Thursday, February 26, 2009

Internet Scams: Fake Orders and Freight Company Inquiries

Below is an e-mail tread that tracks the evolution of a scam. It's from a Larry Wedge, who suggest he's a business person in Sweden. I became suspicious after he asked that I e-mail a very generic sounding address about getting freight charges. He then called me 3 times on Tuesday, and 3 times yesterday. After I sent him the e-mail asking for detailed info, he stopped calling. Notably, what number did he call from?

Larry's phone number: +233278525083

I looked it up, and +233 may be the country code for Ghana. Quite far from Sweden!

Wikipedia has a nice article about how these scammers string you along, and eventually get your money:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_fraud

Stay clear.

.....................................

Hi Larry,
Thanks for the call this morning.
We need a few things here to move forward. I need this information to complete required paperwork here in my office. I appreciate your time on this.
1) What is your office telephone number in Sweden? Do you have a company website?
2) What is the name of the shipping company, its address, and its contact info?
3) Do you plan to use the messenger bags as gifts, to sell them in a store, or something else?

We appreciate your business.
Thank you,
Jason

On Feb 24, 2009, at 2:51 PM, larry Wedge wrote:


Hello
I will like to order 200 Qty of the bags@ $7,998 I will like you to contact (exportfreightco@gmail.com) with your store location, the total weight on the bags , the delivery address below and request for a freight quote. Please let me know how much it will cost me in totality to have these bags order and shipped.

Stortorget 2-4,SE- 831 30
Ă–stersund (Sweden)

Kind Regards
Larry Wedge

--- On Tue, 2/24/09, Jason Solarek wrote:
From: Jason Solarek
Subject: Re: Special Order.......
To: larry.wedge@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 4:14 PM

Dear Larry,
Thank you.
To confirm, you'd like this bag:
Correct?

Since you are ordering 200 bags, you are eligible for a special discount price.
Normal price:
Discount price:

We do accept credit cards. Credit card fees are not included in this discount
price, and credit card processing fees are added to the discount price. We
appreciate your understanding. We also accept checks, although this may take
longer to process.

How would you like to proceed, sir?

ps–How did you hear about us?

Thank you!

Jason


Jason Solarek


On Feb 23, 2009, at 2:04 PM, larry Wedge wrote:

>
> Thanks for your reply ,And i went through your website and i will like to
order Amsterdam Airport Netherlands AMS Messenger Bag with the price of $39..99
and i will like to order 200pcs and i will like you to email me back with the
total cost for the 200pcs excluding freight cost..Hope to hear from you soon
>
>
> --- On Mon, 2/23/09, Jason Solarek wrote:
> From: Jason Solarek
> Subject: Re: Special Order.......
> To: larry..wedge@yahoo.com
> Date: Monday, February 23, 2009, 6:41 PM
>
> Hi Larry,
> What items would you like?
> Can you please send me a website link to the item you'd like?

>
> Thank you!
> Jason
>
> On Feb 23, 2009, at 11:53 AM, larry Wedge wrote:
>
>> Thanks for you email,And i will let you to email me back with the
price of each so that i will let you know quantities i need from you Thanks
>>
>> --- On Mon, 2/23/09, Jason Solarek wrote:
>> From: Jason Solarek <
>> Subject: Re: Special Order.......
>> To: "larry Wedge"
>> Date: Monday, February 23, 2009, 2:34 PM
>>
>> Dear Larry,
>> Thank you for writing me.
>> What location would you like written on the bag?
>> How many of the bags would you like?
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jason Solarek

>>
>>
>> On Feb 23, 2009, at 5:52 AM, larry Wedge wrote:
>>
>> > GOOD DAY,
>> > MY NAME IS LARRY WEDGE AND I AM LOOKING TO ORDER TO
SOME(Travelling Bag
>> Model No.:CTO905) WHICH WILL BE PICKED UP FROM YOUR STORE.THESE
(Travelling Bag
>> Model No.:CTO905) ARE TO BE
>> SHIPPED TO MY NEW COMPANY IN (SWEDEN) WITH THE
>> SHIPPING I WILL RECOMMEND A SHIPPING COMPANY TO YOUR LOCATION FOR THIS
PICK UP
>> ,CAN YOU GIVE ME THE PRICE OF THE (Travelling Bag Model No.:CTO905)
THAT YOU
>> HAVE FOR SALE.
>> >
>> > DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARD FOR THIS ORDER?
>> >
>> > HOPE TO READ FROM YOU SOON AS THE QUOTE IS READY.
>> >
>> > COMPANY NAME: Larry&Son..Co.Ltd
>> > COMPANY ADDRESS: Stortorget 2-4,SE- 831 30 Ă–stersund (Sweden)
>> > COMPANY LOCATION:
>> Sweden
>> > THANK YOU,
>> > LARRY WEDGE
>> >