craigslist roommate scam

This 'Daniela' person, just sent me a check that arrived today for $2,955 from the following place:

Ark Motors Ink
1870 Mc Donald Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11223

The check was sent via UPS Next Day Air document shipping and was shipped from 'Jerry Johnson @ 1923 Merene Blvd, San Diego CA 92110.

The following is the most recent correspondances with this person. The last message is one of the longest I've received from them so far.

-------------------------------------------------------

From: Daniela James <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 2:33 PM
Subject: Please Get Back To Me As Soon As Possible!!!!

Hi Lan,

How are You doing? Thanks for GettingBack To me,Ohhh.. Ian, How is she doing and iwould Be Glad To meet her,Ohhh..How is Your Mom,ok i was ThinkingThat you are Mad at me But am Glad and Happy To Read Your Mail, would You like To Chat with me On Messenger If You Do i would Like YouTo Send me Your Yahoomessenger Id so we Can Talk Much More Batter Over there,Thanks You But do You Know That You know That You are a sucha Hardsome Guy,You Havea Nice job Over there , How about Your Dad,i Hope To Hear Back From You soon Thanks You GOD bless..

Best Roommate.
Daniella

-------------------------------------------------------

Daniela James to me
show details Sep 8 (1 day ago)


My messanger screen name is [email protected] lets meet online to discuse much better about the payment .

Thanx

-------------------------------------------------------
The message below was sent just after I said they needed to start replying to my emails more promptly or I would put someone else in my vacant room.
-------------------------------------------------------

Daniela James to me
show details 2:39 PM (23 hours ago)


why wouldYou Do That, The Payment have be Sent to and by Tomorrow You will be Getting It why would You Open the Room for someone why would You do That, Yes i do be Online But Not all The Time, am Not In aim or aol, Cos am New, To This, i Hope You Get This mail

-------------------------------------------------------

Daniela James to me
show details 9:21 PM (17 hours ago)


Hello ,

How are you doing, hope things are okay , am very sorry for getting back to you so Late
its simply because i want to make a sure Confirmation on when the Package will be
delivered to you with the Tracking Number , but am very Glad now because i just recieved
a comfirmation now saying that the payment shall get delivered to you via UPS
COURIER SERVICE by Wednesday Morning which is on the 9Th Of Sept okay.

So here is the tracking number for the payment ( J2168146689 ) You can check the status of the
payment via www.ups.com, and i want you to be around during the time the package
shall be delivered to your residence,or better still if you wouldn't be arround you can
drop a note for the ups man so they will get it dropped even at your absence ok.

So as soon as you have the payment , quickly get the sum which i told you to send to my
travelling agent because that is more important to me of now,because i have been
anxious to get to the state and to meet and see you in person after a long time of
conversations.

So what you will have to get done without no delays is for you to get the Check deposited
into your Account , for you to be able to take out the required fee which is the sum of
$1850 send to my TRAVELING AGENT via WESTERN UNION OR MONEYGRAM MONEY
TRANSFER so i can follow the next available flight to the states.
With that am still promising to pay for the remaining rent fees in advance once i arrived
at the state , but for now just try the possible best of yours to get the required amount
sent to My Traveling Agent in order for him to get my flight documents completed to the
state .

And please try the possible best of yours to get the money send once you received the
payment this Morning because am willing to arrive at the state by Thursday as the
Contract am coming to do at the state will commence through the weekend.
So if i should by any means dont arrive at the state Thursday or Friday Morning at latest
there is no other remedy for me than to loose the contract and the only possible way for
me to meet up with the Contract is by you sending the Money To My Traveling Agent soon
as you received the payment this Morning , so please and please try to help me out today
for things to work out fine as planned for me .

So here is my Travelling Agent name and address to which you will have the send the
$1850 which is left for my flight ticket expenses to via WESTERN UNION OR
MONEYGRAM MONEY TRANSFER as soon as possible okay

Traveling Agent Name And Address..............

Name............ NICIELI DIAZ
Address......... 462 BELMONT AVE
City................ SPRINGFIELD
State................, MA
Zipcode............ 01108
Country..........USA


And i will be so glad if you could get the above Information written Down along with you
to the WESTERN UNION OR MONEYGRAM because i wouldn't want any mistake with the
transfering of the fund to my travelling agent okay.

