Watchdog tonight - Western Union scam
Discussion
Just watched a report on Watchdog tonight on BBC which made a big deal about a scam involving Western Union money transfers
Boils down to this: folk looking for a flat in another city prior to a move, on gumtree for example. They reply to an ad by email and get instructions to wire money through Western Union so that the author of the ad can verify that they are good for the money. This is before they've even seen the flat. So they wire the money and are asked to send a copy of the wire transfer receipt to this guy, which they do, and never see their money again. No money, no flat.
Is it just me, or do these people deserve to have their money taken from them for being so bloody stupid?? What sort of moron just wires money on the say so of an email? It's similar to the 419 scams. You need to have your head examined if you get caught out by this sort of scam.
Boils down to this: folk looking for a flat in another city prior to a move, on gumtree for example. They reply to an ad by email and get instructions to wire money through Western Union so that the author of the ad can verify that they are good for the money. This is before they've even seen the flat. So they wire the money and are asked to send a copy of the wire transfer receipt to this guy, which they do, and never see their money again. No money, no flat.
Is it just me, or do these people deserve to have their money taken from them for being so bloody stupid?? What sort of moron just wires money on the say so of an email? It's similar to the 419 scams. You need to have your head examined if you get caught out by this sort of scam.
funkyboogalooo said:
Skyrat said:
It's similar to the 419 scams.
Whats the 419 scam?If you want to lose a few hours on the internet, and want a bloody good laugh, then read www.419eater.com
It is a site set up by someone who baits the scammers, and usually ends up scamming them himself.
Personal favourite is when the baiter assumes the identity of Plunder Myknuts, who is the CEO of an IT company......
Skyrat said:
Just watched a report on Watchdog tonight on BBC which made a big deal about a scam involving Western Union money transfers
Boils down to this: folk looking for a flat in another city prior to a move, on gumtree for example. They reply to an ad by email and get instructions to wire money through Western Union so that the author of the ad can verify that they are good for the money. This is before they've even seen the flat. So they wire the money and are asked to send a copy of the wire transfer receipt to this guy, which they do, and never see their money again. No money, no flat.
Is it just me, or do these people deserve to have their money taken from them for being so bloody stupid?? What sort of moron just wires money on the say so of an email? It's similar to the 419 scams. You need to have your head examined if you get caught out by this sort of scam.
They do not wire the money straight to the scammers they are told to wire the money to someone they trust to prove they have the cash and then send the receipt on to "David Smith" Boils down to this: folk looking for a flat in another city prior to a move, on gumtree for example. They reply to an ad by email and get instructions to wire money through Western Union so that the author of the ad can verify that they are good for the money. This is before they've even seen the flat. So they wire the money and are asked to send a copy of the wire transfer receipt to this guy, which they do, and never see their money again. No money, no flat.
Is it just me, or do these people deserve to have their money taken from them for being so bloody stupid?? What sort of moron just wires money on the say so of an email? It's similar to the 419 scams. You need to have your head examined if you get caught out by this sort of scam.
So basically identity fraud.
Edited by LilCat on Monday 27th October 21:02
Simpo Two said:
'A fool and his money are easily parted'
Very true, but at the same time it's a poor state of affairs when we all need to be on guard 100% of the time to avoid being robbed and scammed.funkyboogalooo said:
Skyrat said:
It's similar to the 419 scams.
Whats the 419 scam?
(EDIT: Sorry meeja beat me to it!)Edited by carmonk on Monday 27th October 20:49
LilCat said:
Skyrat said:
Just watched a report on Watchdog tonight on BBC which made a big deal about a scam involving Western Union money transfers
Boils down to this: folk looking for a flat in another city prior to a move, on gumtree for example. They reply to an ad by email and get instructions to wire money through Western Union so that the author of the ad can verify that they are good for the money. This is before they've even seen the flat. So they wire the money and are asked to send a copy of the wire transfer receipt to this guy, which they do, and never see their money again. No money, no flat.
Is it just me, or do these people deserve to have their money taken from them for being so bloody stupid?? What sort of moron just wires money on the say so of an email? It's similar to the 419 scams. You need to have your head examined if you get caught out by this sort of scam.
They do not wire the money straight to the scammers they are told to wire the money to someone they trust to prove they have the cash and then send the receipt on to "David Smith" Boils down to this: folk looking for a flat in another city prior to a move, on gumtree for example. They reply to an ad by email and get instructions to wire money through Western Union so that the author of the ad can verify that they are good for the money. This is before they've even seen the flat. So they wire the money and are asked to send a copy of the wire transfer receipt to this guy, which they do, and never see their money again. No money, no flat.
Is it just me, or do these people deserve to have their money taken from them for being so bloody stupid?? What sort of moron just wires money on the say so of an email? It's similar to the 419 scams. You need to have your head examined if you get caught out by this sort of scam.
So basically identity fraud.
k yeah, she looked incredible tonight!
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff