This has come up before--but we just had the same thing happen, with the deposit check for a fake wedding gig. (The check was not deposited, so it didn't work this time.) Anyway, it bears repeating, I think, for anybody who missed it the first time around.
Here's the old thread. This new incident is the same, just involves a wedding gig instead of lessons.
I see the Nigerians must be failing with their larger stings and are now spreading out to crazier and crazier attempts at stealing...
If it isn't bank details they're after, the other scam of many is recieving a bank draft, a cheque larger than your quote, where you can keep more, but would you send them some part of the difference after making the deposit or withdrawal from the bank. The banks aren't of much use because they will often initially accept it as real, if you carry it that far. Then, sometimes a few days later, they'll tell you it was bogus ~ but, you are liable. People have been caught out like this before, mostly to do with selling items rather than services, and not just on eBay...
Will it ever be sorted? There was a funny website where someone used to wind them up by getting them to make things and take pictures of themsleves. I can't remember the link, but it was funny, good to see the scam artists scammed...at their expense too, time and money...
Yep, that was it--you get a check for more than the agreed amount ("my accountant made a mistake"), and then a request that you deposit it and send the difference to a third party. A few days later the original check turns out to be no good, and your money is gone.
Other clues:
"I am arranging all of this from afar because..."
Lack of details on what sort of music is required, or about the event itself.
The "wedding" being postponed "due to a family member's sudden illness" (to keep the scam going, when time was running out)
This sort of con artist preys on vulnerable people--in this case, musicians desperate for a gig, or at least flattered enough to not notice the signs of a scam. Spread the word, OK? Thanks.
Oh, and in U.S. you can report attempted scams to fbi.gov . I'm sure other countries have similar web sites for that. I don't think you should try to scam the scammers. Don't sink to their level, just let the authorities handle it.
I tried to sell a professional trumpet on an internet site to remain nameless. Potential purchaser tried a scam on me. The fool didn't realize that my day job is with a bank, so we strung him along to get the check in hand. (yes it was rubber-)
Turned it over to the bank on the check's loss prevention group. In the US, the State authorities don't really give a d*mn if you were smart enough not to play in the scam. If you lose, they will let you file a complaint. Don't expect results though. Our government is too busy chasing illegal lawn maintenance people and night cleaning ladies-real security threats .
Another really cute one is similar. The scammer is a job recruiting agent with an advert for work at home. Offers to fund start up costs. sends check for more than agreed to. Has job applicant cash the check and forward the difference.
Internet music scam
Internet music scam
This has come up before--but we just had the same thing happen, with the deposit check for a fake wedding gig. (The check was not deposited, so it didn't work this time.) Anyway, it bears repeating, I think, for anybody who missed it the first time around.
Here's the old thread. This new incident is the same, just involves a wedding gig instead of lessons.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/11661
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by mickray
Re: Internet music scam
I see the Nigerians must be failing with their larger stings and are now spreading out to crazier and crazier attempts at stealing...
If it isn't bank details they're after, the other scam of many is recieving a bank draft, a cheque larger than your quote, where you can keep more, but would you send them some part of the difference after making the deposit or withdrawal from the bank. The banks aren't of much use because they will often initially accept it as real, if you carry it that far. Then, sometimes a few days later, they'll tell you it was bogus ~ but, you are liable. People have been caught out like this before, mostly to do with selling items rather than services, and not just on eBay...
Will it ever be sorted? There was a funny website where someone used to wind them up by getting them to make things and take pictures of themsleves. I can't remember the link, but it was funny, good to see the scam artists scammed...at their expense too, time and money...
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Internet music scam
Yep, that was it--you get a check for more than the agreed amount ("my accountant made a mistake"), and then a request that you deposit it and send the difference to a third party. A few days later the original check turns out to be no good, and your money is gone.
Other clues:
"I am arranging all of this from afar because..."
Lack of details on what sort of music is required, or about the event itself.
The "wedding" being postponed "due to a family member's sudden illness" (to keep the scam going, when time was running out)
This sort of con artist preys on vulnerable people--in this case, musicians desperate for a gig, or at least flattered enough to not notice the signs of a scam. Spread the word, OK? Thanks.
Oh, and in U.S. you can report attempted scams to fbi.gov . I'm sure other countries have similar web sites for that. I don't think you should try to scam the scammers. Don't sink to their level, just let the authorities handle it.
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by mickray
Re: Internet music scam
Ceolachan, this has to be it: http://www.scamorama.com/
An education in itself......
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by Batlady
Re: Internet music scam
Alot of variants on that scam.
I tried to sell a professional trumpet on an internet site to remain nameless. Potential purchaser tried a scam on me. The fool didn't realize that my day job is with a bank, so we strung him along to get the check in hand. (yes it was rubber-)
Turned it over to the bank on the check's loss prevention group. In the US, the State authorities don't really give a d*mn if you were smart enough not to play in the scam. If you lose, they will let you file a complaint. Don't expect results though. Our government is too busy chasing illegal lawn maintenance people and night cleaning ladies-real security threats
.
Another really cute one is similar. The scammer is a job recruiting agent with an advert for work at home. Offers to fund start up costs. sends check for more than agreed to. Has job applicant cash the check and forward the difference.
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by zippydw