CL Scambust Returns!

Scam Artists, thieves, and low life's beware because CL Scambuster is back and ready to oust crooks wherever they may be. While many have tried, this site will stay operational for the foreseeable future.

Fake Job Scam

Thank you to the concerned person who sent us this alert.

Name: John Bill

Email:bill_john_45@yahoo.com

Hello ,

Thanks for applying for the post, I quite appreciate it. I received and read your e-mail and it's reasonable and acceptable. So I will give this a go"

I'm looking for someone that can be trusted and reliable to work very well and good understanding person

This position is home-based and flexible, working with me is basically about instructions and following them, my only fear is that I need a very honest person, so I need someone who can be able to meet up with my irregular timings. As my assistant, your activities amongst other things will include;

*Running personal errands, supervisions and monitoring. Scheduling programmes, flights and keeping me up to date with them, Acting as an alternative telephone correspondence while I'm away.

Making regular contacts and drop-offs on my behalf. Handling and monitoring some of my financial activities..

Basic wage is $500 a week .

I'm sure you'll understand I tend to have a very busy schedulle at this point, as I am presently in Ontario Canada, I will be back in Three Weeks.

I think you're the right person for this post , Please note that this position is not office based for now because of my frequent travels and tight schedul es, it's a part-time, work from home basis and the flexibility means that there will be busier weeks than others, so it's a little difficult judging the exact number of hours you'll be doing per week. If you can manage your time properly, this job may even give you some extra while you do something else on the side. As I have said, I'd want us to get a head start with things as soon as possible. I do have a pile up of work and a number of unattended chores which you can immediately assist me with, I hope we can meet up with the workload eventually. Permit me to use the coming week to test your efficiency and diligence towards all this, also to work out your time schedule to mine. I really need to find the perfect person for this job, I'm confident you can take up the challenge and on the long run we should have a relatively sound working relationship between us.. I'm online most of the time as I am hard of hearing so I prefer to contact each other through E-mails, but if there is need for me to call, I will be glad to do that. I am glad you are willing to work with me and i promise to be a good boss. I am also glad on the commitment in working. I have been checking my files and what i would want you to do for me this week is to run some errands out to some of the orphanage home, I do that every month . The funds will be in form of Money Order and it will be sent over to you from one of my clients and i have some list to e mail you once you received the funds,You will make some arrangements by buying some stuff for the kids in the nearest store around you so you can mail them out. I will get you more information on that,I will like you to get back to me with your Contact Details such as:

Full Name:
Contact Address NO P.O BOX:
City:
State:
Zip-Code:
Phone Number:
Occupation:
Age:

Once I have received your contact information, I will get back to you with the task for this week,Understand you will also be paid as well as its important for me to make the necessary steps before i get back from my business trip back to the states. Hope I am clear with that.

Get back as soon as possible..

Mr John Bill.

MLM Businesses: NW Marketing Inc.,

The following businesses display an affinity for a MLM or pyramid business model. In addition their "grassroots" business approach means soliciting coupon books, oil change certificates, and other "today only" offers door to door.

NW Marketing Inc.,
11820 Northup Way
Suite 200
Bellevue, WA 98005
Tel: (425) 284-3072
Fax: (818) 450-0317

*Please note that 818 is an area in California, but company is allegedly in Washington State.


Nobeck Marketing Inc.
www.nobeckmarketing.com
1224 Mill St.
Building B
East Berlin, CT. 06023
TEL: 860-828-2020
FAX: 860-828-2018

*Confusing site shows GM building in Detroit as headquarters, yet their main location is in Connecticut.

9/16/09: Scam alert update

This is a scam artist update for 9/16/09:

Name: Sandra Carter

Name: Jeannie Raleigh
Email: j.raleighx2@yahoo.com

Name: Elizabeth Larry
Email: elizarry21@gmail.com

Name: Broklyn Janes

Janneth Ike Scam

From Janneth Ike <janneth_ike15@yahoo.co.jp>

FROM MISS JANNETH IKE

13 BP 2448 Abidjan 13
Abidjan Cote D,Ivoire.

Dear Trusted One,

Best Compliments.

It's my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I intend to establish in your country. Though we have not meet before but I strongly believe one have to risk confiding in someone to succeed from my present situation and for the best of my future.

I am 19 years old the only child of my late parent Mr.Mrs Jude Ike Native of Monrovia, Republic of Liberia.Due to the series of continious war in our country for multiple years ago, there is this huge amount of eight million, three hundred thousand U.S dollars($8.300,000.00) which my late father kept in a STOREGE HOUSE here in Abidjan Cote d'ivoire before he was assasinated by some unknown enemies.

Now I have decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons.

i urge that you help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment purposes on the followings below:

1). Telecommunication
2). Automobile manufacturing
3). Five star hotel

4). Or any profitable business that moves in your country

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me as your daughter?

2. Can I completely trust you?

If you can be of an honest and sincere assistance to me, i will be pleased to offer to you 20% Of the total fund for your kind and humane assistance.

I await your soonest response. my warmest regards to your entire family.

Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely,

Miss Janneth Ike.

Meet Faith Amuru or is it Faith Daniels?

My name is Faith Daniel. I am a citizen of Kenya,I lost my father recently in the war crisis (political problems) that turned my country into shambles,He was a king, which our town citizens titled him over sixteen years before his death. based on this am trusting you to help me develop my future as the only surviving child of late Alhaji David daniel who is a miner and a big farmer in my country before his death on his arrival at the airport from Paris. The rebels short him of which he died after 2days in the hospital.


After his death my uncle had decided to take all our landed properties including fiscal cash and other house properties, but before my father died, he told me that he made some deposit of USD$4.9million United States dollars as he was hoping to use the money in purchasing mining equipment through his partners in Europe .This money was annually paid into my late fathers account from Shell petroleum development company (SPDC) and chevron oil company operating in our locality for the compensation of youth and community development in our jurisdiction.


But I had tried to search if I can get in touch with any of his Europe partner, but could not get through. this is my aim of contacting you to help me receive the money from the security firm in Senegal, as my fathers partner because I have tried to consult the firm over the claim, but they told me that my father intend to transfer the box to his partner in Abroad. This is why I had contacted you to help me out of this. I am only 24years and do not have any idea on this matter.I don't know how and what I will do to invest this money somewhere in abroad, so that my father's kindred will not take over what belongs to my father and our family, which they were planning to do without my present because I am a female as stated by our culture in the town.


Please I need your assistance to talk with the safe security firm in Senegal . So that they can move the box to your country while I come over to your country to continue my education, I will give you the contact so that you can apply for the claim immediately for the retrieval because the security firm does not know that the true content of the box is money.Now,i urgently need your humble assistance to move this money from the financial house to your country, That is why I felt happy when I saw you because I strongly believe that by the grace of God, you will help me invest this money wisely. I am ready to pay40% of the total amount to you if you help us in this transaction and another 20% interest of Annual After Income to you, for handling this transaction for us, which you will strongly have absolute control over.


If you can handle this project sincerely and also willing to assist me in lifting this fund, kindly reach me with this email. Please, note that this transaction is 100% risk free and I hope to commence the transaction as quick as possible with you, Please this is my email reply me so i can give you the fill details of this transaction.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Faith Daniel

Next Faith wrote:

Thank you for your efort to help me in this my darkest moment, please i do hope you will not betray the trust i have in you, I confidently know that i can trust you, Secondly i want to relocate to your and start a good business venture that will be profitable to us, as well finish my studies.

Now due to my political situation, I cannot make this claims by myself that is why i decided to make this contact with you for you to stand on my behalf to the bank and ask them the possibility of transferring this fund into your position in your country.

