• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Scammer Replied to My TUG Ad

Robert D

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
1,912
Reaction score
100
Points
424
Location
Austin, TX
I received this reply to one of my TUG classified ads for a TS for sale:

"Hello, i am Dr Tims millner O Neary PHD. i saw the timeshare you posted for sale here and i am glad to inform you that i am really interested in acquiring the timeshare. i am a prospective buyer and i do wish to buy the timeshare as soon as possible before my wife's birthday which is fast approaching because i intend to make the timeshare a Surprise package for her birthday and also to commemorate our silver jubilee wedding anniversary. kindly get back to me with the condition for sale and the price you are willing to sell the timeshare with your preferable Mode of payment. hope to read from you soon. Thanks God Bless you Dr Tim."

All of the terms were clearly spelled out in the ad and this sounds like a scam reply that you receive on Craig's List ads. Anyone else received one like this? I'm not sure it's even worth replying to. His email address is a gmail address (i.e. web based, which it typical of scammers).
 

Patri

Tug Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
6,728
Reaction score
4,007
Points
648
Come on, he's a PhD. You gotta trust him. He never learned proper grammar, but so what? Don't bother to reply.
 

Sandi Bo

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2011
Messages
5,084
Reaction score
4,642
Points
498
Location
Omaha
Resorts Owned
Wyndham
And let me guess, I bet he doesn't smoke and he 'has no pets'.
 

Rent_Share

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
5,091
Reaction score
3
Points
473
Location
SOCAL (562)
His email address is a gmail address (i.e. web based, which it typical of scammers).


I strongly disagree with that generalization, If someone is in business them their email should have a sense of permanence associated with a dedicated web site, but just because someone uses gmail with it's additional features as opposed to their ISP's email service doesn't make them a scammer

http://www.tech24hours.com/2009/09/number-of-gmail-users-worldwide-as-of.html

The total number of Gmail, Google's e-mail service, users worldwide, as of now are 150 million or 15 crore.

The free version of Gmail is the world's third most-popular e-mail program, behind similar services provided by Microsoft and Yahoo.

According to ComScore's February statistics, the top three players had the following number of users:

Microsoft webmail properties: 256.2 million users
Yahoo: 254.6 million users
Google: 91.6 million users
AOL webmail properties: 48.9 million users

That would be 651.3 MILLION SCAMMERS as of 2009 if using an internet based email is the criteria for judging someone a scammer

There are 17 other reasons this is a scam, but the usage of gmail is certainly not one of them.
 
Last edited:

Robert D

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
1,912
Reaction score
100
Points
424
Location
Austin, TX
I strongly disagree with that generalization, If someone is in business them their email should have a sense of permanence associated with a dedicated web site, but just because someone uses gmail with it's additional features as opposed to their ISP's email service doesn't make them a scammer

http://www.tech24hours.com/2009/09/number-of-gmail-users-worldwide-as-of.html



That would be 651.3 MILLION SCAMMERS as of 2009 if using an internet based email is the criteria for judging someone a scammer

There are 17 other reasons this is a scam, but the usage of gmail is certainly not one of them.

I didn't mean to imply that everyone who uses a web based email account is a scammer but virtually all scamers I've come across have had web based email addresses such as yahoo or gmail.
 

foreverloves

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Messages
302
Reaction score
0
Points
16
I didn't mean to imply that everyone who uses a web based email account is a scammer but virtually all scamers I've come across have had web based email addresses such as yahoo or gmail.

Amen. I've never seen a scammer using a legitimate, ISP-based email address. I say 'legitimate' because spoofing a real email address isn't really using it. Anonymous, web-based email should be step 1 (of several) to prove something isn't legit. It is not the only basis.
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
I just got this the other day - no Steven in my household! (I was advertising a wish for a timeshare rental - wanting a gold crown resort in Scotland) And it's signed Carla, but the e-mail address is from "Nicole"

Nocole Allen
nicoleallen2262@yahoo.com
407-910-1251 Hey Steven i was just browsing the ads when i came across yours and noticed that you were interested in a unit at Gold Crown in Scotland. Give me a call at 407-910-1251 as i may be able to assist you. Thanks Carla 2011/07/06
DELETE
 

Larry

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,343
Reaction score
16
Points
398
Location
Long Island NY
Just got this today!!!!!!



Hello, i am Dr Tims Millner O Neary PHD. i saw the timeshare you posted for sale here and i am glad to inform you that i am really interested in acquiring the timeshare. i am a prospective buyer and i do wish to buy the timeshare as soon as possible before my wife's birthday which is fast approaching because i intend to make the timeshare a Surprise package for her birthday and also to commemorate our silver jubilee wedding anniversary. kindly get back to me with the condition for sale and the price you are willing to sell the timeshare with your preferable Mode of payment. hope to read from you soon.

Thanks God Bless you

Dr Tim.


