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I think I've been scammed...

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How could a person, a college student no less, still be oblivious to this type of scam?

A fool and his money are soon parted.
 
From the cliffs, it sounds like not only were you scammed, but you were such a good target he passed you around to his friends for extra scamming.
 
Wow you guys are harsh. I can handle it though, after all, I am thoroughly embarrassed about the whole situation. I was extremely weary of the whole thing from the beginning and knew I shouldn't have followed through, but I guess greed got in the way. Rent for the apartment was $525/month, so I was out $1575 already for the summer. I was going to get $450 for the apartment, so Iwas just thrilled with the idea of getting *some* money back. I'm not making much money at my internship, so I was just happy to be less in the hole.
But to make one thing clear, the money is not in Nigeria now, it was sent to Maryland. I was originally told Maryland, then told Nigeria, then told Maryland again. I had the money wired to Nigeria, but cancelled the payment and shipped it to Maryland as instructed.
I filed a complaint via ic3.gov and am hoping to hear from them.
Anyone else have any suggestions on any reprecussions on can gain through the authorities?

Look, I know this is funny to you all and I'd probably laugh at someone else this happened to, but I'm looking for some advice on what to do. I'm having it checked right now to see if the money was collected in Maryland and should know soon.
I mean, I'm a relatively smart guy (3.92 GPA going into my last quarter, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.), so I'm extremely embarrassed by the whole thing.
 
Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu
From the cliffs, it sounds like not only were you scammed, but you were such a good target he passed you around to his friends for extra scamming.
Click to expand...

hahahahahah
 
Are you the guy who convinced everyone that baby rats were his cats kittens?


Seriously though, if this isn't shens you should just forward me all of your bank account info so I can straighten this out for you.

Hurry! Before I call the FBI and cruch you!
 
Originally posted by: MisterJackson
Are you the guy who convinced everyone that baby rats were his cats kittens?


Seriously though, if this isn't shens you should just forward me all of your bank account info so I can straighten this out for you.

Hurry! Before I call the FBI and cruch you!
Click to expand...

LOL. Trust me, I wish I was pulling shens on you guys.
 
Has the original check posted to your account? If it has close the account ASAP, that will at least buy you some time. When it comes back to the bank as fraudulent the bank will pursue you for the money, but at least that way the money will be in your hands while your fighting this
 
Originally posted by: iamskew
Originally posted by: MisterJackson
Are you the guy who convinced everyone that baby rats were his cats kittens?


Seriously though, if this isn't shens you should just forward me all of your bank account info so I can straighten this out for you.

Hurry! Before I call the FBI and cruch you!
Click to expand...

LOL. Trust me, I wish I was pulling shens on you guys.
Click to expand...

If this is true, then you have learned an expensive lesson, be sure it doesn't go to waste.
 
Call the damn police in Maryland hurrry!

And if it was me I'd jump on a plane and peronally be there. I dont care how much it would cost.
 
Originally posted by: tk109
Call the damn police in Maryland hurrry!

And if it was me I'd jump on a plane and peronally be there. I dont care how much it would cost.
Click to expand...

Yep, and try and reverse the transfer. But I'm guessing you've tried that already
 
Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Has the original check posted to your account? If it has close the account ASAP, that will at least buy you some time. When it comes back to the bank as fraudulent the bank will pursue you for the money, but at least that way the money will be in your hands while your fighting this
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
So you were paid more money than what you asked and were told to send the remainder somewhere else? How much money did you send? This sounds like a money laundering scheme of some sort. You need to be careful because when you wire money to people you don't know, the feds could be tapping their line and you could be sent to Guantanamo Bay and shackled with no trial. Watch out.
 
Originally posted by: maximus maximus
I think you are first person on AT to fall for a Nigerian scam which is very obvious.
How much $$$ did you lose?
Click to expand...

Update: Called the MoneyGram people, money was picked up at 9:22 a.m. yesterday.

Let's see, I'll do some math ... $4700.32 - $450 (which will have to be returned to the bank) so + $450 = $4700.32


If I contact Maryland authorities, what should I tell them?
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
So you were paid more money than what you asked and were told to send the remainder somewhere else? How much money did you send? This sounds like a money laundering scheme of some sort. You need to be careful because when you wire money to people you don't know, the feds could be tapping their line and you could be sent to Guantanamo Bay and shackled with no trial. Watch out.
Click to expand...


Trust me, I've had many discussions about that possibility. I wish I would have been more warry.
 
Okay first things first

- Contact bank, try to reverse the transaction.
- Contact police, see if they are of any help.
- You said you had a Canada number, hand that number over to the police.
- Contact someone / cops / bank in Maryland.
 
Originally posted by: iamskew


That is where the story basically ends for now. I recieved one more e-mail with more about how the FBI would be coming for me, but I changed my phone number because I was sick of recieving phone calls at least every hour from Canada or Nigeria. It's only like half a day later, but I'm waiting for that call from the bank telling me the check was a fraud and I owe them thousands of dollars which I don't have.
Click to expand...

wait, so you changed your phone number after getting a call every hour for half a day???
shens
 
Originally posted by: AUMM
Originally posted by: iamskew


That is where the story basically ends for now. I recieved one more e-mail with more about how the FBI would be coming for me, but I changed my phone number because I was sick of recieving phone calls at least every hour from Canada or Nigeria. It's only like half a day later, but I'm waiting for that call from the bank telling me the check was a fraud and I owe them thousands of dollars which I don't have.
Click to expand...

wait, so you changed your phone number after getting a call every hour for half a day???
shens
Click to expand...

No, it wasn't only after half a day of calls. It's about half a day since the last call/e-mail because I changed my number. I would say I was getting calls for 4-5 days, and going into the weekend they got progressively more frequent and more threatening. That's when I decided to change my number, because I was unable to do my work answering the phone and getting upset every hour or so.
 
And another update: I googled the address in Maryland, it's for a non-dormatory building on a college campus in Baltimore. Figures...
 
Alright, as expected the check did not clear. The harrassing e-mails and phone calls continue.

I'm contacting all of the authorities I can think of, especially those listed on scamvictimsunited.com

Things are getting particularly scary: Does anyone know any law enforcement officers I can speak with?
 
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