Posted this on the LA board-but this guy travels and pulls the same scam. So thought it was worth posting on the national board as well
Everyone these details come from some LA and OC providers who this guy has attempted to fleece.
A guy who calls himself Ernest (he has used other names too) calls providers and offers $7000 to take them on a week-long mexican riviera cruise at the beginning of Feb. He asks you to be his "personal assistant" Says he's an investment banker with an unnamed large LA investment bank. Says he'll pay half up front, other half when you board the ship, but first must meet you for coffee. wants to meet really early in the morning. He's a very smooth talker and insists you meet him in his hotel room for coffee. He says in writing -direct quote here (his spelling, not mine) - "Please do not solict me and I will not solict you. We both have to much to loose by doing such a dumb thing."
According to one provider I know went to see him and he was at a quality inn in Anaheim -first red flag -cheap hotel; He is a black man, apparently with cerebral palsy of some sort, 5-5, 120, old-wire rimmed glasses. Another provider also got the same call with the same scam.
He talks to the provider for a while, then wants to get comfortable and have a session -but has NO $$$$. insists he'll pay you later. Love that -sex now, pay later. Had the moxie to suggest he take the provider to Lake Tahoe this weekend (but stressed that his corporate jet was unavailable).
He did not appear dangerous -but when you do a search on his name on the internet, he has assaulted other people in the past and the police appear to be actively looking for him (see link below).
Below is a link to another scam he's tried on some actresses.
Also, A check on the guy online (done by one of the providers who was seen by him -but not ripped off) turned up these two interesting links
I read this, and read the one on the SD board, and I'm wondering, how does one begin believing the caller anyway?
Is it just me, or am I not getting something? I mean, just reading both of the posts, and from what you're saying he says, I wouldn't be two paragraphs into any conversation and have any INTEREST! At which point does he 'fool' the ladies? At which point does he so smoothly say somthing that makes ANY common sense fly out the window?
I mean, this just doesn't 'gel'. This is like reading an email warning about this stuff called Spam. Spam is bad. Spam is a rip-off. Spam has attachments that you shouldn't open or it can ruin your computer..
I truly wasn't trying to come off as a smart ass, or smug, and I wasn't trying to downplay or dismiss the warning - if it was perceived that way, I apologize.
I just thought that based on what was written that were his ploys, or his bag, it just wouldn't have gone far enough.
Certainly, heed the warning, of course - it just didn't sound that tempting to me, but might to others.
so what I want to know is - and I guess I could only know from someone whom he's scammed - but, just HOW did he convince you? WHERE did he lose you? Because to me, and the way MY brain works is, I want to see what he did so I can prepare for where I might've made my mistake..where I went wrong?
I don't know that I will have that answer, unless someone who knows them knows?
All of your replies were fine - in my view. But sometimes scams only seem obvious after the fact, when we can't hear the persons pitch. "If it sounds too good to be true, it is"
We are back to the same old rules - if something seems to good to be true or accurate, then it is. If the $$$ seem to good to be true, then it probably is.
Good providers know how to follow all of the advice given on TER. Check out the references before making any commitments.
I also try to follow my own instinct. If it does not seem right, then it usually is not right. I get burned every time I do not follow my instinct. It does not make any difference of the situation.
I am somewhat of a softy in certain situations and I still believe some stories that people tell me. I later find out the whole truth. I am slowly maturing in my wisdom of life.
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