SCAM - Part 20 - The jig is up...

My response:

From: xxxxxxx@hotmail.com

To: c_hood40@yahoo.com

Subject: RE: Yes, I hope you die from AIDS...

Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2008 13:29:03 -0700

--------------------

Dearest St. Topher the Gopher,

I need to first start off this email by thanking you for the humor and enjoyment that you have provided to me and my friends. I really was beginning to look forward to your emails every day. I was able to put on a little show for dozens of people to enjoy, and it's really a shame that this is coming to an end.

Now to move on to the fun stuff...

You are a complete idiot, and that's funny! Your game is up... I know that you are a craigslist scammer living in Nigeria, and I knew it from the very first email you sent to me. I know your name isn't "Chris Scott." You should have used a name that would be a little more convincing, like Kehinde? Kehinde means that you lag behind right? A little slower than the rest? That's just too true...

This whole back and forth was a farce on my part, and I'm not sorry for it. For the pain and misery that you and your friends cause to innocent people, the small amount of joy and large amount of laughter that you have provided me and my friends is the least that you could do.

I hope that the many calls you made to me cost you a lot of money. It really was a waste for you. Oh, and by the way, every time you called me, you were actually calling the local police department here. I only wish I could have recorded those calls as you desperately tried to get ahold of me just like I recorded the phone call when I called you. (By the way, you really have to work on your scamming technique. You didn't even know who I was on the phone!)

I gave you every opportunity in the world to figure out that I was jerking you along, but you were just too stupid to figure it out. From my address that essentially told you that it wasn't a real address, to even more obvious things like the problems sending the money over and over. But, you finally figured it out. You should be proud of yourself for putting 2 and 2 together after only 2 and a half weeks!

I can only hope that you were truely embarrased when you went to the bank to try to withdraw the funds on the fake MTCN number. I'm sure that the bank attendants thought the whole situation was quite funny. I'd bet my bottom dollar that they know that you're a scammer and it's only a matter of time before you're caught and sent to prision. I hope you enjoy being sodomized.

St. Topher the Gopher, you are the scum of the Earth, and I hope that you get what's due to you.

Thanks for the cheap laughs, though.

"Trisha Fielding"

SCAM - Part 19

St. Topher the Gopher has finally responded! Here's what he had to say. Included is the subject of the email.

"RE: I would never wish such a horrible disease upon my worst enemy.What a horrible disease! I wonder if God put it on Earth to wipe out the Except maybe you.????‏
From: Chris Scott (c_hood40@yahoo.com)
Sent: Wed 12/03/08 11:23 AM
To: Trisha (xxxxxxx@hotmail.com)

Trisha.....

Thanks for the mails.I just want to let you know that i really appreicate the embarassment you make me go through today with the mtcn you have given about three times.I dont know what to think about what are doing .on the other hand something tell me that you fooling me.Because this is the third time you giving me three type of mtcn number that does not correspond.
I just want know maybe there something you want share that i dont really understand,And you know what i also have a very big clash the money gram today about the refrence number you gave me .So i am thinking if you still willing to make the payment i want you to make it throuhg western union.Because that is very easy to check online before going to the bank to recieve any kind of embarassment.I am really stress in sending you this message.

I think you have anything explanation for this.

Thanks
Chris"

SCAM - Part 18

Much to my chagrin, T the G hasn't referred to himself as Topher the Gopher.. Yet...


Hello Trisha, Thanks for the mail,so i am very happy for your fast responds.and for what you said in your message that you made a mistake by sending the money to the wrong destination right?and i will like you to know that could you just go back to the bank that you used for the transfer of the money that they should provide you and other refrence number for the transfer! i can't just go to the bank an provide them the former reference number that you gave me. What i will like you to do is that just go to the bank and told the representative that he/she should provide you another refrence number.

Looking to hear from you soon.

God bless you.

Chris...

