Wednesday, May 18, 2011

That Thing I Hinted About A While Back

A couple weeks ago I hinted about something amusing I'd be sharing.  So here it is, me playing with a scam artist (or group).  I've put the conversation in order for reading simplicity, and done a little editorial cleanup.  I'll refer to the scammer(s) in first-person singular by the name presented, for simplicity.  (green background is my e-mail, pink is his)
 

Michael Swanson to me, Apr 26  
Hello , i'll like to order this items listed from your store to my location in Fiji. However i want you to provide me a total quote to this items including the shipping fees to the location provided.So i can effect payment and get them shipped to my address in the 
Address: Winina Arcade,
Main Street (Opp. New Rups),
Nausori Fiji Island
So i will place you my card info so you charge fees for the items including shipping fees.So get back to me as soon as possible.

Ok, I did salvage this from my Gmail spam folder, but there's a reason I check it daily for false-positives.  It didn't come through our website contact form, the spelling, the lack of actually, y'know, mentioning a particular item, etc. were danger signs, but I thought I'd give it a response.  

But, Fiji?  Wouldn't Australia be closer/cheaper? Ok, I did have an inquiry earlier this year via Etsy from Singapore, but that was about the shipping cost for a specific pouch (ouch, pricey, was the answer)

 Liana Winsauer to swansonmichael7, Apr 26  
You will have to specify which item, what colors, hardware, etc., and how many you would like before I can give you a price quote.
Once I have given you a price, payment can be made via PayPal or Google Checkout, and I will not ship until the funds have actually cleared the process of withdrawl and deposit to my account. I do not accept traveler's, cashier's or third-party checks for international orders.

But I'm not stupid, I know the cashier's/third-party check scam. 

Michael Swanson to me, Apr 28  
Your site wont open from my side please send me a product and price list.

Liana Winsauer to Michael, Apr 28  
Our business is small, we do not have a catalog. I have belts, belt pouches, purses, wallets, checkbooks, and book covers, and some costume accessories. What types of items are you interested in? Please note that we do not offer wholesale pricing.

I am curious how you found my contact information if you cannot access my website?

 

(Actually, if I had a real customer with a large order, there would be a price break)

Michael Swanson to me, Apr 28  
Please help me with a price list on the listed items below

purses, wallets, belts  

Ok, fine, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time on it...
 

Liana Winsauer to Michael, Apr 28   
All prices are in U.S. Dollars.

1" wide belts start at $15.00
1.5" wide belts start at $30.00
2.25" wide belts start at $35.00
Purses are typically $50.00-$80.00
Wallets start at $25.00

Also, I would appreciate answer my previous question about how you came by my contact information.




Michael Swanson to me, Apr 29  
Thanks for the response to my mail, However the items needed are listed below in the mail.

1" wide belts start at $15.00..............................40qty
1.5" wide belts start at $30.00...........................25qty
2.25" wide belts start at $35.00.........................15qty

Address: CELTIC TOUCH
Winina Arcade
Main Street (opp. New Rups)
Nausori
Fiji Islands

So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And for the shipping i will prefer you to contact an agent who handles my shipment, you can to get them via , they have been handling my shipments quite sometime now .All you need to do is provide them adequate information of the items or package and they will be able to quote you based on the information provided.So get back to me with the quote to the items and the shipping quote as well .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will place you my card information so you can charge for the fees.I look forward to read from you soon.
 

Hey, his English is getting better!  And this is starting to just scream scam: stolen CC number, trying to over-pay me to pay the shipper, shady shipper, take your pick.  I did file a report at that point that should have gone to local law enforcement and/or the FBI, but since I wasn't out any money and didn't have any contact information that struck me as legit, I'm not surprised I never heard back.  But it would have been cool.
 

Liana Winsauer to Michael,  Apr 29  
What color(s) of each type of belt would you like? I have black, dark brown, reddish-brown, and golden-brown. For hardware for the 1" wide and 1.5" wide belts I have stainless-steel with black accents. For the 2.25" wide belts I have nickel-plated and brass buckles.
Before I can give you a price quote you also need to specify if you want the belts un-trimmed and without holes, or if you would like them trimmed and holes punched, what length(s) you would like to order.

Please note that because this is a large order for my company, I will require pre-payment before beginning production. I do not have quite this many belts on hand.

I am not clear why you want me to contact your shipper to get your quote, as that would be a transaction between you and the shipper. Can you please clarify your understanding of the shipping and payment process for me?

For a shipping quote, I am located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Until I actually have the belts made, packed, and packaged I cannot supply accurate package dimensions and weight, but as a rough estimate two boxes, each between 25 and 40 pounds, approximately 12" x 12" x 18" in size.


I actually did go to the trouble of measuring a copier paper carton. Then made a SWAG of 1 lb/belt.

Michael Swanson to me, May 1  
Please mix all available sizes, styles and buckle and then provide me a quote. 
 