But i am sure you will not make any mistake on that.So as soon as you must have been
through with the sending of the money,i will want you to kindly get back to me with the
following informations because there will be an receipt that will be given to you at the
WESTERN UNION okay.
So it is from the receipt that all of the following information will be send to me so i could
forward it to my TRAVELLING AGENT okay.........
(1) Money transfer Control Number .
(2) Full Senders Name
(3) Full Receivers Name
(4) Exact amount sent after the charges has been deducted.
(5) Secret Text Question & Answer.

Hoping to hear from you soon and thanks alot for doing this for me , i will get the next
available flight down to the state and please kindly get back to me because i would want
to know if you will still be chanced to come pick me up at the airport or not because i
can't wait to meet and see you in person.

Warmest Regards

Thanx

Well done on posting this information iherndon. It will alert and save many from being scammed.

The address given in the scam mail is fake "1923 Merene Blvd, San Diego CA 92110."

"Morena Blvd" is real and a Fashion Careers College.

Any mention of WESTERN UNION OR MONEYGRAM MONEY TRANSFER is a sure sign of a scam.

The cheque or money order will be fake or counterfeit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would strongly advise that you now delete and ignore this scammer, because they have some of your personal details. Also be on the look out for further scam attempts.

If you have any questions or concerns please post and a support team member will be glad to advise you.

I have this name from craigslist for a piece of equip. They sent me a check for 2K more than the price and wanted me to send 2K to Diaz. The check was a fraud from Hmac systems (a company I called who had their account compromised) and the check came fedex from a john hill in az next day. Found this site so thought I'd share, here is the emails, I've been sending back bs emails for the hell of it. The MA police are aware thru the company I called. latest emails below..

I needs a phone number and address, Mr. Hill in arizona is very upset I sent money and the company who wrote the check would like to talk to you.
Where did my money go, does the last saw go with the jointer or just the vacuum box? I received a second check for 20 time the amt. adn don'tkn w what to do with this moneyh eithrer?
Very confused.

From: james robert <[email protected]>
Subject: Urgent Reply Is Needed.
To: Removed
Date:

Hello

I am still waitinf for your response Concerned the Money you sent out to the shipping company ,You sent it wrong ,And i have sent you some mail which i want you to correct as fast as urgent today Okay ....
I sent you some mails ealier ,Please try and read your mail very carefully and do the correction On it ...


I am still waiting for your urgent reply .

Thanks

Date:
From: Removed
Subject: RE: CHECK DELIVERED
To: [email protected]

I have sent the western union to Lizzy mary in Arizona
as requested. let me know when you will pick up your jointer.

--- On Wed, 9/23/09, james robert
[email protected]> wrote:

From: james robert
[email protected]>
Subject: RE: CHECK DELIVERED
To: Removed
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 5:12 AM

HERE IS THE SHIPPING INFO FOR THE REMAINING FUNDFOR THE CHECK I WILL AWAIT YOUR EMAIL TO NO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CHECK.........
Lizzy Mary: Name............
NICIELI DIAZ

Address......... 462 BELMONT AVE
City................ SPRINGFIELD
State................, MASSACHUSETTS
Zipcode............ 01108
Country..........USA

And I really appreciates it so much I want you to know that the shipping company need to come and pick up the Items ,I just want you to try all the possible best to get the money send to them ,Through the Information I gave to you , Thanks for your fast response ,I just got your mail now I want it done fast fast as urgent today,Because I want the shipping company to arrange for the pick up..... I will need your response fast today ,And make sure you get the money send to the shipping

I have talked to the shipping company manager ,They are just waiting for you to get the Money send so that they can make arrangement for the pick up ....Just make Sure you send the money Today Through Via Western Union Money Transfer Ok...

Thanks

Date: From: Removed
Subject: Re: CHECK DELIVERED
To: [email protected]

James,
I called home and my wife confirmed a fedex pkg arrived.

Who is going to pick up the jointer?

Again, my cell number is njjjjjjjj

Please call or send me your phone number so I have a contact point other than email

Thanks.

--- On Tue, 9/22/09, james robert
[email protected]> wrote;
From: james robert
[email protected]>
Subject: CHECK DELIVERED
To: Removed
Date:

hello
how are you doing?i am very sorry for the delay.....the check as been sent out to you via fadex you can tract via http://www.fadex.com.....here is the tracking number for the check{796960989542}pls get back to me as soon as you recieved the check i will await your email

Thanks

Date:
From: Removed
Subject: Re: Delta Rockwell 8 x 42 Jointer - $600
(Devore CA)
To: [email protected]

Sorry to hear, hope all is well.If possible, please send me some contact info, address/phone# and shipping company or who is picking it up,
thanks.