My reply:

Dearest Topher Gopher,
Thanks for the email. I'm sorry that it took me most of the day to respond to you. The twins have been out of control. Seeing as they're well into their terrible two's (their 3rd birthday is only 2 and a half weeks away!), the teething and breastfeeding has become a constant battle. Do you have any suggestions on how to cope with these children? Surely you have some advice, coming from a saint in the land of Africa who is constantly saving the lives of starving children. Speaking of, how is the work going there? Have you had much of a run-in with any kids or adulterers with AIDS or HIV? I would never wish such a horrible disease upon my worst enemy. Except maybe you. What a horrible disease! I wonder if God put it on Earth to wipe out the adulterers? Some people say that the US government created the AIDS virus to whipe out gays and blacks. I'm not sure. I'd guess that they created crack to whipe out the blacks. It hasn't worked yet.
Regarding the moneygram payment, the representative said I didn't need a new reference number for the payment. Because of your email, I insisted that they give me a new reference number in place of the number that I gave you. After a bit of an argument over the need of a new reference number, the representative gave me a new one. The new reference number for this payment is 24685611. Please go to the bank post haste to see if the payment has deposited. The neighbors that live nearby your house are growing weary of our tents in your front yard. I keep telling them that I'm just waiting for you to send the keys. They told me that they didn't know that you went to Africa to serve a mission. What a nice thing of you to do, to not tell anyone of your good works. That reminds me of a bible story about the old woman and the well. Perhaps you can recount that story back to me? Let me give you a hint: it doesn't have anything to do with a woman falling down a well. I got that answer wrong in sunday school when I was younger.
Good luck to you and God's work in Africa.
You're always in my thoughts and prayers.
Trisha

SCAM - Related Post "A"

You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.

http://www.kutv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=69919@kutv.dayport.com&navCatId=7

Thanks to David for tracking down this video.

SCAM Part 17

You know the drill...

My reply to T the G.

T the G,

Thanks for the mail. I'm sorry for the confusion, I sent the money to the wrong place! Silly me! I'm so ditzy at times. Sometimes I even forget to get out of the tub when taking a bath for hours and hours and hours. It kind of reminds me of Arnie in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. He forgets to get out of the tub sometimes and likes to climb water towers. I'm afraid of heights, so I wouldn't ever do that, but sometimes I don't get out of the tub like him.
I went back to the moneygram at my local grocery store and asked the representative about it. He said that I dindeet sent it to the wrong country! i asked him if I could redirect the money to Nigeria. He said that I could for $100 fee that I had to pay to him directly in cash. I wonder why they wouldn't take a check like they did the first time. sometimes I think the moneygram agents arent very honest. I had to go spend a couple hours on State street to get the money for the moneygram agent. I got that to him. He said it would take up to another 2-4 business days to get the money to you. You should go to the bank and see if you can get the money so you can send me the keys via FedEx courier.
How is the AIDS epidemic in Africa? Have you saved any babies lives? You haven't ever answered me about this. Are you ashamed of your work working with the AIDS babies? I would be so proud of my work there. Just like I'm proud of helping out these crack babies that my homosexual uncles adopted. I try to tell everyone that I meet that I've saved their lives so they know that I'm one of God's chosen ones. You should tell everyone about your work there too! I hope that this mail finds you in good health and prosperity.
You are a great man, St. Toher the Gopher. God bless you.
Trisha Fielding

Scam Part 16

You know the drill..

From Topher the Gopher:

Trisha..
Thanks for the mail,i want to ask you this did you send the money through NIGERIA OR NIGER?because from the message you send to me you mention LAGOS NIGER and did you make sure weather you send the money to LAGOS NIGERIA because the is the right destination that you will used to send the money not NIGER and maybe you can go and cross check from the moneygram.

Looking to hear from you soon.

Chris...

Scam Part 15

My response:

Dearest Topher,

I'm not sure why you haven't received the payment yet. Sorry for the delay in this. I went and spoke to the Moneygram representative and asked him why you hadn't received the payment. I gave him the reference number to make sure that it was right. He said when sending money to such a far destination such as Lagos, Niger, the payments can take up to 2-4 business days to be transferred. I think that maybe it wasn't sent yesterday because in the United States it was Thanksgiving day, which ias a national holiday. I don't think that it counts as a business day. The representative said that it would be there either Monday or Tuesday at the latest. My husband left the receipt at the club which is closed for the holiday, so he can't send you the receipt until tomorrow. I hope that's ok.
Because today is a business day, you may want to go try to get the payment again today. He said there was a chance that it would be there today. If it's there, then maybe you can send me the keys? That would be great. We're excited to move into the house. We set up a tent and are camping out in front of the house just so we can move in as soon as we get the keys.
How is Africa? Have you seen any lions recently? I just watched a movie called Lion King which is about Lions. It's a great movie. You should rent it from blockbuster and watch it when you get a chance. It is probably my favorite movie. It takes place in Afrika. I wonder if it's based on a true story. Maybe you know a lion named Simba.. Do you? Is he a king of lioins, or a Lion King? That would be cool.