Liana Winsauer to Michael, May 1  
A mixed lot of 80 belts, various colors, widths, and hardware,
untrimmed with no holes, will be $2500.00

A mixed lot, trimmed to various lengths and holes punched, will be $3000.00


If you do the math for my "starting with" prices and the numbers he requests above, it comes out to $1875.  And no, I don't normally charge for cutting to length and putting holes in.  Plus my comment above for a large order. I've dropped any thoughts I may have had that he is a legitimate customer and am having fun! 

Michael Swanson to me, May 1  
A mixed lot, trimmed to various lengths and holes punched is preferable, however i am okay with the quote for the order, however i want you to make contact with the shipper i referred you to in previous mail regarding the shipment and their email is (deliveryinaflash@rocketmail.com). Once i get the shipping quote and i find it suitable, then i will proceed with the payment providing you my Master card information so that you can process the order fee including the shipping fee. So please get back to me as soon as possible regarding this mail.

Apparently I was doing a good job acting stoopid.  So time for another shipping question.  I didn't want to scare him off, though; nor did I want to actually tell him where I'm at (although IIRC our PO Box address is in plain text on our website.  Which he *claims* he can't get to.  The end result of my pondering had me cackling like a demented thing.


Liana Winsauer to Michael, May 1  
As I said previously, I cannot provide exact weights and carton dimensions until the order is completed. I have, however, provided an estimate to you, as well as my general location. This will allow you to get an estimate from your shipping company directly, all you have to do is copy and paste. When ready I can drop the packages off at a Chicago-area terminal, or arrange for pickup at my facility in the industrial district of Long Grove, Illinois.

I do not understand why you want me involved in paying your shipper, please explain why this complexity is necessary.


"my facility in the industrial district of Long Grove"  I like to just hold that gem up to the light and admire it... 


Oh, yeah, for those not from 'round here, Long Grove is a very tony little 'burb, with high-cost housing and a quaint downtown shopping bit.  No industrial district there!  

Michael Swanson to me, May 4  
Please let me know when the order is complete.

Liana Winsauer to Michael, May 4  
As I explained previously, I require pre-payment before beginning to make the belts, nor will I ship the order until all moneys have completely cleared the payment process. Please let me know which you prefer: PayPal or Google Checkout, so that I can send you an invoice from the correct account.

Not that I was going to give him a live account.  But I wanted to keep my little fishie on the line and play with him some more.


And his English has been pretty decent for a while now, nu?  Wonder if the bad stuff at first was a front to try to convince me he was a non-native speaker from Fiji, or just somebody else at the keyboard?  

Michael Swanson to me, May 4  
I will send you my master card information to process the fees on you POS merchant terminal.
 

Oh hell no.  I don't want some poor sod's stolen CC number.  Hmm.  Wonder if he's still going to try to over-pay me so that I can pay the shipping fees.  Which I'm pretty sure would violate my merchant service agreement, if I had one.

OTOH, even though I've omitted time-stamps, the May 4 e-mails were forming an almost real-time conversation.  In the morning.  And did I mention Fiji (yeah, right) is 7 hours ahead of IL? 

Liana Winsauer to Michael, May 4  
That is not an option. DO NOT SEND YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION TO ME. I do not care to be part of a transaction with significant risk of identity theft.

As you prefer not to use on-line payment services I will open a new account at my bank and provide you the information necessary to do a wire transfer. If this is acceptable, I can open the account during the midday, approximately three hours from now, or this evening.

Please note that I will not accept over-payment for shipping fees.

 

Sadly, I apparently showed that I wasn't stupid, and scared him off.  Sigh.

So, should I send him one more e-mail asking if he still wants to place the order?    


Please note before commenting:
All comments go into a moderation queue to prevent comment-spam. I try to get to them promptly, but if I'm busy it may take a couple days.

Update, 25 August 2011:

Wow, 9 responses here and IIRC I had another one on my personal blog (where I'd posted a link to this post) in the last 3 months.

Just to help along anyone else who is approached by this scammer, a couple commenters have mentioned that the name Michael Wilton is also being used, and at least one used a different address (LOT 1 KINGS CROSS ROAD, MINISTRY LANE, MANOCA, NAUSORI TOWN).  

I haven't responded to individual comments, but I'm glad I've been of some help to people. 

13 September 2011:

Now reported to be using the name Gabriel Wilton, and an address of: Celtic Touch, Shop 3, Honson Arc, Suva,Fiji Islands.  Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, eh?



13 December 2011


New variants!


