Another Scam: "Linda Gerald"

clsmit · Jul 11, 2008

I listed my rental for rent on the awesome new Timeshare Marketplace. Within a day I was contacted by a "Linda Gerald" who wanted to rent it, and was asking what the price was. As I had the price listed, this was a bit strange, but I responded with the price and more details. She then told me she was traveling in Africa, could I send my name and phone number to contact me, and how could she pay? I told her I only accepted PayPal and continued only to provide my name (it's in my email; hard to miss) and no other info. Fortunately I have a name that's really generic, and my husband's name is equally generic. So today (in a poorly-written note) she wants to wire me the money and could she have the bank account to send it to. Hmmm. Do I look like I was born yesterday? So, I'm pretending this is a real offer to rent and have sent her a PayPal invoice. If I ever get the money I'll be shocked.

I then googled the name. Someone with that name and similar emails has been involved in the Russian Women/Find a Russian Wife scandals. Sounds like "she" has moved on to a new scam. I reported the scam to on the Russian Women scam site. So beware!

dioxide45 · Jul 11, 2008

clsmit said:
I listed my rental for rent on the awesome new Timeshare Marketplace. Within a day I was contacted by a "Linda Gerald" who wanted to rent it, and was asking what the price was. As I had the price listed, this was a bit strange, but I responded with the price and more details. She then told me she was traveling in Africa, could I send my name and phone number to contact me, and how could she pay? I told her I only accepted PayPal and continued only to provide my name (it's in my email; hard to miss) and no other info. Fortunately I have a name that's really generic, and my husband's name is equally generic. So today (in a poorly-written note) she wants to wire me the money and could she have the bank account to send it to. Hmmm. Do I look like I was born yesterday? So, I'm pretending this is a real offer to rent and have sent her a PayPal invoice. If I ever get the money I'll be shocked.

I then googled the name. Someone with that name and similar emails has been involved in the Russian Women/Find a Russian Wife scandals. Sounds like "she" has moved on to a new scam. I reported the scam to on the Russian Women scam site. So beware!

Once she/he gets that bank account info, it will be drained rather quickly.

madex · Jul 13, 2008

Or "SHE" could actually wire you money, an amount larger than what you asked for your rental. She would ask you then to refund the difference to her, then afterwards, your Bank would find that the check or wire transfer was 'fraudulent' so you get stuck with the fines plus the 'difference' you returned to her.

I have a small business, gifts mostly, just for the fun of if, these Russian/African thieves placed a few times orders to be delivered in the USA to see if I would process the order. I always check IP address plus other details (spelling, rush order, etc.)

'

dioxide45 · Jul 13, 2008

madex said:
Or "SHE" could actually wire you money, an amount larger than what you asked for your rental. She would ask you then to refund the difference to her, then afterwards, your Bank would find that the check or wire transfer was 'fraudulent' so you get stuck with the fines plus the 'difference' you returned to her.

I have a small business, gifts mostly, just for the fun of if, these Russian/African thieves placed a few times orders to be delivered in the USA to see if I would process the order. I always check IP address plus other details (spelling, rush order, etc.)
'

I think this only works with checks. A wire is as good as cash. It is hard to fraudulently send a wire. That is why they want you to wire money back to them. They usually send a check; anyone can print a check, and once you send the wire your money is gone.

Another Scam: "Linda Gerald"

clsmit

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