Thanks, Topher the Gopher. You are a saint among men.
Good bless you and your efforts to save africa from aids and starvation.
Trisha Fielding

SCAM Part 14

Read all the others first.

Another email from dearest Topher:


Hello Trisha,
Thanks alot for all your mails, i hope all is well with you, your kids and the twins. I will want you to know that i went to the bank today hoping to receive the money from Money Gram, but the guy told me that the refrence number is invalid, i don't know why this has happen, am thinking if you might have made a mistake in typing the numbers, or something else, i will want you to go back to the grocery store and let them know that the money refernce number is invalid, and also is it possible for you to send me the Money gram tranfer slip giving to you at the grocery store, just to verify if the numbers are correct.

I will be expecting your mail as soon as possible.

Thanks and God bless.

Topher...

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 13

In order to ensure you know what's going on, read all of the previous entries related to this topic before diving into this one.

Another email from Saint Topher:

Trisha...
Thanks for the mail,and i will like to tell you that am very happy to hear from you back.and i will be expecting your message concrening the payment that you said by thursday you will make the payment,how is every body over there?.


Looking to hear from you soon.

God bless you.

Chris...

My response:

Dearest St. Topher of Nigeria,

Thank heaven and Allah above that I have finally been able to make this payment. It was an ordeal to say the least. The crack baby twins have been a real handful over the past few days, but I was able to get help from an elderly gentleman in our neighborhood, M. Lester Childs. He loves to watch children, and has helped me out this morning watching little Ngabe and Shaniqua. Those poor little babies. They just cry all day long and give me a headache. I don't know why my uncle and his partner adopted them in the first place. They both work full time and travel around the world selling shower curtain rings. I guess I'm just a little mad because of the extra burden on me and my husband, Xantar.
Well, like I said before, St. Topher, I was able to get down to the Moneygram at my local grocery store and make the payment. I was finally able to drop off the kids to Mr. Childs, the elderly gentleman that lives in our neighborhood that loves to watch little kids. When I finally got to the moneygram at my local grocery store after dropping the kids of to Lester, I was able to make the payment. Sorry that it took so long, cuz Lester Childs was busy watching some other kids before he would watch the kids that I'm babysitting. The man at the moneygram at my local grocery store wouldn't let me make the payment with a personal check, so I had to go back to my bank to withdraw the funds and to give to the man at the moneygram at my local grocery store. I tried to withdraw the $2600 to send you through moneygram at my local grocery store, but it seems that I still haven't received a refund from western union (I hate them!). So, I had to go to another business that is in between my house and the local grocery store where moneygram is. The store does pay day loans for people who need to pay bills before their paycheck gets here. You should really open one of these stores in Africa. It is a great way to help the people there get money so they can buy food so they are not starving and so they can buy AIDS vaccines so they don't have to die. Plus, I bet you'd like getting all the extra money in interest from those people over there.
I got the $2600 (finally) at the pay day loan center so that I could take it back to the man at the moneygram at my local grocery store. When I got back to the local grocery store to make the payment to you at the money gram at the local grocery store, the man took my money and asked for where I was going to send it. I gave him the information that we talked about before but I couldn't remember your dogs name again, so I told him the answer was Fido. Fido is a popular dogs name here in America. Maybe you should change your dogs name to Fido. The reference number that he gave me was 24678694. The man at moneygram in my local grocery store said that you could pick that up at the closest moneygram to where you are with the question what is my dogs name and the answer Fido and the reference number.
Well, I better go get Ngabe and Shaniqua from M. Lester Childs before he gets tired of them and won't watch them again. I'll probably need his help after I get the keys from you while we move into your beautiful house. We keep driving past it and think that it is so great. I can't wait until I can live there and take care of it for you while you're doing God's work in Africa.
God Bless you, Dearest St. Topher of Nigeria.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Trisha Fielding.