Gabby Levuka
Lot 1, Kings Cross Road, Ministry Lane, Manoca, Nausori Town
박윤환 " Y H Park
Linda Kappler, who claimed to be from "Wayne Impact Store" out of Oakland, MD, still sending to Fiji
Elizabeth Locke, Oakland, MD, to Fiji via UPS or DHL
Linda Wayne Kappler, whose IP address was traced to Nigeria

back to Gabriel Wilton, this time in Ukraine Islands 



16 April 2012 - up to 54 comments


More variants:
Shane Sherley, and Shane Sherley Gabby

Elizabeth Locke, still in Oakland MD, but now for Locke-Rite or Hemrald Group, shipping to Australia
Shane's Place

77 comments:

  1. Lol... I received the same email from mr scammed Michael, as my online store has been ripped so often, I am now a guru of picking up scammers. So I researched mr Nigerian Swanson and came across your blog which cfmd that mr Nigerian zuluwulu, okoomootuu whatever his name is, he's a scam artist. So I guess I loose out on a 10k sale....lol and the Nigerian population is goin to look less trendy in my kids clothes... Lol.... Keep on blogging and tku... Carolyn Australia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for your blog.. I just received a Huge order from a Mr. Swanson and decided to do some background check and it brought me to your site.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Liana,

    Thanks for posting the scam email from scammer named Michael Swanson. I received the similar email lately inquiring our product. I asked that guy to check our website and tell me exactly what he wanted and how many of them. a week later I received the second email with an order and instruction to contact his agent who handles the shipment, and the email address is (same as what you got).

    I was a bit suspicious and do some research and found your blog and article about this.

    Thanks for the internet that enable sellers to research and save themselve from this kind of scammers. And thanks to you who put some effort to post this case on your blog. Jimmy Australia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another big thanks for this blog highlighting this scammer, I was emailed by 'Michael Swanson' but I thought the order was rather strange, he never asked about wholesale etc, which I thought was odd as he claimed to be a shop owner in Fiji (CELTIC TOUCH
    Winina Arcade
    Main Street (opp. New Rups)
    Nausori
    Fiji Islands)
    The shipping arrangements via an agent also made me suspicious, so I just did some research and found your blog! Thanks Liana :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. My partner and I got an email from Michael Swanson as well. But we knew it was either a scammer \ spammer or a bloomin' idiot right off, because we don't have an online store.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the blog entry - our shop just got an email from him too. I Googled his email address and found this page! Cheers, Maddie (Australia)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for your blog detailing this scam. This time the name has changed to 'Gabriel Wilton' from CELTIC TOUCH in Figi. It just didn't make sense that I would be shipping product from Canada to Figi! My response to this person's 2nd email... "We have researched you and are not interested in dealing with you".
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks heaps for this BLOG!! I too received a big order from FIJI, but thought I would do a bit of investigation before going any further. Yes alarm bells were ringing, so you have certainly saved me a bit of time.

    Although this time the email was from 'Gabriel Wilton' and the address listed was:

    CELTIC TOUCH
    LOT 1 KINGS CROSS ROAD
    MINISTRY LANE
    MANOCA
    NAUSORI TOWN

    So I'm guessing that they've moved ;)

    Thank you Nikki Australia

    ReplyDelete
  9. Another grateful potential "victim"! I was emailed by Gabriel Wilton . getting quite creative with his Nom de plume.Exactly the same story, with same address etc and vague order request. Same shipper etc. Once again as I was researching your blog was on top!
    Thanks Adele.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you. Received a large order from Gabriel Wilton. Almost certain it was a scam, I decided to do some research. Google searches on the names and emails being used turned up no clear results. A search on the address brought me here and confirmed my suspicions.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I got an email from Gabriel Wilton, with the same address above, in Fiji Islands, I didn't like the whole thing, and decided to search for him, and found your blog. Thanks a million :-)

    Mary,
    Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  12. We also just receieved an e-mail from Mr.Wilton. Hes gettinng real creative this time hes using the first name Gabriel now and the shipping address is
    Address: CELTIC TOUCH
    Address: Shop 3, Honson Arc, Suva
    Country: Fiji Islands

    Thank You for all your help!!

    Michelle, California

    ReplyDelete
  13. I got an e-mail from Celtic Touch today. And with just a little digging (thanks to you) I will be sending a polite e-mail that we are not interested.

    Thanks,
    Ken
    handsonaromatherapy.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. We received an email from the same shop owner and address in Fiji, detailing an order request. The name, however, was Gabby Levuka. We actually contacted the suggested shipper (email: airexpresscouriers@rocketmail.com) and received a very amateur quote and form, with an outrageous cost of over $700 for shipping, prepayment only made via Western Union before package pickup.
    RED FLAGS all over this SCAM! I'm glad to have found this site and discussion.
    Forrest
    Oregon

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi. I also got the order from "Gabby Levuka." This, by the way, is a plausible name in Fiji, where I've visited.

    I've also received an order from "박윤환 " Y H Park. I gave him a fake shipping and products quote and he's ready to buy. I'm not sure what is the risk, if any, of giving him our bank wire info.

    It's hard to tell what to do to smoke out scams from true orders.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wouldn't give him bank wire information, *unless* it's to an empty account that is in no way tied to your usual account(s). Talk to somebody at your bank about the specific risks.

