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Scam artists

The worst scam artists I can imagine prey on those gullible people who like to think everyone in

the world is an honest, hardworking individual. The following is an e-mail I received, printed in its entirety including the address because, frankly, I don’t care if this creep gets thousands of e-mails telling him what a jerk he is! Comments in [brackets] are mine:

From: “Claude R Hughes” [A Google search turns up no such artist, nor one for his other names.]

clyde@csufresno.edu [Interesting, Claude became Clyde so quickly! And Clyde/Claude/Peter has an e-mail address at California State University in Fresno. The plot sickens!]

Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 7:56 PM

Subject: JOB OFFER

Dear Friend,

I do sell my art and painting to people all around the world mostly Americans. I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling my art Works to Americans, they are always offering to pay with MONEY ORDER, which is Difficult for me to cash here in London United Kingdom. [Note that for an Englishman he rather struggles with the language, another dead giveaway.]

I am looking for a representative in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA who Will be working for me, as a part-time worker and I will be willing to pay10% for every transaction, which wouldn’t affect your present state of Work, Someone who would help me receive payments from my customers in the States in form of MONEY ORDERS or TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE, because the cost of coming to the state and getting payments is very expensive. [I'll bet it is, especially since the trips include jail time, or would if they caught him!)

I am working on Setting Up a branch in the state, so for now i need a representative in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA or CANADA and any were in the work that you can cash money order who will be handling the payment aspect for our Company. [Funny, he can get a Cal State e-mail address, but can't cash a money order? Why doesn't he just ask him customers to send traveler's checks, good anywhere?]

All you need to do is to cash the payment deduct 10% and send the Remaining 90% Via Western Union Money Transferal transfer fees will be deducted from The 90% so you are rest assured that you wouldn’t spend a dime out of your personal money. [Gee, if YOU were buying a $1000 painting, wouldn't you make a trip to Western Union yourself for a 10% plus fees discount? Okay, here's the deal: this con artist will send you counterfeit money orders. You'll cash them, sending him 90%. A week or two later, your bank will be contacting you to cough up the money...and now you're stuck.]

*No form of investments from you (you are not going to putin money atall).

* This job takes only 3-5 hours per week

[Yeah, right, until you have to work multiple jobs to repay what you were scammed out of.]

Please contact us for more details .

Requirements

• Your full name:
• Your full home address (STREET,CITY, STATE AND ZIPCODE):
• Your age,#Occupation:
• Marital status:
• Direct contact telephone number (VALID AND WORKING):
• Your email address:

[Now this is just funny. What difference would your marital status make for a legitimate job offer?]

- Should be a computer Literate. 3-5 hours access to the internet weekly. Must be over 18yrs of age. Must be Efficient and Dedicated. If you are interested and need more information, Please send e-mail to peterseacrest_900@yahoo.co.uk

[Now suddenly Claude/Clyde has become Peter? With another address, this one overseas? Do you smell a rat? If not, get your sinuses treated!]

WARMEST REGARD,

FROM: Peter Seacrest.

KING’S TEXTILES INTERNATIONAL

[Art has also become textiles!]

Okay, you get the point, I hope. Never, EVER, accept a money order, cashier’s check, or other instrument and wire the money overseas, whether it is the balance after your fee or extra funds after someone has bought something from you. Websites like the Postal Service’s warn of this, and give you more detailed information, but common sense (an oxymoron itself) should rule. If you are ever tempted to engage in something like this, take the money order/cashier’s check/etc. to your bank and ask them to verify its authenticity, AND ask them how long it will take until it clears the overseas bank – and don’t wire a DIME until you are 100% certain the money is there and the check is good. Don’t be pressured or threatened. Use your head, and keep yourself from being ripped off!