Maybe he just wants to buy all of our timeshares:shrug: :crash: :deadhorse:
 

jasnkas

newbie
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Sarasota Fl
Received today

I also received a message from the good Doctor:

Hello, i am Dr Tims Millner O Neary PHD. i saw the timeshare you posted for sale here and i am glad to inform you that i am really interested in acquiring the timeshare. i am a prospective buyer and i do wish to buy the timeshare as soon as possible before my wife's birthday which is fast approaching because i intend to make the timeshare a Surprise package for her birthday and also to commemorate our silver jubilee wedding anniversary. kindly get back to me with the condition for sale and the price you are willing to sell the timeshare with your preferable Mode of payment. hope to read from you soon. Thanks God Bless you Dr Tim
 

pjrose

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
8,739
Reaction score
15
Points
473
Location
Central PA USA
I got two. I guess he wants to surprise his wife with a LOT of timeshares :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical:
 

Rent_Share

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
5,091
Reaction score
3
Points
473
Location
SOCAL (562)
I got two. I guess he wants to surprise his wife with a LOT of timeshares :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical:


Maybe he read the thread about FULL TIME time sharing
 

JOHNPELICAN84

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2006
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND
Purchase scam

:annoyed: I too received the same message from Dr. Tim. It would be nice if he really wanted to purchase all the timeshare units for the price stated. :rofl:
 

Rent_Share

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
5,091
Reaction score
3
Points
473
Location
SOCAL (562)
:annoyed: I too received the same message from Dr. Tim. It would be nice if he really wanted to purchase all the timeshare units for the price stated. :rofl:

Actually he will probably send more than they are listed for, just refund the difference in Western Union Funds
 

Sandi Bo

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2011
Messages
5,084
Reaction score
4,642
Points
498
Location
Omaha
Resorts Owned
Wyndham
I'm feeling really left out.
 

Robert D

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
1,912
Reaction score
100
Points
424
Location
Austin, TX
I replied to his first inquiry and told him I only took Paypal. Got another reply back from him today that I deleted saying he would send his representative to sign the papers. The guy or gal must think we're all idiots.
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
Did anyone get the one I got - Nicole Allen/Carla?
 

Larry

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,343
Reaction score
16
Points
398
Location
Long Island NY
This idiot just sent me the same message with a new name.

"Hello, am Engr. Holly Duke, i saw the timeshare you posted for sale here and i am glad to inform you that i am really interested in acquiring the timeshare.I am a prospective buyer and i do wish to buy the timeshare as soon as possible before my wife's birthday which is fast approaching because i intend to make the timeshare a Surprise package for her birthday also to commemorate our silver jubilee wedding anniversary.Kindly get back to me with the condition for sale and the price you are willing to sell the timeshare with your preferable Mode of payment. Hope to read from you soon. God Bless you. Engr Holly"

So instead of Dr, Tim he/she is now Engr. Holly???

What an ass:hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical:
 

qlaval

TUG Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2006
Messages
544
Reaction score
57
Points
388
Location
Montreal, Quebec
Resorts Owned
Marriott Aruba Ocean Club, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Lol... me too :hysterical:

But this time his name is Hollu Duke.....

I thought I was the first victim...
 
Last edited:

pjrose

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
8,739
Reaction score
15
Points
473
Location
Central PA USA
No, it's Holly Duke! Both Holly and Tim want to surprise their wives!
 

Larry

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,343
Reaction score
16
Points
398
Location
Long Island NY
No, it's Holly Duke! Both Holly and Tim want to surprise their wives!

They will be the Duke and Dutchess of the timeshare world after buying up all of the timeshares listed on TUG!!!!!!!:hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical:
 

longmorn3

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2011
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Port Hood, Nova Scotia, Canada
Our friendly scammer is quite busy, isn't he or she?

I was in receipt of the following message from the Timeshare Users Group website sent on the 18th (yesterday) in response to my classified ad:

"-- Hello, am Engr. Holly Duke, i saw the timeshare you posted for sale here and i am glad to inform you that i am really interested in acquiring the timeshare. I am a prospective buyer and i do wish to buy the timeshare as soon as possible before my wife's birthday which is fast approaching because i intend to make the timeshare a Surprise package for her birthday also to commemorate our silver jubilee wedding anniversary. Kindly get back to me with the condition for sale and the price you are willing to sell the timeshare with your preferable Mode of payment. Hope to read from you soon. God Bless you. Engr Holly."




I responded:

Villa 412 is currently listed at $46,000.00 US per week (2 weeks – 9 and 10 – first two weeks of March). The resort is selling similar 2-bedroom villas with Infinity pools at $64,900 US per week.

The resort has the right of first refusal once an offer is made.

I would prefer to deal through a timeshare broker and the terms are cash upon the completion of any sale. The resort also charges an administration fee $800.00 US per week to process the sale, which is the responsibility of the purchaser.

-Phil




I got this response to my response about five hours after I replied this morning (19th):

"Hello, i wish to inform you of my gladness at your rapt attention and swift reply to my willingness to acquire the timeshare you posted for sale. I am so ready to buy the property asap. Like i have earlier inscribed, i am willing to buy the Timeshare before my wife's birthday and also Our wedding anniversary which is fast approaching..Mind you my preferable mode of payment will be in (CERTIFIED CHECK) ok? and i will arrange for a pick up as soon as the paper work we take place immediately i will get my associate to fly over to you and sign all possible document in acquiring the timeshare if all deal goes as i envisage. kindly get back to me as soon as possible with this information Required from you to get the check issue out to you and
the Price you are selling the time-Share.

Name to be on Check:
Address:
state:
Zip-code
City:
Amount selling the Time-share.

Thanks God bless you...

Engr Holly Duke."



The scammer should learn how to write a tad better. "Rapt attention"? I hope that no one gets taken. The grammer is pretty poor.

Regards,
-Phil
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
I just got another one from Nicole Allen in response to my wish list ad! Very strange!
 
Top