Okay, tomorrow is the day. Mike and I are going to attempt to shear some of our alpacas. I do have a few volunteers for some help (or an audience to laugh at us). We haven't got in the better combs, but a 10 tooth comb did come with the cutters. They will work. I have a bone to pick with the company I ordered the combs through. I paid for three day delivery which would have been Friday and now today is Saturday and there are no combs. I ordered three different ones from Sheepshear.com.
We definitely will need all the prayers we can have for infinite patience with ourselves, each other, the alpacas, and the equipment. Pray that everything goes smoothly, equipment works properly, the alpacas are calm and cooperative, no injuries to the alpacas or ourselves, and that we actually have fun.
I thank the Lord for all the helpers we can get. There is lots to do.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
End of the fun
The scammer called several times today. He wanted to know if we had sent the money yet. Finally Mike told him that his check was no good and that he would have to send cash. Mike was only able to say that the scammers check was no good before "Swansea Cole" hung up on him. lol
So, no more fun with the scammer. To bad there just isnt anything that can be done to get these people. How do you educate the public to not be so trusting and blind sighted? That is the only real way to stop scams like this. But they would just get better at what they do, I guess.
So, no more fun with the scammer. To bad there just isnt anything that can be done to get these people. How do you educate the public to not be so trusting and blind sighted? That is the only real way to stop scams like this. But they would just get better at what they do, I guess.
Scam!!
I couldn't resist. I emailed Swansea Cole the following email yesterday:
Ive received your payment in the mail. Oh my gosh! You are paying 2500 for transport? You are getting ripped off! Where did you find these people? I can just hook up my trailer and bring the two alpacas to you up in Washington. I cannot in good service pay someone $2500 for a couple hours of an animal transport. Does he supply a gold collar for the alpacas with this service? Geeze. I can bring these up to you, let me know.
Sarah
This morning Swansea Cole who is hearing disabled and must use relay sevice, called my phone personally at 8:27. The number came up as unavailable of course. He had such a thick accent that I could not understand him. We have been dealing with lots of people lately for a variety of projects so I didn't even think that this person that I could not understand was Swansea Cole. I had to interrupt his long fast talking to tell him that I have a hard time understanding accents and he would have to speak slowly and clearly. I deal a lot with email because its just easier so I didn't think about it when I understood him say look at email. Plus I was still half asleep. Yes, once in a blue moon the kids sleep in, usually when they are up late! Its a very nice treat.
So I logged onto the email expecting one of the dirt guys or truck guys that I have already been corresponding with, but there was a message from Swansea Cole. Here was his reply:
Hello Sarah,
Thank you Very Much..For your Conversation and Transaction,Why The Shipper is Billing me so Much Like That The shipper will Still Pickup some Other Items For me Like Furniture,Hot Tube,Jaccuzzi,So i have Gotten another Shipper Newyork city,That you will be sending the fund to and here is the Information for the Newshipper In Newyork..i will Appreciate you go ahead and Cash Out The Check and Send the Remaing Balance to The Name and Address Below:
Name:Patrick Inyang
Address:430 audobon Avenue,Mahattan,
Newyork.....10033.
Immediately you have Sent the fund to Him..Kindly get back to me with These Information below:
Sender Name
Sender Address
Exact Amount Sent
Money Transfer Control Number(MTCN)
With all These Information,This will enable the Shipper Pickup These Fund Via westernunion.Await your response via email Immediately you have Completed The Transaction to My Shipper.Thank you Very Much.....
Best Regards,
Swansea Cole
HA! So I did a Zabasearch of this new shipper. There actually came up some entries with the same name and address, one listing a phone number as (212) 740-3142. The date of that information was 04/01/2006
I found this posting on a website for Wisconsin arts and crafts, Waac Words:
[Ed Note: It is hoped that, if you receive something this poorly written, you will know that it is nothing but a Nigerian scam.]
Hello Sales, Pleasant Day to you,
My Name is Linda Smith,i live in #330 old richardson highway fairbanks,alaska 99701,USA,which i will like to order some products in your Company, But we want to confirm if you do ship to West Africa Address. If you do, i will be glad if you can get back to me with your correct website,so that i can select the items needed.I will appreciate your quick response to fullfil my promise of quick supply for my customers and meet up with theirdemand.Also, I will like to know which type of Credit card you accept.{ Visa, Master or America Express Card},so that i can forward you my credit catd details for you to make your charges asap.
