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Ferry pilot SCAM

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Old 01-07-2010, 02:47 AM
  #1  
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Default Ferry pilot SCAM

So I ferry aircraft on the side when I can. I really enjoy it.

I had a guy contact me a few weeks before xmas about ferrying his A33 Debonair from somewhere near Chicago to Boston.

We traded emails for a few weeks, planning, and so on... He was to send me a pre-payment of $500. Delay delay delay....

The check finally comes. The fedex I received came from Houston, the check from Atlanta, from some company I've never heard of... However, the check is for $2500. Memo : INSTANT CASHING The tracking # he gave me was for some package in Pittsburg.

There was a generic note inside the envelope... Email this guy when you get the check, blah blah blah.

Yea, right... Like I'm going to do that. So obviously, this is a check scam where I'm supposed to deposit their check for $2500 and send them back a check for $2000. Hah, if they only knew.... I dont have $2000! lol Of course, I'd have $2000 fewer dollars if I fell for this scam.

I got a phone call at 5am from some guy with an accent. I just told him wrong number. I'm annoyed....

Anyone here know how i can give the check, note and envelope and emails to some authorities? Any fraud police on the site? I contacted the FTC.... They could care less... They took my report, were extremely rude, and didnt give a crap. They wont do anything on it.

The strangest part of this in my opinion was how knowledgeable he was about airplanes. His emails were very believable.

Be aware out there. People are jerks!
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Old 01-07-2010, 03:34 AM
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U.S. Secret Service
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Old 01-07-2010, 04:13 AM
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How do you advertise yourself and why would you ask for a deposit? Sometime it does take 2 or 3 weeks to get all the funds and prebuys done. You have a very strange situation going on there for sure. Deposit the check , wait for the funds to be there before you do anything.
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Old 01-07-2010, 04:27 AM
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Was the accent Nigerian?

This sounds very similar to a common scam that's been used in the "work from home" arena.

If you think that's what it is, Secret Service as navigatro suggested, or the FBI or US Postal Service Inspectors (they investigate mail fraud)..

Edit: not the Postal Service - I just noticed that they used FedEx.

Last edited by NoyGonnaDoIt; 01-07-2010 at 04:43 AM.
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Old 01-07-2010, 05:11 AM
  #5  
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Was there an N number ever mentioned in your correspondence?
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Old 01-07-2010, 05:21 AM
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Lets give the TSA something to do, since it involved an a/c ring them up and mention you kinda felt funny. I would also find out who it was you talked with at FTC and report to the TSA & HSD.
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Old 01-07-2010, 08:18 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by ntbjounin View Post
So I ferry aircraft on the side when I can. I really enjoy it.

I had a guy contact me a few weeks before xmas about ferrying his A33 Debonair from somewhere near Chicago to Boston.

We traded emails for a few weeks, planning, and so on... He was to send me a pre-payment of $500. Delay delay delay....

The check finally comes. The fedex I received came from Houston, the check from Atlanta, from some company I've never heard of... However, the check is for $2500. Memo : INSTANT CASHING The tracking # he gave me was for some package in Pittsburg.

There was a generic note inside the envelope... Email this guy when you get the check, blah blah blah.

Yea, right... Like I'm going to do that. So obviously, this is a check scam where I'm supposed to deposit their check for $2500 and send them back a check for $2000. Hah, if they only knew.... I dont have $2000! lol Of course, I'd have $2000 fewer dollars if I fell for this scam.

I got a phone call at 5am from some guy with an accent. I just told him wrong number. I'm annoyed....

Anyone here know how i can give the check, note and envelope and emails to some authorities? Any fraud police on the site? I contacted the FTC.... They could care less... They took my report, were extremely rude, and didnt give a crap. They wont do anything on it.

The strangest part of this in my opinion was how knowledgeable he was about airplanes. His emails were very believable.

Be aware out there. People are jerks!
I would just deposit the check... and not send anything back. Tell them you'll deliver the money with the airplane ;)

There will probably be a stop payment on the check... happens a lot...

Greetings,

I represent a wealthy Nigerian diplomat who has passed away..... blah, blah, blah
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Old 01-07-2010, 08:41 AM
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You should summarize the experience here:

Hiring Scam Updates - Wiki
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Old 01-07-2010, 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by ntbjounin View Post
So I ferry aircraft on the side when I can. I really enjoy it.
Anyone here know how i can give the check, note and envelope and emails to some authorities? Any fraud police on the site?
I'll be glad to help you. Would you please send me your Social Security number, bank where you have your checking account, drivers license number as well as your passport number and..........

Seriously, I would contact the FBI, This is an interstate scam and if my knowledge is correct, they have jurisdiction. I'm sure someone will talk to you if you call.

Thanks for posting and warning us all.

G'Day Mates
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Old 01-07-2010, 04:45 PM
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I had this happen to me too, had the cops come to show them the emails and fake check, they said nothing they could do about it; so I called the fbi, they said they couldn't do anything about and to contact some internet division; so I called them, and they said it's a scam and they can't do anything about it.

Great system.
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