    ReplyDelete
  17. We in the UK also had an order from Celtic Touch back in August 2011 (Lot 1, Kings Cross Road, Ministry Lane, Manoca, Nausori Town). The firm order came through today 7 Oct. 2011

    The collection of goods was strange and didn't make sense. What company in Fiji would need large quantities of Flower Essences? 25 bottles of some specific ones. Normally people would buy whole sets!

    When swansonmichael7@gmail.com asked us to take all the money from the card, but for us to pay the shipping company separately via Western Union, we didn't trust it at all and found your blog.

    We tried to report his card details, but the card company wasn't interested. Because the fraud had not been committed yet. Duh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We got a large order for flower essences also but they are now using Gabby Sherley as the name and this address. Address: SHANE'S PLACE
      Chernyshevs'ka St,  13, Kharkiv,
       Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000
      UKRAINE
      They've progressed to at least listing what they want which is a step up from all the other scam attempts I get from various countries.

      Delete
  18. I also got a mail today from 'Mr Wilton' of 'Celtic Touch, Fiji. The funny thing is - I do not have any shop or sell anything :) Still was curious and found this blog - good work! Anna

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thankyou for your blog!!! We have receive this mail from Gabriel Wilton today, got suspicious and decided to Google the name and found your blog. Thankyou!!!

    Annika
    Sweden

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks to all! I got same style order and spent some time to prepare a quote and luckily Googled this Name and destination address. Hope more merchants will read your blog and I'll do my best to tell all partners.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow! They're moving up... I just received an email with an exact list of items wanted from my shop to be put in a shop in Fiji... as yours, some of mine require more detail, but after totalling I was really uneasy, so I looked up Fiji scams and came across your site. The email was from a Linda Kappler, provided somewhat of an address and a phone number as well. I played spy, found the area code and tried to call the number and its a magic jack with no answer. The business listed on my email was a Wayne Impact Store out of Oakland, MD... Just in case anyone else gets the emails. I replied telling them that I've heard rumors of scams and that they could purchase from my site and I would ship after payment. Haven't heard back... fun
    -Jen
    Refined Rubbish

    ReplyDelete
  22. Got the same e-mail but from an Elizabeth Locke from wayne impact store.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I received an email from Elizabeth Locke also. I did some investigating and came to this site. I figured it was a scam, these people should be prosecuted. I am in NJ

      Delete
  23. Received the same email from Elizabeth Locke out of Oakland, Maryland. Shipping to Fiji but through UPS or DHL. Thanks for posting this to save others...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Well I guess I am part of a scam as well to this person in FIJI!! Now the name is Linda Kappler. This pisses me off!!! Go get a job and leave us business people alone!!!!!!
    Thanks for all the posts because I was wondering about this.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Same thing here from a Mr Gabriel Wilton. Wanted to order but very vague about this request. I sent him a specific question about this and he never replied. Same request, asked to contact his shipper but thank goodness I found your blog. Thank you very much!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi, I just went through the same thing with an order from Linda Wayne Kappler. Kept asking about shipping costs for 30 crystal necklaces, referred me to email her "cargo service". Then the kicker, I am supposed to wire them the shipping fee. I traced the IP of her emails to Nigeria. OMG, what a waste of my time. Below was my last response to her. The whole thing smelled right from the beginning.


    Linda, I am not comfortable with this order. This "cargo service" does not
    feel legitimate to me. The grammar in the email is improper and does not
    reflect a company supposedly based in the UK. I researched the IP this
    message came from and found the origin was Nigeria. I am not sending money
    to anyone and I am not giving out my address. If they are sending you a
    copy, why are you asking me for the shipping cost? Sorry, this smells like a
    scam to me.
    If you are a legitimate buyer, I will be happy to send the order via UPS.
    The check out webpage I sent you has been updated to reflect the UPS
    charges. If I receive your payment via my shopping cart, and it clears my
    bank, I will gladly fill your order. Otherwise, please do not bother me with
    these emails. I have better things to do with my time.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Gabriel Wilton is now living in the Ukraine Islands...lol. I just got an email this morning and I googled the name/address & it brought me to here. The body of the email is identical to what has already been posted here. I just flagged this email address and blocked them.

    I agree with the previous poster who stated that they should get a real job.

    However, I have to wonder, if they keep sending out emails (year after year) then there HAS to be people who fell for it, and are hurting right now. Not nice!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Gabriel Wilton is now going by the name of Gabby Nasouri of the Ukraine Islands. Her business details - had to ask for them - are
    CELTIC TOUCH
    str.Sholom-Aleyhema 5,
    ap. 13 02156, Kiev,
    UKRAINE
    Funny how this business moves around!! :)

    I was suspicious when she insisted on paying full amount, including shipment of over $1000 which was as much as the ordered product was worth - by us processing her credit card - unfortunately we don't have merchant facilities so she kindly suggested we use our neighbour's facilities. The Air Express service is also the same rocketmail address.

