Thursday, May 07, 2009

Scam warning to all deaf and disabled!

So when I returned home from Eugene, I had a number of IM messages and some emails congratulating me. People that I did not know were aware, already knew how I did. I knew everybody except a couple of the messengers. One was the director of our nonprofit congratulating me on my fundraising efforts and my achievement in the half marathon run. Another message was from an instant messenger with the screen name "Deaf Claim Center". The person had said messages saying "hello", "congratulations", and had asked to be added to my messenger list.

I had assumed it was another person with NF2, another deaf person, or a representative from a deaf organization (in the previous week I was contacted via email by an organization in search of deaf high school athletes that I may know of). Therefore, in my tired state, I clicked "add" without thinking too deeply about who the person actually was. Over the next couple days, I recieved several IM messeges from "Deaf Claim Center" saying hello to see if I was online. I think it was last night that the person left a message stating that I won a prize through the Deaf Charity Organization that they were representing.

This morning I recieved 3 IM messages from this person and one inquired why I have not gotten back to him/her and that they only had 2 more days left for me to claim my prize. Pretty certain it was a scam but curious to find out what this was all about, I finally responded on day 4 which is today. I wanted to see if the person would actually try to prove they are legit and what he/she would do if I cornered them. The following is our IM conversation:

Deaf Claim Center: Why is it taking you too long time to redeem your winning prize..I am only using today and tomorrow to attend to winners of your date winning..

Rebecca Dufek: what is this about?

Deaf Claim Center: Its was actually a deaf charity organisation lottery..
Deaf Claim Center: Which you happened to be one of our lucky winners..

Rebecca Dufek: but I did not register for anything nor am familiar with your organization

Deaf Claim Center: The Entire Team of Deaf Charity organisation, Congratulate you on your Win of a Cash prize of $150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars) Only in today's Draw.
(Here is another hole I catch as I reread this. As I mention above, this person has been contacting me since Sunday. Yet, I won in the drawing which was held TODAY. Hmmn? So why was I contacted everyday for the previous 4 days?)
We are also Pleased to inform you that you have been verified.

Rebecca Dufek: what is the website of your organization?

Deaf Claim Center: We got millions of Email address from the the deafvp and deafconnect and our electronic System Randomly Picks 10 Lucky People to win $150,000.00 Cash prize each all in the effort of empowering the deafs and the disabled in general.

Rebecca Dufek: do you have some kind of legal documentation to back that up?

Deaf Claim Center: I have here a copy of your winning check,which i can send to your email..
Deaf Claim Center: You only need to claim your winning prize..

Rebecca Dufek: I prefer it sent via the US postal service
Rebecca Dufek: and how do I claim it?

Deaf Claim Center: We only use UPS to deliver the check to our winners..

Rebecca Dufek: ok that will do

Deaf Claim Center: We are Charity Organisations, Lending a Helping Hand to the Deaf, as we know that Disability is not Inability.

Deaf Claim Center: We are affiliated to Organisations Like NAD (National Association of the Deaf), UNAD ( United Nations Aid for Disabled)

Rebecca Dufek: so what is your web address?

Deaf Claim Center: Subsequent to the United Nations Disabled Day Held in texas in April 2009, we came up with a lottery tohelp the deaf through out the States.but u need to believe this cos it is real.

Rebecca Dufek: that is interesting because I have learned that the Deaf community do not view hearing loss as a disability

Deaf Claim Center: We are actually aware of scam going on on tthe internet about some pple trying to scam the deaf but i m happy to inform u that 7 of them have been arrested and now they are in jail so u have to be happy now
they are wicked people who dont have the fear of GOD in there heart they are indians living in america ours is serious busiiness and real and legal ....we are doing this all in the efforts of making the deafies happy and rich.

Rebecca Dufek: so how are you able to give money away during times of economic turmoil in our country?
Rebecca Dufek: why is there no information on your profile?

Deaf Claim Center: As matther of fact, the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT is aware of this and also the department of IRS and we are compelled to give out the cash winnings to sucessful and lucky winners after they have met up with the laid down requirments and have been cleared

Rebecca Dufek: how can you prove to me that you are legit?

Deaf Claim Center: I am just your claim officer
Deaf Claim Center: Our System Randomly Picked your Email Address and a Unique Winning Number assigned to you.
Your Unique Winning Number is DL383/3992 pls write it down some where safe its very important plssssss

Rebecca Dufek: what are the "laid down requirements"?

Deaf Claim Center: I am your Claim Officer and i require More Information about you,In Order for me to process your Claim.
Provide me with the Following Information.
Winning unique No.: Full Name: Address: Sex: Marital Status : Job: age

Rebecca Dufek: so how are you going to prove to me that you are legit and not a scam artist?

Deaf Claim Center: Thats why you have a copy of your check,which i can email to you for you to see..

Rebecca Dufek: Again, where does the money come from and how many awards are you granting?