--- On , james robert
[email protected]> wrote:
From: james robert
[email protected]>
Subject: Delta Rockwell 8 x 42 Jointer - $600
(Devore CA)
To: Removed
Date:

hey
how are you doing?i was very sorry about the delay of the check....i have been in the hospital for some weeks now just getting back on feet,i will proceed to send you the check tomorow i will update with the tracking number ASAP pls get back to me as soon as you the check........ thanks for the understanding is nice doing business with you i will await your email
Thanks........

Member details removed and emails reformatted so we can read it - Ralph

Hi, welcome to scamwarners

Thanks for the new information. It may just help to prevent someone else from losing money to these scammers. I would strongly advise you to edit your post to remove your personal information. Scammers know how to use google too. Though they may seem like hapless idiots at times, the criminals behind these scams are essentially heartless, bottom-of-the-barrel filth who do not care who they hurt to steal money.

Hi ieracer

I have removed your personal details from your post, please double check to make sure I have removed everything that could lead to you.

I have also spent considerable time reformatting so the emails can be read and picked up by the search engines.

When posting emails, we prefer you post only those from the scammer and post them one at a time to ensure they are clearly legible.

Please do not make any further contact with the scammer, please remember these are dangerous criminals and they know too much about you for you to continue playing with them

Thanks for editing, sorry I did not do this I was short on time and just pasted it with my personal info unfortunately, oops. I will cease contact as you recommended, never thought of these people as dangerous, but then again, I've never been to Dubai where I have been told this one is originating.

^^ No problem,

BTW, if you can post or email me the header of the email I may be able to tell you where it originated from but although scammers can be from or in any part of the world, I suspect it was Africa and not Dubai.

Tried to pm, got kicked back to my yahoo acct.
Anyhow,thanks for offering to look at this, curious of origination.
I never thought of these people as dangerous or whatever, I actually started a new email address on hotmail and sent this jerk a bunch of really nasty emails, telling them their mother f's camels, why third world countries are full of sodomy,etc.. etc. Guess I just vented a little for a few days due to my wasted time and lost opportunity due to these scumbags.

Is this the header you mentioned sending on "scanwarners"? Not sure but thanks again for looking!

Delta Rockwell 8 x 42 Jointer - $600 (Devore CA)Monday, September 21, 2009 6:17 AM
From james robert Mon Sep 21 13:17:04 2009
X-Apparently-To: Member email address removed - Ralph via 66.196.97.32; Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:18:04 -0700
Return-Path: <[email protected]>
X-YMailISG: domain key removed
X-Originating-IP: [65.55.34.218]
Authentication-Results: mta197.mail.sp2.yahoo.com from=hotmail.com; domainkeys=neutral (no sig); from=hotmail.com; dkim=neutral (no sig)
Received: from 127.0.0.1 (EHLO col0-omc4-s16.col0.hotmail.com) (65.55.34.218) by mta197.mail.sp2.yahoo.com with SMTP; Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:18:04 -0700
Received: from COL119-W26 ([65.55.34.199]) by col0-omc4-s16.col0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:17:04 -0700
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Return-Path: [email protected]
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="_8a8032dd-f653-468e-b33c-7fa3b60fc668_"
X-Originating-IP: [41.219.233.98]
From: james robert <[email protected]> Add sender to Contacts
To: <Member email address removed>
Subject: Delta Rockwell 8 x 42 Jointer - $600 (Devore CA)
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:17:04 +0000
Importance: Normal
In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>
References: <[email protected]>
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 21 Sep 2009 13:17:04.0462 (UTC) FILETIME=[CFE546E0:01CA3ABD]
Content-Length: 2034

That header points to 41.219.233.98 Nigeria (Lagos)*

Thank you.

No problem at all.

If you have any questions about this or any other scammer, please dont hesitate to ask.

Man, Still getting emails form this jerk, and now phone calls on my cell which I had on Craigslist.
Here is a copy of the latest email, I started screwing with this idiot but as you mentioned, it may not be a good idea. The phone message was a little threatening, like "are you ripping me off? you'll be sorry", in broken really screwed up english. I think if these guys are dangerous, they should come to my neighborhood and see what dangerous really is. Stupid Nigerians.. lol..

Hello

Wht is really goin on with you there ....I cant just understand why you kept me silent .....You received the payment sent to me and you promised you get the money sent ..