I have the statement of account and the dearth certificate of my late father for your prove, Everything concerning this transaction is clear. Listen very well, All that i have told you concerning my present situation is the real life am passing through right now, All i need you to do for me is to contact the bank on my behalf as my foreign Representative, And find out the possibility of transferring this fund into your position in your country, you are the only one that knows about this matter, And i Believing that i am safe in your hand, No body knows what i have and where i am, Please i am asking you for my safety and security keep it very secret and private OK,

I know that God will see us through. Once the fund hit your country, You will now send me money to process my travelling document, as you know now, I have nothing with me for now and you can reach me always on phone through the office line of the Rev pastor, you can call any time from 11am to 5pm london time because my pastor told me that it is the same time with Senegal.

I will like you to contact the European bank where the money was deposited by my late father for confirmation and possibilities of transferring the money into your account.

The contact information of the bank is as follows below,

Bank name : HERITABLE BANK LTD UNITED KINGDOM
The name of the transfer officer is: Dr Mark Sismey Durrant
Email address: heritablebankl@aol.com
Email address: heritablebank@aol.co.uk
Telephone number: +44 7031879960
Fax : 00448704716865

I will like you to contact this bank immediately on how to transfer the $ 4.9 million dollars deposited by my late father Dr.Shery Daniel of which am the next of kin.I have mapped out 40% of the total sum for your assistance and 20% for any expenses .Moreover, i will need your assistance to manage the money in any investment of your choice on my behalf since am too young to handle such money. My problem is that i want to come out from this place and go back to my studies because i want to finish my education over their in your country. thank you so much and may God bless you for me i will wait to hear from you,
Miss Faith.

PLEASE COPY THIS NOTE BELOW AND SEND IT TO THE BANK

Dear :Dr Mark Sismey Durrant,
It is a great pleasure to write you Sir in regards to the information pass across to me by one Miss Faith Daniel whose father’s name is late Dr. Shery Daniel and that the father has an account no 026834093 in your Bank. Miss Faith Daniel in several occasion has communicated with me over E-Mail to assist her receive a funds valued at $4.9 million dollars which her late father deposited with your Bank. I do here by demand that according to advise of Miss Faith Daniel that this bank should grant our request by transferring the said funds into my account in my country, I will appreciate if my request is urgently granted.
Thanks

Then Faith Wrote:

How are you today I hope all is well with you and l have been very happy since you came into my life and l know that my dream must surely come true My darling l have read the letter the bank sent to you and the bank need a lawyer from Senegal here So I will go and look for a good lawyer here in Senegal now and l will gave you the contact information of the lawyer here in Senegal so that you will contact him through email or telephone so that the lawyer will help us to get the Documents ready and also stand for us So that the bank will transfer the money to your account as soon as possible l will advice you as soon as the money transfered to your account you can come to SENEGAL to pick me. Please you know all my hope is on you now l don't have anybody to stay with that is why am hurry to come to your country and also to have a better life with you my life here is like somebody that stay in the prison No freedom No good food even good water infact my life here is so difficult for me to face as a woman of my age please darling help me out am in deep pain l will send you the lawyer information as soon as I comes back I thank you so much for your love and effort towards me and also to see this transaction went successful l really appreciate it may the almighty God bless you
Waiting to hear from you soonext
Yours Sincere Faith

Faith followed up this email with another one:

Hello dear,
Thanks for your ability to help me transfer the money to your position pending my arrival to meet with you, it shows you are a dependable and trustworthy person,dear I have never tell any body about this money the only people that knows about it is you and me no one again knows about it ( since my parent's are dead ) I will advise you to please keep it to yourself because I am afraid of loosing the money to people who will disappoint me and I promise you this from my heart ( I AM NOT GOING TO DISAPPOINT YOU ) and I equally expect the same from you. Now regarding the requests the bank needs from us I have contact a lawyer here and he agrees to help us, He is a registered lawyer in the United Nations and he is also a registered member in (Senegalese Bar Association) he will help in preparing the documents for us. Please I will like you to contact him through email or phone today and when your contacting him, tell him that you are my foreign partner and you want him to prepare a power of attorney and also get the affidavit of support from high court here in Dakar-Senegal and that he will do it in your name to enable the transfer of my (Late) father's ACCOUNT, to your account in Your country.

His contact information's are follows,

NDIAYE KHALIFA LAW FIRM
SOLICITORS & ADVOCATE.
N° 36, Avenue Faidherbe,
bp 11443, Dakar Senegal.
Tel: +221 777 289 507
Tel: +221 763 985 509
Fax:+221 33826 43 61
Email: ndiayekhalifalawfirm@yahoo.com
Web site: www.ndiayekhaliflawfirm.ning.com
Contact person; Barr K Ndiaye.

My Dear I will like you to contact him for the preparation of the power of attorney Please try and contact me when you are in-contact with him.
Yours Favor .

N.B. Dear please copy this letter below and send to the lawyer..........

Attn/Sir,
My Name is Mr.........., a foreign partner to the young lady Miss Faith Amudu, who has already contacted you concerning the documents.Therefore, HERITABLE BANK OF LONDON has urged the Foreign partner and Miss Faith Amudu daughter of (Late) Dr Amudu Daniel, to contact a recognized Senegalese lawyer for the preparation of the Power of Attorney and Affidavit of Oath from High Court here in Dakar-Senegal. This is to enable the transfer of her (Late) Father's Account to my Account, in my Country.However, am foreign partner solemnly solicit for your assistance so that the Document(s) can lawfully be prepared in my name. Looking forward to favorable acceptance and my tel phone number is +..... .................reply soon.Thanks for your co-operations.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr....

Update: July 28

We are advising that people stay clear of the following known scam artists:


Name: Linda Lemay
Email: llemany@aol.com


Name: Augusta Ramirez
Tactic: unknown


Name: Terry Blanco
Tactic: Tutor Scam


Name: Bryon Rudd
Email: unknown


Name: Brian Dawson
Tactic: Tutor Scam

Name: Jeff Lee
Email: jeff.lee800@gmail.com

Scammer Update 7/24/09

This is an update for 7/24/09

Name: Kelly Smith
Email: kellysmith101@yahoo.com


Name: Susan & Ritche Lanclos
Tactic: Pose as landlords with an apartment for rent
PH: +44 7024062089


Name: Thomas McDonnell
Email: mcdonnell200@gmail.com


Name: John Murry
Email: johnmurry@fresnomail.com


Name: Alfred Edwards
PH: +4470331564820


Name: Jeanne Raleigh
Emai: j.raleighm8@gmail.com


Name: Frances Hedges
Email: rroughly@hotmail.com


Name: Tanika Linda
Email: tanika.lopexa@yahoo.com


Name: Polly Marto
Email: casperg82@aol.com

OSHA Poster Scheme

Attention Business Owners and Employees,

If traveling or door to door salesmen approach your business with an attempt to sell OSHA Posters, please know that this tactic is a complete scam. While it may be easy to fall for their high pressure sales pitch, just know that it is completely unnecessary for them to even be at your place of business. OSHA offers free official posters so your business will be in compliance. If you do not have an annual compliance poster, please visit OSHA's website and order one.

WORKPLACE POSTERS ARE AVAILABLE FREE - DESPITE MISLEADING ADVERTISING

Advertisements suggesting that OSHA workplace posters must be purchased from private companies to avoid fines may be misleading employers. OSHA reminds employers that its official posters are available free for the asking.

The official OSHA poster was redesigned last year to make it easier to read and understand. The new poster, called "It's the Law!" is available in English and Spanish. Employers need not replace older posters with the new ones, if they prefer to use them. Employers are required to display one of the two posters in a prominent location.

