• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
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    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Nigerian Scam

betsy, it would be nicer to post details on this.. just saying nigerean scammer and using someones name isnt saying much about this. there isnt just one "nigerean scammer" either, there is a big network of these scammers.
 
This is just a couple of the e-mails I got

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 04:50:51 -0800 (PST)
From: "Mark Lewis" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book
Subject: My Shipper Information and Western Union Details..........
To: "betsy mansfield" <[email protected]>


Dear Betsy,
How are you doing today, i guess you are doing fine and i hope you really enjoy your weekend , Meanwhile i sent you an email regarding the payment the you will be receivcing the payment today ok, and as soon as you receivce the payment, Pls endeaour to forward the overage funds to my shipper today as soon as you receive the payment. He is currently in ITALY for import and export duties and i do want the funds to get to him before he leaves, this is very important. Pick up of the Rattan will be on Wesenday ok, let me know the best time suitable for you.

Here is his information for the funds to be wired.


NAME: PETER STEPHENSON

ADDRESS: VIA GALIZZI 39.25013,
CARPENEDOLO,
BRESCIA, ITALY.

PHONE#: 009-393401478014

I expect the western union details, such as;

MTCN#

SENDER'S NAME AND ADDRESS,

ACTUAL AMOUNT SENT,

WIRING CHARGES USED.

Pls do this ASAP for the pick up will be done this Wesenday at your location, so you can tell me the best time for you in order for him (shipper) to come over.

In order to be a valid shipper who represents the Buyer to pick up the chinchillas , he must provide the following: ---

(1)· Provide the Power of Attorney letter to Seller at point of pickup,which would have been signed by the Buyer showing that the Buyer gives the authority to the shipper to pick up the chinchillas from the Seller and hand it over to the Buyer.

(2)· The shipper must provide two forms of valid identification (i.e: state ID, driving license, working ID, passport, etc.)

Please ensure that you let him have all the necessary western info. and please ensure you send from a gas station or a grocery store.

He said it will get to him faster because it will slow him down if from the bank,considering how their banking system works there .

This is why I have lured you to please supervise the transfer.When he comes, he will give you my full information which you will need to fill the Bll of Sale.

I will be expecting your reply with the info. asap. This is also for my own documentations too.Thanks,
I look forward to hear from you asap,
Regards,
Mark.
 
another e-mail

Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 07:19:47 -0800 (PST)
From: "Mark Lewis" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book
Subject: Respones Needed Urgently.......
To: "betsy mansfield" <[email protected]>


Hello
Firstly, i appreciate your efforts in sending the funds to the
shipper, But it was unfortunate that i did not reply your mail,what actaully happen is that i receivce a call from (May-Flower) Hospital in Italy that my shipper was admitted to the Hospital this afternoon, that he was attack by some amey robbers this afternoon on is way to the airport and they collected all the money with him and he was also short at his left leg,including one young that was inside the taxe with him aswell......So right now i have found a new shipper who will be coming for the pick up of the Chins ok, so i want you to send the money for the purchase of the Chins to the new shipper who is coming over for the pick up ok, and i have also instructed my associate to issued out another check of the excet amount of the Chins to you ok,
Betsy .......could you please understand my PLIGHT to send the funds which
was paid for the purchase of the Rattan because i really want get the betsy before Friday ok

For you inconviniencies and time wasted over the transactions I'LL
VOLUNTARYLY SPEAR YOU ($50) from the funds which you will use to be feeding the Chins before my new shipper come over for the pick up and PLEASE send the( $200)
Here is my new shipper information which will be given below:
Mark Edison
612 victoria island,Lagos,
Nigeria,23401.
I hope you will understand the situation of things and kindly send the
funds to my new shipper.
Thanks for your Moral Understanding ands God Bless you.
Mark

PS:And i will like you to go and send it at another location because
the first one is too expensive i just want you to do has i said ok.

..... This is just a couple of the e-mails that I have received. The cashiers check that I cashed is counterfiet. It has now turned over to the local attorities. I just simply don't want anyone else to get scammed, and if you have it should be turned over to the attorities. There is no telling how many people he has done this to. Simply trying to put a stop to it...
 
forgot my name

Whoops I forgot to put my name on the bottom of the last two posts. Those are just a couple of the e-mails I got. Me being trusting of everyone, did what I was told. Not that it is confirmed the the cashiers check is a counterfiet, the local attorities are involved and I'm sure the government officals will be as well. If we work together we can put a stop to all these so no one has to loose money from this fellow again.