    So pleased I decided to do a little research before proceeding further - thanks everyone

    Gen Australia

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ha ha! I smelled a rat when I got the first email from these maggots (sorry for the mixed metaphors?). I googled CELTIC TOUCH and that lead me here – well done everyone who has contributed.
    “Shane Sherley Gabby” wanted to order “Electrical Cabinets..................2qty” – a request so lucridouous in this industry that I immediately broke off the connection. They are now giving this address: CELTIC TOUCH, str.Sholom-Aleyhema 5, ap. 13 02156, Kiev, UKRAINE
    Cheers everyone
    John Australia

    ReplyDelete
  30. They tried to buy breathalyzers from me over the last couple of days - wanted me to send a quote and deal with their shipping agent - They wanted to send me their credit card info to pay - Shane Sherley Gabby was the name used as well and they had the same adddress as the last post - I told them that they could just order off of our website as Paypal would protect both of us from fraud - Doubting I'll hear back from them but if I do I will post again

    ReplyDelete
  31. I received an inquiry for about $1300 USD of product from Shane Sherley over the weekend. Shipping address given is Shane's Place, Chernyshevs'ka St, 13, Kharkiv, Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000 UKRAINE
    Also referred me to his shipper expressdeliverycouriers@rocketmail.com. I sent him a quote and even told him I could ship for $500 less via USPS Priority Mail. He emailed me a Master Card number with a shipping address in Clinton UT. Asked him to handle the Western Union piece and he emailed back that he didn't have a Western Union office near him. I replied that he could do it over the Internet. I *knew* something wasn't right. Very glad to have found this blog. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I think something has to be done to that ripper

    ReplyDelete
  33. I got an email the other day just like this. WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I make rustic furniture. I guess they don't have such a thing in Fiji, maybe no trees! But luckily I did not respond to "Elizabeth Locke", (email viewsoftheocean@gmail). Her letter started with Dear, followed by no name, and was signed Locke-Rite, Oakland, Md., 533-8009. I didn't call back. They could have AT LEAST given the area code! Today, it was Hemrald Group, asking for a shipment to Australia, (rcbledsoe77@hotmail.com). It's been great to read about Liana's cleverness, and other people's experiences and responses.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Yes, I recently received this type of email from Elizabeth Locke. I thought it was smelling of "scam!" I decided to google the person's name along with the Fiji address, and I found your blog, thankfully!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I also got an email from Elizabeth Locke, and have sent several emails back and forth, suspicious, but curious. Then I googled her name & Fiji and found this website. How do you report this, and to whom?

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great that i found this blog... thankyou

    ---------------------------------------
    Address: SHANE'S PLACE
    Chernyshevs'ka St, 13, Kharkiv,
    Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000
    UKRAINE

    So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And for the
    shipping i will prefer you to contact an agent who handles my
    shipment, you can to get them via ,
    they have been handling my shipments quite sometime now .All you need
    to do is provide them adequate information of the items or package and
    they will be able to quote you based on the information provided.So
    get back to me with the quote to the items and the shipping quote as
    well .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will place
    you my card information so you can charge for the fees.I look forward
    to read from you soon.
    Thank you
    ----------------------------------------

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got one just like that from Gabby Sherley and the address was as you put it in your comment. I noticed the emails weren't signed with his/her name and a few other things triggered my internal scam detector as well. l have a flower essence company. Interesting to see that another flower essence company got this same scam email. Hmmm. Maybe enough flower essences would "cure" the scam artist? ; >

      Delete
    2. I run a plant nursery and Katty Rudolf tried to order 100 plants then decided that £988 was fine to send them! My wife can smell a rat from 200 metres so we said no can't help

      Delete
  38. I just received an an email asking about having an order shipped to Suva, Fiji Island by a person named Linda Wayne.......

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ms. Elizabeth Locke is a very busy buyer. Got her order a few days ago. After reading your posts the conversations seem to be the same over and over. Does anyone know how to trap this thief and take them out of business?

    ReplyDelete
  40. Shane Sherley ordered $2535 of inverters from me , he has the same shanesherley@hotmail.com address and still requests Swift Parcel Spinners to do the shipping to Shane's Place, Chernyshevs'ka St, 13, Kharkiv, Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000 UKRAINE
    Smelled the rat and when I searched I found this posting, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have the same emails and have money from 2 CC for around $3045.00 from "elizabeth Locke" in Fiji
    Email addy: Elizabeth Locke
    It smelled of scam from the onset. Straight off the website, ordered the first 4 items and took multiple credit card numbers to finally go thru to my account.
    I called my CC company Merchant warehouse and they did not have a report of the cards being stolen.
    Today she changed from UPS to a cargo shipper:
    rodancargo@fastservice.com
    http://www.dpd.co.uk/
    and wants me to western union $1200.00 to them. She gave another CC to put those charges on.
    What should I do? Have the $3045.00 in my account. Will it be removed as a chargeback due to stolen cards?
    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would call your card processing company, and explain the situation. Over-paying for merchandise and asking the seller to forward Part of the money to a third party is a well-known fraud mechanism. Hopefully you can get them to reverse the charge without penalty to you, but even if you do incur a penalty, it's better than being out your goods AND all of the money.

