Vent......internet Scam For Wedding Cake!

Business By kisamarie Updated 7 Feb 2014 , 3:28am by costumeczar

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kisamarie Posted 20 Feb 2013 , 6:04pm
post #1 of 44

I got that all too talked about email from a "hearing impaired bride" who can only communicate through email, that wanted a quote for a cake, without ever seeing or tasting a thing I have made!  So I gave her a crazy quote and she just emailed back, without batting an eye, that she would send me a check for the deposit and meet to sign a contract when she gets back  into town.  SUCH A LOAD OF CRAP!  I told her "Sorry I only take Credit Cards!" 

I just really chaps my hide that these criminals are trying to take of small business owners who are doing their best to make a living honestly.  What are they trying to do anyway?  Get free cake?  They need to go to sweet tooth anonymous or something because they have a serious sugar addiction that needs to be addressed!icon_mad.gif

43 replies
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Chef_Stef Posted 20 Feb 2013 , 6:15pm
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Waste of time reading these spammers-- I got the same type of order this morning, with no punctuation and English-not-your-first-language type wording, asking for '500 cupcakes what price by each in chocolate or vanilla and buttercream and party planner pickup to be on date you prescribe'

 

etc.

 

 

These go around all the time.  Hit 'spam' without a second thought.  They are never real.  And for the teeny tiny bit of the population who might (?) actually order this way...I guess I'm just going to have to miss out on the sale.

 

Although today I thought briefly about writing back and saying, "thank you for order they are $1 million a piece and please to send brown square suitcase with proper cash to be pick up by courier I provide at the Safeway in Anytown Idaho please await further instructions"

 

 

bwahahahahaHAHAHA   

 

you can tell -I've got too much spare time today  ;)

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dkltll Posted 20 Feb 2013 , 6:21pm
post #3 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by kisamarie 

 What are they trying to do anyway?  Get free cake?  They need to go to sweet tooth anonymous or something because they have a serious sugar addiction that needs to be addressed!icon_mad.gif

What they will do is after you have agreed on everything they will give a credit card number & then ask you to add $xxx to wire to the shipping company for them b/c they will tell you shipper won't take CC. You put $xxx extra on the card & then wire it to the "shipper," then when fraud is discovered and CC company reverse charges, etc you are still out the cash you wired. We almost fell for this at my day job (hearing impaired phone call) but we caught it before any money changed hands. thumbs_up.gif It's crazy the ways people have figured out how to rip you off!

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jason_kraft Posted 20 Feb 2013 , 6:23pm
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AThe typical scam involved overpaying by a significant amount with a fake check or cashier's check, then requesting a check back for some of the overage while saying you can keep the rest of the overage "for your trouble".

If you suspect a scam, payment should be cash only. It's actually easier to defraud people using credit cards than using checks.

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jason_kraft Posted 20 Feb 2013 , 6:26pm
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AIf you have some time to kill check out this classic case of a scammer getting his comeuppance.

http://www.zug.com/pranks/powerbook/

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shanter Posted 20 Feb 2013 , 6:30pm
post #6 of 44

Also read this (by cc's costumeczar). It's hilarious.

http://acaketorememberva.blogspot.com/2012/05/cake-scams-can-be-fun.html

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costumeczar Posted 20 Feb 2013 , 10:39pm
post #7 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by shanter 

Also read this (by cc's costumeczar). It's hilarious.

http://acaketorememberva.blogspot.com/2012/05/cake-scams-can-be-fun.html

Why, thank you! I have another one I'm "working with" right now. He wrote the longest run-on sentence I've ever seen. He really, really wants those 500 cupcakes...

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LNW Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 12:03am
post #8 of 44

I sell AVON and we have scammers that do this too.  It's weird.  They'll send an email asking for a bunch of the most expensive skin care and fragrance items AVON sells and then payment is always the same as the cake scams.  Seems like a waste since even though the stuff they are ordering is expensive it still pales to what they could be getting from other people.

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kikiandkyle Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 1:10am
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They're not doing it for the products, cakes, or Avon. It's about the cash. I bet that when people actually are foolish enough to fall for the scam the 'courier' never even shows up. They prey on supposedly small businesses because they think they will be naive enough to fall for it, and many are.

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experimenting Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 3:25am
post #10 of 44

AIt's not just businesses that are targeted. The same thing happened to me when I posted a dryer for sale on craigs list. Deaf prospective buyer (so no phone calls) wants to send money for asking price plus $xxx for shipping through their personal courier, etc. I let them send me the fake cashier's check hoping to get a return address to report to the police. The police told me to report it to the BBB. I reported it, but I'm sure nothing became of it.

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kikiandkyle Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 5:58am
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I had one from CraigsList too, wanting my recliner. No thanks!

