Fencing lesson Scam?

[Slacker]

Ugh. These scams infuriate me. And they seize every opportunity they can to fool someone into sending them "change" by check after sending a fake cashier's check for more than the amount agreed upon.
I don't care if they're from Nigeria, Ghana or Illinois- I'll run 'em through!

[Fiat Slug]

Last time I wired some money, my bank handed me a questionaire. One of the questions was whether I'm sending "change" back to someone who sent me a larger-than-required check. I started to LOL and the other customers at the bank thought I was nuts.

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[telkanuru]

Wizard's First Rule.

[Alexander Kai]

Ugh. These scams infuriate me. And they seize every opportunity they can to fool someone into sending them "change" by check after sending a fake cashier's check for more than the amount agreed upon.
I don't care if they're from Nigeria, Ghana or Illinois- I'll run 'em through!

We're fencers, it is what we're good at.

[rcmatthews]

You could always pass this along to the boys at 419eater.com, if you wanted a little revenge.

[thereom4]

You could always pass this along to the boys at 419eater.com, if you wanted a little revenge.

419 eater lol! The penal code in Nigeria for fraud is 419.

[Joe biebel]

The "scammer" has sent me another email. Recall that I responded to his first email with various questions. Here is his follow-up email, that answers none of the questions I posed to him. That's probably necessary when dealing with multiple victims. Two weeks ago (low work backlog) I would have tried to have a little fun with this guy. Too busy to mess with this guy right now. Anybody want to take a go? Note he has now included a telephone number. I bolded a couple interesting words and phrases.

Hello Joe Biebel.

Thanks for the quick reply.
I am very sorry for the little delay in reply to your mail, I went on a business trip all this while.
My son is interested in fencing lesson, though he has a little knowledge about fencing, I want him to be properly trained so he can compete professionally.

He will be coming specifically for training and to spend holiday there, i will appreciate if you help me to provide accommodation for him during the 12 weeks he will be staying in Milwaukee. I will like him to be in your custody while the training last.

He needs it 3 times a week at 1hr per day for 12 weeks,say Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays or Saturdays , the time will depend on when will be convenient for you ,as he will be free at all times.

I will like you to give me the lesson and accommodation cost for the 12 weeks.
I look forward to hear from you.

Regards

Dr. Shawn Acton
Phone: +44 703 5947 268
scammer email address: actonshawn@gmail.com

[tlucente]

I got the same exact reply. I told him it would be $15,000.

[Zhais]

Boy his son sure does get around. My e-mail stated he would be in South Florida! (Which, ironically, is not where my university or me is located...)

[BoutAfrica]

Nigeria is not a third world country. Dare not say that to a Nigerian. Nigerians will tell you that Nigeria is the best country in Africa.

Nigeria is most certainly a 3rd world country, as are ALL other countries on this continent - South Africa and Egypt included.

So its just your drug dealers who come to South Africa then? If you're embarrassed about Nigeria's reputation with scamming, you'd be even more embarrassed about how they are seen here. The way Nigerians where depicted in District 9 pretty much sums things up nicely. I struggle to separate Nigerians with crime, sorry. I'm sure the Nigerians outside of this continent are very nice.



On a more fencing related note: Ghana now has a fencing team and participated at the last Africa Championships. Sierra Leone and Mali also have fencing programs. This coupled with the FIE backed Senegal means that there seems to actually be some development in that region of the continent. Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe have also just set up federations too but it will be a few more years until they start competing. All of this is good as the IOC sites the lack of fencing in Africa as a problem.

[tlucente]

Your Son will need to purchase fencing equipment, roughly $5000 worth, for use in his lessons. We will also need to get a medical waiver form. Since you’d like him to improve quickly, he’ll need daily blood transfusions and injections of steroids to promote rapid muscle growth. I’ll need to know his blood type, so we can have the proper blood products onsite, as well as hiring a Nurse to perform the injections and monitor his vital signs to guard against infection and life threatening side effects.

