lees""

Hmmm... what should I say?!

1/30/2016 4:05:04 PM

well they'll probably be like "No guest here by that name"

so then you know 100% that its a scam.

1/30/2016 4:07:07 PM

I don't think it's likely that you're going to get very far trying to harass or frustrate this person; they have been around the block, know that a lot of people are going to be too sharp to fall for this scam, and that only a handful really have to fall for it in order for it to be profitable for them.

If you're not going to ignore it outright, I would only string them along if you want to get the authorities involved to get them arrested and punished for their crimes. Perhaps you could use their greed to your advantage, enticing them with the prospect of you sending a lot of money while getting them to offer up some incriminating information in their frustration over your seemingly sincere but inept attempts at getting the money to them.

Once they realize you're toying with them or you call them out on it outright, they are just going to vanish and move on to the next gullible person - not very satisfying for you. Don't waste your time trying to pull a "gotcha" on these people, IMO.

Someone tried a similar scam like this on my 90-year old grandmother around Christmas last year - they called in the middle of the night, claiming to be me, and had her convinced that I was in prison and needed 5k money sent via cashier's check immediately. Thankfully, other relatives intervened and she stopped short of sending the money, but it irks me to think of the naive elderly that did fall for it and were left broke over the Holidays. So many greedy, terrible, pathetic people in this world.

1/30/2016 4:16:22 PM

^^ It is most definitely a scam, don't need no confirmation for that! However, I would love to answer the phone next time they call just to be able to talk to them and fuck with them a bit. But only after I first reply to their text.

^ Thanks for the reply.

Quote :

"I would only string them along if you want to get the authorities involved to get them arrested and punished for their crimes."

That's what I would prefer to do, which means options 1 or 4.

Quote :

"enticing them with the prospect of you sending a lot of money while getting them to offer up some incriminating information"

This sounds great... any concrete ideas?

1/30/2016 4:20:45 PM

Type like an idiot. Tell them you have their check for $2000, when it was only supposed to be half that, or however the numbers work out. Get their guard down by making them think they've outsmarted you. IDK, I'm no legal expert and have no idea what info it would take for the authorities to track them down, but it's my understanding that these kinds of criminals are notoriously difficult to catch.

1/30/2016 4:26:37 PM

I like #4...

1/31/2016 12:01:12 AM

seems legit...it's pretty amazing that they collect all the email addresses of the people online, and only select 4 winners...I hope no TWWers steal my Winnings Number or Ticket Number



[Edited on April 18, 2016 at 2:21 AM. Reason : shoot]

4/18/2016 2:19:18 AM

in conjunction with the MICROSOFT WINDOWS

4/18/2016 9:29:01 AM