Is this a Scam? Need Your Advice

When I first got this email I figured it was a scam, but now I am not

so sure, so I'd like your collective advice on this one.

 

I received an email from a person in Uganda asking to quote a wedding

photography package for their son who is located near me. I emailed

him back quoting him a package price but then stated that I needed a

signed contract as well as a 50% retainer fee to reserve the date (the

need for a signed contract that has to be mailed to them seems to

deter the scammers I have come across so far). At this point I

figured I wouldn't hear back, but I just got an email from him asking

me to send the contract and that he will send a USPS money order for

the 50% retainer fee. This is not the typical scammer email as his

English is very good and usually they want to give you more money and

forward it on, so I'm not sure what the scam is here if there is one.

How do you think I should proceed? Thanks!

How is he going to get a USPS money order if he is located in Uganda?

I have no idea...I thought that was odd too.

Most likely, if he responds, he'll say the contract was approved. He'll also say (like someone posted recently) that he's going to send excess money, for you to take your part, and the rest to go to another person (like a videographer) hoping that with his check in your hands you'll THEN forward the balance (as you presumed is usually done). He's simply getting you to invest your time and hopes, just putting off the regular bs until the next crrespondance. That's my guess.

You can safely assume any job offer from Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria etc. are just scams, unless you want to be the only person in the universe to finally uncover the only honest person coming out of areas known for their internet scams. If you still have that gnawing feeling that "this could be for real" and you won't be disuaded, tell them that any movement of money on your side won't occur until their check has gone through PLUS an additional waiting period of three weeks (at least) so you can kick yourself when the bank says the check was fraudulent.

If you choose to proceed, make sure any fund to you should be ONLY to you. Soon as he mentions what was said, he would send a larger amount and for you to take your portion and forward on the blanance to other parties...drop it immediately. That's the scam, once you send your own money you are out until the check clears, then the check bounces you are really out.

 

Get the son's contact and contact him.

Ask the questions that would raise your suspicion based on your experience with brides & grooms.

Verify with the church and restaurant. And YOU need to find the phone numbers, any numbers provided to you could be a fake.

 

The other is to ask how they found out about you.

 

Trust you feelings...if it doesn't feel right...it might not be legit. Better safe than sorry.

 

gud luk

Gary

Please send any money you would have sent to some from Uganda to me. I have a direct line to Uganda and will make sure any monies get there.

 

:)

I appreciate all your responses...you all confirmed my gut feeling on this email. As Bruce stated...an honest email from Uganda would be unheard of:) They are getting more and more sophisticated in their scams. We all have to be careful! Thanks again!

Not everyone in Uganda is a scam artist. I bet there are possibly a few Americans that even live there.

 

If the money comes (and clears) without you having to forward 'extra' amounts to someone else, what do you have to worry about?

I just googled Uganda scams and came up with this warning from the US Embassy. <a href="http://kampala.usembassy.gov/business_fraud_warning2.html">Uganda Scam Warning</a>

I never knew that Nigeria had so many Princes until these letters started in the 1960's. It is real sad that all their families are dying off, with no next of kin. I wonder what has happened to all the Nigerian Princesses over the last 40 years. Did they marry? A friend who worked in Nigeria said that there were folks dead in the streets, and if you touched or moved the body you own all their goods, or and all their debts too.

And now you know "why" the post office requires one to get a International Postal Money Order for a payment going to a foreign country....must be doubly hard to find a U.S. Post Office to purchase a postal money order anywhere in Africa.

It just smells. Personally, I'd have to be REAL desparate to even have a conversation past the mention of 'Uganda'. I'd suddenly be booked...

 

Personally, my take is anytime I even have to ask the question, I'm just better off erring on the side of safety. Your first impression is usually right...

That a Ugandan would be living near me (Los Angeles - perhaps the most diverse city in the world) is highly unlikely. That he would be near you, Jennifer, in Nashua New Hampshire, is almost impossible.

 

As an African American, I want to say that these people give Africans a bad name. Not only are the scammers without remorse, but they're unsophisticated too.

 

It'd be less embarrassing to see them get into something halfway useful like pirated software. Wouldn't that be a refresher?

It's a scam. Ignore it. I know someone who fell for something like that. Once he put his foot into it, he got sucked in for more and more. By the time he realized something was wrong he was out tens of thousands of dollars. No joke. Do not reply. Run!

Just a follow up to let everyone know that I sent him an email telling him a commitment came up that I could not reschedule. Thanks for all your advice and confirming my suspicions!

"I received an email from a person in Uganda"

 

One need go no further than this sentence to know its a scam.

Please everyone.. ANYTIME ANYONE wants to send a money order from another country.

 

IT IS A SCAM - I promise you!!!!! Please don't even waste time with these. A money order will come - oops.. they sent too much money - please send some back or send to some other vendor.. oops - the check bounces and the money you sent is gone forever.... Don't do it!

 

They have acessess to the internet. They know one of the tips offs was the language. They're getting smarter with the spelling and language.. Don't go there.!

Scam? As soon as the "Crown Prince's" check clears, I'm flying to Nigeria! I now specialize in destination weddings for little known African royal families.

"Please everyone.. ANYTIME ANYONE wants to send a money order from another country.

IT IS A SCAM - I promise you!!!!! Please don't even waste time with these. A money order will come - oops.. they sent too much money - please send some back or send to some other vendor.. oops - the check bounces and the money you sent is gone forever.... Don't do it!

 

They have acessess to the internet. They know one of the tips offs was the language. They're getting smarter with the spelling and language.. Don't go there.!"

 

Jeez Mary,I live in another country and send MO's to the US all the time.Sometimes they were for more(a little)than agreed on.Sometimes I got the extra money back and sometimes I didn't.You're right that us scammers are getting better with your language and spelling.It's not easy switching to the American language from Canadian but I'll get it down pat eventually.

 

:^}