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I Smell a Scam

December 18th, 2012 at 01:48 pm

I was speaking to a man who works in our shop. He is from Ghana. He has been in correspondence with someone in the US who claims she is interested in meeting him and wants him to come visit. I've warned him about the "romance scams," but he's wanting to know how to get to the US.

I have told him NOT to send "her" money for any reason whatsoever. I fear this is one of those "Russian Bride" scams reversed. The phone numbers he showed me belong to a restaurant and a cell phone in Alabama. I am tempted to call them and speak with the person myself, but if it is not a scam, I really shouldn't be getting involved.

The man has only come to me asking how to get a visa to the US. I've looked it up. The only thing I can find is that a Ghana citizen must go to the US consulate in Ghana (Accra), but that's not feasible as the man lives in Dubai. I am fairly certain he can do all the paperwork from the consulate here in Dubai, but maybe not. I'll be calling them tomorrow to follow up on that.

Net searches have turned up nothing on her name in Alabama, and the only information on the phone numbers are what I have related above.

What next step would you take in this position?

Posted in Ramblings | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “I Smell a Scam”

  1. SecretarySaving Says:
    December 18th, 2012 at 02:07 pm 1355839671
    1355839671

    I'm with you on this one! Sounds like he has invested time and emotion.

  2. Wino Says:
    December 18th, 2012 at 09:02 pm 1355864521
    1355864521

    I have found out about phone forwarding services. Apparently, the number called can easily be anywhere at all in the world. I hope I can prevent this guy from losing all his money.

  3. Petunia 100 Says:
    December 19th, 2012 at 12:14 am 1355876093
    1355876093

    Honestly, I believe I would share my concern and then stay out of it.

  4. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    December 19th, 2012 at 12:51 am 1355878308
    1355878308

    I think I agree with Petunia. If he doesn't want to listen to your concerns, and gets burned, there really is nothing you can do about it. People who get wrapped up in scams such as this oftentimes won't listen to reason even from close family members.

  5. rob62521 Says:
    December 19th, 2012 at 01:08 am 1355879286
    1355879286

    Any chance you can show the guy examples of similar scams?

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