I’ll have a lawyer draft the medical waiver form, custody agreement, and other documents. His fee is $5000.

Our facility is in Virginia, USA.

So, unless you need further services, the costs so far are:

Lessons: 15000
Boarding: 15000
Equipment: 5000
Medical: 20000
Legal: 5000

So far, the cost will be $60,000 USD.

Tom

==============================================
From: Shawn Acton [mailto:actonshawn@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 11:23 AM
To: Tom Lucente
Subject: Provide payment details

Hello Tom Lucente,

Thanks for the reply.
Now we can proceed with out any delay.

What are the things my son will need for the lesson?
Where is your center located,i will need the address?
Do i need to sign any agreement form?

As regards payment,I am paying in advance,since i will not be coming with my family.
My wife and son will be coming.

Payment for the lesson would be sent to you by my associate with a US cashier`s check in advance prior to there arrival.

So to that regards,I will need you to provide the following payment details as stated below :

Name the check will be payable to..............
Mailing address.............
Phone#..............
Cell phone#.................

Waiting your response.

Regards,
Dr. Shawn Acton

[edew]

Boy, things are cheap in Richmond VA. All those professional fees are about 10x the amount in CA. I would have to charge $600,000 to make this work. We don't take checks anymore. Cash or credit card.

[the ancient one]

Please ask them to send a photo of the kid with a sword in a fencing pose.

You need to evaluate the physique.

If they don't have a foil they can make a wooden one.

And wear a pirate hat.

[tlucente]

Boy, things are cheap in Richmond VA. All those professional fees are about 10x the amount in CA. I would have to charge $600,000 to make this work. We don't take checks anymore. Cash or credit card.

I would expect you to incur more legal fees than normal...

[Fiat Slug]

Lessons: 15000
Boarding: 15000
Equipment: 5000
Medical: 20000
Legal: 5000

So far, the cost will be $60,000 USD.

Tom

You should be ashamed of yourself. Charging $15,000 for 36 hours of fencing lessons?!?! That's over $400 per hour!!! How dare you take advantage of a poor Nigerian such as Mr. Aston!!! Unbelievable!!!

Boy, things are cheap in Richmond VA. All those professional fees are about 10x the amount in CA.

Shame on you, Ed! $4,000 per hour?!?!?


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[thereom4]

Nigeria is most certainly a 3rd world country,

You. Are. Crazy.

[edew]

I would expect you to incur more legal fees than normal...

It's the "meals and entertainment" expenses that are rather high for me....

[AndrewH]

Guys, you're going about this all wrong. He doesn't care what exorbitant fees you quote. He can print up a fake cashier's check for whatever amount he wants.

The key is to waste as much of his time as possible, and get him to spend his money if at all possible.

Good examples:

Getting the scammer to spend his own money

Convincing the scammer to copy an entire Harry Potter book by hand

Sending the scammer on a journey towards Darfur

The best thing to do with this guy would be to pass him off to someone who wants to establish a fencing center in Africa, and will pay big bucks for a local to help out. Send him across the continent, maybe over to Sudan or Somalia, with the promise of a big cash reward when he arrives. Then string him along for as long as possible, until he runs out of money and realizes he's being played.

[Superscribe]

You. Are. Crazy.

Everyone who's even slightly interested in this thread has probably already googled the words "Nigeria" and "third world country". What might also be interesting is to look up the validity of stereotypes of Nigerians in district 9.

Using your own story and first hand experience with a handful of Nigerians to disprove popular views about the third world country in question is about as effective as boutAfrica's attempt to reaffirm stereotypes with experiences he's had with a handful of Nigerians. Though I suspect he's been living in Africa for a lot longer than you.

I'm sorry you are have not come to terms with the image of Nigeria and Nigerians.

[VorpalCat]

Please ask them to send a photo of the kid with a sword in a fencing pose.

You need to evaluate the physique.

If they don't have a foil they can make a wooden one.

And wear a pirate hat.

Oh yes, please do this!