Deaf Claim Center: Alot but your concern is getting your own winner prize which only you demand me questions for...
Deaf Claim Center: Provide the above informations,so your profile can be updated on our computer now..

Rebecca Dufek: You have not answered my simple question and you are asking for very personal information
Rebecca Dufek: I would be happy to give that to you if you are able to prove you are legit
Rebecca Dufek: so far you have not done that and can be any scam artist quite easily

Deaf Claim Center: Okay how will i do that,you should contact our head office in California for more informations..

Rebecca Dufek: ok
(long pause and no response from the person)
Rebecca Dufek: hello?

Deaf Claim Center: I am here..

Rebecca Dufek: I am waiting for you to provide the information to your headquarters and your website

Deaf Claim Center: Hold on..I am on phone..
Deaf Claim Center: I am back..
Deaf Claim Center: What do you say you need?
Deaf Claim Center: Contact our head officer email claim-lottery@yahoo.com

Rebecca Dufek: I need an official business address, phone number, contactr person by name, and an official email. What you have provided is not a business email

Deaf Claim Center: Its all you need to do to contact our head officer..You are sounding too forward,and seem you want your prize to be given to a motherless babies home.

Rebecca Dufek: I am reading that you are a scam. If you are not, you would provide me authenticity that you are legit
Rebecca Dufek: if you were an actual nonprofit, you would provide what I have asked for

Deaf Claim Center: You are not guessing or reading right..You are only trying to be too forward..

Rebecca Dufek: you already made contradicting statements

Deaf Claim Center: Oh really?

Rebecca Dufek: are you actually deaf?

Deaf Claim Center: Good for me..As i wont have to waste my time explaining this to you again..

Deaf Claim Center: I am not a deaf.I work with the charity organisation period..

Rebecca Dufek: I am with a nonprofit and am aware that they have protocals and tax id numbers to prove they are legit
Rebecca Dufek: I am a fundraiser and am so inclined to prove I am not a scam

Deaf Claim Center: Sure you got it right,contact the email i gave you,then you get all of that,i am not in position to waste my precious time explaining that to you..

Rebecca Dufek: this is interesting. I am going to post our conversation on my blog which is read internationally

Deaf Claim Center: Thats good go ahead..

Rebecca Dufek: so one last time, what is the business mailing address, phone number, website, and contact number for this prize?

Deaf Claim Center: You got an answer.Go ahead and post the conversation cos people who reads it know how real it is..

Rebecca Dufek: so if you were in my shoes, you would gladly give out your personal information without any proof or verification that it is not a scam?

Deaf Claim Center: I told you to contact the organisation head office email i gave you,they are in position to review this to you not me..
Deaf Claim Center: Okay

Rebecca Dufek: LOL if you were legit and working for such a charity "non-profit" organization as you claim, you would provide me an official email and contact person and not a spam address.
Rebecca Dufek: How did you get my email anyway?
Rebecca Dufek: It is pretty sick that you are so desperate you are reaching out to innocent people with disabilities or deafness who may be completely unaware of what is going on
Rebecca Dufek: You will not mind me contacting the NAD if you are legit then.

Deaf Claim Center: Whats going on with you really?
Deaf Claim Center: You are just make conclusion that can land you in jail forever..

Rebecca Dufek: LOL I think you got that the other way around buddy!

Holes in Deaf Claim Centers claim

First of all, the profile for this person was completely blank! If the person actually representing a nonprofit charity and was official, the person would have listed the nonprofit organization, address, phone and fax, email, website, and their title if applicable in their profile. Somebody does not just work for a paid position for a charity and use their own personal email or IM account.

Secondly, throughout the entire conversation are numerous spelling errors and improper grammar. The dialogue is not presented in a professional business like manner. It is as if the person actually speaks english as a second language. This is one of the reasons I inquired if he/she was Deaf.


Immediately in the conversation, the person makes a comment about being affiliated with the National Association of the Deaf NAD) but then relates being deaf as a disability. This is highly contradictory information. In fact, many people from the Deaf community view their hearing loss as NOT a disability. When I briefly hint towards this, the person does not catch it and seems to be completely unaware. If in fact this person did represent a charity advocating for Deaf people, he/she would be aware of the community's cultural ideals. Deaf are a pretty tight knit group and those who are hearing involved with their organizations, are very close and familiar with their culture and values.

On SEVERAL occassions, I ask the person to provide some form of legitamacy by providing the contact information and website of the organization he/she is representing. EVERYTIME, my request is evaded and I never do get the actual information for the organization. All that the person has told me is that it is the "Deaf Charity Organization" and to contact an unofficial spam like address "claim-lottery@yahoo.com".

When I keep pushing for a physical address and contact info, the person starts to get defensive and reacts as if cornered. Politeness disappears and he/she tries several desperate tactics to gain my trust from reassuring that scam artists have been arrested to threatening to give my prize to "motherless babies" (who would definitely be more in need of financial assistance). Further, he/she starts making racial comments, throwing religion in the mix, and begins even questioning my reasoning as if there is something wrong with me for not agreeing to the scam.

