Possible Scam -- anyone else get this email?

[Chef_Andrea]

I recently got an email from a man named Rodman who claims to be an event planner from Nigeria/Liberia -- as follows:

Good Day Sir/Ma,

I am RODMAN one of Event American agent planner in both Liberia and Nigeria.
There will be a meeting which will be held in your state and we like to know if you can be our cater for the meeting for 3 days and also if you can get us a venue around for the
meeting.


He went on to list the dates they needed catering, but I wasn't available, so I told him I couldn't do it. I just got another email saying that the meeting has been changed, and it happens to be dates I can do.

I'm wondering if this is a scam or the real thing. There have been many email scams from Africa, so I'm wary, but I don't want to blow off a real customer.

Has anyone else in the New England area -- or other parts of the country -- gotten an email like this? Do you think it's real or not?

For the time being, I'm responding as though it's real, but am moving with caution. If you've gotten the same email, please let me know.

thanks
Chef Andrea

[Lorraine]

Liberia and Nigeria. I say it's a scam.

[Flattop]

Email and ask for them to call you to nail down the details.

The scams almost always say something about you giving them cash so you can get a larger sum for yourself. Any angles like this?

US Scam guide

[mark1]

I'd put it up around 95% certain it's a scam, and the easy way to find out is to email the dude and say that you require a thousand dollar deposit, as you do from all offshore clients, before you take it any further.
If, as I suspect, you'll never hear from him again, then voila, it's a scam!

[SaraCooks]

I'd put it up around 95% certain it's a scam, and the easy way to find out is to email the dude and say that you require a thousand dollar deposit, as you do from all offshore clients, before you take it any further.
If, as I suspect, you'll never hear from him again, then voila, it's a scam!

And full payment 30 days before the event.

[Derek Cooks]

In the meantime, if Rodman requires your social security number, your date of birth, driver's license number and bank account numbers...just to make sure you are able to cater the event of course...

[Silverfox]

[quote...And full payment 30 days before the event. [/quote]Careful guys 'n gals, that's the "trap" in many of these scams.

You quote a price, say for argument's sake $2,000. No problem, they mail you a "certified check", but the amount is, oh say, $4,500.

When you contact them about the overpayment,they say "oh, that's no problem, simply sent a check for the overpayment to our son/daughter/nephew/niece/whoever. In fact, they might even suggest that in a note with the "cashiers check".

What's the catch, you ask? Simple, the "cashiers check" is either bogus or stolen, your bank honors it and pays your check for the overpayment, 10 days later your bank calls to inform you about the bogus/stolen "cahiers check" and please fix your $4,500 overdraft as soon as possible.

The very least you lose is the "overpayment".

IMHO, I have NEVER been contacted by an unknown, off-shore, potential client by email that has been legitimate.

[Frantastic]

It's a scam.

[mark1]

Don't think I've heard of "overpayment" by certified check in one of these scams, but if it is a used ploy, it shouldn't be a problem as the recipient of an offshore check should "never" do anything until the check clears, and if you do, more fool you.

[Silverfox]

Don't think I've heard of "overpayment" by certified check in one of these scams, but if it is a used ploy, it shouldn't be a problem as the recipient of an offshore check should "never" do anything until the check clears, and if you do, more fool you.

Ah yes, but, apparently, the "certified check" appears legitimate and only shows up fraudulant 10-15 days later, after your bank has accepted it.

[Lorraine]

overpayment" by certified check in one of these scams

Shel, it is. We were notified at work a few weeks ago by the RCMP that Nigerian scams are on the rise again. When I see "Nigeria" in an email, I delete it. If you reply, then they think you're interested. It is nothing short of amazing how many people get taken in.

[quote] only shows up fraudulant 10-15 days later, quote]

If the cheque is from out of country, it could take much longer.

[mark1]

When I wrote 95% certain it was a scam if Nigeria is involved, LOL, think I was being generous, more like 99.99%!
So a banking question Lorraine, if the bank "accepts" a third party check that you deposit and makes funds available without waiting for clearance, isn't the bank liable if later, the check proves to be fraudulent?

[Lorraine]

Nope. If you cash the cheque, or deposit it, and it is returned for whatever reason, you're liable, not the bank.

[SaraCooks]

Nope. If you cash the cheque, or deposit it, and it is returned for whatever reason, you're liable, not the bank.

Unfortunately true.
my father-in-law had a large business check come back on him 3 weeks after he'd used the money to keep his place going.
It was an unholy mess.

[ColinHawaii]

I got the same email but from a guy who couldn't even spell his last name the same twice! I am sure it is a scam. From Nigeria..for sure it is.