Beware of Email Scam of Vacation Rental Owners
July 18, 2006. Please be aware that several members have reported an email scam they have received recently. It is just another variation of an old scam that has been worked on vacation rental owners and B&B owners before. The trick is to send a bogus money order and then get a refund of all or part of it before you discover that the money order was bogus. Any time you receive an urgent request for lodging to be accompanied by a money order, your alarm system should go off.
The emails seem to be working in pairs and are usually from yahoo accounts. They are always in an extreme hurry to get a place to rent for the same time period. They assure the money is in route with one claiming to be a missionary and that UNICEF is paying for the lodging. The other says he had to leave in a hurry for active duty on a ship and wants to rent for a full two weeks as a gift to his friends for their honeymoon. The following are examples of their emails to some of our customers:
I will take your place. I will not hesitate to tell you that I am currently stationed on active duty on a U.S Aircraft carrier,we have limited use of telephones for now because of the disruptions it causes on the Radar on the ship so I get an opportunity to use the phone once in 3 or 4 days,we even take turns using the computers here on board.So I think the internet is the best way to communicate with me .I will like you to give me a discounted bill covering the number of days,14 days in all that my people(honeymoon couple) will be staying in your accomodation that way we will know how best to approach the matter and get this all settled in good time.please assist in making the booking and their stay possible.how do I get to pay you ?I have a cashiers check made out for this purpose before I left, will that be good to pay with. its a suprise for them and I will have to rely on your Judgement to get them a nice place as I am not on ground. I want 14 complete days. I was recalled to duty and left in a hurry so I could not finalize their trip arrangements.I think they will meet all your criteria,no pets no smoking if such restrictions exists in your place. regards
William Cohen
Good Day,
I am Rev. Blessing Opoko, A Preist and Doctor and I render missionary services here in Ghana. I will be coming over to Oregon U.S.A. on holiday from the 12th of july on to the 26th of July 2006 for a two weeks Vacation with my wife, Could you please send me a more detailed description of your accomodation and What's the cost of per week?My Sponsors will be paying you in advance of our visit so that we can
be assured of an Accomodations during our stay, because this is our first visit to the State and Unicef is also taking care of all our vacation expenses.An early reply will be appreciated. Please acknowledge if you can offer this accomodation service and give me a call on my direct line +233276858568. anytime as soon as you receive this email, so we can conclude on all other arrangements ASAP, as time is not really on our side.
Most Respectful,
Rev.Blessing opoko
Missions Cordinator,
Unicef Plaza,
10 Nkuruma Avenue,Community 6,
Accra,Ghana.
