The evolution
In less developed places like Africa and some Eastern European countries as e.g. Romania, the rules of life and moral does not always go hand in hand with our idea of good faith. And since the survival for basic needs may be tougher than in Western Europe, the arrival of the Internet has become a loop hole for the evil minded to commit crimes in the developed world without the need for a passport to travel. Luckily their lack of education and equipment cut them short and make it easy to barricade them.
How do you know when you have been scammed?
There are different kinds of scams out there. Nigerian scam, over payment scam, uncleared fund scam etc, but one of the most common scams seen is when the scammer takes advantage of time difference in payment methods...and your emotions. Now let me explain this with an example.You are contacted by a person who wish to rent your property. Happily you let him know that it is available and you supply him with the formal information and payment details. A few days later you receive a cheque for the amount and you bring this to the bank. All good so far, but now suddenly you receive an email from him where he ,with crocodile tears, cries out that a horrible accident has happened to his family. His wife and children had a car accident and died or his mother got cancer or similar stories. This should under normal circumstances make you soften up and feel sorry for him and he will now try to abuse this. He will ask you to transfer his money back to him via Western Union or perhaps by bank. If you do this YOU JUST GOT SCAMMED and you will find out when the bank calls you a few days later to let you know that the cheque has bounced and is worthless.
When should you raise the alert flag?
- Your most effective tool is your common sense, so use it when dealing with strangers on the Internet
- He is from Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast or Romania
- If it sounds too good to be true, be sceptic. Santa does not come from Africa or Romania :-)
- If he tries to play with your emotions, such as saying he is a priest on a holy assignment
- If the person offers to over pay you. E.g. you charge him 2000 and he pay you 5000, then the bull is out
- If payment goes via Western Union, Money corp or similar. Accept only payments via Bank transfer, Paypal, cash or credit card
- Never return uncleared funds
- We work in many languages, but since English is the common language many try to write English. So don't let badly written English be your only source for judgement, but use it as a brick in the overall judgement.
How do we detect a scammer
The details we will keep in-house for security reasons, but we can say that we have developed a software grid that filters away many scammers and fraudsters, so most of them never make it to your inbox. If for a reason someone slips through we will warn you later. Obviously we cannot guarantee that you will never receive an enquiry that turns out to be a scam. If you are ever in doubt about an enquiry, then please contact us so we can investigate it further and supply you with more information about this enquiry. Your information may also help other owners avoiding falling into a trap.
Examples on scam enquiries
Received 2003: I am Dr. Robert Radebe, Director of Project, South Africa Department of Minerals and Energy. I am making this contact with you based on the committees need for an individual/company who is willing to assist us with a solution to a money transfer. This amount $28.5m represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of Department of Minerals and Energy by a foreign contracting firm, which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately, of which the actual sum has been paid. Should you be willing to assist us in the transaction, your share of the sum will be 25% of the $28.5 million, 70% for us and 5% for taxation and miscelleneous expenses. I await your immediate response. Yours faithfully, Dr. Robert Radebe. N.B Please reply with your confidential phone and fax number to enable me contact you for further clarifications.
Received 2006: Dear Sir/Madam ! How are you doing out there ! We Would Be Delighted to be Services to your Esteemed company,Am Mr.Musa Bello.. With honour pledge,i write to your notice,I have 2 Couple of Client From Malta, They want to spend their Honey-Moon in your Apartment ... I here by Write to your Concerning,And I would like to know if your apartment will be Available in Junuary ? Could you please let me hear from you ? Are you a Private Owner ? Did you Prepare Bed & Breakfast ? Did you Accept Pet ? What is your Term of Payment...( Cheque Or T/T ) .. Could you please forward Your Bill For the 2Weeks Rental ? I will be adding My own Profit to your Asking booking Price,and when Payment is Confirm from my client to you,You are to send Back my profit,That is My Condition... While i look forward to read from you soonest.. Kindest Regards... Musa Bello.
Received 2008: Goodday, My name is pastor Mark craig,I am from holland,i was invited for a revival in SPAIN and i will be spending 7days starting from april(20to 27)for reservation in your hotel for the revival and i want to know the amount it will cost me for the number of days i will be spending in your Hotel. And mind you i will be paying byCertified Cashier check. I will be looking forward for your reply. Thanks and God Bless you
Received 2009: Good day Sir/Madam, I am Dr JAMES COLE of Brighthall Agency,London .I need to book reservation for a christian organisation from London coming for a Christian summit on the 4th to 7th of August Get back to me if the dates mentioned above are free,so that we can book reservations and please feed me with price info immediately. Thank you and have a nice day. Kind Regards Dr James Cole
Received 2010: HELLO, I WORK AS AN AUDITOR IN AN OIL SERVICING COMPANY(FORESHORES OIL SERV.IN AFRICA). THERE IS AN ASSIGNMENT GIVEN TO US BY MY COMPANY OUT OF MY COUNTRY,OF WHICH WILL ENABLE ME TO LOOK FOR AN ACCOMODATION,WHICH I WILL STAY FOR TWO MONTHS(60DAYS)FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE ASSIGNMENT. I WILL LIKE TO RENT YOUR APARTMENT FOR THE TWO MONTHS(60DAYS)ASSIGNMENT AT HAND. PLEASE,GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH THE FINAL ASKING PRICE INCLUDING ALL UTILITIES OF THE APARTMENT. KINGSLEY
Received 2010: Along with my family I will be attending a conference near Barcelona this summer. We are looking for a house to rent for a week to week and a half after the conference, approximately July 10-17, 2006. Is your apartment available during that week? There would be 4 people. Many thanks for your consideration.
Reading these examples you will notice that their spellings and scam is improving, but so are we. On www.spain-holiday.com we have developed a software grid that spot and filter away scammers, so we can proudly say that we have not yet heard of any of our advertisers who have been scammed through our site.