I posted an ad on teddybears.com about my miniature bears, and the next thing I knew I was getting spam at the email account I listed. I guess this should have been my first clue.
so anyway, this guy named Bruce contacted me, wanting info about the bears. I sent it. He came back with an offer. I double-checked the details with him until I had it straight -- he did indeed want $3500 (American)' worth of my little bears. Of course it was like christmas around here. Until last night, when something possesed me to do some checking. I was arrogant -- it couldn't be a scam because he offered a money order -- no bank accounts, or whatever.
Yeah, right.
I don't know; something just started feeling really WRONG, you know? So then, it's day before yesterday and it's a "done deal" so to speak, and then he drops off the planet even tho' I asked about a few more particulars. and that's when all my sensors started bleeping. And last night I started researching the subject...found that official postal orders CAN be forged...found this site...found out how some of these scams work that aren't so and so has died, please fake what it takes to help save his lovely money from the big bad government. Then I emailed this woman who sent me her info by mistake somehow while dealing with the same guy at 3 AM this morning, giving her a heads up, just in case. I felt like I had too.
So awhile ago I check and there is this email from the guy, subject "Business with trust". Of course the part of me still hoping this was the one that wasn't a scam is thinking, oh great...she emailed him, he's offended, we're done and it was real. But this is what he sent today:
Dear Marie,
Thanks for holding for the payment. Your assistance is urgently needed regarding your payment. I have your payment presently with me, but i am presently in Africa for an urgent call from the new development on our business and all the released consignments that as been seized for some weeks back. As the overall M.D i have to be there at Cotonue Port in Africa with the Chairman of the company.
So since i have your payment with me right here, i need your help to do some dispatch of letters to some of our clients all over the USA, the letters are worth 30 peices, i will like you to go to the nearest post office and confirm the cost of posting each letters and the total cost of posting 30 peices. But note that you have to help send out the letters the same day you receive the parcel of the package, Note that i will include the cost of all this and also compensate you for helping me. I have arranged the letters and I have planed to send the package by saturday 13th Aug, 2005 and i will get back to you with UPS tracking number so that you can be able to track the delivery of the package as well.
Hope my message is well understood? Kindly get back if you will help me in doing as i have said above.
Hope to read from you soon.
BRUCE COLLINS.
I've been reading the postings, and I haven't seen anything concerning this development. Any one out there know about these pieces and these letters? Other than, yes, I do understand now that this is a scam. I get it.
I'm just not sure what to do now. I haven't emailed him back as yet since this new development. Should I string him along or something, or should I just block him and try to go on, sadder but wiser? Help??
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