Scammed

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DesertGrandma

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Wow. Just read this thread. So glad you got your new tortoise...thank you Coreyc for being so generous. It is always so hard to believe there are unscrupulous, unfeeling people in this world. But there are. It is a hard lesson to learn.
 

Talka

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Coreyc, I'm amazed. To give away a little hatchling is so sweet. :)
And various people digging up info on the scammer - fantastic! This thread made my day.

Speaking of scammers, there's a website full of people dedicated to not only finding scammers, but scamming THEM into doing horrendously embarrassing and inappropriate things.

If you're 18 or older (due to the embarrassing nature of some of the counter-scams) visit this page http://www.thescambaiter.com/ and have a laugh! Some of these scammers have gone through hell, thinking they would get money for their trouble!

You can post scammer email addresses here: http://thescambaiter.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=99
You can add information about known scammers here: http://thescambaiter.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=130
 

Linzbragg

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TotallyTank said:
Her name is Cindy Cruz . I totally screwed myself I went against based on better judgement, but I told her no thanks after I talked to her the first time, but she texted me everyday for 2 weeks chatting about torts I even was starting to think of her as a friend. That the only reason I went through with it.. She had pics she had all the right info everything! Feel foolish!!

Scam artists are good at what they do. Don't get too down on yourself. I'm just sorry they played on your heart bc of your desire for a pet

jojodesca said:
Sometimes your local newscasters can help..they usually have a section that will locate and track down said websites and expose them...it's part of a community service they provide..we have them here in the Bay Area

there is a section to contact the website developers on the site...you can scroll to the bottom and fill out your inquiry to complain



This is an excellent idea, they do this in the D.C. area too. Then they could to some investigating and expose this woman.

coreyc said:
No I dont rock GOD rocks :) after reading her thread I felt the Lord telling me to do somthing so I did:) it's not me at all. All I ask is that takes great care of him/her and send's me lots of pic's

I love seeing the good in ppl. I'm new to this post so I was catching up, being angry the whole way, then I started crying when I saw the great gift you're giving Tank. That made the negative a positive bc we've all learned a little about scams, tank has her baby and coreyc must feel good along with the rest of us on the tortoise forum

Brittany6 said:
Coreyc.... God Bless You!!!!! What a kind heart and soul and magnificent gift! What comes around, go's around!!!

I too have been blessed! Brinngupta is also sending me her three Sullies TODAY and has been so very kind helping me through Genny's death!

This Forum is filled beautiful hearted people... I hope we all remember to pay it forward :)

God bless you kind hearted people!
Wow, you must be super woman! 3 babies are going to be 3 huge giants, but you'll never have to mow your lawn.
 

ada caro

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They use all kind of false information I almost got scammed and they told me their daughter was operated and was in a hospital. They use all kind of stuff so you could be sorry.
 

HLogic

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This is the transcript of dearest Cindy's conversation with me:

cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 1:50 PM
To: HLogic
Hello,

Thanks for the mail. We have babies to adults,males and
females with various sizes. They are well tamed and have their up to
date document of their vet.. Our tortoises/turtles are very healthy
and also, come with legal papers including their CITES permit..
RADIATED TORTOISE,

BABY $745
JUVENILES $850
SUB ADULTS $460
ADULTS $370

GALAPAGOS TORTOISE

BABY $680
JUVENILES $570
SUB ADULTS $450
ADULTS $680

SULCATA TORTOISE,

BABY $135
JUVENILES $205
SUB ADULTS $300
ADULTS $315
RUSSIAN TORTOISE,

BABY $155
JUVENILES $195
SUB ADULTS $205
ADULTS $200

EGYPTIAN TORTOISES,

BABY $185
JUVENILES $205
SUB ADULTS $225
ADULTS $220.

RED FOOT TORTOISE,

BABY $155
JUVENILE $205
SUB ADULT $235
ADULT $200.

Please keep us posted with the breed of Tortoise you need so that we
can send you up to date photos and more information.

thanks,

On 2/14/12, Bill Morgan <HLogic> wrote:
> Name: Bill Morgan
> Phone:
>
> I am interested in purchasing some Star Tortoises.
> What do you have available? What prices? How much
> would shipping be to Nashville, TN?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> ---- FOR YOUR INFORMATION(SPAM/SCAM protection services):
> ----------------------
> The email has been sent from the location:
> Bonita Springs FL (accuracy:80%)
> Ft Myers,FL metro area(accuracy:80%)
> IP address:127.0.0.1
>
>
>
> www.FreeAdsCity.com - The US Free Classifieds
>

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 4:18 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
Hi, I am interested in subadult and adult Egyptian tortoises. Can you send pictures? How much would shipping be?
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Hello, as you see on the price list the sub adult is $225 and the
Adult is $220 so all the shipping will cost you $100 for both of them.
So you will have to be sending us $545 for the cost and the shipping.
So what you have to do now is just to get back to us with your full
delivery details and we will be telling you how you will be making the
payments okay. So the information's goes thus...

