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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Scam Email: Thomas McCoy

Here's a great example that was sent to me of how the scammers come up with these stupid stories to explain WHY they have to use their shipper. It's the crux of the scam. It's not funny that they explain yes their shipper IS expensive and then go on to explain how the victim will have to forward the shipping payment to the shipper.

There is no shipper. It doesn't say it below, but next they will explain why the victim has to send it via Western Union and of course it is just scammer at the other end of Western Union waiting to pick up your good money when they've sent a fake check or used a stolen credit card number (often one that will initially clear because it has not yet been reported as stolen but *will* result in a chargeback when the actual card owner figures out their card number has been compromised).

Don't fall for this.
From: Thomas McCoy [tmccoystorex@gmail.com]

Thanks for your update. My shipper's freight charge is extremely exorbitant but the fact is that I have used PARKSENDFREIGHTS Cargo for over 3 times for shipment from the US, Canada and oversea. They are effective and get my orders to my door step (3-4 Days delivery) which seems to be very convenient for me. They required shipping charge is handled by the merchant of the subject since it is a commercial based (which means you have to charge my card for the overall cost of the order then make payment to the shipper for pickup). I was made to understand that Custom Duties/ handling charge are inclusive.Therefore, I need you to get back to me with the overall cost of my order(cost of merchandise plus shipping charge) and lets have my order completed.

Thanks for your understanding.

Regards,
Thomas McCoy

6 comments:

  1. I just received this scam today, so Thomas McCoy is showing up in people's emails now. I knew it was a scam from previous similar emails I had received even before finding this site to report them.I see that I am not the 1st to receive this version of the same story.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I asked to payment method - wire transfer.
    then they reply like this.
    i don't ship to them. just punch in the CC no. then wait for charge back?
    No~ way~
    4/26/2011
    ----------------------------------
    Good day

    This mail is to make an inquiry on the below Questions.

    Do you Ship oversea or do intend to start Shipping oversea? (though i already know of a Freight Forwarder that will pick my packages from you directly,since they ship at a lesser price than any other courier and they are so effective in shipping my goods to me here in my remote area in Victoria, Australia is
    estimated to be 3-4days. I have used their service in the past and it was
    splendid and Cost Effective.

    PAYMENT MODE...................OUR BUSINESS CREDIT CARD ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES

    kindly send me price list of your TOP 10 sales item and their availability or inventory list of your latest collections as an attach file to my emailbox so we can proceed with the order.
    Should you require and further clarifications do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.

    Thomas McCoy
    Owner
    tstorex
    92 Mark Evans zone 8 plot 1,
    VIC Australia 3672

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Kathleen,

    Found you in a google search for email art scams. Thank you for posting lists of scammers. I didn't see this name on your blog, but it does look like the text of a message I found there.

    Best,
    Ellen

    Begin forwarded message:

    > From: Alison McCoy [a.mccoy009@yahoo.com]
    > Subject: artwork
    > Date: September 9, 2013 10:28:11 AM EDT
    > Reply-To: Alison McCoy [a.mccoy009@yahoo.com]
    >
    > Hello,
    >
    > My name is Alison McCoy. I found your profile on the internet. I am interested in purchasing an artwork from you for the decoration of my guest room at my new residence in Munich, Germany. Would appreciate if you can send me few pictures of the works you have available for sale so that I can make an easy choice of mine. Better still, send me a web link where I can have a view of your recent works.
    >
    > I look forward to read back from you.
    > Thanks.
    > Alison.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Anonymous (et al)

      Though not necessary, considering it's exactly the same message as the above, I'll post what I recently received :) My instincts kicked in hard and, though I do have some pretty decent pieces that are worthy of a "new residence in Munich, Germany" :)!, I wasn't feeling the message. Here it is:

      "Name: Alison Mccoy
      Email: a.mccoy009@yahoo.com
      Subject: artwork

      Comments: Hello,

      My name is Alison Mccoy. I found your profile on the internet. I am interested in purchasing an artwork from you for the decoration of my guest room at my new residence in Munich, Germany. Would appreciate if you can send me few pictures of the works you have available for sale so that I can make an easy choice of mine. Better still, send me a web link where I can have a view of your recent works.

      I look forward to read back from you.
      Thanks.
      Alison."

      (Going to forward on to the site she appears to have "found my profile" and let my contact know.)

      Thanks for posting.


      Delete
  4. I just got one from Alison McCoy a.mccoy009@yahoo.com

    It was pretty convincing until we got to the following phishy message:

    "Thanks for the info. I will process a money order to you because I can't make use of paypal or my credit card because of my recent move. I spoke with my mover this morning as regards the pick up he has to make at your end. To my understanding, he has insufficient funds to get to your place for the pick up and to also get some major errands done. So I have decided to let my p.a have an overdraft check sent to you. And when you have the check cashed, you can easily deduct the cost of the piece I purchased from you and get the remaining funds across to my mover so that things can go as planned. I really do hope I can trust you on this. Please give me your words on this arrangement so that I can further instruct my p.a to issue out the check to you today or tomorrow unfailingly.

    I look forward to hearing from you soonest.
    Thanks.
    Alison."

    ReplyDelete
  5. THIS is what landed in my mailbox the other day:

    On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 3:00 PM, "inth.19481212@gmail.com" wrote:

    Hello, hope you are having a positive day!

    My name is J.C Milner from SC. I was looking to purchase an artwork for our 20th anniversary as a surprise gift to my wife and came across your contact through google artists database.

    It would be greatly appreciated if you can email some pics and prices of your available works ready for immediate sale within price range $500- $2000, i could be flexible with price. So i will hope to hear a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sale.

    Thanks and best regards,

    J.C Milner.

    I did reply, not having been warned yet...

    To: "inth.19481212@gmail.com"
    Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 7:26 AM
    Subject: Re: Artwork inquiry...

    Dear J.C Milner

    Thank you for your inquiry
    I just found your message, and talked to xxxx about it briefly.
    Lovely idea, a gift for your 20th wedding anniversary

    There are original color lithographs from limited editions available, priced between USD 600.00 to 1400.00

    Some small bronze sculptures available immediately cost USD 3,000.00 and up.

    SC= South Carolina?? I am asking, because it would be great if you could just come to the studio in Tucson,
    but I guess that's complicated...

    To select photos, it would help, to know a bit about possible subject matter you might be interested in.
    What did you see online that made you contact us?

    I don't know if there is enough time to create something special - maybe a drawing on handmade paper??

    Ok, enough for tonight
    Looking forward to hearing more from you

    Best,
    xxx

    This reply arrived today from
    J.C
    To xxxx Feb 3 at 2:07 PM
    Thanks for your prompt response. Please kindly send me pics and prices of small bronze sculptures available immediately and ready for sale. I will be delighted to work things out with you. Thanks and blessing,

    J.C.
    ======

    Meanwhile, being cautious, I googled art scams and a very similar message turned up. TOO similar, actually.
    So THANK YOU FOR THE WARNING, I shall drop all communication with this J.C. Milner. How can scams like this one be stopped??

    ReplyDelete