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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2007 > September > 12 > Entry
I do not like you, Scam I Am
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve been getting calls on the Canadian Lotto Scam again. The scam goes like this: Someone calls to say that you have won a cash prize and then the caller lets another person, someone who claims to be a lawyer or a Canadian customs official, on the phone to explain how you have won the money in a special lottery.
All that you have to do is send a cashier’s check to pay for Canadian customs. The caller will warn you if your banker asks why you need the money, tell them it is for personal business.
Usually the callers are relentless. They will call and be friendly, call the person by their first name and ask for the person to do the same. They will continue to call until the person sends the money. Sometimes they send a check to the victim who then sends the cashier’s check to the address only to find out later their check is no good.
It sounds like this scam wouldn’t fool anyone, but the primary targets are seniors.
Use the Web to find these scams and information about them. Scamdex is a site I was on recently. They serve as a database for scam information. Snopes is a good one for urban legends.
Names in the News
A Chinese couple in Beijing, China tried to name their baby “@,” claiming the character used in e-mail addresses echoed their love for the child. The name has not been approved yet but the idea has set off a number of name frenzies all over the world. I like the name-and-who’s-your-daddy era. “I am Turok—Son of Stone.” What a great introduction. It speaks of your family history.
Hopefully your family wasn’t a bunch of goobers. “I am Meetor—Son of Dum-Dum who walks the earth with sticks in his nose.” Or “ Heinz—Son of many fathers who occasionally come around after drinking heavily on payday.”
Maybe we should give them names to represent them in that part of their lives. Teenagers would take the name: ? for a few years.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Lee
September 12, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
LOL. Reminded me of the old joke:
Young brave goes to his father the Chief and asks how he came up with the names for himself, brother, and sister.
The Chief stated that after each was born, they were named after the first animal the Chief saw - hence, his brother was named Gray Wolf and his sister was named Running Deer.
Why do you ask, Two-dogs-humping?
By Peggy
September 12, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
I cannot believe people are so stupid. The really sad thing is the 2 people I know who were scammed were the 2 most well educated people I know. It was a man & woman. The woman have two MBA’S. Her childhood friend asked her to cash a $69,000 check. He works at a nursing home. Can we all guess where he got the check?????????? You’re right! He stole it from an elderly patient. While working at the nursing home he obtained her bank statement that showed she had $71,000 in her account. Well after my girlfriend got out of jail, she realized how she had jepordized her teaching career by being so dumb.
My male friend graduated from Westpoint. He is a high ranking military officer. He gave a 120lb meth head/redneck on the street $4500 cash to fix up a classic automobile. He never saw his money or the man again. He didn’t know if the guy had a body shop. He gave him cash so there was not a paper trail. It worries me that he is part of our national security.
By lizzylove
September 12, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this
Because money is the root of all sorts of injurious things!
By One
September 13, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this
Contrary to popular belief, “certain” Americans aren’t the only ones with the ridiculous name issues……..it’s everybody, everywhere!! Good to see that being reported….
People would think that these scams are too dumb to be believed……wrong! I, for some strange reason, have been getting lots of emails stating that some overseas company is looking for a US secreatry/bookkeeper. They basically want you to accept payments for them (supposedly) from their vendors, then cash the checks, and after keeping your 10%, send the money to them. Sounds like a mmoney laundering scheme, or possible terrorist activity, or possible identity theft. I’ve been trying to find out where I can forward these emails to to have them investigated. Any suggestions anyone?
By One
September 13, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
Wow, Scamdex is good! I see emails just like the ones I’ve been receiving. I wish there was a way to have these people arrested, maybe in a sting, like the sexual predator sting on tv……..
By ???
September 13, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Um, Peggy, why would someone get two MBA’s?
By :)
September 13, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
Laughed at the teenager ? remark…so true, anyone who has lived with one would agree. Geez, Peggy, not so nice calling your friends stupid. BTW, it’s West Point.
By Political Foreskin
September 13, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
A humorus and timely warning about the grift. Internet grift.
I’m a grifter, and vant to vipe your vindows.
By Sam
September 13, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
I love your sense of humor on the nutz and scams out there. Thanks for the scam links. It is amazing how people want to trust other people, even those they do not know. Rule to remember: You don’t get something for nothing. There is always a price to pay. Old folks watch your pocketbook because the scam artists find the challenge of taking it from you their duty.
By Geno
September 15, 2007 5:36 AM | Link to this
I was scamed into getting married, Never saw that one coming?????