    ReplyDelete
  43. a total scam - i got the same email for my baby clothing business in Australia: Ask them for a money transfer DO NOT ACCEPT A CREDIT CARD - IT WILL BE EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED AS STOLEN AND YOU WILL LOSE ALL. They run once you ask for cash & not card :D

    Address: SHANE'S PLACE
    Chernyshevs'ka St, 13, Kharkiv,
    Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000
    UKRAINE

    So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And for the
    shipping i will prefer you to contact an agent who handles my
    shipment, you can to get them via ,
    they have been handling my shipments quite sometime now .All you need
    to do is provide them adequate information of the items or package and
    they will be able to quote you based on the information provided.So
    get back to me with the quote to the items and the shipping quote as
    well .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will place
    you my card information so you can charge for the fees.I look forward
    to read from you soon.
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  44. I got the same email a couple days ago. SCAM SCAM SCAM. They wanted to order $6000 worth of products but then said "Your online shop will not open , kindly send me a product and price list." I forwarded a price list and they replied with

    Address: SHANE'S PLACE
    Chernyshevs'ka St, 13, Kharkiv,
    Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000
    UKRAINE


    So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And for the
    shipping i will prefer you to contact an agent who handles my
    shipment, you can to get them via ,
    they have been handling my shipments quite sometime now .All you need
    to do is provide them adequate information of the items or package and
    they will be able to quote you based on the information provided.So
    get back to me with the quote to the items and the shipping quote as
    well .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will place
    you my card information so you can charge for the fees.I look forward
    to read from you soon.

    I asked them to forward the money by Western Union and got no reply!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Yup, Shane is real busy - ordered thousands of dollars of survival kits from us to go to the Ukraine. Fortunately our CEO smelled rat and was on it pronto- and we ended up on this site.

    ReplyDelete
  46. And so the scam goes on...thank you for your blog to save me time and heart ache.

    ReplyDelete
  47. "Elizabeth Locke" just contacted me... I was almost taken by another scammer a couple of months ago, so my radar was a bit quicker to catch on this time!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Yes, we also have been contacted by this shanesherley@gmail.com with same address as posted above in Ukraine. Definately a scam!

    ReplyDelete
  49. We had the same request from Elizabeth at Locke-Rite Store, with an address in Oakland Maryland. Same deal about shipping to Fiji. Reported it as "Spam"

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thank you for this blog. We too have been approached by Shane for some products for the Ukraine. He is a busy man.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I was sent the same emails from Linda Wayne Kappler, she wanted to order over 35000.00 in product, when I asked for her ein number and info. about her store, she didnt respond to the questions!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks to God, and to this blog. Please see this:

    Shane Sherley Gabby

    I hope this mail meets you well, however I am mailing in request
    to place and order from your site and which I want to know if it is
    possible for you to ship orders to the Ukraine . If shipment is possible to
    Ukraine, kindly get back to me and then I will send you a list of Items
    needed to be shipped including Delivery address. Also you will be referred
    to a shipper who handles my shipment, and once I receive the quote for the
    order and the shipment then I will commence on the payment with my master
    card. Kindly get back to me if this is acceptable .

    Best regards

    THE SECOND PART:*****************************

    Address: SHANE'S PLACE
    Chernyshevs'ka St, 13, Kharkiv,
    Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000
    UKRAINE

    So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And for the
    shipping i will prefer you to contact an agent who handles my
    shipment, you can to get them via ,
    they have been handling my shipments quite sometime now .All you need
    to do is provide them adequate information of the items or package and
    they will be able to quote you based on the information provided.So
    get back to me with the quote to the items and the shipping quote as
    well .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will place
    you my Master card information so you can charge for the fees.I look forward
    to read from you soon.
    Thank you
    ****************************************
    We are a factory in Spain, and we have recieved also that e-mail. Thaks again.


    This is for spanish people:
    Cuidado con este tipo de engaño o timo, mucho ojo. Haced investigaciones previas (muy importante)y tomad medidas con vuestro banco. Cuando se va a hacer una venta en el exterior hay que extremar las precauciones.
    Saludos.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hey, Y'all - seems the scammer took a little time off and is now back up to speed - I use Payvment on Facebook, and Elizabeth Locke wants to order about $600 worth of stuff for her shop in FIJI . YAAAYYY!. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to be able to repeat the terminology describing the items - hmmmmmm....Nice Try

    ReplyDelete
  54. Oh..,So sad...,Here I thought I had a great sale!!! I'm in conversation with Elizabeth Lock right now! It would have been $1120 order for me.., what a shame! Yeah well., it's good to know I'm not the only one getting duped. I have to agree with Anonymous above something should be done with this person. Ya?