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 12

READ PARTS 1-11 BEFORE READING THIS POST!

My response to dearest Saint Topher.

Hello Topher...
Is it ok if I call you Topher? I have a cousin-in-law twice removed who we call Christopher who is also selling a house in Herriman. I wouldn't want to confuse the two of you in my mind and send the deposit to the wrong person, so, if it's ok, I'll call you Topher...Topher.. Did you know about the American actor named Toher Grace? He's great. He's been in a couple movies and even on a TV show called "That 70's show." Since i'm catholic and all, I never watched the show. It glorified premarital sexual relations and casual drug use. I could not condone such a show. I stick to shows like Leave it to Beaver and Happy Days. Those certainly were the happy days. I wish I could live in the 1950's back with The Fonz and the rest of the crew. Life was much simpler then.
Thanks for continuing to be patient with me regarding the deposit. I've been so busy with my babysitting job since my 2nd uncle and his gay partner adopted the crack baby twins that I haven't had much time to venture out of the house. I did do some more research on Moneygram on the internets and found a website: http://www.moneygram.com/. What a novel idea, naming your website after your business. Anyhow, I attempted to make the payment to you on their website, but ran into some problems because their website says they don't sent payments to Niggeria or Niggers. I'm not entirely sure why. I'm not computer savy enough to figure that sort of thing out. I guess I'll have to go to the money gram location at my local grocery store like you suggested to find make the payment. Hopefully I'll be able to make it before this Thursday. Again, sorry for the delay. I hope that you haven't rented the house to anyone else while I've been trying to get this figured out.
You still haven't told me about your work in the motherland (Africa). How are the people there? Do they all have aids and are starving? I wish that I was a good enough person to go to africa and give my time and service to the poor people that need help. But I'm kind of selfish in that respect. I'd rather try to get rich by finding really good deals over the internets. I know that I've found this one, and I don't want to let it out of my sight.
Thank you again, Saint Topher, for your kindness and patience. I promise with every fiber of my being that I'm working on getting the payment to you as soon as possible. Those baby's just need a lot of milk, and I can only produce so much at a time, y'know?
Anyway. God Bless you Dearest Saint Topher of Nigeria (Just in case there is another Saint Topher.) I'm going to tell the archdioces of your good work. Perhaps one day you will really become a catholic church recognized saint and be translated into heaven in the twinkle of an eye during the 2nd coming of Christ.
Good day.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Trisha Fielding

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 11

READ PARTS 1-10 BEFORE READING THIS POST!

Another email from dearest "Christopher."

Hello Trisha...
Thanks for the responds, it's nice hearing back from you. Have been wondering why i haven't heard back from you for some days now, I thought you were not interested in renting my home anymore since you didn't reply my message since last week, But i know you still going to say something.i read you messsage believe me i am very sorry for what happen between you and the person you meet at the western union, i think she is wrong for saying that you have been duped, it seems western union cancel the transaction, i think your suggestion is right using Money gram, and also supposing you have send the deposit through western union from either a grocery or a wallmart store, all this might not happen. So sending the deposit through money gram won't be a problem, i will want you to send it from either a grocery or a wallmart store for better convinience. Due what you said about your number being block really got me worried, can i have a cell phone # to call you.

Awaits your mail as soon as possible.

Thanks and God bless.

Christopher....

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 10

READ PARTS 1-9 BEFORE READING THIS POST!

Another email that d.bag "Chris" sent me. Apparently he's getting pretty antsy about recieving his much-earned deposit.

Trisha..

How are you hope everything is fine,and i want to ask you maybe you get my last message concerning on the MTCN you gave me?and i was expecting your call since all this day's why?

Looking to hear from you soon.

God bless you.

Chris..