Full Names...........................
State...................................
City....................................
Zip Code..............................
Cell Phone#........................
Nearest airport to your home......

So with this information's i will be taking the tortoise to
the delivery agency with the money which you will sent to ship the
tortoise over to you okay.

Cindy
[Quoted text hidden]


2 attachments

Egyptian Adult.jpg
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Egyptian Tortoise.jpg
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Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:52 AM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
Actually, I would be interested in 4 subadults and 4 adults. Do you have a phone # at which I can contact you? Typing is difficult for me. I would like to know more details about the tortoises for sale.

What forms of payment do you accept?

The shipping would be to Nashville, TN 37214 airport code BNA. I do not have a cell phone.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 9:06 AM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Hello my good friend, am so happy that you get back to me with the
information which i have asked you and your order. So feel free to
ask any question about them... We are breeders and we sell over over
the world. So we just want to let you know that we accept payments in
3 different forms.

1) Western Union
2) Wal-mart money gram
3) Bank to Bank transfer.

So i already have your information's and for the total number
of tortoises which you want to buy, they will cost you $2180. So just
send me the confirmation's of your names and the address again... and
also chose the mode of payment which you think is okay for you . then
i will proceed with the shipping of them over to you in TN okay.

Cindy
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 10:06 AM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
Do you have pictures of the individual animals I will be getting? Also, please forward your bank transfer information so that I may initiate the transaction.

Do you have a phone # at which you may be contacted? Typing this took over 30 minutes! I am not a good typist. I would like to speak with you about the animals - diet, egg-laying, etc.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 11:23 AM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Hello,

am having a joint picture which i have just sent to you. So hope it's well understood to you. So Below is my Bank transfer details......

BANK: AFRILAND FIRST BANK-BAMENDA
ACCOUNT NAME: GECEFIC SA pc/MARK ANIMAL FARMING GROUP
BANK CODE: 10005
CODE GUICHET : 00007
IBAN : 10005 00007 00504811001 68
SWIFT CODE : CCEICMCXXXX

So hope you initiate the transaction ask you have just said. So just get back to me with the Swift copy once you are done with the transaction okay. So you just copy it down and take it to your bank and initiate the transaction. Actually my phone get's missing yesterday, but you can give me a phone # which i will get to you okay. So just give me a number or just try and type okay. So I will be waiting for the swift copy once you are done with the transfer.

Awaiting your responds my good friend.
[Quoted text hidden]


4 attachments

Semi- adult.jpg
117K


Adult Egyptian Tortoise 1.jpg
179K


Adult Egyptian Tortoise...jpg
192K


Adult Egyptian_tortoise.JPG
565K



________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 5:28 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
My dear friend, i hope you have seen all the details, So am now
waiting for the swift copy okay.

On 2/15/12, cindy maricruz <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> am having a joint picture which i have just sent to you. So hope
> it's well understood to you. So Below is my Bank transfer details......
>
> *BANK: AFRILAND FIRST BANK-BAMENDA
> ACCOUNT NAME: GECEFIC SA pc/MARK ANIMAL FARMING GROUP
> BANK CODE: 10005
> CODE GUICHET : 00007
> IBAN : 10005 00007 00504811001 68
> SWIFT CODE : CCEICMCXXXX*
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 5:56 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
Hi Cindy,

Yes, I have all of the details. How long after sending the payment will the shipment be delayed? Are there any other fees that need be anticipated in addition to the amount shown below ($2180)?

Thank you.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 6:07 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Hello,

After we confirm payments, your tortoise will be shipping to
you within 24 hours okay. No they are no other fees okay. So you just
have to go validate the payments now okay. So once you are done with
it then just get back to me with the swift Copy. So just go do the
payments now and get back to us okay.

