Friday, December 23, 2011

Fakes sales inquiries - what's the catch?

I don't understand the scam in these messages, but am convinced they are not legitimate. I have received dozens of these sales messages, all from different email addresses. A few of them are shared below.

These message have some generally comment elements that indicate that they are machine-generated. For example, the name of the product, such as a park bench or a scale base, is often in parentheses.

The messages enter the mail stream from different open relays. The first message below claims to come from a gmail address, but it actually was posted by lunariffic.com, a web hosting company.

Perhaps a key element is the mention of credit cards. In any case, message like this are a scam. Don't reply to them, don't be fooled into providing any information to the scammers.

From: Ben Harold benharold0@gmail.com
Subject: Order

Good day,

I want to place an order and I have a private freight agent that will commence to your location for the pick up.So you don't have any stress to face in the shipping arrangement to Malaysia,but I will like to know if you have credit card processing machine to charge my VISA card for the goods's payment ? If yes,then treat this email with good concern and include your website/current price list in your reply.

Regards,
Ben Harold

—————

From: Bob Wilson stigma2g8@gmail.com
Subject: Urgent Order

Hello

This is Bob and I will like to order ( Park Bench )Do get back to me with the types and cost for the ones you do carry and let me know if there is an extra cost when using visa or master Card.Kindly get back to me with your name Are you the sales manager or the Owner?

Regards....
Bob Wilson

—————

From: Jeff Willson jeffwillson020@yahoo.com
Subject: Work Platforms Order

Good Day Sir / Madam

With much respect to your company my name is Jeff Willson and i will like to know if you do carry (WORK PLATFORMS ) in stock for sale...? If yes kindly email me back with the type and sizes that you have in stock and the total pick up price of each so that we can proceed with the order.. Moreover i will like to know if you do accept Credit Cards as a form of payment. Looking forward to hear from you soon with the sizes and the price list of each so that we can proceed with the order.

Jeff Willson
Managing Director
Jeff & Sons Ltd
Email: jeffwillson020@yahoo.com

—————--

From: John Freeman john.freeman20@yahoo.com
Subject: Order Request.

Good Day,

Am John Freeman i want to know whether you carry(SCALE BASE) in stock for sale.If you do so kindly email me with the sizes and the price ranges on that so that i will know the quantity to offer and also i want to know if you accept credit card as form of payment.Are you the Sales Manager or the Owner?Awaiting for your prompt reply.

Regard
John Freeman

—————

From: Victory Enterprise enterprise.victory@yahoo.com
Subject: P.Order

Good day Sir/Ma,

We are highly interested to purchase your items listed below:

Storage Memory Cards 1GB Micro SD Card...............500 pieces

Kindly give us your discount price quote,including shipping cost.

Attn
Ship to

%Carolyn King
7351 S BLACKSTONE
CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60619
Tel: 954 2563 363
US

We request your urgent reply.

Regards
David Williams

5 comments:

  1. I just got one addressed to the email address I use solely for WHOIS contact info. They might just be harvesting a list of valid email addresses? Respond and you're on the list?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like Bob Wilson is now Bob Banks:


    From: Bob Banks [stigma2g8@gmail.com]
    Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 1:30 PM
    Subject: Urgent Order

    Hello
    This is Bob and I will like to order ( Ergonomic Drum Handler )Do
    get back to me with the types and cost for the ones you do carry and
    let me know if there is an extra cost when using visa or master
    Card.Kindly get back to me with your name Are you the sales manager or
    the Owner?
    Regards....

    ReplyDelete
  3. We hVE HAD SEVERAL OF THESE SCAM EMAILS. HERE IS A RECENT ONE - beware THEY PAY FOR THE FREIGHT - YOU SHIP THE GOODS THEN THE CREDIT CARD BOUNCES AS IT IS STOLEN ETC. YOU LOSE THE FREIGHT MONEY AND YOUR GOODS.


    From: Jeff Willson
    Date: Tuesday, 10 July 2012 18:46
    To: "jobs@ivhp.com"
    Subject: Purchase

    HELLO,

    I AM JEFF WILSON AND I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU CARRY (HIGH BAY LIGHT)FOR SALE.AND IF YES,REPLY ME BACK WITH YOUR WEBSITE SO THAT I CAN SELECT THE ONE THAT I WILL LIKE TO ORDER,ALSO I AM SHIPPING THE (HIGH BAY LIGHT) TO ONE OF MY COMPANY IN SWEDEN AND I WILL RECOMMEND A FREIGHT COMPANY FOR THE PICKED UP..THANK YOU AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.

    THANK YOU ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. We just received this, which is stupid because we don't even SELL server lifters.

    From: stigma2g8@gmail.com On Behalf Of Bob Banks
    Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 6:46 AM
    To: undisclosed-recipients:
    Subject: Order Request

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    This is Bob and I will like to order ( Server Lifters ) Do get back to me with the types and cost for the ones you do carry and let me know if there is an extra cost when using visa or master card.Kindly get back to me with your name .Are you the sales manager or the owner?
    Regards
    Bob Wilson

    ReplyDelete
  5. 9/4/2013
    From: john hamm [mailto:stigma2g8@yahoo.com]
    Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 10:02 PM
    To: me
    Subject: ORDER

    HELLO AM JOHN I SEND THIS ENQUIRY IN REGARDS TO ORDER SAME (TEST) WELL CAN I HAVE SOME PRICES AND DO YOU TAKE CREDIT CARD PAYMENT

    ReplyDelete