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'm always careful to not mention what details triggered my scam alert sense because I don't want them to know how to improve their pitch and be more successful. I wrote the following reply (but I put it in bold red text so it looks like an authoritative, pissed response):

    "It is obvious that you are attempting to use the internet to commit a fraudulent purchase. I’m sorry that you are in either such a sorry circumstance that you need to break the law in order to survive OR that you are so lacking in basic human decency and integrity that you resort to this behavior. To prey upon small business is particularly loathsome.

    I have no respect for your lack of honor. I hope you recover some degree of decency and have a chance to live a life that is more fulfilling than I imagine your current choices are creating for you."

    ReplyDelete
  56. I just fell for the whole thing hook line sinker.
    I have FRUMPLES I sell at shows. Supposedly Linda Wayne Kappler wanetd frumples for her store in FIJI -- I had been meditating for wholesale orders for a month and thought omg my prayers ahve been answered.
    I also sell energy wands.. Lindas friend Lucy Millinich has a clay store in Austria and does trade shows all over Europe and ordered $4900 in energy wands and then of course the shipping was "MONEY GRAMS" DAHHHHHHHHHH should have had a clue -- BUT NO I trusted .. Credit Card company approved all the charges. I then proceeded to fall in the pool with my phone. I was wet, soar and phoneless for 3 days at which time I sent more of "their" money out to them and the CC company had tried to contact me to STOP as all the numbers were ILLEGAL FRAUDS with SC address and MD address,, WHY did they get approved? I have had a few weeks of unsettledness and have contacted a lawyer as they did buy backs and now my cc company is charging fees -- my bank is charging overages -- all this and I thought I would be able to visit my MOM.Ah well the bridge was looking good and now its like ???? My company is crippled I am working to stay in my heart and know I did it all with the best intentions.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I just received this letter from Linda. Looks like a scam for me.

    Dear ,

    Thanks for the swift mail response ,I am okay with the Total cost of
    the items and will like to finalize my order but still curious about
    the shipping.

    USPS service has lost my package before and i have said i will never
    use their service again.

    I spoke to my husband about shipping and he advised we use an Courier
    service which he has used before. My husband has used them before and
    he trust their service . So i will want you to contact the shipping
    company via the below e-mail [ mty.cargoservice@fastservice.com ]
    Website [ www.dpd.co.uk ] HQ Phone [ +447024096548 ] Provide them with
    the Weight , Content Value for insurance , Dimension ,Pick up Zipcode.

    They will come pick the order up at your location when you have
    everything ready . I will need you to obtain a quote and i want the
    package Insured. I will like you to get back to me with the overall
    cost for everything so i can complete my order.

    Email the shipping company now and get an quote from them to ship to
    FIJI, I will get back to you with my credit card details to confirm
    your charges.

    Thanks.
    MY SHIPPING ADDRESS..
    293 Victoria Parade
    Suva , Viti Levu, Fiji

    You can quote me on either FedEx or DHL but if you can't ship i can
    arrange for the shipping . Hope to read back from you with the total
    cost and we can proceed and finalized my order.

    Sincerely.
    Linda Wayne

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thank you for the blog: NEW E-mail is now: kattyrudolf@gmail.com

    Name Katty Rudolf!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, I'm in Australia and just received an identical email from kattyrudolf@gmail.com. Seemed highly suspicious, so I Googled him/her and found this blog. Thanks for posting!

      Delete
    2. Thank you for this riveting chronicle! I just received this email from Katty Rudolph kattyrudolf@gmail.com about shipping to Ukraine. My policy is go ignore anything nonspecific, that could be mass-mailed. -- Bob Stein, VisiBone



      Hello,

      I hope this mail meets you well, I am mailing in request to place an order from your site and which I want to know if it is possible for you to ship orders to Ukraine . If shipment is possible to Ukraine, kindly get back to me and then I will send you a list of Items needed to be shipped including Delivery address. Also I want you to know that I will be referring you to a shipper who handles my shipment. this is simply because I have experienced several loss in the past with other shippers and couriers, and will not want that to repeat itself. And once I receive the quote for the order and the shipment then I will commence on the payment, providing you my Master card information. Kindly get back to me if this is acceptable .



      Best regards

      Delete
  59. Here's another name that I received this morning.
    Luis Huffman.
    Shipping to Viti Levu, Fiji

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thanks so much for this blog....My company received this email today which I thought was a bit fishy!


    Hello,

    I hope this mail meets you well, I am mailing in request to place an order from your site and which I want to know if it is possible for you to ship orders to Ukraine . If shipment is possible to Ukraine, kindly get back to me and then I will send you a list of Items needed to be shipped including Delivery address. Also I want you to know that I will be referring you to a shipper who handles my shipment. this is simply because I have experienced several loss in the past with other shippers and couriers, and will not want that to repeat itself. And once I receive the quote for the order and the shipment then I will commence on the payment, providing you my Master card information. Kindly get back to me if this is acceptable .

