I’ve seen this scam several times before. The artist gets an e mail from someone saying they wish to buy a piece of their work. They ask the artist to use a specific shipper and also include instructions on where to send money using Western Union. They give a bogus credit card number which looks like they have paid for the painting and the shipping. But they have no interest in the painting.. they just want you to send the shipping money to the shipping company through Western Union ….before you discover that their credit card is not valid. I find it hard to believe that anyone would fall for this. It is so simple to first make sure that the mastercard is a valid card. Why would “anyone” rush down to Western Union and send money to these con artists. But they clearly do.
I phoned Western Union to report this scam and they can’t stop this from happening. They say it is too hard to monitor the situation because the person who is committing the fraud could go into “any” Western Union office in the world and pick up the money. This seems strange to me because it seems Western Union could try a bit harder.
This scam has been going on for a long time. They are easy to spot. But people fall for them anyway because they don’t check out the credit card number before paying for the shipping. It is also fairly simple to phone the number given. You will find that the number does not exist. They give one anyway because they know that most people will not check it and it makes it look all the more official. They give a name and address but a simple check by Google will show that the address is not real either. Most people do not check.
So…………. check everything out first. Never send money by Western Union unless you know the person you are sending it to. Never give out your banking information.
I love to write back to these people making them think they have a fish on the line. Ha Ha…. but I never give out banking information or send money to anyone.
Protect your identity.
Here is an example of the e mail I was sent for the shipping.
Dear Customer,
Below is how details which you are to send the payment to via western union money transfer or Money Gram, also as soon as the payment as been sent we will send down two of there representative to your place. (Rita Bower and Jeffery Shook) also they will be the one making the packing so you don’t need to bother your self about that.
NAME : Mr Edward Lampart
Receiver’s Address:- 24 Hertsmere Road London
Post Code:- E14 4ED
Country :-UNITED KINGDOM
Here are the western union details you will send me after sending the cash.
WESTERN UNION DETAILS
1.SENDERS NAME :
2.RECIEVERS NAME : Mr Edward Lampart
3.SENDERS ADDRESS :
4.MTCN (MONEY TRANSFER CONTROL NUMBER) :
5.TOTAL AMOUNT SENT :
Important Notice.You must use the fastest transfer at the western union outlet known as 1 minute transfer.
I will be looking forward to read from you soon,Also go down there with a ID either international passport or driver’s license.
Hope to read from you soon.
Regards.
Labani Inc. & Shipping Logistics
24 Hertsmere Road London E14 4ED,
England , United Kingdom,
Contact email : labanishippinglimited@post.com
Phone Number: +447031894728.
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