The Nigerian roommate scam
I was looking at J-Walk’s blog spam & scams and found this presumably true story:
The one thing that makes me think that it’s not true is the part about the bank teller accepting those fake money orders and counting out $5,000 in cash.
The best part is the filing of the police report, if it isn’t true, it certainly could be. The “investigation” is exactly what you can expect, whether it’s due to an internet scam or ID theft.
I was EXTREMELY irritated by the deputy’s response to my ID theft complaint, making it sound like it’s a “normal” thing to expect when you utilize the internet.
And then there was that harassment investigation a few years ago when they PAID this moron ISP owner for consulting and they never got anywhere - while it would have been practically FREE to just do what I asked them to do and get the asshole.
Well, I enjoyed reading the Nigerian roommate story, quite colorful.
And this is a funny site, about the original Nigerian scams:
I know the roommate scam is true because I was solicited this month (Feb 05) by a “roommate” with a different name, using a photograph of the very same woman in the photograph from this Oct 04 story. Better yet, this was the second solicitation from a roommate using different names, but using the very same photograph, for a total of 4 solicitations from “roommates” needing “help cashing checks”. A friend from this very same town was also solicited by a “nigerian model” with yet another name, as well as a “widower” in the UK who needed help cashing checks or money orders. This BS has gone on too long!
Thanks for the update, that’s just amazing! Scammers everywhere you look ...
This is true. Create an account on roommates.com and the solitations will fly in. I’ve got two that have sent me money orders. It’s fun to scam the scamers but until I researched it I was borderline fooled. Here’s some current communication:
ME:
Jenny,
I am getting a sex change and moving to California to join a cult that worships comets. I just recieved $325,000.00 in my personal bank account from my dead unkle. He a 56 year old midget.
THEM:
now that you are moving to california so how do we meet and make arrangements on the rent cos you will be receiving the order other anytime from now so let me know your plans for me.i will really appreciate you if you can be of assistance to me in starting my business when i get back home.
cheers
jenny
ME:
Okay. So here’s the deal. I will cash your money orders and mail them out your money the same day. But, I need proof you are who you say you are. Send me a scan of your ID or your passport or another picture of youself holding a fish. I could even send you your money early, today, before I get your money orders, to help you, because I got money from my midget unkle.
Feel free to fvck with either of the following people in anyway amusing to yourself.
[e-mail addresses deleted because I can’t verify who they belong to.—Christine]