The OSHA poster informs workers of their rights to a safe and healthful workplace, how to file a complaint, report an emergency, and seek OSHA advice, and advises them of their right to confidentiality. It also lists the toll free number for OSHA, 800-321-OSHA, as well as phone numbers for regional OSHA offices around the country.

For a copy of OSHA's poster, visit OSHA's website at http://www.osha-slc.gov/Publications/poster.html. For the Spanish version, see http://www.osha-slc.gov/Publications/poster2.html. Employers can order multiple copies online by visiting www.osha.gov, then Newsroom, then Publications. Complete the order form online, and fax your request to Publications at (202) 693-2498. You can also call (202) 698-1888 or write to: U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA, OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535 Washington, D.C. 20013-7535.

Mary Coleman now Kate Coleman and Mary Brunswick?

It appears that our efforts to flush out the scam artist using the name Mary Coleman have paid off. The factitious landlord who has posted everywhere on Craigslist is now using the name Kate Coleman. In fact this person has even posted on CL Australia using the name Mary Brunswick.

No matter what name they use, this person still claims to have a husband named John Coleman, and would like to rent a non-existent apartment for a very low deposit and monthly rate.

Name: John & Kate Coleman (use to be Mary Coleman)
Email: katecoleman1@yahoo.co.uk, exrental1@yahoo.com, maryforental@gmail.com


Name: John & Mary Brunswick
Email: oldmary90@yahoo.com, rdapartment@yahoo.com
PH: +8613558335439

Avoid James Burrows, Cindy Sarne, and Darren White

The following low lifes should be avoided when possible:

Name: James Burrows
Ph: 210-209-8524


Name: Cindy Sarne
Associate: Sandra Woods
Tactic: Factitious Landlord


Name: Darren White
email: unknown

Scam Artist Update 7/22/09

This is a scam artist update for 7/22/2009:

Name: Dan Miles
Email: damiles333@gmail.com, damiles888@googlemail.com


Name: Alex Wells
Tactic: Factitious landlord with fake apartment to rent


Name: Alex Olivia
Email: oliviaalex3@gmail.com


Name: Tina Williams
Email: tinawils2@yahoo.com


Name: Jeannie Raleigh
Email: j.raleigh010@gmail.com, j.raleighq13@gmail.com

Compliance4less.com: OSHA Scam - Business Owners Beware

It has come to our attention that a company called compliance4less.com is complete fraud. This company recruits traveling door to door salesmen to sell OSHA posters for businesses. Their tactics involve high pressure sales to business owners, and insist their "OSHA authorized" workplace posters must be purchased in order to become compliant with the law.

What some owners do not know is that required workplace posters are available for free over the Internet or can be ordered by phone. In fact OSHA gives free work posters to anyone who is interested in obtaining them.

WORKPLACE POSTERS ARE AVAILABLE FREE - DESPITE MISLEADING ADVERTISING

Advertisements suggesting that OSHA workplace posters must be purchased from private companies to avoid fines may be misleading employers. OSHA reminds employers that its official posters are available free for the asking.

The official OSHA poster was redesigned last year to make it easier to read and understand. The new poster, called "It's the Law!" is available in English and Spanish. Employers need not replace older posters with the new ones, if they prefer to use them. Employers are required to display one of the two posters in a prominent location.

The OSHA poster informs workers of their rights to a safe and healthful workplace, how to file a complaint, report an emergency, and seek OSHA advice, and advises them of their right to confidentiality. It also lists the toll free number for OSHA, 800-321-OSHA, as well as phone numbers for regional OSHA offices around the country.

For a copy of OSHA's poster, visit OSHA's website at http://www.osha-slc.gov/Publications/poster.html. For the Spanish version, see http://www.osha-slc.gov/Publications/poster2.html. Employers can order multiple copies online by visiting www.osha.gov, then Newsroom, then Publications. Complete the order form online, and fax your request to Publications at (202) 693-2498. You can also call (202) 698-1888 or write to: U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA, OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535 Washington, D.C. 20013-7535.

IS-G Sports And Entertainment Marketing Scam - Lodi, New Jersey

For the next few weeks we will feature scam companies and the scoundrels that run them.

IS-G Sports And Entertainment Marketing

300-2 Route 17 South
Lodi, New Jersey

This place claims to be a sports marketing company, but they are not that at all.

When you come in for your interview, they have sports logos all over their walls and a big TV showing ESPN, MSG, or another sports channel. The first interview is pretty routine and it seems like a decent company. If they like you, they ask you to come back the next day for 'job shadowing.' It's on this second day that you begin to figure out this isn't a marketing company, but a door-to-door soliciting company that drops young interns off at shopping centers to sell stupid crap, sometimes not even sports-related stuff.

They pay you by commission, but good luck trying to sell the crappy stuff they give you. Most of the time store owners yell at you to get out of their stores because they don't want solicitors. You go into each store reciting the same stupid pitch to get people to fork over 50 bucks to buy your stupid product of the day.

The receptionist seemed pretty desperate for workers on the phone, and now I know why. It ended up being a big waste of my time. As a huge sports fan who wants to go into marketing, I was very excited when they wanted to bring me in for an interview. Unfortunately, it's a whole scam to take advantage of young college kids like me. If you want to spend 10 hours a day doing door-to-door soliciting at random New Jersey shopping centers, then enjoy. Otherwise, don't bother with this poor excuse for a company.

Report: Drive Marketing Concepts Inc. Bill Bishop

The following account can be read at ripoffreport.com

Drive Marketing Concepts Inc.

2080 Silas Highway
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Ads all over the internet looking for entry level sports marketing people. They wanted college students with all degrees to apply for the job.

I smelled something funny when they called me on the phone and said they had reviewed by resume and they wanted to meet with me TODAY. I said that I couldn't and the 'secretary' told me that tomorrow was the last possible day for interviews so I agreed to come in.

When I got there there was a nice plasma television and one secretary at the desk. Another college aged kid was there for an interview as well so I had to wait outside for my turn.

I interviewed with Bill Bishop the 'CEO' of the company. He boasted about how much money he makes, and how with hard work it is so great and easy to make huge profits. He was joking around and 'buddy buddy' with me. The interview lasted about 20 minutes. He then said he had a few more people to interview and then he would select 5 people to call back for a second interview.

After 1 hour, I literally had FIVE MISSED CALLS from Bill. He left a voice mail saying to call back. I called back and no one answered. The secretary called back and said 'Someone from this number tried to contact us' and I said Bill had called me back and wanted a second interview. She responded 'Ohhh Congratulations'

Bill then got on the phone and told me I had to come in tomorrow for the second portion of the interview but since people were coming from 'far away' they had to combine the 2nd and 3rd parts of the interview into one. I would be needed from 11am-830pm. This is with no salary, no details, no nothing... he just said I would be 'shadowing an account manager'

At this point I was VERY suspicious about the activity of this company. I started looking all over the Internet for things about Drive Concept Marketing and Bill Bishop. The guy covers his tracks well... but not well enough.

I found out that he had another fraudulent company in Pennsylvania... and when people caught onto his scam he packed up and moved to Rocky Hill Connecticut and changed the company name. At this point I didn't even want to call the guy back to tell him I am not showing up tomorrow so I wrote an email... if he calls me tomorrow I am going to explode on the guy.

Basically he uses people as door to door salesmen and tries to manipulate college graduates with little and no experience. He makes huge promises and claims you will soon be a manager in his position making huge money. He tries to claim that he has made millions with the Yankees and golf courses to entice sports fans. This scam is all over the country under different names. Bill Bishop is a scam... stay away from him and drive concept marketing!!

Is John Mark's real name David Omiyale?

The person who uses the name John Mark is total low life. Recently, we have reason to believe that John Mark is actually the known scam artist David Omiyale from Nigeria. It has become our mission to bring David Omiyale to justice.

