Computer repair scam slips through the cracks

Hello hello Scamwarners! Since this kind of work has been skittering across my desk recently, I figured that I may as well make myself at home. I regularly fix computers for people in the area-some even away from home while I'm out on vacation or if it's a friend of a friend who needs something done cheaply.

Last month I had quite a few projects come through. These repairs are simple, and I don't mess around when it comes to making repairs. Understand what the client is complaining about, fix that specific problem, then talk about other issues/options if it's necessary. Less work for me, less hassle for them, and a flat repair fee is better than losing community faith. If I can't fix it, it goes back for nothing.

Then Craigslist got me. It seemed like a normal project, fix X for Y amount. Sure, why not? What's that, you want consultation? Phone call? Sure, let's talk. I performed a cost-benefit analysis, gave some advice on work center setup, and even offered an on site visit. It was turned down, but I didn't pursue it. I may have gotten a bit ahead of myself asking for location from a client, fair enough.

However, the person still wanted repairs done on a few laptops in addition to the consultation I gave. So here I am waiting for the laptops to arrive when I get...a check. What? Payment before the laptops have even been mailed off as far as I can assume.

Obviously a scam. They want the excess that was sent "accidentally" to be wired back via Western Union, I have a love triangle of addresses in three different areas of the United States, and I do believe I've been had for consultation.

So, my question is simple. What do I do with the check? I've lost no physical product or repair labor, but I do charge for consultation. Is there a way to get my consultation out of this while the scam is still teetering before the action phase? Though I'm sure these laptops won't arrive, what should I do when they appear?

Actually, let's humor the gullible side of me. Let's say the laptops do arrive, I'm able to perform the job, and this is some larger scam where they get my money AND free repairs. Is there any way to initiate safety on my side so the check won't be canceled? I've got the time, and if there's a way to catch someone or actually make an honest wage from a dishonest attempt, I'm all ears.

As you can see, this scam has actually been around quite a while.
You can see a topic about it here:
http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5982
And from our sister scambaiting site, 419eater.com
http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=190067

So, my question is simple. What do I do with the check?

Shred it, turn it in to the police, forward it to the issuing bank, or write "FAKE" in permanent ink and keep it as a reminder/educational tool. Do not attempt to deposit or cash it.

Is there a way to get my consultation out of this while the scam is still teetering before the action phase?

No, but if it makes you feel any better, chances are you didn't help them any, as the whole "consultation" was inevitably nothing more than a setup for the scammer's real goal--using random people to turn fake checks into cash.

Let's say the laptops do arrive,

The purpose of this scam is to turn fraudulent checks into cash, nothing more. You will not receive any computers. You aren't going to catch the criminals, who are sitting in another country. The scammer either has a way to collect money from other countries (against the rules, but it happens all the time) or is using a mule--often an innocent party who thinks he is receiving legitimate payments for a foreign company--to forward the money even further.

Would it be worth the time to alert the business listed on the check, or are fake checks sophisticated enough to pass off as a fake company?

If the company is legitimate, it won't hurt to let them know--but whether the company is real or not, if the account is real, notifying the issuing bank should ensure the real account owners are alerted.

Also, if the scammers contacted you by email, posting the email address used will help others, as generally, they will approach dozens, (often hundreds) of people with each scam attempt.

Certainly! Here is the info I have on it.

Ted Malvin <[email protected]>

Here is the body of the instructions. The scam itself came in the format of most contract proposals I request.

I wanna let you know that the payment has been issued and mailed out via USPS courier services, Here is the tracking # (EO052512115US)...But there is something i think i
must bring to your notice. After a reconciliation of my account, I
discovered that some how my assistant have over paid you by adding the
shipping fee to the money sent to you. , however i want to believe i
won't have any problem with this and if i can trust you with my
Money.Can I trust you with my Money? Please once you receive the
payment.. you will have to get it deposited/cash at your bank, As soon as it clear to your acct, deduct your money for the service you want to do on my Units, and you will be sending the rest through Western union to my shipping agent so that they can ship out the laptops to you as soon as they get the funds, and i will get back to you with the shipping tracking # as well for the units coming your way so you can know when they arrives..Western union charges should also be deducted from my money. The excess funds is meant for the insurance and shipping funds when shipping the units to you forth and back as you finish working on them...And pls do reconfirm the address where you want the laptops to be shipped to...I'll compensate you with $50 for running Western union.

Here is the shipper information where you will be sending the rest funds to Asap.


[Omitted, can provide on request]



(That's the required information needed to send the money via Western union)
Once the money's sent, you should send me the following infomation via email

A. Your full names and address exactly how you wrote it on the Western union slip.
B. The receiver's name exactly how you penned it down on the Western union slip.
C . The total amount sent.
D . Mtcn number (This is the 10 digit number on the receipt)
E . Western union service money in mints

I will be waiting on your email,complete with the details,please get to it as soon as you get the payment.

Thanks for your usual co-operation.

Yes please. WE WOULD LIKE THE SHIPPER DETAILS AS THEY ARE FAKE TOO. Not a single word you are told has any truth at all, except the email addresses the scammer wants you to use.

The English is West African in style: no surprise there.

E . Western union service money in mints