--------
My Response:

"Christopher,

Dearest kind sir, I do so appreciate the patience that thou hast shown on my behalf during this ordeal. I sincerely apologize for the extended period of thyme that has elapsed since the last electronic mail that I initiated.
Following your previous email, I returned post-haste to the place of business of the so-called Western Union. It seems that there has been some sort of error in the transferring of the deposit to you. When I presented the courteous hostess with the MTCN number that I had provided toist thou, a small smirk appeared henceforth upon her face. She told me that perhaps I had been duped. She called me various names such as, "idiot," "stupid face," and "douch bag." The latter, likely, because I called her the whore of the earth.
I refuse the refuse that is Western Union, and I vow with God as my witness that I will ne'er do business with them again.
I hope to sendist thou the payment in question via Moneygram. Receivest thou payments via Moneygram, good sir? Thouest post-haste reply to this electronic mail would be most appreciated.
Thou hasn't responded to my question regarding the work of God in fair Africa. How goest the work? Hast thou decifered the AIDS virus into a cure? Hast thou saved children from the brink of starvation? Hast thou been translated from on high and caught up with the only true God?
Your reply is much anticipated, good sir.

God bless you and your family as you attempt to save the world from thine transgressions.
Repent all ye ends of the earth!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Trisha Fielding"

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 9

READ PARTS 1-8 BEFORE READING THIS POST!

Sorry for the delay in getting these posts up.. I was busy with work on friday, and lazy over the weekend. Here's the email I recieved back from "Chris."

Hello Trisha,
Thanks for the mail,i am confortable as you comfirm this yourself . That show the trust you have in me.And i will advice you may be you should send the money through Wall Mart, Gocery Store or Through Western Union .I think that is much more easier and faster.and let me now when you are going to send the money.I mean i want you to give me a call as soon as you send the money.Because as i said in my last message i always call your number every now and then.That is why i want you to give me a call as soon as you send the payment.
And i am sorry to hear that about what happen between you and your ex-husband.really meant that.I hope you two can can work thing out so he would understand two of you have his or her own life to life..Once again i am really sorry what happen about you are your husband.

Looking to hear from you soon.

God bless you.

Chris...

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 8

READ PARTS 1-7 BEFORE READING THIS POST!

Another email from the good samaritan "Chris."

"Hello Trisha, thanks for your mails.And i also recieve your mail this morning And i saw the payment information i now decided to track it online on western union website the answer that it was given is that there is no money found.I think may be you made a mistake with the numbers(3819684492),maybe you should cross check again or you should go back to the western union station that you use in sending the money.And i was trying to call your number yesterday you dont seems to pick up the phone.So when you recieve my massege i want you to give me a call or get back to my mail as soon as possible.

hope to hear soon

God bless
chris"

My response:

Chris,

Thank you for the fastness in which you have replied to my emails. I have tried to track the payment information the westtern unions website to, and I couldn't find it either. I'm so confused! That gentleman out in front of the western union store said that even though I didn't ever go into the western union store that I could track the payment on westernunion.com with the number he gave me. I think I'm going to have to go down to the western union and see if they can straighten this whole thing out.
Sorry that I did not receive your phone call. I unfortunately can't receive phone calls from blocked numbers because of an escalating situation with my ex-husband, Adalpho Heetleer. He calls me from his cell phone when I am at home and leaves threatening messages saying that he wants to put me in an oven! I don't get it! I'm Catholic!
Anyway..
I'll head down to the western union this afternoon.
God bless you for your hard work with the starving children in Africa? How is the work going there? Have you cured anyone with AIDS yet?
Please let me know that you're still interested in renting this house to us. It's very important to me to think that someone of yoru moral caliber still has trust in me. In fact, I'm afrad that my very life depends on it.
Good bless,
Trisha

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 7

READ PARTS 1-6 BEFORE READING THIS POST!
A little while after the phone call, "Chris" sent me the following email:

"



Hello,
Thanks for the mail,so here is the payment information..

Below are the information..

Name: Chris Scott
Address: 2 Gongoaso Street
City: Ikeja
State: Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Zipcode:23401
Question: what is my dog name?
Answer: Kiki."


At first I was confused. Very confused. But after doing some research on Western Union's website, they ask for a name, question and answer in order to send money, so that someone doesn't inadvertantly pick up the wrong money for the wrong overly-obvious-American-named scammer in Nigeria.

I also wanted to see just how populated Ikeja, Nigeria is. I was surprised. Here is a link.
There are 23 banks nearby that will receive his money transfer.

Here is my response to him.