Name: David Omiyale
Alias: John Mark

New Scam Artists

This is a scam artist update for 7/16/2009


Name: Frances Hedges
Email: glourry@hotmail.com


Name: Rev. Daniel Foster
Email:dannyfoster001@racketmail.com


Name: Vincent Jay
Email: v.jay200@gmail.com


Name: Daniel Smith
Email: smith.daniel934@gmail.com


Name: Paul Russell
Email: paulrussellss15@yahoo.com


Name: John Coleman
Email: john.coleman62@yahoo.com


Name: Carolina & Joseph Sarne
Email: carolsarne@gmail.com


Name: John Mark
email: johnmarks002@hotmail.com


Name: Dan Kleeb
Email: kleebdan@yahoo.com


Name: Andrea Wells
Email: wellsandrea@live.co.uk


Email: judgemike16@gmail.com

New UK Scam Artists

We are issuing a warning to any and all CL users in the United Kingdom. Beware of Rita Coffman and John Coleman.

Name: John Coleman

Tactic: Poses as Facticious Landlord

Associate: Mary Coleman

Email: maryinforental@yahoo.com

Name: Rita Coffman

Tel: +44 702 406 2089, +44 703 596294

Location: Highgate Hill, London

Scam Alert Update

Update for 7/7/09

Beware of the following people:

Name: Pastor Steven Cammons

Email: stevencammons@hotmail.com

Name: Tola West

Email: Tola West@gmail.com

Name: Daniel Lappen

Email: daniellappen8g801@hotmail.com

Name: Louice Park

Email: louicepark@gmail.com

Chris Marcus & Dr. Richard Schilsky

Chris Marcus is sending people fake checks from a Dr. Richard Schilsky.

Name: Chris Marcus

Email: chrismarcus024@gmail.com

Mary Clerk Update

Mary Clerk has shown up again. This time with an address of : Maryclerk222@gmail.com

Mark Hill's Tutor Scam

Scammer: Mark Hill

Email: mhills900@gmail.com

He's running a scam in Chicago's Craigslist for a tutor for his son. He claimed to be from the Chicago area who relocated to Italy.

He claimed that his son would be coming in for "holiday" in the States with his mother, then later on in his letter, wrote that a nanny would be caring for his kid. I grew up in the Chicago area, and to my knowledge the term we use is "vacation".

The kicker for me, he ended his letter with "Stay Blessed"... another non-Chicago thing, but maybe Nigerian?

Jeremy Rose Arrested!

After many hours and few leads, the St. John's County Sheriffs office announced an arrest. We are posting the personal testimony of one of his victims:

Jeremy Rose is a scam artist. I met Jerry just over a month ago in St. Augustine, FL. He presented himself to me and everyone else in St. Augustine as being from Ireland and spoke with a thick Irish accent. He suckered us all with tales of his time in the Irish Special Forces and of his many tours of duty. He sat on my couch and cried as he told me about how he got the large scar on the right side of his body while in Kabul, saving a child from a bombed building. He cried about the fellow service men he had lost and about all the death and destruction he had seen there. He told elaborate stories of his boyhood in Ireland, of how close he is to his mother, of how he loves to dote on and spoil his daughter, Lucy. He lived in my house with me as this man for almost 3 weeks, as this gentle, kind, generous, noble, sensitive, caring bear of a man. Unfortunately, not one bit of it is true.

Jeremy is really from Auburn, NY. He is american born and bred and his real speaking voice has no accent at all. He is not even of Irish descent. He has met his daughter Lucy only once and has never contributed a dollar toward her support. He has been in and out of jail for scheming to defraud and organized fraud charges over the last 18 years. He has stolen from his mother, his father, and his sisters Amy and Kate many, many times. When I first met him but prior to him staying with me, he stole the rent money from a man that had opened his apartment to Jeremy by telling him he was going to get a cashiers check for two months rent and pay the landlord. The roomate gave him his share of the rent money and the landlord was never paid. This man has been thrown out of his apartment as a result of his trying to help Jeremy out. Jeremy spent a great deal of time and energy getting me to trust him and to believe how much he said he cared about me. And I was starting to have real feelings for the man in front of me. Jeremy did steal some money from me while he was staying here, I am a waitress and always have cash on hand. But what he took from me is far worse than the money I am missing. He had me falling for a character that doesn’t even exist. Unless you have been through something similar I don’t know that you can understand how devastating this is, to have been scammed not for you money, not for someone’s survival, but for your emotions, because they get a rush from it. The whole time he was staying with me as an Irishman, he was calling old friends in Auburn from my phone at night when I was at work, telling them he had really straightened his life out, really learned his lesson and that he had gotten his act together. More lies.

And I wish I could say that this was an isolated incident. Sadly, no. A few days ago, I connected with a woman from Charleston, SC that he did the exact same thing to TWO MONTHS AGO. That means that only days after she kicked him out of her life for being a scam artist, he came to St. Augustine and started it all over. While scamming her, he also scammed a friend of hers, an 86 year old veteran, out of almost $5000. She and I have talked extensively, and he told us both all the exact same things: about his background, about his daughter, about how much he loved us and had not felt this way in years...he used all the exact same phrasing, all the exact same ploys to get us to trust him. I am sure that she wasn’t his first time doing this and I am sure that I won’t be the last.

In looking into Jeremy's past I have found an endless number of victims. While in Charleston, he stole the ATM card of an 86 year old veteran on a fixed income who had taken Jeremy in because he believed he was a veteran too. Jeremy went though his papers when he was asleep at night and found his pin number. In two days, he withdrew $1000 from this man's bank acct. He has stolen from a priest in North Carolina. He steals from men and women, young and old, from everyone he comes in contact with.

Other favorites stories of his are claiming to be a musician from Nashville or Memphis (talks with a southern accent for this one) and working on his recording career. He does play guitar, write music, and play the piano quite well, but chooses to scam people for money instead of using his musical talent to make money. He also may claim to have family connections to the Italian mafia/mob, have an uncle who owns pizza places in new york city. He almost always claims to be living off a family trust fund, and will pretend to transfer money from his bank acct. to yours, always with a good excuse why the money never shows up...in the meantime, you are paying for everything or even loaning him money based on the promise of these funds. He carries credit cards with him, but they are either not activated or pre-pay with no money on the balance. But he will pretend to pay your bills for you, on the phone in front of you, with these credit cards...if you call the company back you will find your bill unpaid. No matter what he claims, Jeremy is broke and penniless except for the money he steals.

Jerry Rose may attempt to go by another name. He has several identifying tattoos: one on his neck that says Romans 2:14, one on his forearm that says "Lucy" and one on his shoulder/upper arm that says Choir Boy and has a picture of a devil holding a microphone.

After being scammed by Jeremy "Jerry" Rose, many victims are ashamed and embarrassed and so don't file charges or even contact the police. Jeremy is a clever and accomplished scammer with years and years of experience. There is nothing to be ashamed about. But Jeremy is banking on your silence, which allows him to get away with it. If you know Jeremy Rose or he is in your life right now, do not attempt to confront him. He will just spin more lies. Most likely he will start an argument and find a way to blame or guilt you for the whole situation. Just call the police. Report any stolen money, property, etc. immediately. If nothing else, file a police report. If Jeremy Rose is talking, Jeremy Rose is lying. The only time he is not stealing from or scamming people is when he is in jail.