Thanks again
Betsy Parks
 
you did'nt get taken for any money did you? or just got stopped trying to cash their counterfit checks? the counterfit checks are their trade. the nigeream scam is also not a new thing, its been happening for years now. all of their emails are fill in the blank emails and should ctach anyones attention.

example of a typical email:

Hi my client would like to purchase your {insert item here} please contact us back with the highest price you are willing to part with it for?

(anyone ever notice when items, money or input about the person there are brackets around it????)

the rest of it is just BS to make you think this person is just beyond wealth to make you think you can turn a $50 snake into a $500+ with a 4+ grand check heading your way for it. they hope they do a good job in faking the check and it passes. the money you wired to them is just money they made off a fake check, the reptile that sold for 5-10X the ammount than it should have, was your payoff in helping them scam your bank or check cashing station.
 
Yes I did get taken for the money

Yes the check got cashed by a local grocery store that also western unioned the money to his assuming shipper. When they put the cashiers check in the bank, the bank called and said the cashiers check was counterfiet. Now the local attorities have the check, along with all e-mails, Fedex that the check came in, and also the western union receipt. What happens next I'm not sure, that is up to the local athorities and the government.

Thanks
Betsy Parks
 
wow sorry to hear all of that. there needs to be better warning of these scams on any reptile classified/auction boards. its kind of simple to detect the scam, cause its all basically the same scam just worded differently. any way it goes all they want is for you to do what you did. they dont care if you goto jail for them. thats why they wont personally fly over to america to try to pass them off themselves
 
I have to agree

Yes it is a shame that honest people are being scammed by folks like this scammer. Like I said, I'm just to trusting of people. But maybe we can get him and see that it doesn't happen again. But there is always someone to take his place.

So that's why I'm on here to find out if anyone else was scammed or maybe has one of these counterfiet cashier checks. If they where and would like to speak up that would be great. I have no problem with giving them the phone number to our local athorities.

They can e-mail me at anytime at [email protected]

Thanks again
Betsy Parks
 
there are 2 other threads i think about nigearm scams on the first 2 pages. one i know they took pictures of the fake checks. alot of people who know its a scam will toy with them, just to get the scammer to send the check via fedex international just for them to waste money...
 
other threads

Yes I found that thread and printed it off. The picture of the check came out really good, plus it gave the authorities a little more information at well. I'm sure they'll be on the site going over all the threads on this person.

Again much thanks to everyone
Betsy Parks
 
I have someone now that is contacting me that I think is a scammer. Poor english and wants to pay by cashier's check. I told him that the check would be verified by my bank before shipping, let's see if he contacts back.
 
Lets See

Ya lets see what he does!! What e-mail adress are they using??
The local authorities have taken the Check to the DA's office right now.

Thanks
Betsy Parks
 
These people change email addresses and names more often than you change your underwear. I've gotten the same scam from the same scammer 2 times in 2 mins with a diff name and address both times.
 
we need

We need as much as possible on this person!!!! Right now as much as possible is best!!
Thanks
Betsy Parks
 
Betsy their evolving!

I am responding to all scammers. I have two checks so far totaling
$7300. Most resent one was sent by "Frank-lee 1". Thinking that
he forgot about me and the money.....I get this strange
call from a relay station today. I saw the phone # for a second..It looked
like area code 214 0r 216, anyway I talk to this guy at a Deaf person relay station, who tells me
their is a deaf guy on the other end. The first thing he said was "this is Frank Lee 1"
I hung up and looked for the number on my caller ID..To wright it down ..And it was not their.....So they are starting to get sloppy and contact us through a land line..What kind of trouble are you
in for cashing the check? I plan to see how many of these checks I can build up....Here is a pic of the two....
 

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Re: Betsy their evolving!

What kind of trouble are you in for cashing the check?
Click to expand...
It's not going to cash, it's counterfeit. You probably won't get in trouble if you play dumb when it doesn't cash but why take chances? If you are like me you are trying to operate a legit business, trying to process fraudulent checks through that business is not a good idea. It probably won't bite you in the ass but if it does you might lose you biz or go to jail. Is it worth the risk for a few thousand? Say they arrest you, even if you don't go to jail or lose you biz you might end up spending thousands on a laywer to keep you out of the clink. Just divert that effort to producing more fine specimens and making money as you always have and your life will be better, I guarantee it.
 
not in Trouble

Hello,
Wow he is getting sloppy. No I'm not in any trouble, I'm the one that pressed charges against this fellow. Because I got it cashed at a grocery store (not knowing it was counterfiet), they are also involved in the charges against this person. The more information that we have would be great, the more counterfiet checks we get from him is better. This fellow can really rack up charges against himself.
Thanks a bunch
Betsy Parks
 
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