    Best regards

    Email was sent from: kattyrudolf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Yeah got one today from Katty Rudolf - now stating his shipper will be sending the goods to the Ukraine. They are so lazy they don't even name a single product on the website to make the email seem more genuine!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Have been contacted by same "Katty Rudolf", they are getting smarter!

    They are now ordering products by name and soon will be dropping the Shane"s Place address because thanks to this blog googling shane's place lead me here.

    They've been at this for some time and they are well overdue for their come-up-ance! Mastercard didn't seem that bothered when we alerted them So we can only hope they die a horrible death from a drugs overdose as a result of their ill gotten gains, but cancer or any other slow painful illness or natural disaster will do!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Received this one (omitted personal info) from said Katty Rudolf as well:



    So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will provide
    you my Master card information so you can charge for the fees. Then FEDEX will come over for the pickup and ship to the provided

    address . Also I need you to render me a favour which I want you to help me source for Blackberry Bold 9790 Bold 5 (4qty), kindly get

    back to me if you are able to help me in buying this phones.
    I look forward to read from you soon.

    Regards

    ReplyDelete
  64. Got one from "Katty Rudolf" as well, shipping address:
    SHANE'S PLACE
    Chernyshevs'ka St, 13, Kharkiv,
    Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000
    UKRAINE

    Thanks for your blog ;-D

    ReplyDelete
  65. thanks much for posting. I did not reply to today's email from kattyrudolf@gmail.com:
    Hello,
    I hope this mail meets you well, I am mailing in request to place
    an order from your site and which I want to know if it is possible for you
    to ship orders to Poland . If shipment is possible to Poland, kindly get
    back to me and then I will send you a list of Items needed to be shipped
    including Delivery address. Also I want you to know that I will be referring
    you to a shipper who handles my shipment. this is simply because I have
    experienced several loss in the past with other shippers and couriers, and
    will not want that to repeat itself. And once I receive the quote for the
    order and the shipment then I will commence on the payment, providing you my
    Master card information. Kindly get back to me if this is acceptable .
    Best regards

    ReplyDelete
  66. August 9, 2012 Thanks for the postings. We received email from kattyrudolf@gmail.com as well. Wanting an order shipped to Poland. Never responded beyond acknowledging that the email was received.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Got this mail too and was suspicious about the whole show knowing that I don't have any company and neither do i have shipping company

    ReplyDelete
  68. Thanks for this blog posting! I work at a publishing company, and we received a specific order from Katty Rudolf (still kattyrudolf@gmail.com), which raised my suspicion enough to find this discussion through a web search.

    She is now using this address:

    Centrum Handlowe Madison
    ul. Rajska 10 (II pietro)
    Poland

    She also said this:

    "So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And for the
    shipping i will prefer you to contact an agent who handles my
    shipment, you can to get them via ,
    they have been handling my shipments quite sometime now .All you need
    to do is provide them adequate information of the items or package and
    they will be able to quote you based on the information provided.So
    get back to me with the quote to the items and the shipping quote as
    well .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will provide
    you my Master card information so you can charge for the fees.I look forward
    to read from you soon.
    Thank you"

    ReplyDelete
  69. Same scam name Luis Huffman.

    This is the best way to expose their shady business inquiries."Idiots"


    Thanks,

    ReplyDelete
  70. I JUST GOT THIS ONE OCTOBER 4, 2012
    Dear,

    My name is Luis Huffman, I saw some of your works which i really loved and i will like to purchase them, But i will like to know if you can ship to FIJI ISLAND. I am from Baltimore, Maryland, Got married last year and moved down to Fiji Island with my husband.

    In regards to payment do you accept Master credit card. kindly get back to me so i can send you the list of arts i am interested in ordering.

    I will await your prompt response,
    Sincerely.



    Luis Huffman
    Baltimore , MD 21244
    Tel : (301) 747-6295

    ReplyDelete
  71. I was aware of these scambugs but decided to indulge by sending a response. And look what I got. 4 years plus and not a word has changed. Grow up kiddo!

    "
    Delivery Address: Via Torino, 2, 20123 Milano, Italy

    So i want you to provide me the total quote to the items .And for the
    shipping i will prefer you to contact an agent who handles my
    shipment, you can to get them via email : trevocargo@yahoo.com .
    Contact person: Mary Curtis, State this Customer ID:7889y76. they
    have been handling my shipments quite sometime now .All you need to do
    is provide them adequate information of the items or package and they
    will be able to quote you based on the information provided.So get
    back to me with the quote to the items and the shipping quote as well
    .And if these quote have been confirmed and suitable i will provide
    you my Credit card information so you make charges to my cards
    manually on your end for the order and shipping fees.I look forward to
    read from you


    Johnson Ives
    johnsonsive@aol.com
    "

    ReplyDelete