New Scammer Alert

These new scammers have recently appeared on the scene:

Name: Josh Amstel
Location: Portland, OR

Name: Gray Huston
Email: gray.huston@yahoo.com


Name: Bethany NG
Email: ng.bethany0@gmail.com


Name: Alberto Corona
Email: alberto.corona222@gmail.com


Name: Luis Gonzalez
Email: luisag324@yahoo.com

Jeannie Raleigh & Nicole Wilson Get Around

This is an email update for known scam artists Jeannie Raleigh and Nicole Wilson

Name: Jeannie Raleigh
Email: j.raleigh25@googlemail.com, j.raleigh00q@googlemail.com


Name: Nicole Wilson
Email: nicolewilsonx01@gmail.com

New Tutor Scams to report

If you are a tutor and looking for work, be on the lookout for the following people:

Name: Dr. John Nettles
Email: nettlesjohn212@yahoo.com


Name: Lisa Bruise
Email: l.lisa0000@gmail.com


Name: Roland Johnson
Email: Unknown


Name: Venus Simpson
Email: Unknown

Scam Artist Update

Please stay clear of the following scam artists:

Name: John & Mary Coleman

email: mrycoleman@gmail.com

Name: William Hill

email: williamshill101@gmail.com

Name: Dan Miles

email: danmiles44@googlemail.com

Name: Loretta Gibson

email: lorettagivson18@dublin.ie, lorettagibson2@gmail.com

Name: Jason West

email: artson58@yahoo.com

Name: Lauretta Colorado

email: macaveli200@gmail.com

Ph: 210-209-8529

Name: James Woodgate

Tactic used: tutor scam

Name: Scott Bowen

email: unknown

Name: Colvy Alvin

email: unknown

Atlantic Equity Partners LLC Investment Scam - Raleigh, NC

Atlantic Equity Partners LLC

http://www.atlanticequity.net/
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27609
U.S.A.

Beware of this investment and loan scam.  They offer interest rates ranging from 2-8% per day. They also claim to offer loans that never have to be repaid as long as you put up a deposit of 1-10% of the total loan value. The have a number of 'independent brokers' promoting the scam for them.

Here is an excerpt from some of their website:

'Investors can participate on the following basis:
1. Minimum investment $50,000 locked-in for 12 months
2. Maximum investment $100 million locked-in for 12 months
3. Investment should be made through an IBC. If the investment is larger than $99,000, then Global Reserve and Finance Limited will pay set-up fees for the IBC.
The securities firm indicates that the expected returns are between 25% to 75% per trade with trading occurring 3 or 4 times per week. Given the above scenario, this investment has the potential to earn high monthly returns.

Do the math this is 75% - 300% per week - with compounding this is going to make you the richest person in the world in less than a year - obvious scam!

They are also linked to another scam known as 'Global Reserve & Finance LTD,' googling this company yields numerous scam reports.

FOREX Scam

A new ponzi scheme called www.ablehyip.com has appeared on our radar.  

This fraudulent FOREX trading company requests a $1000 to start an account, while claiming to be in NYC, but they are not there.  An IP check traces back to Iran.  Once the victim deposits the money into their account, it is gone for good.  

Mehdi Mahvi, hosts this site, and claims it will be shut down. After 25 registered complaints the site is still operational.

Local Ad Link MLM Scam

The following testimonial can be read at ripoffreport.com

Local Adlink
17815 Sky Park Circle
Irvine, California, 92614
U.S.ALocal Ad Link – Great Program or Complete Rip Off?

Recently, I was exposed to the LocalAdlink.com “business opportunity". After evaluating this company, its comp structure, and marketing practices, I am concerned about the black eye their bogus program will put on the face of the internet marketing industry – in particular, Google.

First off, from what I understand, LocalAdLink claims to have a “secret sauce" in the form of advertising packages that utilize Google Adwords. Reselling and managing Google Adwords account is no secret. Companies and individuals have been doing this successfully for years and often it is outsourced to professionals who optimize Adwords campaigns – I am one such professional. Observing the methods that LocalAdLink uses shows me that they are novices at best when it comes to managing Adwords Ads. I'll get to those specific practices later in this post.

Local Ad Link intimates that they have some sort of secret window in to Google sponsored links. The fact is they are buying clicks just like anyone else – the difference is they have no idea how to by clicks or build a good strategy.

Here's one of the many reasons why: they are selling advertising packages that claim to be targeted to specific zip codes. Google is in fact set up to do geo targeted campaigns, however, the accuracy of geo targeted campaigns varies based on the size of the geo targeted area. For example, when it comes to targeting a whole country, Google can get a 99.9% accuracy. At the state level, it's about 85% accurate. At the zip code level it's only 50% accurate. That means that 50% of geo targeted clicks at the zip code level are WASTED clicks. This translates to a low value, off target strategy – complete hype.

Here's an example of how ridiculous this strategy is:

I searched on Google for “Corona CA Signs" and found a page with a LocalAdLink ad in the sponsored pay per click links.

Note, the search term I used in Google is “Corona ca signs" indicating that I am searching for signs in Corona California. So far so good – LocalAdLink has a client, Vital Signs was represented at the top for this search term, however, the ad copy is not optimized to increase Quality Scores. This is a minor flaw compared to what is found when you actually click on the link and see the landing page for Vital Signs.

The Local Ad Link displays a client that is only 569 miles away from Corona! So much for zip code targeting! But, anyone who knows Adwords already knows this. It is obvious that Vital Signs will receive zero value from a search for signs by someone in Corona CA. Ask yourself how valuable that click is. This is not an uncommon scenario with Local Ad Links ads - it's their standard - completely off target and total waste of the one chance their service has to produce any value.

This still is not the worst of it. The ads are only shown intermittently and rotated with other competitors if shown at all.

Still worse, Local Ad Link not only wastes the very few clicks it gets for its clients on out of the area results that are far from targeted, but they pay their representatives 50% of the client spend. On top of that, they still have to turn a profit AND pay Google their Pay Per Click fees.

Put this in perspective. Professional (reputable) pay per click management firms like Jumpfly and many others charge a client a 15% management fee for REAL Adwords optimization.

Here is a post from another victim of LocalAdLink:

“I signed up for Boomj local adlink advertsing. I signed the $99 permonth ad. I calculated out my cost per click and it was $16.50 per click instead of googles $2.38 per click. I used Google analytics to monitor whats going on.
I get the same amount of clicks from organic sites. or even my free yellow pages.com ad.

Google said I has 10 clicks in 10 days and only 2 of the clicks were new visitors. So I paid $16.50 per click. Wow! what a deal. This is definently a scam. Go with google adwords. this works. I have over 80% new visitors compared to my local adlink ad at only 20% NEW VISITORS."

Is anyone catching on? This is the most blatant advertising scam I've seen in a long time. From what I've heard, Local Ad Link actually tells prospective MLM prospects that they are better off going through them than going straight to Google. Then, they hype up their zip code marketing 'strategy'. Sadly, it is painfully obvious to anyone who understands Adwords that there is no strategy whatsoever behind the hype.

In the end, Local Ad Link can only be a scam. They have to buy their clicks from Google like everyone else. The only difference is that they mark up the resale amount higher than anyone and then they put the ads in all the wrong places with the worst strategy in the history of Novice Google Adwords advertising - putting a black eye on Google and REAL professionals who actually study strategies that work.

Translation – it's all hype and there is little to no value for the client. In the end, all their service accomplishes is to deliver a highly insincere version of what Google can really do for a business. I wonder how long Google will allow itself to be abused or how long it will take for people to catch on to this scam. Either way, scams unravel at some point. If you are caught up in the ether and hype of Local Ad Link's MLM, just go shop around for Pay Per Click management companies - they are everywhere charging 80% less and actually implementing a real strategy.

Beware of John & Mary Coleman

We are reporting a new apartment scam that is targeting the CL Honolulu postings.