Thanks too
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 6:20 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
Do you already have the CITES paperwork complete and the permit in hand? If so, can you send a photo of it?
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 6:23 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
All those documents will be completed at the agency which will be shipping the tortoise over to you okay. So you just need to go make the payments now, then i will take the tortoise to the delivery agency, and then they will be getting back to you with all the CITES and permit complete paperwork okay.

So tell me when will you be going to make the payments.???
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:03 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
So my good friend have you already make the payments...???
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 10:48 AM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
What is going on...??? Have you already done the payments,...???
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 9:29 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
Sorry for the late reply Cindy. My internet access was not working and so I did not have the information to send the payment. Now it is too late in the day to send it as the banks are closed. Maybe I can get to the bank tomorrow. If not, I can do it on Saturday.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 10:34 PM
To: HLogic
I have already sent you everything couple with the bank details which
you will be making the payments too. So why are you getting back to me
like this huh...???
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 10:52 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
You have misread your e-mail. I replied saying:

Sorry for the late reply Cindy. My internet access was not working and so I did not have the information to send the payment. Now it is too late in the day to send it as the banks are closed. Maybe I can get to the bank tomorrow. If not, I can do it on Saturday.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 10:54 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Okay, So just try and do the payments tomorrow okay. So when yo make
the payments just get back to me with scan copy of the swift copy
okay. So that i can send your tortoise over to you okay. I understand
everything which has happen to you and am waiting .
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:01 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
I will try but I work all day and the bank is a long way away from here. I may not be able to make it there before it closes.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:04 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
So you think you will be able to make it there in the bank when...???
Just give me an appropriate day which you will do the payments okay.
So that i can start packing your products for that day okay. Then how
about the phone# which i can call you at...???
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Sat, Feb 18, 2012 at 6:43 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
what is happening now...??? have you already make the transfer of the
funds for the tortoises...???

Waiting to here back from you soonest.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Sun, Feb 19, 2012 at 12:20 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Hello can you please tell us what is happening...??? and have you already make the payments..???
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 1:42 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
I think I can tell you what is happening...I don't believe you have any intention of shipping tortoises to me. That is what I believe is happening.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 7:34 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Let me tell you my friend, am a trust worthy person and this is not my
first tortoise transaction which am doing... I have been shipping
tortoise for many years today and so if i tell you that make payments
and let me ship your puppies then just know that am doing it for real
okay. So tell me how do you think we can work this out... If you don't
want to make the payments the way which i want you to..???
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 12:22 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
Oh, I am certain this is not your first tortoise transaction. I don't doubt that for a moment. What I doubt is that you have ever shipped a tortoise after payment was made. As a matter of fact, your response to my previous e-mail leads me to believe that you reuse the same text to make your claims of trustworthiness and experience. See the bold & underlined text in your reply. When were puppies discussed? If you can't even replace all of the occurrences of one word with another, how is one to believe you? Why would someone even need to have that text available for reuse if their integrity was not in question? It appears you had a previous need for such a response.

Yes, I can tell you what is happening. Something deceptive, something dishonest, something less than forthright and civil is happening.

The advertisement to which I originally replied indicated you were located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, yet you want me to send funds to a bank, according to the Swift Code, in Yaounde, Cameroon even though you indicate the bank is Bamenda - neither of which are in the USA much less New Mexico. Why would you want me to send funds to some place like that?

The photos you sent of "your" tortoises were found on other web sites with exactly the same properties, including different originating cameras and dates as far back as 2005. Why would you send me pictures from other peoples' web sites? (i.e.http://www.turtlerescues.org/links.htm, http://home.earthlink.net/~fridjian/index.html and http://true-wildlife.blogspot.com/2011/06/egyptian-tortoise.html)

A web search of "Mark Animal Farming Group" returns listings including "Feather & Down products", "Fish Meal products", "Reptiles, Animals meats, Fruits" among other 'agricultural' products such as dogs, large cats, and pigs. Interestingly, several of the listings include telephone numbers and contact personnel. Searching for your e-mail address lead to advertisements for gold dust in "Shenzhen (Egypt)" - btw Shenzhen is in China, yorkies in Madrid, caracals & servals in Riyadh not to mention quite a selection of controlled substances. Searching for the phone numbers yields additional advertisements and business listings all of which share similar and suspicious characteristics. It is also interesting that you use many e-mail addresses including [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] (Franck Hassan). Is there anything that you and Mr. Vann Hamandez don't sell?

Then, of course, there are the listings such as http://www.cybercrimeops.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49618, http://www.cybercrimeops.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50099 and http://www.scambook.com/report/view...om-False-Advertising-for-600.00-on-08-18-2011 - I'm not sure what to make of them! Actually, in truth, I am quite sure...

