Anatomy of a Scam
Submitted by swirt on Thu, 06/19/2008 - 7:03am
There seems to be an endless supply of spam scams aimed at Bed and Breakfasts. Many of them follow a common pattern and after you see a year's worth of them you will become an expert at spotting them. Here are some of the basics
---------actual scam email ----------
From: AWERE JOHN aweretify@yahoo,com <-- Usually from a disposable email like Yahoo or Google. Also notice full capitalization on the name. Often written from someone claiming to be a travel agent.
Subject: I WANT TO RESERVE A ROOM. <--Inappropriate capitalization on the subject
To: countryfied@countrycat,com <-- Typically addressed to an inn that is not yours or addressed to themself.
Hello,
i am Awere John.a young humanitarian officer from US currently based and working here in Canada.I'll be traveling down to the states by next month for my one week vacation starting on the 2th till 8th of July 2008. [Always too much information presented from a doctor, lawyer, missionary or humanitarian. Many will give you information like the names and ages of their children or their profession, or the odd reason for their visit] i would like to know the price per night plus tax and calculate the seven days [Always a long stay.] that i'll be staying in your place and tell me the total price. [Always want you to tell them the total amount cpst of their stay.] i cannot reserve online because am haveing some lil probs with my card for now but, no to worry a client of mine in USA who is owing me some funds promise to issue out a Certified Bank Cashiers Check to you as soon as I've gotten a good place. [Nearly always going to end up sending you a check for more than the value of their stay, to cover the cost of a car, or to give them spending money when they arrive, Then they will ask for you to send them a chaeck for the overpayment.]
Typically contains oddly phrased sentences and odd use of capitalization.
Awere John.
National Office Oxfam Canada <-- Usually an unusually trustworthy address.
250 City Centre Avenue,
Suite 400,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6K7
aweretify@yahoo,com
---------- end of scam email --------
Another general rule of thumb is that the deal will always sound too good to be true. They do this hoping that your greed will override your sense of reason. Don't respond, it is equivalent to the fish biting at the hook. It is best just to delete the email and move on.