Name: John & Mary Coleman
Email: jcbaptrental@yahoo.com, maptrent@googlemail.com

On 4/27/09 A CL user submitted the following:

Here's another one - same scam as the Jeffrey Brown one: John and Mary Coleman advertising for well under the normal pricing for specific apartments in Honolulu, also claiming the West Africa, missions deal with keys and paperwork elsewhere. The email addresses they used for me on 4/15/09 are: jcbaptrental@yahoo.com; maptrent@googlemail.com

Jacuez Dumoulin

Thanks again to the NY CL user who submitted the following info.

On 4/26/09 a CL user wrote:
A guy called Jacuez Dumoulin tried to scam me.
Email address: j.dumoulin002@gmail.com

He apparently has done this before and he sends the same messages to everyone he tries to scam. It reads:

Hi There,

Available for sale? willing to pay your asking price or more. i'll get
back to you need to visit grandma at the hospital, pls keep the item
for me.

Jacq.

Craigslist Killer Update

We are urging people to avoid the Craigslist Erotic Section.

Con Artist Update

We are urging people to either avoid or scambait the following:

Name: Jessica Spencer

Email: patience_chelsea@yahoo.com, gentility100@gmail.com

Name: Scott Kelvin

Email: scottkelvin01@gmail.com

Name: Alice Houser (Use to be Marisa)

Email: housalice@live.com

Location: Lagos, Nigeria 

Dr. Simon Tyler & Elizabeth Hardwick

This is a fraudster update for 4/22/09

Name: Simon Tyler (aka Dr. Simon Tyler)

Email: dr.tyler011@gmail.com, simontylers011@yahoo.com

*This person has a California arrest warrant.  We are seeking photos, ID's, and other personal information from this person.

Name: Elizabeth Hardwick

Tel: +44 703 190959, +44 703 197 2870

Tactic: Poses as a landlord with a New York City apartment for rent.  

 

Pastor Joe Brown now Jeffrey Brown?

On Monday we featured a con man calling himself Pastor Joe Brown. It appears he has changed his name to Pastor Jeffrey Brown. His pathetic story involves a wife who has been called to service in Africa; and now they must find a renter for their New York City apartment.

Name: Pastor Jeffrey Brown
Email: janebrown8518@yahoo.com
Tel: +234 802 0743804

Hell has a special place for people who pose as clergy in an attempt to scam people online.

Mike Wilson Scam Artist?

A person calling themselves Mike Wilson has appeared on CL as of late.  We are not sure of his tactics, however it could a classic overpayment scam; whereby a potential victim is sent a fake check for more than the asking price, and then wires the remaining balance back to the buyer. Once the victims bank catches the fake check (usually within three weeks) they must repay any and all portions used.  

Name:  Mike Wilson

Email: mytime003@gmail.com

Tina Williams, James Burrows, and Joe Brown Update

The following scam artists have appeared on our radar as of late.  We are in the process of obtaining more information.

Name: Tina Williams

Email: tinawils1@hotmail.com

Name: James Burrows

Email: Unknown

Name: Joe Brown (Claims to be a Pastor)

Email: unknown

Intuitive Group Scam - Mclean, VA

Intuitive Group
Phone: 703-388-2863?
8201 Greensboro Dr. Ste 605
McLean, Virginia, 22102

On 4/16/09 A CL user wrote:
Beware of the Intuitive Group Inc! This company is a rebrand of a very old pyramid scheme/MLM and is a part of the infamous Cor Concepts.

This marketing affiliate is part of CYDCOR, which has marketing offices all over the U.S.Everyone who applies to them gets accepted. It is based on a pyramid scheme, where the Manager and the Owner's make all the money.

You market door to door for some phone company or sell office cupplies, yes, soliciting door to door from one business to the other, get no salary, or driving expense, or insurance or any benefits what so ever. This job is striclty based on commission, and you work 9 hour days. NO PAY! and strictly commission. You are literally taught to lie and sell the product, any way possible, to make your day's pay.

Report: Nobeck Marketing - East Berlin,CT

The following testimony can be found at ripoffreport.com

Nobeck Marketing - Smart Circle
1224 Mill Street
East Berlin, Connecticut

As you glance through the job opportunities on careerbuilder you'll likely see some enty level marketing and sales rep positions. Being a junior in college with no relevant work experience in the field I wish to persue (marketing) I thought this 'opportunity' could benefit me. I went in for a first interview that was more of a quick formality that lasted approximately 15 minutes.

I was scheduled for a second interview quickly after where I had to to 'shadow' the assistant manager in a day of field work which I was led to believe was not the majority of what my job entailed. Sure I knew door to door sales was sleazy but I was promised all sorts of financial 'opportunity' so I figured I could do it if the money's right.

I feel so stupid for just accepting a job that didn't offer any concrete figures or direct answers. I took the job and left the place I had been working at for over 4 years making $16 per hour plus some benefits. I was in training for two weeks making $40 per day working 11 hr days and in the short two weeks I noticed an alarming trend that screamed GET OUT. Everyone there in the office (all the sales leaders and even the people in charge) was broke.

They all drove around crappy cars that weren't maintained well, ate at crappy restaurants and were HUNGRY for cash. Pretty much everyone there was pressured into working 60 hr weeks only to bring home $700 at the very most. This works out to a little over $11 per hour before taxes with no benefits, paid time off, health insurance, gas reimbursement, NOTHING. No wonder three of the 'lead people' were living out of one apartment broke and desparate for money. They were all working themselves to the bone day after day while they're being fed this pipe dream of 'owning their own business' so that they keep making smart circle rich.

I was duped into thinking this was some great opportunity when in reality it was just a scam that takes advantage of suckers who fall for deceptive sales tactics like '90% discount' and some 'free rounds of golf' when in reality the discounts are miniscule and nothing is free. Also, sales reps are taught to solicit businesses illegally by walking into office buildings with NO SOLICITING displayed clearly at the entrance. I was even instructed to hide my 'merchandise' when entering these buildings in case of security guards.

People look at you like you're trash and it's by far the most demeaning job I've ever done (and I've washed dishes and worked on a farm). I'll be the first to say that I refuse to do anything illegal for a living especially for crappy, less than minimum wage pay. Coaching people to engage in illegal activity and requiring commissioned sales reps to work from 7:15 am to around 7 pm has to be illegal itself.

The atmosphere was extremely sketchy and cult-like and I got out as quick as I possibly could. I'm not saying that this job isn't for some people because maybe you could succeed at it but..... I'm not here to make judgment calls on anyone's character there but I was subject to a lot of deception and indirect answers when I had questions.

Honestly, I wish everyone at this office the best and I hope they get out before they lose all their friends and family from the ridiculous hours and end up pennyless because of the ridiculous pay. Mainly, the purpose of this article is to inform any perspective employees of what they are really getting into at this 'dream job' and to get them to do some research on smart circle and its satellite companies before 'drinking the kool-aid' like I did.

Fairbanks Capital Scam Alert

Fairbanks Capital - LSC - SPS - Equicredit
Phone: 801-2932501
3815 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115

Fairbanks Capital, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah is a Mortgage Loan Servicing Company that purchases mortgages from other Lending institutions across the Country. They are the tenth largest Loan Servicing Company in the United States. Rip-offReport.com has received over 3,000 emails and 440 reports from consumers in every state that have been victimized by Fairbanks Capital Corp.

Many of these victims claimed to have lost their homes to fraudulent foreclosure, others have been forced to file Bankruptcy in an attempt to save their homes from Foreclosure. Fairbanks Capital has become notorious for one thing, stealing homes. We believe that Fairbanks Capital has developed a very keen scam of illegal and unethical Business practices to lead homeowners into Foreclosure.