"Chris,

It ws so gracious of you to recieve my telephone call yesterday. Sorry for the delay in getting you your much earned money. Something wonderful happened to me when I got to the Western Union store this morning!
As I approached the store, a well dressed representative of another wire transferring company met me at the door. He told me that he would wire my money to you at HALF the price that western Union would if I payed him in cash! I figured that this ws to good of a deal to pass up (just like the house!)!
So I went to my bank (the guy asked me for a ride to my bank so he could "expidite my order" for NO EXTRA FEE!!! Can you believe it?
Anyways, my bank wouldn't let me withdraw all the money at once, but I withdrew enough for the first 2 months payment. I gave the guy the $2600 dollars and he gave me the following number. He said it was a MTCN number (whatever that is!!).
Here is the number: 3819684492. It is under the name Chris Scott with the question: what is my dog name? The answer I told him is kiikii. Sorry that it's different than you told me. I got there and I hadn't written it down, so I couldn't remember how it was spelled. I'm sure that they'll release the money to such an upstanding individual as yourself.
God bless you, Chris, in everything you do. Please send me the tracking number for the fedex courier as soon as you send the keys! We are getting so excited to move into your beautiful house!
Trisha Fielding"

Well.. Here goes.. I'm hoping he responds saying that he went to the bank and that the answer to his question wasn't right, so I can send him on another leg of this wild goose chase.

We'll see.

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 6

READ PARTS 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 BEFORE READING THIS POST!
In preparation to call the guy, I got my phone callerid to spoof the West Valley City police chief's message as I sent it to him in an email. My good friend, David, suggested that I should record the call. What a brilliant idea. Thanks David!
So I called the guy. It went completely different than I expected. I didn't expect the connection to be as bad as it was. There was a bit of a delay, so it was difficult for either of us to complete a sentance without interrupting each other. On top of that, I couldn't understanded a damned word he said. Towards the end of the conversation I realized that if I just waited for his complete sentance, paused and responded with a yes or no, he would get the picture. It was a 6 minute call. It was obvious that he didn't know which one of his scammees I was because he kept asking for my name and whatnot. Wouldn't it be obvious that if I were calling about the deposit who I would be?
To confirm who I was, he wanted me to send him an email so he knew who I was. He said he would send me the payment information via email and then I should text message him the confirmation.

The call was 6 minutes long, and I'm not going to edit out any of the silence or anything. The call cost me about 1 dollar.
We'll see what that says. As far as the audio goes... as far as I can tell, blogger doesn't let you upload audio files. So, below you'll find the message imbedded into a video. This took a lot of work to get this done. Sorry for the delay, and sorry for the crappy quality. It's the best I could do with my limited resources.

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 4

READ PARTS 1,2 and 3 BEFORE READING THIS POST

"Chris" sent me the following email this morning.

"Trisha...

Thanks very much for your reply and also i can see your willingness in this rent.We have decided to let you live in our house. As we have found your application very setisfactry and acceptable by my family So as we shall be giving you our house,pls again take care of the house so that i might be glad when moving to the house at the November 27th 2008.because we find your application accepted. However if you are ready to rent the house now,then that will not be a problem but we will advice you due to a responsible person like you, to be able to afford a Security Deposit of a two month upfront rent fee now to secure the property ,because many people have been comming to me in respect of the house. And also i will email you a Lease Agreement form which you fill and sign and send it back to me. And also we would like to send the following document to you via the Fedex courier service to the address you send to me and the tracking number will be sent to you, so that you can possible occupy our house,Pls once again,I am giving you this on trust and do not dissapoint me and i promise you that,you will love the house. So i am with the below document here with me. Please send the address which i will be sending the keys and the document to.Please kindly give me a call as soon as you get my email..+2348025932084.let me know when you are ready to make the payment, so i can forward on how to make the payment and my payment information.Here are the contents of the document that i will be shipping to you

1) Entrance and the rooms Keys

2)Paper/Permanent house form(Containing your reference details)

3)The house documetary file.

4)Payment Receipt.

So please do get back to me today so that I will let know the next step to take concerning the payment. I await your reply ASAP.Regard and God bless you!!! You can call us on how to make payment for the shippment of the Keys and Document to the house and kindly forward me your mailing address where you want the document to be sent to? Hope to read from you

Chris"

Do I want to call this joker? Hrmm.. I guess it's nice that I work with a VoIP company where I can spoof my callerID if needs be.

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 3.

READ PARTS 1 and 2 BEFORE READING THIS POST!