SHIP TO:- Attn:- PATRICK INYANG
Address:-# 20 OREMEJI STREET
PAPA AJAO MUSHIN LAGOS
We await your prompt reply.
Best regards
Linda...
This one about forwarding credit card details makes me wonder if they swiped this guys identity. There is also a man by this name that is listed as a Branch Chair under the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria.
Then I found this website GIPEC College of Chaplains INC and on this members page all the way down on the bottom center is Patrick Inyang. The man who called me had a very thick accent that could have been a Nigerian accent.
So, I'm thinking of what I can say to Swansea Cole now. Get some amusing entertainment of how suave he thinks he is. I mean I know I'm wasting my time and I'm not going to get anywhere and they will just go right on scamming. But maybe someone will see this who has doubts and it will save them some money.
Ive received your payment in the mail. Oh my gosh! You are paying 2500 for transport? You are getting ripped off! Where did you find these people? I can just hook up my trailer and bring the two alpacas to you up in Washington. I cannot in good service pay someone $2500 for a couple hours of an animal transport. Does he supply a gold collar for the alpacas with this service? Geeze. I can bring these up to you, let me know.
Sarah
This morning Swansea Cole who is hearing disabled and must use relay sevice, called my phone personally at 8:27. The number came up as unavailable of course. He had such a thick accent that I could not understand him. We have been dealing with lots of people lately for a variety of projects so I didn't even think that this person that I could not understand was Swansea Cole. I had to interrupt his long fast talking to tell him that I have a hard time understanding accents and he would have to speak slowly and clearly. I deal a lot with email because its just easier so I didn't think about it when I understood him say look at email. Plus I was still half asleep. Yes, once in a blue moon the kids sleep in, usually when they are up late! Its a very nice treat.
So I logged onto the email expecting one of the dirt guys or truck guys that I have already been corresponding with, but there was a message from Swansea Cole. Here was his reply:
Hello Sarah,
Thank you Very Much..For your Conversation and Transaction,Why The Shipper is Billing me so Much Like That The shipper will Still Pickup some Other Items For me Like Furniture,Hot Tube,Jaccuzzi,So i have Gotten another Shipper Newyork city,That you will be sending the fund to and here is the Information for the Newshipper In Newyork..i will Appreciate you go ahead and Cash Out The Check and Send the Remaing Balance to The Name and Address Below:
Name:Patrick Inyang
Address:430 audobon Avenue,Mahattan,
Newyork.....10033.
Immediately you have Sent the fund to Him..Kindly get back to me with These Information below:
Sender Name
Sender Address
Exact Amount Sent
Money Transfer Control Number(MTCN)
With all These Information,This will enable the Shipper Pickup These Fund Via westernunion.Await your response via email Immediately you have Completed The Transaction to My Shipper.Thank you Very Much.....
Best Regards,
Swansea Cole
HA! So I did a Zabasearch of this new shipper. There actually came up some entries with the same name and address, one listing a phone number as (212) 740-3142. The date of that information was 04/01/2006
I found this posting on a website for Wisconsin arts and crafts, Waac Words:
[Ed Note: It is hoped that, if you receive something this poorly written, you will know that it is nothing but a Nigerian scam.]
Hello Sales, Pleasant Day to you,
My Name is Linda Smith,i live in #330 old richardson highway fairbanks,alaska 99701,USA,which i will like to order some products in your Company, But we want to confirm if you do ship to West Africa Address. If you do, i will be glad if you can get back to me with your correct website,so that i can select the items needed.I will appreciate your quick response to fullfil my promise of quick supply for my customers and meet up with theirdemand.Also, I will like to know which type of Credit card you accept.{ Visa, Master or America Express Card},so that i can forward you my credit catd details for you to make your charges asap.
SHIP TO:- Attn:- PATRICK INYANG
Address:-# 20 OREMEJI STREET
PAPA AJAO MUSHIN LAGOS
We await your prompt reply.
Best regards
Linda...
This one about forwarding credit card details makes me wonder if they swiped this guys identity. There is also a man by this name that is listed as a Branch Chair under the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria.
Then I found this website GIPEC College of Chaplains INC and on this members page all the way down on the bottom center is Patrick Inyang. The man who called me had a very thick accent that could have been a Nigerian accent.