Among the many accusations made by homeowners, these scams seem to be Fairbanks favorites:

· Charging late fees when payments where received on time
· Claiming 'lost' payments
· Demanding payments that have already been made
· Improper use of escrow funds, or even 'losing' escrow funds
· Placing accounts in collections when they are current
· 'Forced -placed Insurance' when homeowners already have proper coverage
· Placing payments into a suspense account instead of crediting as monthly payment
· Taking unauthorized payments from consumers checking accounts
· Demanding payment for 'Corporate Advance fees' without written explanation
· Foreclosure proceedings on accounts that are current

Sources tell Rip-off Reperot that (according to the national average) if Fairbanks Capital charges 30% of their customers a late fee 6 times per year, they will make an additional gross income of approximately $40,300,000.00 annually.

If 25% of Fairbanks customers are charged $100.00/per month for 'force-placed insurance' they would earn an additional $21,000,000.00 annually.

If 3% of loans have a Foreclosure Start, Fairbanks will earn approximately $ 288,000,000.00 annually.

As you can see, being in the 'Foreclosure Business' is very profitable. Local news station KUTV2, in Salt Lake City, Utah attempted to talk to officials at Fairbanks Capitals main headquarters. Many homeowners are taking a stand to stop Fairbanks Capital from continuing fraudulent Foreclosures. There are now over 600 lawsuits filed against Fairbanks Capital across the Country, many of them are class action suits.

Fairbanks Capital is owned and operated by The PMI Group, a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE: PMI), that is a worldwide provider of Private Mortgage Insurance. They are also a major contributor to the highly respected Non-profit organization
Habitat for Humanity. This organization is dedicated to providing quality and affordable housing for the poor.

The PMI Group uses Habitat for Humanity to get unlimited Public-Relation points and to deflect criticism about its corrupt relationship with Fairbanks Capital. We are going to continue our investigation on The PMI Group and its relationship With Fairbanks Capital. We will also provide updates and additional information to guide other Fairbanks Capital victims.

Jeanne Raleigh Email Update

The scam artist known as Jeanne Raleigh has changed their email address for the third time in as many days.

Name: Jeanne Raleigh
Email: j.raleighw1@gmail.com

Reben Allen Update

Thank you to the CL user who submitted the following information.

On 4/17/09 a CL user wrote:
Reben Allen sent me a check that was stolen from Barnes and Noble's corporate office in NJ for 3800 dollars. The agreed upon amount was 800 for the summer + 150 for books. I initially didn't connect the check to my speaking to "Reben" as I'd never given him my address: he sent a check from B&N's bank inside a blank letter sized envelope inside a stolen UPS envelope with a stolen label on the front. Thank God I checked my e-mail and saw that he'd sent it along. Planning to go to to the District Atty in the morning. The thing that sucked the most is that it did seem reasonable, you know, until the whole wiring money thing came into play.

Samuel Smith, Mary Clerk, Jeanne Raleigh, Reben Allen Update

This is an scam artist update for 4/14/09

Name: Samuel Smith

Email: Unknown

Name: Janet?

Email: janet4luv72@yahoo.com, kajanealbert@gmail.com

Name: Mary Clerk

Email: maryclerk888@live.com, maryclerk008@gmail.com

Name: Jeanne Raleigh

Email: j.raleighw3@gmail.com, j.raleigh00q@gmail.com

Name: Reben Allen

CL Posting: Louisville, KY

Tactic: Classic Tutor Scam.  Claims to live in China, but desperately needs tutor for his child who is in the process of moving to the USA.  

John Freider Internet Dating Scam

We have confirmation that the person known as John Freider, a one time CL scam artist, has now moved on to Match.com.  He claims to be on business in China, and attempts to make contact with single women; eventually leading to the issuance of a fake check.  

Name: John Freider

Location: Match.com

Screen Name: Checkmeout144

We are very interested in obtaining the images John Freider is using, please submit them to bhemporium@gmail.com

Christopher Morgan, Benson Collins, James Russell Update

This is a scam artist update for 4/13/2009

Name: Christopher Morgan

Email: unknown 

Name: Benson Collins

Email: kokobenson44@gmail.com

James Russell

Email: jamesrusselss23@gmail.com

Internet Dating Scam - Nicole Wilson

A Nigerian Scam artist has been using the name Nicole Wilson for long time now.  Until recently their operation was on CL, now they are using internet dating as a means to hustle people out of money.  

On 4/12/09 a CL user in Germany wrote:

I have been contacted on "MatchCom", Germany, from a Nicole Wilson, who claims to live in Bayern, do not speak or write one word German. Photo enclosed, "she" is the person mentioned, who stays in West Africa collecting things to sell in the US and Europe.

*The identity of the woman in the photos remains unknown, and represents a form of identity theft.  An example of why personal information, photos, Government/State issued ID's should be guarded at all times.  

Scammer Update

Thank you again to those who submitted the following information.  Chris Marcus has changed his email address yet again.  Beware of his overpayment scam which includes sending the seller a fake check for more than the asking price.  

Name: Chris Marcus

Email: chrismarc005@gmail.com

Tactic: Overpayment Scam

Also Marisa & Kristopher Houser pose at factitious landlords in an attempt to scam people out of $200.  If you anyone has a copy of the ID being used by Kristopher Houser, please submit it and we will post it.  We are also interested in obtaining the email address they are using.  

Name: Marisa & Kristopher Houser

Tactic: Factitious Landlord Scam

Fake Landlord's UK Phone Number

Sarah Anderson poses as a landlord living in the UK with an apartment to rent in the United States. In the past week, that apartment has been located in Houston, New York, California, and various other places.  Sarah Anderson is a scam artist and does not have an apartment to rent out.  Rather than hiring a rental agency to post ads on CL, this person would simply like $200 for a key deposit and the potential victim can see the apartment themselves.  

Name: Sarah Anderson

Phone: +44 702 4078204

Country: UK

The Marketing Group - Rockies Marketing - Greenwood Village, CO

The following testimony can be found at ripoffreport.com

The Marketing Group-Rockies Marketing

6160 S. Syracuse Way, Ste 100
Greenwood Village, Colorado, 80111

Phone:  303-220-9604

Fax:  303-220-9607

What is written here is a true account of my experience and not exaggerated; I would like to warn those considering working at 'The Marketing Group'. It is fundamentally a pyramid scheme and deceptive in promises/returns.

I, like everyone else these days, was unemployed and had been searching for a job for a couple of months- no bites. Finally, I came across an ad on monster.com for an entry level marketing position. I called and sent in my resume, and I would thrilled to get a call back about an interview.

I knew something was up when I went in for the first interview. The office has a main reception area with several chairs and a desk where the receptionist/ HR/Accounting (Katie) girl sits. On that desk are several clip boards with interview question sheets. That set off a red flag... how many people could they possibly be hiring? I went in to my interview with a guy named Yeat, and he asked me if I understood what 'outsourced marketing' was and whatever. He then said they would call if I was going to get a second interview. (This company is all about impulse factors- fear of loss, sense of urgency, Jones effect, indifference- and constantly use them on you to keep you in line and interested.)

Big surprise- I got a second interview. This was a group interview with 10-12 other guys. All of the 'Leaders' came to meet us, and everyone was talking about how much they loved the job. (Turns out anyone caught 'negging out' others is called a 'cancer' and fired.) I was intrigued by everyones positive attitude, and they took us into a little room to explain the business. There was a lot of emphasis on the money aspect, which  after being unemployed looked really good. They said they would tell us who would be invited back for the third and final interview via phone call later that day.