Surely you would not be attempting to commit fraud via the internet! Considering the schedule you keep, it seems that you are in the USA. Are you aware that fraud via the internet is a felony? If you happen to be on a DSL connection, that would also make it telephone fraud - a very serious crime!

On February 10, 2012, a friend of mine from Albuquerque, New Mexico sent you $140.00 USD for the purchase of a Leopard Tortoise about which she contacted you in response to the same advertisement to which I responded. After you received the money she was contacted by the shipping company which requested additional funds for insurance; which she declined. You claimed to have gone to the shipping company and 'fixed' everything and the tortoise would be shipped uninsured on Monday, Feb 13 from New Jersey. On Feb 13 an additional $50 was requested to which she responded that it would be paid once the tortoise was in her possession. She received text messages from you including one that claimed your daughter had been in an accident and was dying. She did not receive the tortoise for which she paid, She has not received a refund of the money.

So here's how we can work this out...

I will give you until Monday, February 27 at 12:00 Noon GMT to return the funds ($140 USD) to her. If she has not received the funds by that time, I will forward this information along with additional data acquired about you and your location to the authorities.

If you do not comply with this 'request', I will employ all resources available to me in concert with the efforts of many others to track you down and bring to bear upon you the fullest extent of law. Please note that Google does not hesitate to assist law enforcement in the USA to track and provide data (http://www.google.com/transparencyreport/governmentrequests/US/?p=2011-06&t=USER_DATA_REQUEST) in the pursuit of criminals regardless of where they are.

Now, as trustworthy and as experienced in the tortoise trade as you claim to be, I'll wager I receive no reply. The ball is in your court and the clock is ticking...
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
cindy maricruz <[email protected]> Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 12:53 PM
To: Art de Lamerens <HLogic>
Good so do you want my tortoise or not..??
[Quoted text hidden]
>> and let me ship your *puppies* then just know that am doing it for real
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 1:50 PM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
As soon as you return the money to my friend, we can discuss my tortoise needs. You obviously did not read my reply.
[Quoted text hidden]

________________________________________
Art de Lamerens <HLogic> Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 7:43 AM
To: cindy maricruz <[email protected]>
It is now past noon GMT on Monday. Just as I suspected! The moment your dishonesty, utter absence of trustworthiness and criminal intentions were brought to light you disappear. How pitiful! You lie, cheat and steal - one can only hope that all Cameroonians are not like you. What a pathetic life that must be. As far as scammers go, you are the most stupid I have ever encountered. Let's see if you can determine why...

If it was not bad enough that your complete lack of scruples should cause you unrest, you now have another reason! Me.

What hell is to be unleashed on you could have been resolved for the measly sum of $140. Remember the proverb of your country, "However swift a man, he will not outrun his shadow". You cannot hide. You will be found. I am your shadow!
[Quoted text hidden]
 

DanaLachney

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HLogic I think you deserve a round of applause and a cookie ;) WOOOHOOOO!!! that was spectacular!! OMG I read the whole thing and that "Cindy" is either REALLY stupid or too ballsy to care!! -.(\ man that was awesome!
 

HLogic

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Notice in the original e-mail to her the name is Bill Morgan in Nashville looking for Star Tortoises and the anti-spam info. Then note the change in name and the request is for Egyptian Torts... This dude is dumb!

I'm thinking about employing the resources found at http://www.419eater.com/index.php just to add a little spice to the mix...
 

GeoTerraTestudo

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Yeah!!! Go, Art! Applause!

HLogic said:
Notice in the original e-mail to her the name is Bill Morgan in Nashville looking for Star Tortoises and the anti-spam info. Then note the change in name and the request is for Egyptian Torts... This dude is dumb!

I'm thinking about employing the resources found at http://www.419eater.com/index.php just to add a little spice to the mix...

Could it be that this person is employing robots that automatically respond with quasi-sensible messages to queries? That would explain the reference to "puppies." It would also allow this person to dramatically increase the number of frauds he/she perpetrates.
 

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome
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Man you should have strung them along for a while longer, I know you were trying to get some justice, but I enjoyed the desperation this person showed.
 

starjess81

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I think you gave everyone who has been ripped off some satisifaction! Way to go!
 

Yvonne G

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My mind kept flashing to that credit card commercial where the Russian GUY answers the phone saying that he is "Peggy."

Way to go, Art!
 
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