So, I'm thinking of what I can say to Swansea Cole now. Get some amusing entertainment of how suave he thinks he is. I mean I know I'm wasting my time and I'm not going to get anywhere and they will just go right on scamming. But maybe someone will see this who has doubts and it will save them some money.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Report Scam
I filled out a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center who handles online crimes. It is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Even though there was no crime committed because I wasn't as stupid as Swansea Cole thought I was - they still allow for reporting of suspected criminal activity.
Here is the automated response I got from them
Thank you for filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).Your complaint has been successfully submitted. Please retain the following information for future contacts with the IC3:
Complaint Id:
Password:
If you wish to view/download your complaint or have any additional information to provide to the IC3, please use the following link and login with the above complaint id and password.
The IC3's mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. The IC3 aims to give the victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism.
Complaint Status
The IC3 receives thousands of complaints each month and does not have the resources to respond to inquiries regarding the status of complaints. It is the IC3's intention to review all complaints and refer them to law enforcement and regulatory agencies having jurisdiction. Ultimately, investigation and prosecution are at the discretion of the receiving agencies.
Evidence
It is important that you maintain any evidence you may have relating to your complaint. Evidence may include canceled checks, credit card receipts, phone bills, mailing envelopes, mail receipts, a printed copy of a website, copies of emails, or similar items. Please keep the items in a safe location, in case you are requested to provide them for investigative purposes.
Additionally, to learn more about Internet schemes and ways to protect yourself, please visit www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com.
Nice. Any other suggestions?
Here is the automated response I got from them
Thank you for filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).Your complaint has been successfully submitted. Please retain the following information for future contacts with the IC3:
Complaint Id:
Password:
If you wish to view/download your complaint or have any additional information to provide to the IC3, please use the following link and login with the above complaint id and password.
The IC3's mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. The IC3 aims to give the victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism.
Complaint Status
The IC3 receives thousands of complaints each month and does not have the resources to respond to inquiries regarding the status of complaints. It is the IC3's intention to review all complaints and refer them to law enforcement and regulatory agencies having jurisdiction. Ultimately, investigation and prosecution are at the discretion of the receiving agencies.
Evidence
It is important that you maintain any evidence you may have relating to your complaint. Evidence may include canceled checks, credit card receipts, phone bills, mailing envelopes, mail receipts, a printed copy of a website, copies of emails, or similar items. Please keep the items in a safe location, in case you are requested to provide them for investigative purposes.
Additionally, to learn more about Internet schemes and ways to protect yourself, please visit www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com.
Nice. Any other suggestions?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Scam?
Just to sum it all up in one spot quickly...I was selling two of my alpacas to a person by the name of Swansea Cole. They explained via email and relay service (which is a phone service for those using a computer or who are deaf and they type their message and an operator relays it to me and vice versa), anyway they explained that two alpacas were wanted for his children. The first email he mistakenly referred to them as puppies. He never cared which two I picked, what they looked like or even what their disposition is. I think that would be important. He says he lives in Washington and is currently out of state at work. He wants to send someone to pick them up. I was suppose to give the person to pick them up their funds for the service. I told Swansea Cole when everything was all clear that wouldn't be a problem. But I just had this FEELING that it wasnt right. Somehow Swansea Cole was going to try and pull a fast one. Today I received the payment that states:
Sorry for the delay in getting the funds. Now that you have it, take it to your bank and get it cashed immediately.Deduct your amount for sales and transfer the excess funds via western union money transfer to the name and address below.
Receiver: ADOMA SAMUEL
Address; 2131 Ofrod Road
City: LONDON WX 1 0LP
Country: UNITED KINGDOM
call +447758658328
Email: globashipping200@aol.co.uk
Once the transfer has been sent and been picked up by the shipper I would contact you to tell you the shipment day okGet back to me with the following information's once the transfer has been done
SENDERS NAME:
SENDERS ADDRESS:
MONEYTRANSFER CONTROL NUMBER
With these information it would be easy for SAMUEL to pick the funds up in any of the western union outlet in the UNITED KINGDOM, And please make sure the shipper is notified through this e-mail address above. once the transfer has been done so that he can schedule the pick up date immediately Once again, take the funds to your bank and get it cashed same day you receive it, get it cashed and wire the excess funds via WESTERN UNION same day because time is not our friend again.Please note that you will be asked to pay western union commission for sending money through western union, kindly deduct the commission from the excess funds too. Regards
Okay. Does anyone see the alarm bells? Where did United kingdom come from? His letter was postmarked from London with no return address. His cashier's check is remitted by John K Edward from the Associated Bank of Chicago. Who the heck is John K Edward? Swansea told me that the alpacas were being shipped to Washington. Okay, so if he's being ripped of totally for shipment he would be paying $500. Okay $1000. He sent me a check for $2550 over the price of the alpacas! To Washington? We paid less than $200 to have 12 alpacas brought further. In the above email he insists that I should cash it and then directly wire his "shipper" money before his check has ever cleared. Now everyone should be seeing the flags and hearing the alarm bells.