Another big surprise- I got a third interview. I really liked the guy they sent me out with... but the next thing I knew we took an hour drive to a city outside of Denver, and we were walking the streets going door to door asking for people's phone bills. I guess Quest has a contract with Cydcor where employees of the Marketing Group pretend to be Quest agents doing 'account reviews' when actually you are trying to upgrade their services and get them on to 3- year terms... Quest pays you commission for everything you upgrade. The process looked pretty easy, my trainer made money, and the woman he helped actually saved a bunch of money... so I thought well, it's a job and took it.

What a mistake. I was told the hours would be from 9-5.... they are more like 7-6:30 everyday. I had to be in at 7:30 for training and once I made 'Leadership' (finished training...earned over 200 dollar 3 days in a row) I had to be in at 7 for individual meetings. The company is basically a pyramid scheme. Every individual theoretically wants to be an 'Owner' to be an owner a person has to complete training and become a Leader, recruit and train five other Leaders, and act as Assistant Manager until being 'promoted out'.

It is a sweat shop. They have to hired enormous amounts of people because so many quit/get fired. There are no benefits, pay is 100% commission, and you have to spend your own money on gas! It is not a marketing position... it is door-to-door sales. The company feed off of recent graduates, the unemployed, and those desperate to make a career change. It is really sad how they take advantage of desperate people.

The office is filled with folding chairs and cheap white boards stuck on with double-sided tape. If there is anything nice for the employees- like breakfast in the morning- it's the employees who are responsible for buying and bringing in the food.

Point being... don't waste you time. I don't know how legal this whole operation is.. but from purely an advise standpoint... the whole business is deceptive to the employees and to the businesses you see everyday. You will never go home thinking you did anything important... and after a 12 hour day... you wont have time or energy for anything else. Don't bother with The Marketing Group and Cydcor... obviously I am not the first one to complain.

Miriam Sullivan Update

Since being featured on here last week, known scam artist Miriam Sullivan has now posted apartments for rent on CL Toronto and CL San Diego. Just last Tuesday she had been posting a fake apartment ad in Long Beach, CA. This person lures potential victims in with the guise extremely low monthly rent. Sadly there is no apartment, and the photos are stolen from other rental or real estate websites.

Name: Miriam Sullivan
Email: mmsull48@hotmail.com, sullmim@hotmail.com
CL Posting: Toronto, San Diego
Tactic Used: Poses as a Landlord to rip people off

Share your Positive CL Experiences

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences on Craigslist (CL). Your valuable information has saved tens of thousands of victims from financial disaster. As many people know, CL is a great place to sell unwanted items one may have laying around collecting dust. It can also be a place where thieves attempt to steal from unsuspecting people.

For the past year we have tried to compile a thorough list of such individuals. In addition to featuring scam artists, we would like to also share your positive experience on CL.

Tutor Scam: Dane Wills, Roland Johnson, Paul Garrison

If you are looking for a Tutor job stay clear of these three low lifes.

Name: Dane Wills
Email: danewills0001@gmail.com

Name: Roland Johnson


Name: Paul Garrison
Email: Paulgarrison11@gmail.com

Factitious Landlord Alert

There has been a wave of factitious apartment rental postings on CL lately. The scam artists who place these ads claim to own an apartment for rent in the USA, yet they somehow live in another country. Instead of hiring a rental agency to take care of prospective tenant screening, the "landlord" wants their victims to wire them money via western union for a set of keys. Of course once the money is sent, you will never hear from these people again.

Please stay away from the following scam artists who are posting an apartment for rent in New York City:

Name: Melissa & Ryan Peter
Email: mary.peter36@yahoo.com, marypeter1@live.com
Phone: +44 702 4060053


Name: Sarah Anderson
Email: sarahanderson07@live.com

National Tax Day Tea Party - April 15th 2009

In the spirit of our founders, the Boston Tea Party Protest Americans are coming together across the political divide, from coast to coast and border to border for the Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party.

Nicholas & Andrea Wells New Accomplace

Nicholas and Andrea Wells would like you to believe they have an awesome apartment in New York City or now Houston for rent. In addition their "representative's" name has changed three times in the past three weeks. They claim Jason Stern or now Simon Baker has been suddenly taken ill in Chicago of all places and cannot show the apartment that is for rent.

Of course Nicholas and Andrea Wells live in the UK and have multiple children so they cannot show the apartment themselves. Instead of hiring a rental agency they want their victim to wire them a deposit via Western Union (a scam artists best friend) in return for a set of keys to the place. These people are pathetic and we really want to obtain photos of them.

Name: Nicholas and Andrea Wells
Accomplice: Jason Stern, Simon Baker

Internet Dating Scam Featuring Emmanuel Perry & John Freider

Exposed con man Emmanuel Perry has changed his tactics as of late. He once trolled CL in an attempt to cheat money out of people, however since being featured here, he has moved on to internet dating. First a person named John Freider contacts women on a singles dating site. He poses as a businessman in China and after a while attempts to send his victims fake checks. The checks are from Emmanuel Perry and eventually the victim is asked to wire him a portion of the money.

This tactic is known as a Nigerian 419 scam, whereby a scam artist sends a fake check and requests a portion of the amount. The victims bank will eventually catch the fake check, whereby the victim is then required to pay back any of the amount used or risk losing their bank account, and possibly face banking fraud charges if they cannot pay the amount owed.

Name: Emmanuel Perry
Accomplace: John Freider

We are actively looking for photos of this person. If you have them please submit them to us.

Fake Landlord Update: Miriam Sullivan

Miriam Sullivan poses as a landlord with an apartment for rent. This person lures potential victims in with the guise extremely low monthly rent. Sadly there is no apartment, and the photos are stolen from other rental or real estate websites.

Name: Miriam Sullivan
Email: mmsull48@hotmail.com, sullmim@hotmail.com
CL Posting: Long Beach, CA
Tactic Used: Poses as a Landlord to rip people off

New Scam Artists: Nick Karson & Jeannie Raleigh

Thank you to the CL user who provided the following information. There are two new scam artists to avoid. They are calling themselves Nick Karson and Jeannie Raleigh. We believe they are attempting to victimize people through the classic overpayment scam. Essentially these people pose as buyers, email the seller and send them a bogus check for more than the selling price. Next the seller is suppose to wire them the extra funds. Of course the seller's bank will eventually catch the fake check and the seller is on the hook for the money.

Do not do business with these people, but you can stall them and waste their time. When considering this route, remember never to send personal information. Be creative because we need more info on these people.

Name: Nick Karson
Email: n.karson1000@gmail.com


Name: Jeannie Raleigh
Email: j.raleighx3@yahoo.com

Go Away James Russell

By now it should be aparent that James Russell is nothing more than a petty thief operating on CL. He once claimed to be a Reverend, but shed that identity when we started tracking him. Now old James is a pathetic person forced to change email address on a weekly basis. Since we are not going away, please make sure he does.

Name: James Russell
Email: jamesrussellss4@gmail.com

USANA Health Sciences Scam?

USANA Health Sciences claims to be the #1 network marketing company. Unfortunately, as a business model, network marketing fails miserably. Even though USANA's products are superior in their respective marketplace, the model for distribution is not conducive for successful business practices. If you want to own or start your own business, be creative and do so with your own merit. Don't join a network marketing company. Pyramid schemes have a negative connotation in today's real business community. Don't lose your validity or respect by becoming part of a corrupt industry.

• 74% of distributers fail within the first 12months
• 70% of compensation went to the top 3% of distributers at the company
• 87% of current distrubers are loosing money
• There is no 75% direct to customer savings on products

"Usana charges associates $40 for a 28-day supply of its top-selling multivitamin,usana essentials, more than double the retail price of other premium vitamins. A premium vitamin from competitor gnc corp., the Ultra mega green multivitamin, sells for $17 for a 28-day supply" The Wall Street Journal