Think this is on the up and up? Or another scam?

[Guest faulk]

Got an IM yesterday from a guy from Tampa who is visiting my town in the Carolinas. Everything was progressing well until he told me I would need to contact a western union website and pay $250 up front.

 

He said that once he had received onfirmation of the payment, and I quote, "they will give you a control number to write down and confirm with me. give me a call on my cell once you book the appt' so we're confirmed and I know for sure. i'm looking forward to it. we'll definately have fun."

 

The guy's pictures are hot as a pistol but I wasn't born yesterday. Anyone else had offers like this?

[Guest countryboywny]

Personally, I would never send money upfront unless it was someone I knew well. It smells like scam to me.

[alanalt]

Based on the info you've given, I'd say it's likely a scam, but there's a lot of info you're leaving out that would make offering advice more helpful... e.g. Is the escort well-reviewed? Are you booking him for the entire time he's there? Does he have an upfront policy on deposits on his ad/website?

 

I'd say the likelihood of this being a scam increases substantially every time your answer is 'no' to any of the above questions.

 

Other than purchasing airline tickets, I've only ever made a deposit once for an escort session and in that case it was an escort with many positive reviews (including from Hooboy himself) who had a clear policy about deposits/holding days on his website, I wanted to 'hold' a certain day a couple of weeks in advance, and it was $100 towards an $800 overnight session. Everything worked out and I had a great time.

 

So I'm not going to say that all deposit requests are scams, but I'd be very careful about determining whether I'm prepared to provide an advance/deposit. Unless you don't mind blowing $250 that is...

[Guest faulk]

Thanks! That would be 3 "no's" and I appreciate your thoughts!

[JT Brooklyn]

faulk...I'll go one better...NO WAAAY!

 

But Unfortunately there will be someone who will fall for this Major Scam! x( x( x(

[Guest EuropTravl]

>>"He said that once he had received onfirmation of the payment, and I quote, "they will give you a control number to write down and confirm with me. give me a call on my cell once you book the appt' so we're confirmed and I know for sure."

 

I've used Western Union for friends-internationally and don't you (the sender) have to give a REAL name, and control number when picking up cash? Once they wouldn't hand over the cash to a friend I have known for years because his name was mispelled on the receipt (Oliveira instead of Oliviera) even with a control number and picture ID. I guess these scam artists play on the fact you'd be too embarassed (not to mention Judge Judy would scold you don't have "clean hands") to bring any type prosecution, and there are certainly enough pre-warnings from W. U. that say if they have the name right and ID and a control number and you sent it, you're screwed. Knowing that, I'd never ever send money ahead, and if you're infatuated with the guy's look, remember he probably looks nothing like what he's advertising.

 

What KILLS ME is that as clever as I think I am, I fell for a scam where I got a home phone call from "CitiBank" stating there was "unusual activity" my card (and I travel a lot and get "unusual activity" alerts all the time). The lady stated she "just wanted to verify" I had my card "in possession". And she had my card number (and phone # obviously) and needed to know the three digit code on the back "to verify" I had my card, and like an idiot (lady, I'm looking right at my card), I gave it. SCAM ALERT - put down the phone and call the 800 number on the back of the card yourself - fortunately I did before any damage was done (when I mentally sobered up) and got an immediate stop on the card and a new number issued.

[+ deej]

>I've used Western Union for friends-internationally and don't

>you (the sender) have to give a REAL name, and control number

>when picking up cash?

 

Internationally, you need the control number. Domestically, all you need is ID showing the right name. And they're not particularly choosey about what they'll accept as ID.

 

Inside the US, a large customer base for WU is people who may be lacking in documentation. They'll take a phone bill, signed lease, or anything showing "your" name. It's an easy system to game.

 

That's why they warn up front so sternly.

[Guest faulk]

Thanks so, Deej and Europ. The more I studied his communication the more I am convinced he was a sham. Hope other on the thread will take heed and I really appreciate your wise counsel!

[SamtopinSTL]

This sounds like the work of a well known scam artist, who apparently is using a Florida, address. Since you did not post his ad, I have no picture to go by, but if it who I think it is, do not walk away. RUN.

 

Samtop

[SmallTownJohn]

Just wonderin'

 

Howdy, howdy...

 

Look familar???(hope I edited out everything properly)

 

 

you can actually book the appt' right online at the http://www.westernunion.com website or by calling they're 1800-225-5227 toll free number. you would need my first/last name and city/state where I setup my acct'.. ANTHONY XXXXX FAIRHAVEN,MA

250 is hour session..400 would be the rate for 2 Hours. 700 would be the overnight rate. once you do book the appt' they will give you a control number to write down and confirm with me. give me a call on my cell once you book the appt' so we're confirmed and I know for sure. i'm looking forward to it. we'll definately have fun..

(407)326-XXXX CELL

[Guest faulk]

RE: Just wonderin'

 

>Howdy, howdy...

>

>Look familar???(hope I edited out everything properly)

>

>

>you can actually book the appt' right online at the

>http://www.westernunion.com website or by calling they're

>1800-225-5227 toll free number. you would need my first/last

>name and city/state where I setup my acct'.. ANTHONY XXXXX

>FAIRHAVEN,MA

>250 is hour session..400 would be the rate for 2 Hours. 700

>would be the overnight rate. once you do book the appt' they

>will give you a control number to write down and confirm with

>me. give me a call on my cell once you book the appt' so we're

>confirmed and I know for sure. i'm looking forward to it.

>we'll definately have fun..

>(407)326-XXXX CELL

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest faulk]

RE: Just wonderin'

 

Right on the money, Small Town John! That was the exace wording except he was saying he was in Tampa. Ya'll be warned. And by the way, Small Town, you are terrific. Enjoyed your company a few years ago and loved it.

[ServeUncutUncle]

RE: Just wonderin'

 

The AH Scammer Again:

 

http://www.menontime.com/pub/escort.php?URL=a%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A3%3A%22356%22%3B%7D