I wanted to give everone a update on this matter and let you know what came of it. Well after I put a hold on the check with my bank. come to find out 2 days later the check cleared. They did not put a hold on it at all or they could not stop it or find it. Well I just decided then that I would still not touch the cash because I knew this was too good to be true. 5 days later I am checking my bank records online and what do you know, no more money. It was gone. the check came back to me as a counterfiet. Wow so much to go through. The guy still e-mails me to say where is my money I know you have it. I finally just told him  that I contacted the FBI and gave them all of his info. Well, I said much more than that. I was a little nasty about it. But it did work out for the best. I was smart enough not to be greedy(which I am not) and spend that money. No one got hurt. Now that it is over I do want to divulge the mans name just in case anyone gets this same guy.

Steven Turtur saying he is from the UK but clearly not a british accent.
[email protected]

BE so very careful. You can get the money and then its gone.

Be safe,
January Class

-- Modified on 1/25/2004 12:41:22 AM

Thanks for the update baby. I've been thinking of you and wondering how this all turned out for you.  I'm glad you didn't get burned and left holding the bag.

There are just some basically mean people out there who want to take advantage of good hearted people.  Thanks for the update on this one.

Take care,
Ken

With the advent of home computer printers these guys are making their own Cashiers Checks and the bank they are written on has no idea of what is going on.  It is sad when even Cashiers Checks are subject to scam.  Just a word to beware.

Glad it worked out for you!

Strange how they are targeting providers. I'm happy to hear you are wise enough not to have spent the money as the banks will not be sympathetic even though they should not clear funds without full valid transfers.

Here is a little information how this scam works - it is a variation of the Nigerian Money Transfer Scam

NEW COUNTERFEIT CHECK VARIATION
Other new tricks on this old scam involve a response to an online offer to sell or auction goods (usually expensive items).  Here is how the new scam may unfold:

The con artist "buyer" emails the seller to express interest in the item, offering to pay with a U.S. bank cashier's check.  

Once the offer is accepted, the "buyer" makes some excuse for sending a cashier's check that is several thousand dollars more than the cost of the item and wants the seller to send excess money:

1) to cover transportation costs for the purchased good;
2) because the buyer's secretary made a mistake and put the wrong check in the envelope;
3) with the purchased product; or
4) to a third party to cover an existing debt.

Credibility is added to the ploy when the "buyer" insists that the money only be sent after the cashier's check clears.

The cashier's check is an elaborate counterfeit and it takes the bank longer than usual to discover the fake.  

The seller thinks they have received a good check and sends the goods and the “extra” cash.

The bank notifies the seller the cashier’s check is a counterfeit and removes the check amount from the seller’s account.  The seller lost the goods and cash.

COUNTERFEIT CASHIER’S CHECK ALERT
Consumers must be alert to the fact that just because money from the check may be made quickly available doesn't mean a check is valid.  The check must go back to the originating bank and it must clear.  This process can take several days and, in the case of an elaborate counterfeit, may take a few weeks.

REPORT ADVANCED FEE FRAUD
It is important to be alert to any sign that a vulnerable family member or friends are being victimized and to discuss such fraud with loved ones and their caregivers.  If you or any member of your family has been a victim of any form of the Nigerian scam, contact the United States Secret Service, the lead agency fighting this fraud at 202-406-5572.  If you receive an email relating to advanced fee fraud, please forward the email to the Secret Service at: [email protected].

Nifty!  No sting.  Think I'll e-mail him and ask for a loan.

And remember some people are just a** holes.


Shaye