Should I cash this and see where it goes so I can report him for fraud? Or can I turn it all in on a hunch and tell him the deal is off? I mean how stupid does Swansea Cole think I am?
Sorry for the delay in getting the funds. Now that you have it, take it to your bank and get it cashed immediately.Deduct your amount for sales and transfer the excess funds via western union money transfer to the name and address below.
Receiver: ADOMA SAMUEL
Address; 2131 Ofrod Road
City: LONDON WX 1 0LP
Country: UNITED KINGDOM
call +447758658328
Email: globashipping200@aol.co.uk
Once the transfer has been sent and been picked up by the shipper I would contact you to tell you the shipment day okGet back to me with the following information's once the transfer has been done
SENDERS NAME:
SENDERS ADDRESS:
MONEYTRANSFER CONTROL NUMBER
With these information it would be easy for SAMUEL to pick the funds up in any of the western union outlet in the UNITED KINGDOM, And please make sure the shipper is notified through this e-mail address above. once the transfer has been done so that he can schedule the pick up date immediately Once again, take the funds to your bank and get it cashed same day you receive it, get it cashed and wire the excess funds via WESTERN UNION same day because time is not our friend again.Please note that you will be asked to pay western union commission for sending money through western union, kindly deduct the commission from the excess funds too. Regards
Okay. Does anyone see the alarm bells? Where did United kingdom come from? His letter was postmarked from London with no return address. His cashier's check is remitted by John K Edward from the Associated Bank of Chicago. Who the heck is John K Edward? Swansea told me that the alpacas were being shipped to Washington. Okay, so if he's being ripped of totally for shipment he would be paying $500. Okay $1000. He sent me a check for $2550 over the price of the alpacas! To Washington? We paid less than $200 to have 12 alpacas brought further. In the above email he insists that I should cash it and then directly wire his "shipper" money before his check has ever cleared. Now everyone should be seeing the flags and hearing the alarm bells.
Should I cash this and see where it goes so I can report him for fraud? Or can I turn it all in on a hunch and tell him the deal is off? I mean how stupid does Swansea Cole think I am?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Alpaca Shearing Party
Okay, that says it all. Shearing party this weekend, all the help I can use. Bagging, cleaning, holding, leading. Mike will do the shearing. Any takers? I didn't think so. Call me if you can though. Mom? Carrie? Anyone?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Two alpacas sold?
A couple days ago we had a guy call saying he wanted to purchase the alpaca that we had listed. He was using relay service for those talking on the computer or who are deaf. I gave me his email and asked me to forward more information. After talking a few times via email, he said that he would like to purchase two of them. He was going to forward payment and then he would have someone come to pick up the alpacas for him. Whoo ho. Two sold. Or are they?
The payment should be arriving today, but I just have this FEELING. It just isn't right. He says he's buying them for his children as a gift (which is what we did). But he doesn't care which one we give him. Not what they look like or even asked what their temperament was. Wouldn't that be important? He didn't know they were herd animals, so at first he only wanted one. After I explained to him they were herd animals he said that he would get the two for his children then. He doesn't seem to know anything about alpacas, which I suppose isn't uncommon. We knew a lot less than we thought we knew. In his first email he mentioned something about puppies. When I told him that they were not puppies, he said that he understood and was very interested. There are no huge waving red flags, but I just have THAT feeling. Somehow, this guy is going to try to rip us off. Ill keep you posted...
The payment should be arriving today, but I just have this FEELING. It just isn't right. He says he's buying them for his children as a gift (which is what we did). But he doesn't care which one we give him. Not what they look like or even asked what their temperament was. Wouldn't that be important? He didn't know they were herd animals, so at first he only wanted one. After I explained to him they were herd animals he said that he would get the two for his children then. He doesn't seem to know anything about alpacas, which I suppose isn't uncommon. We knew a lot less than we thought we knew. In his first email he mentioned something about puppies. When I told him that they were not puppies, he said that he understood and was very interested. There are no huge waving red flags, but I just have THAT feeling. Somehow, this guy is going to try to rip us off. Ill keep you posted...
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