If you remember from the last post, we had just established that I really wanted to screw around with this guy that is trying to scam me. Below is the email that I sent to him.

I added some spelling and grammatical errors to make it sound as innocent as possible. The phone number I sent him is for the police chief in West Valley City, just in case he calls.

Now, we wait.

"Chris,

Thank you for your quick response to me mail in getting me the rental application. It is much simpler than many previous landlords have had me fill out before. I appreciate it very much. I hate filling out complex forms asking silly questions about my job history and rental history. It goes a lnog way for you to show that much trust in me. I trust you just as much!

Here isthe answers to the rental application:
1) Your Full Name : Trisha Fielding

2) Your Full Address & Phone Number : 544 Nt. Real St., West Valley City, Utah, 84119. Phone: 801-963-3255

3) Are you married Yes

4) How many people will be living in the house 6

5) Do you have a pet Yes. 6) Do you have a car Yes.

7) Occupation Day Care. My husband is a bouncer at a club.

8) What is your religion Catholic, although, you can't legally ask me that. Check the fair housing act of 1974. I don't really care though.

9) When are you planning to move in : November 27th would work great for us.

10) How many years lease will you be signing : 2 year lease.

I'm guessing that you'll want 2 mnoths rent sent to you for each year of lease that we're signing plus the pet deposit. If I did my math right, I'll need to send you $5400. Is that right? THis is such a goood deal that ki want to jump on it as soon as i possbly can.
i can mail a check to you in the mail today away if you send me an address.. Hrmm.. I"m not sure that it will get to africa soon enough for us to move into the house by the 27th. Maybe there's a way that we can send you the money faster. Ha ha ha! I just did a google search for fast ways to send money. There's a company that will send money to you directly. There's a place called western union that will do it for a fee. There's a location right by me. I haven't ever heard of it before... must have just sprung up overnight!
Can I subtract the fee from my deposit to you? I know it's a lot to ask, but, with the economy how it is, money will be a little tight if I have to pay more than $5400. The fee for that is $85. So, I'll send you $5315 if that's ok. Can you find out what info I need to send you the money from the western union company. Since this is such a good deal, I want to do it as quickly as I can before someone else beats me to it!
Trisha Fielding

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 2.

READ PART 1 (BELOW) BEFORE READING THIS POST!

If you remember from the last post about me not yet knowing that Trisha had written to the scam artist asking for more information and letting him know we were interested. Let's pick up the story from there...

So last night, I deleted the email thinking that everything was done and done with Mr. Scammy. I had posted some video games for sale on craigslist last night under Trisha's email address, so I wanted to check her email this morning to see if anyone was interested. When I checked her email, I saw an email from "Chris Scott." Interesting...

"Hello , Thanks for the response back to my mail, its really nice hearing from you that you shall be promising us that our house will be well taken care of and i really think you are the right person to rent my house and i will like to let you know that the house has been available since we were out of the house.. The programme will be running for 5yrs but as for me and my family, we will be staying up to 4yrs and half months and i think with this it's possible for you and your family to stay up to 3yrs or 4yrs or as you decide and also all the furniture are already moved out so the house is empty as at now and you are to movein with your own furniture. I will like to let you know that I traveled down to Africa with the keys so am really sorry for not being able to show you the inside of the house, please let me know if this is okay with you and also that the house is ready anytime as from now if you will like moving in this month. And the below is the final question that you must answer to qualify for this the rent of my house...

RENT APPLICATION FORM
1) Your Full Name :
2) Your Full Address & Phone Number :
3) Are you married
4) How many people will be living in the house
5) Do you have a pet
6) Do you have a car
7) Occupation
8) What is your religion
9) When are you planning to move in
10) How many years lease will you be signing

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that I can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.

Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you, please am giving you all this base on trust and again I will want you to stick to your words, you know that, we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand, so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this. Await your swift response

Thanks and God bless..

Regards..

Chris"

Oh, "Chris," you scalleywag. What a clever and insightful email you have sent me. Your "Rent Application Form" is so easy to fill out! I'm so thankful for that. Idiot.
I especially love the part when he asks what Religion I am. Good old Fair Housing Act of 1974. (It makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale, lease, or rental of housing, or to make housing unavailable-because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.)
I guess he wouldn't know that, being from Africa and all.