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Annabakescakes Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 6:10am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by experimenting 

It's not just businesses that are targeted. The same thing happened to me when I posted a dryer for sale on craigs list. Deaf prospective buyer (so no phone calls) wants to send money for asking price plus $xxx for shipping through their personal courier, etc. I let them send me the fake cashier's check hoping to get a return address to report to the police. The police told me to report it to the BBB. I reported it, but I'm sure nothing became of it.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kikiandkyle 

I had one from CraigsList too, wanting my recliner. No thanks!

 

When I tried to sell my washer and dryer on Craigslist, I got a bunch off the S-E-X emails, saying how they had been looking for me, and wow, what a coincidence it was that I happened to post on CL and how funny Fate is, please check out my website, at WWW.click.here.and.get.a.worm.that.turns.everything.you.click.on.and.every.ad.into.porn.com (that wasn't it, bit that is what happened!!) And then I go back to CL and realize that there was no identifying information, so of course it was fake...dunce.gif

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costumeczar Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 11:13am
post #13 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annabakescakes 

 

 

When I tried to sell my washer and dryer on Craigslist, I got a bunch off the S-E-X emails, saying how they had been looking for me, and wow, what a coincidence it was that I happened to post on CL and how funny Fate is, please check out my website, at WWW.click.here.and.get.a.worm.that.turns.everything.you.click.on.and.every.ad.into.porn.com (that wasn't it, bit that is what happened!!) And then I go back to CL and realize that there was no identifying information, so of course it was fake...dunce.gif

I love that web address! The thing is, as long as there are suckers who will fall for it they'll keep trying. Did anyone see that lady onDr. Phil yesterday who refused to believe that her "boyfriend" was a scammer, even after they told her that the name was fake, his passport was fake, he never worked where he said he had, there was no bank account in the Caymans waiting for her, and on and on and on. She just kept saying "I don't believe it, he's real." She was so determined to not be wrong and look stupid that she looked stupid. 

If you have time to watch it it's worth seeing, it just shows how people will convince themselves of anything. http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1984

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tracyaem Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 1:20pm
post #14 of 44

I got one of these last night, the surprising thing was they filled out my whole internet order form (it wasn't just the generic email that I've gotten tons of times). They went to the trouble to fill out about a dozen fields of info! Almost enough to tempt me to play with them... almost :)

 

And I'm in the camp that just doesn't get the scam. Yes, I get the mechanics of it - you bill them extra, give a courier cash, payment turns out to be fake, etc. But really, for the couple hundred dollars they could potentially get, it seems like a lot of work.

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kikiandkyle Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 1:31pm
post #15 of 44

I saw that Dr Phil lady, I couldn't believe she was so adamant. I was actually hoping that when he started talking about that previous guest and the similarities, that they would have had the same phone number or something, because I think maybe that might have been the only thing that convinced her. Her problem was she just didn't think people went to those lengths to scam others, as if $175,000 isn't motivation enough! 

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costumeczar Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 5:24pm
post #16 of 44

These guys are sitting in front of a computer somewhere, and if they get one person a day to fall for it they can clear a decent amount of money. That lady on Dr Phil had sent $186,000 to the scammer,and if he came from Nigeria or Russia, which is where a lot of these guys are, that's a good payday for him. He probably had ten other  people suckered in so even if he gets them to send him$1000 a month,that's  substantial money for those countries.

 

i can't believe that anyone falls for it, but I know about it, and there are constant streams of people on here who post asking whether it's a scam or not. Not everyone has seen this kind of thing before. They come up with new methods all the time, too. I got an email last week from a company that wanted to put an ad on my website, and it didn't feel right to me. I bet they were trying to put some kind of virussy ad onmy site that would take people's passwords or something. They were offereing $750 a month, which is outrageously high for a website ad, but I bet there would be people who would be tempted to do it.

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kisamarie Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 6:50pm
post #17 of 44

It's like that insurance commercial where the girl says, "They can't put anything on the internet that isn't true." Her friend says," Where did you hear that?"  The girl says, "On the internet!" Then she says, "This is my Boyfriend, he's French!"  "Where did you meet him?"  "On the Internet!"

I too have had  those emails on Craigslist, I need to start being clever like you guys!

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heysugar504 Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 7:00pm
post #18 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft 

If you have some time to kill check out this classic case of a scammer getting his comeuppance.

http://www.zug.com/pranks/powerbook/

 

That is awesome!

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costumeczar Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 7:09pm
post #19 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by kisamarie 

It's like that insurance commercial where the girl says, "They can't put anything on the internet that isn't true." Her friend says," Where did you hear that?"  The girl says, "On the internet!" Then she says, "This is my Boyfriend, he's French!"  "Where did you meet him?"  "On the Internet!"

I too have had  those emails on Craigslist, I need to start being clever like you guys!

Bon-joor! That's my favorite commercial, hahaha!

