Yet another apparent scam targeting photographers

[Brian Vuillemenot]

Hello all,

What do you think about this one?

Hello,
Good day to you, Am Brandon from UK,I will be coming over to the United State on the 28 November 2006 for my third year wedding anniversary,we have changed the date,venue and reduce the amount budgeted due to some reasons.
Am contacting you because I will need your service on the occasion day as our photographer for just 3 hours between (9am to 12pm),at Sheraton Fishermans Wharf,2500 Mason Street,San Francisco, CA 94133 US.
However I want you to take the pictures of me and my wife together and also both of us and the invited guests as well,we've reduced the number of pictures needed to 50 peices for the day, the sizes really needed are: 5X7,portrait for myself and my wife,some individuals,and also group pictures. I hope with your experience you will be able to think and take some sizes that will be ok as well and have the cost at exactly or below $1,700.00 that we budgeted for your service on the day.
Note the amount budgeted does not include your travelling or your transport cost as that will be taken care of separately.

I will need your total cost to be charge promptly.

Thanks
Brandon

The thing that makes it very suspicious is that this same person (Brandon Hollings, from the U.K.) has sent me three or four additional e-mails in the last few months. To the first couple, I replied that I don't do weddings. There are all kinds of inconsistencies. This latest version he claims he needs someone to photograph his three year anniversary in San Fran in a few weeks, although a similar e-mail I got from the same person last week wanted someone to photograph his wedding in New Mexico next month. Anyway, be aware of this kind of activity- anyone else seen something like this, or have any idea how the scam might work?

[BrianShaw]

You're right... it doesn't make much sense. Whatever the scam is, I can't quickly figure it out. I remember hearing this story before but didn't know it was the same guy. Perhaps he's involved in plural marriages???

[Brian Ellis]

I think it's a mistake to even respond to obvious scams like this. Just look at the garbled english from "Brandon Hollings," if nothing else that tells you that it's another Nigerian or similar scam. I have no idea how it works but I know the start of a scam when I see one.

[BrianShaw]

Three Brian's in agreement. Sounds like a winning poker hand!

[Bob Salomon]

The scam works this way.

You agree to the amount, $1700.00. They send you a certifed check for $5,000.00. They ask you to cash the check and forward the difference by Western Union or some other express service to an 3rd address.

You forward the difference, the check bounces and the party at the 3rd address can not be found. Needless to say there would not be an affair on the 28th of Nov. at the Sheraton. And you are liable for $5,000.00 and you passed a bad check.

Want to make sure it is probably legit? Call the sales department at the Sheraton and verify the affair with the sales manager. At the very least, if this is a scam, and they are using the hotel to legiitimize the scam the hotel's security department should like to know about it.

[Geert]

AT LEAST THOSE SCAMS ARE NO LONGER TYPED IN CAPITALS.

It was a easy way to recognize them :-)

[BrianShaw]

The scam works this way. (etc)

I should have known that. Thanks Bob.

[Capocheny]

Best thing to do is to simply ignore them... responding to their notes will only entice them and others to keep targeting you in the future.

Cheers