Dog Community

Gotta be a scam ?? Anyone get this? (callie)

Posted : 10/7/2012 11:55:07 AM

[Edited to take out phoney email -- in light of what I posted below I've now gotten several of these from different "addresses"]

I am NOT on Craigslist - I've never ever been on the website at all. I just got this in my 'home' email (i.e., not my yahoo account but the one that bounces off critturs). I've reported it as phishing, but this made my heart stop for so MANY reasons. I'm going to include the address just because this is so very very wrong. I hope this has nothing to do with dogs for real (they don't even ask where you are) and it's just another variation of the "HI: I'M A WEALTHY PERSON FROM A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY I WANT TO GIVE YOU ...."crap. But it still made my heart stop.

From: john micheal [mailto: ..... UTTER CRAP@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2012 4:29 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Pet Adoption.

Dear Sir/Madam

I would love to make an inquiry about your pet that you posted on Craigslist, do you still have the pet up for adoption? if yes i would love to adopt your pet to be part of my lovely family, if you're looking for a good family to re-home your pet, i can assure you that my family is the best, also i will appreciate more picture if available for more satisfaction and do let me know your last asking price. Hope the pet is in good condition and up to date on shot? if not we can take care of the shot we promise. thanks and Reply asap.

Best Regards

John and family

shamrockmommy

Posted : 10/7/2012 12:07:06 PM

Sounds very scamy for who knows what purpose :(

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/7/2012 12:17:26 PM

Just since I posted that a few minutes ago I've gotten FOUR more emails -- all saying "saw your post on Craigslist" -- 2 from hotmail, 1 gmail, and 1 yahoo -- some with mixed taglines (one said something about "simple pet care" and the others ostensibily as job opportunities -- the pet care one said nothing about pet care inside the message.

For heaven's sake no one reply to these if you get them.

It's just odd -- b/c I've never been to craiglist so no one got my email from there.

DougB

Posted : 10/7/2012 12:22:16 PM

They will send you a check to cover the cost of the dog and shipping. It will be for plenty extra, just to be sure it covers all expenses. Send them the change. The dog goes nowhere-you lose the dog and the carrier. The check bounces after you send them their change. You have to reimburse the bank for the check, and are now out the dog and the money. It has worked in the past, with people selling cars, furniture, anything. Dealing with Nigerian nobility can be difficult.

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/7/2012 12:43:12 PM

I know it's a scam, Doug -- I've just never had one talking about dogs before and they sure didn't get my email from Craiglist (but since most everyone does it's probably a relatively safe guess).

I have my own website, Doug -- we just don't sell anything (never have, never will) -- I can get upwards of 2,000 to 3,000 spam emails a day and usually my spam filter catches most of it. This is just a new twist that's unpleasant.

DougB

Posted : 10/7/2012 2:24:48 PM

I know you know. But for the uninitiated, it can be a steep and expensive learning curve. I have read about people actually shipping a dog, then never being able to find it again. I know a woman who fell for the "I need to get money from this account but cannot use regular channels. Keep $500, send me the rest." She lost about $5000, and she should have known better.

I imagine that they just send to any and every website they can find. Only takes one or two out of thousands for a nice payday.

I do feel deprived though. I only get one or two emails a day. Technology seems to be a very mixed blessing.

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/7/2012 2:37:47 PM

When my Dad (he's 88 now) first got online about 5 years ago I had the TOUGHEST time trying to convince him he did *not* need to answer every email like that.

I've had thousands of them but I've honestly never seen this dog angle. Usually Mrs. S from the Ivory Coast of something has a legacy from her politically-oriented husband or something.

Poor Doug -- you mean you don't have 30 friends sending you inane forwards??

griffinej5

Posted : 10/8/2012 8:43:37 AM

DougB
Dealing with Nigerian nobility can be difficult.

I love you Doug.