So, now is the debate. I know it's a scam. He thinks I'm an innocent, willing participant. How far should I take this?

The answer? As far as he'll let me.

To be continued...

We're moving? What? Wait. No we're not. SCAM Part 1.

Let me start by saying that I hate people.

Trisha was browsing craigslist last week and stumbled across an incredible rental opportunity. I wish I still had the link, but i'm pretty sure that it was removed (you'll see why). The rental was for a 4600 square foot, 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom house in Herriman for $1300 per month. Incredible, I thought, but didn't really think about how good of a deal that would be, simply because we cannot afford $1300 bucks a month.
Trisha, being resourceful, reached out to some family members that are also looking to move into a place and thought that perhaps we could split the cost. I'm not going to get into the thousand other reasons that I didn't want to do this deal (moving in with family, etc.).
So Trisha emailed the guy back to get more information. No harm in that. This was the email he responded with:

"Hello,

Thanks for the email. I Chris Scott owns the house and also it is situated and also want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me and my Family to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take a very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean all the time and the possible tenant will see the house as his or her own.

HOUSE ADDRESSES 14767 S Tangle Hill Rd Herriman UT, We are renting a beautiful 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom, fully finished basement home in Herriman Utah. It has upgraded kitchen, jetted master tub, fireplace, LR, FR, Den, DR, loft with bathroom and walk in closet. Many more upgrades, 3 car garage. It has great mountain views and in area that offers, tennis courts, club house, community pool, basketball courts that are all INCLUDED! I am flexible regarding the length of the lease. 6 mo., 1 yr., 2.yr, 3yr. etc. are all acceptable. I never increase the rental amount for good tenants..... All credit considered, all types of pet allowed and Additional monthly charge of $50 for pets.....You can drive down there to take a look ate it.We have left the US and we are currently in the West Africa for a program called 'World Conference Against Racism Youth Summit, Empowering youth for combating racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education, the program is taking place in three major countries in Africa which is Sudan, Ghana and Nigeria and will last for 5yrs. It as been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that I found myself is very hard for me to explain. If you will be the right tenant to our house, we will get the keys and documents of the house sent to you via courier services as soon as all terms are settled.I will be online through out to get back to you as soon as you are able to get back to me. I would want to know how soon you would want to move in as I will be taking a 2-month upfront payment for the house. I am asking for $2,600 and I believe we should be able to help ourselves. I am accepting $2,600 including utilities because I want you to take a very good care of the house while I am away.
I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP so that i can forward you an application to fill out and discuss on how to get the house for rent over to me so that I can get the keys and papers sent to you via FedEx or ups e.t.c, also are you ready to rent it now or when Await your reply. I will be willing to send the inside view of the building if you demands for it.

I could let you remain in the house till I come back if you are a good tenant and you can reach me on +2348025932084

Thanks and awaits your mail as soon as possible

Chris Scott"

Ok. So, prior to me reading his email, Trisha (unbeknownst to me) responsed back letting him know that we were interested in the place and some other information letting him know our situation. Since Trisha doesn't use the computer very much, she hasn't been exposed to the millions of scams out there. After she had written back to him, she let me know about the email he sent and his situation. As she told me about him moving to Aftica, it started to all come together. 1300 bucks is WAY too cheap for something of that size. And then I read the email.

So, it became immediately clear to me that it was a scam on the 8th word of the email. Literally. There was an extra space after the name "Chris Scott." That gave it away for me. That told me that this was a form letter and he had just pasted in his name. Simple. Stupid. Then after reading the remainder of the paragraph, it just became more and more clear. The horrible grammar and spelling. Obvious? To me, yes, but I can see how this could play on one's heart strings, and with the current economy, a good deal is hard not to jump at. He didn't (to this point) mention anything about wiring him money, so it really isn't *that* obvious.

To prove to Trisha that it was a scam, I did a couple Google searches. This is the first one that I found. So the house was up for sale for $527,000. Yeah.. that confirms that the $1300 a month was just silly. Trisha still wasn't convinced, so I searched for his phone number (as was listed in the email). One result. The result happens to be a Craigslister that found that it was a scam. The person posted the email with the EXACT same response except a different name, address and description (as can be seen on the previous link).

That's what I thought would be the end of the story.. But this is TO BE CONTINUED...