Fine you received 2 payment sent to you ...I want you to get the money sent to the shipper information i sent to you ,so i will need all the best of you to get the money send and email the the western union information ......

Concerned the 2 payment you received ,I want you to keep the 2 payment first and act fast on the first Okay ....

I will be waiting for your response and act fast on it as fast as urgent today Okay

I will be waiting for your response Okay

Thanks for your concerned

> Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:51:17 -0700
> From:xxxxx
> Subject: Re: Urgent Reply Is Needed.
> To: [email protected]
>
> I needs a phone number and address, Mr. Hill in arizona is very upset I sent money and the company who wrote the check would like to talk to you.
> Where did my money go, does the last saw go with the jointer or just the vacuum box? I received a second check for 20 time the amt. adn don'tkn w what to do with this moneyh eithrer?
> Very confused.

Just respond that you have contacted bank and they confirmed the check was fake, and you have turned it over to the police. If he contacts you again, you will contact the police and EFCC.

I heard it may be dangerous to mess with these guys? What can they do, please tell me, because I had to turn my cell phone off due to repeated calls so I am returning every email letting them know that I keep getting checks and I appreciate the money. Yes, I have a life, but this is actually comical, my wife gave me a little hard time until I played back the phone message on my cell and she had tears she was laughing so hard. Really stupid third world idiots, can't even hardly understand the message, but clearly "you ripping me off", " you sick, my time being wasted", etc etc... Gotta love the persistence, he spend 20 bucks on overnight already, phone is probably stolen. If I keep him occupied for even a little while with baiting emails, maybe he won't scam a few people in this short mental excersise in futility. After talking to the owner of the company in Maryland who I received the fake check from giving them all the information for the MA Police, it was obvious from the owners conversation that there is little that can be done. So, why not get a laugh at the scammer expense? If this is inappropriate for this site, please let me know and I'll not replay with this anymore, I know you are all doing a great job identifying scams and this is not related anymore as the scam has alreaty been found, Thanks Ralph!

Latest correspondance, I'm learning to mispell things in a Nigerian way.
-------------------------------------------

I am ok, thanks for looking, I've been a little sik but ok now. you wahnted me to send shipp mony to Mr. Hill is retern addrs on first check, H Mac systems is second return address on check, Third check from H mac systems was good check, others were bad, camel fodder. Hmac woudl like to talke to you. Very good deal, H-mac systems in maryland bought the jointer you sent check for. They pd $600 adn tolf me check you senf for $2665 was no good. You contack H mac systems, they are yhour fri3nds, you send me bad stuff. Pleaaz send morr checks, I still have the Torit model 64 ECM vacuum box for $800, will ship that now, you saeed you would but this am still waittng fro chek. Is $4000 check still good? Will cash and send to Mr hill in Arizona tomorrow, this after teh last trip up to teh canal.

thanks

--- On Tue, 9/29/09, james robert <[email protected]> wrote:

From: james robert <[email protected]>
Subject: Anything Wrong with you ?
To:
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 2:43 AM


Hi,

What is wrong with you ,Are you okay ,You are not talking sense ,Anything wrong with you. You need to see doctor .I know something is wrong with you ,Because this is not wht am discussing with you. who is Mr Hill in Arizona ,Is that the shipper Name and address i gave to you ,

I gave you correct Name and addres to send the Money to the shipper ,You are talking another thing ,Are you sick.

I cant understand your mail .......Explain your self more better

Thanks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:52:51 -0700
From:
Subject: Re: I need your fast response tonite
To: [email protected]

More checks arrived, you much overpay for this part. THis jointer weighs 300 lbs, how much to shipt to nigeria? I will cash the other checks, first one was noo good, but somehow the second check was good, why yopu send so much money? I sent the remainding $2000 to mr. hill in Arizona who was on teh Fedex pkg, he didn't call back. I got number of first check at Hmac industries in Maryland and he would likt to see you, iut ein the bpso of the $4000, is here not wyy??

--- On Mon, 9/28/09, james robert <[email protected]> wrote:


From: james robert <[email protected]>
Subject: I need your fast response tonite
To:
Date: Monday, September 28, 2009, 1:09 PM


Hello

Wht is really goin on with you there ....I cant just understand why you kept me silent .....You received the payment sent to me and you promised you get the money sent ..

Fine you received 2 payment sent to you ...I want you to get the money sent to the shipper information i sent to you ,so i will need all the best of you to get the money send and email the the western union information ......