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kisamarie Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 8:09pm
post #20 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft 

If you have some time to kill check out this classic case of a scammer getting his comeuppance.

http://www.zug.com/pranks/powerbook/

This is freaking classic!!!!  OMG, that scammer must have been sooooo pissed!thumbs_up.gif

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AZCouture Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 8:25pm
post #21 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by heysugar504 

 

That is awesome!

WOW! That wins the internet!

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experimenting Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 8:44pm
post #22 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar 

Bon-joor! That's my favorite commercial, hahaha!

I love that commercial!

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kikiandkyle Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 10:22pm
post #23 of 44

AP-p-p-p-powerbook...

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costumeczar Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 10:26pm
post #24 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by kisamarie 

This is freaking classic!!!!  OMG, that scammer must have been sooooo pissed!thumbs_up.gif

The thing is that he then hacked one of the websites that was involved with the person who scammed the scammer, so that's why you need to watch out with those idiots. I have a fake email account that I use to email them, I never respond from my own account. I love the "Laser!" thing, though.

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MARTIEQZ Posted 1 Apr 2013 , 9:02pm
post #25 of 44

I got an email from Melissa Walker claiming to be deaf and out of the country.  She later emailed that the family member in charge of paying the wedding vendors mistakenly overpaid me.  She wanted me to deposit the check and mail her a refund.  Then she began texting and insisting via cell phone 646-450-2675.  I found this number on facebook when I googled wedding cake scams.

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Annabakescakes Posted 1 Apr 2013 , 10:19pm
post #26 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by MARTIEQZ 

I got an email from Melissa Walker claiming to be deaf and out of the country.  She later emailed that the family member in charge of paying the wedding vendors mistakenly overpaid me.  She wanted me to deposit the check and mail her a refund.  Then she began texting and insisting via cell phone 646-450-2675.  I found this number on facebook when I googled wedding cake scams.

So, did you do it?

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silverdragon997 Posted 2 Apr 2013 , 1:00am
post #27 of 44

I got an email from someone who was supposedly the hearing impaired dad of the groom wanting a cake, and then a few days later, one from the supposed MOB wanting the same cake.  I replied back asking if she was involved in the wedding from the first email.  Did their children perhaps meet at an ASL class and fall in love?  :)   Funny, I never heard back...

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EnticingCakesInc Posted 10 Jan 2014 , 6:53pm
post #28 of 44

New one we just received

 

"Hi,
 
My Name Richard Fleming,I just searched for your contact on internet, when searching for Wedding cakes, me and my fiance will like to visit canada and have our wedding ceremony, and we will need cake for our wedding.(castle wedding cake, 4steps with vanilla flavor.) i think you can render this service for us by making the cake for our beautiful event.
 
Kindly let me know how you work and your availability.we will pick up the cake at your location when the cake is ready.
 
Please get back to me with the price of specified cake and if you require Deposit.
 
event date is 02/18/2014.
 
Best Regards."

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costumeczar Posted 10 Jan 2014 , 7:57pm
post #29 of 44

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnticingCakesInc 
 

New one we just received

 

"Hi,
 
My Name Richard Fleming,I just searched for your contact on internet, when searching for Wedding cakes, me and my fiance will like to visit canada and have our wedding ceremony, and we will need cake for our wedding.(castle wedding cake, 4steps with vanilla flavor.) i think you can render this service for us by making the cake for our beautiful event.
 
Kindly let me know how you work and your availability.we will pick up the cake at your location when the cake is ready.
 
Please get back to me with the price of specified cake and if you require Deposit.
 
event date is 02/18/2014.
 
Best Regards."

Ooh, ooh, ooh, forward it to me and I'll answer them! I haven't received one in ages, I think they put me on their don't email list for a while.

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EasyParty Posted 15 Jan 2014 , 1:57pm
post #30 of 44

The same here...

 

"~~Hi, My Name Richard Fleming,I just searched for your contact on internet, when searching for Wedding cakes, me and my fiance will like to visit canada and have our wedding ceremony, and we will need cake for our wedding.(castle wedding cake, 4steps with vanilla flavor.) i think you can render this service for us by making the cake for our beautiful event. Kindly let me know how you work and your availability.we will pick up the cake at your location when the cake is ready. Please get back to me with the price of specified cake and if you require Deposit. event date is 02/18/2014. Best Regards."

 

I knew right away it is a suspicious e-mail, replied to him to see what he says, gave him a quote and he got back with this....

 

"~~Perfect, I believe everything is concluded now, the total amount is confirmed also. I need your name and address for 50% upfront payment of the amount to be mailed to you on time inform of Money order or Certified Cheque, so we can be sure that the booking is secure. Waiting to hear from you. Thanks"

 

I've notice he is emailing to cake decorators in Ontario, Canada right now. Please be aware!

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