Concerned the 2 payment you received ,I want you to keep the 2 payment first and act fast on the first Okay ....

I will be waiting for your response and act fast on it as fast as urgent today Okay

I will be waiting for your response Okay

Thanks for your concerned

Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:51:17 -0700
From:
Subject: Re: Urgent Reply Is Needed.
To: [email protected]

I needs a phone number and address, Mr. Hill in arizona is very upset I sent money and the company who wrote the check would like to talk to you.
Where did my money go, does the last saw go with the jointer or just the vacuum box? I received a second check for 20 time the amt. adn don'tkn w what to do with this moneyh eithrer?
Very confused.

>

> --- On Thu, 9/24/09, james robert <[email protected]> wrote:

From: james robert <[email protected]>
Subject: Urgent Reply Is Needed.
To:
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 1:45 PM

Hello

I am still waitinf for your response Concerned
the Money you sent out to the shipping company ,You
sent it wrong ,And i have sent you some mail which i
want you to correct as fast as urgent today Okay ....

I sent you some mails ealier ,Please try and read your mail
very carefully and do the correction On it ...

I am still waiting for your urgent reply .

Thanks

Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:20:24 -0700
From: ier
Subject: RE: CHECK DELIVERED
To: [email protected]

I have sent the western union to Lizzy mary in Arizona
as requested. let me know when you will pick up your
jointer.

On Wed, 9/23/09, james robert
<[email protected]> wrote:
From: james robert
<[email protected]>
Subject: RE: CHECK DELIVERED
To:
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 5:12 AM

HERE IS THE SHIPPING INFO FOR THE REMAINING FUND FOR THE CHECK I WILL AWAIT YOUR EMAIL TO NO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CHECK.........
removed info as it may be real info for a victim -Jillian
And I really appreciates it so much I want you to know that the shipping company need to come and pick up the Items ,I just want you to try all the possible best to get the money send to them ,Through the Information I
gave to you , Thanks for your fast response ,I just got your mail now I want it done fast fast as urgent today ,Because I want the shipping company to arrange for the pick up ..... I will need your response fast today ,And make sure you get the money send to the shipping I have talked to the shipping company manager ,They are just waiting for you to get the Money send so that they can make arrangement for the pick up ....Just make Sure you send the money Today Through Via Western Union Money Transfer Ok...

Thanks

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:09:38 -0700
From:
Subject: Re: CHECK DELIVERED
To: [email protected]

James,
I called home and my wife confirmed a fedex pkg arrived. Who is going to pick up the jointer? Again, my cell number is. Please call or send me your phone number so I have a contact point other than email
Thanks.

--- On Tue, 9/22/09, james robert
<[email protected]> wrote:
From: james robert
<[email protected]>
Subject: CHECK DELIVERED
To:
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 10:03 AM

hello

how are you doing?i am very sorry for the
delay.....the check as been sent out to you via fadex you can tract via http://www.fadex.com.....here is the tracking number for the check{7}pls get back to me as soon as you recieved the check i will await your email

Thanks

Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:25:07
-0700
From:
Subject: Re: Delta Rockwell 8 x 42
Jointer -$600
To: [email protected]

Sorry to hear, hope all is well.
If possible, please send me some
contact info, address/phone# and shipping company or
who is picking it up,
thanks.

--- On Mon, 9/21/09, james robert
<[email protected]> wrote:

From: james robert
<[email protected]>
Subject: Delta Rockwell 8 x 42 Jointer - $600
To:
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 6:17 AM

hey

how are you doing?i was very sorry about the delay of the check....i have been in the hospital
for some weeks now just getting back on feet,i will proceed to send you the check tomorow i will update with the tracking number ASAP pls get back to me as soon as you the check........
thanks for the understanding
is nice doing business with you i will await your email
Thanks........

mod edit: cleaned up much formatting for ease of reading -Jillian

Hi and welcome here. What you are doing, playing along while knowing it is a scam (and having no intention of actually paying them) is called "scambaiting". There is a way to do it safely. You should not continue with this scammer because you have been using your real name/address and information. To learn how to bait safely, please visit our sister site, http://www.419Eater.com. Go to the forum there and you'll find tons of information and helpful members. You can also publish your baits on the forum there. Please do post scam emails you receive here. While we don't post another baiting site, we do profile the scammers and publish their information so that potential victims will find us in a search and realize the scam. Good luck!