"they are wicked people who dont have the fear of GOD in there heart they are indians living in america"

"Whats going on with you really?"

Further, "the claim officer" as the person professes to be, starts insulting me and ends with a completely absurd statement which does not make any sense what so ever.

"Sure you got it right,contact the email i gave you,then you get all of that,i am not in position to waste my precious time explaining that to you.."

"Good for me..As i wont have to waste my time explaining this to you again.."

After I tell the person I am going to expose them on my blog...

"You got an answer.Go ahead and post the conversation cos people who reads it know how real it is.."

"You are just make conclusion that can land you in jail forever.."

The more I push, the more the person gets desperate and changes tone and starts making threats and rude statements. This simply would not happen in a professional setting if this indeed were legit. The entire situation is full of holes and I hope this provides you with a good example of how to recognize them should you be contacted.

Be careful out there!

21 comments:

KC said...

holy cow Beck!
what a conversation!
has this person attempted to contact u again??
what an idiot!!
"motherless and baby less homes"
wtf? geeeeezzz.
BARK~!
~KC

Unknown said...

I had the same today,
her name was a Laura Jeter from a new york organisation, asking me for very personal details :S
why are they doing this?
taking advantage of deaf people.
she is talkin to me at the moment
so wise to block and delete?

Unknown said...

Deaf Charity says:
congratulations
i am pleased to inform you that You happened to be one of the Lucky Winners in the ongoing Deaf Lotto.
We got millions of Email address from numerous deaf groups all across the world and our electronic System Randomly Picks 10 Lucky People to win $150,000.00 Cash prize each all in the effort of empowering the deaf and the disabled in general
i am pleased to inform you that you have just won yourself a whooping sum of $150,000 in the deaf charity lotto as one of the 10 lucky winners
congratulations once more
Heatha says:
how do i get the money
wow thanks
Deaf Charity says:
I am here as your claims officer to take you through the process of receiving your winnings
ok
Our System Randomly Picked your Email Address and a Unique Winning Number assigned to you
Your Unique Winning Number is DL383/3996 pls write it down some where safe its very important plssssss
have u done that?
Heatha says:
yes
Deaf Charity says:
ok good
I am your Claim Officer and i require More Information about you, In Order for me to process your Claim
Provide me with the Following Information

Winning unique No.:
Full Name:
Address:
Sex:
Marital Status :
Job:
age
Heatha says:
is this a joke or? #
Deaf Charity says:
its real
As a matter of fact, the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT is aware of this and also the department of IRS and we are compelled to give out the cash winnings to sucessful and lucky winners after they have met up with the laid down requirments and have been cleared
are u there?
Heatha says:
yeah
is it possible to have evidence of this before i give out information. as we are aware of identity fraud
Deaf Charity says:
we are actually aware of scam going on on the internet about some pple trying to scam the deaf
but i m happy to inform u that 7 of them have been arrested and now they are in jail so u have to be happy now
ours is serious business and real and legal ...we are doing this all in the efforts of making the deafies happy and rich...
Heatha says:
thats not evidence though?
Deaf Charity says:
yes I know it is not enough evidence but I can send you the scanned copy of the cheque that was used to pay one of the 10 lucky winners yesterday
Heatha says:
yeah sure go ahead that ll do
send by email
Deaf Charity says:
ok pls hold while I do that now




she actually sent me a cheque of someone she sent it to yesterday...it was obviously tampered with! you cant just show someone else's cheque to people cant u?

Rebecca said...

wow Heather! Thanks for commenting and posting this. It sounds like it is the same scam operation. ARe you deaf? I wonder how they know that information and where they acquired it from.
I was not willing to give my email out to get the scanned check. Once I give my email out, it would be open to all sorts of spam which I already get and need to weed through weekly as an important email mistakenly always gets bumped there (such as you comment).

I will write another short post linking your experience to a recent post that more people are aware.

Disgusting eh? This is the nature of predators however.

Rebecca said...

very interesting indeed! I clicked on your name thinking it was going to take to me your blog and profile. I was thinking maybe we both had deaf on our profiles. However you have either not made a profile or opted not to share it which leaves me even more stumped on how the scam artist knew we were both deaf. hmmmnnn?

Rebecca said...

very interesting indeed! I clicked on your name thinking it was going to take to me your blog and profile. I was thinking maybe we both had deaf on our profiles. However you have either not made a profile or opted not to share it which leaves me even more stumped on how the scam artist knew we were both deaf. hmmmnnn?

Anonymous said...

Well, I had the same too today and I'm glad that i saw your blog...^_^..I've been wondering why i win a prize suddenly....

Pat Tran said...

Hey ,
Thx for making this blog :)
I had someone by the name of "Melody" who added me on MSN with the email DeafCharityClaimCentre@hotmail.com

My msn is only for conversations with people that I know only. I do not chat to random people and have no clue why somebody with such a weird email added me.
That said I've deleted them !

Pat Tran said...

btw Rebecca I just happened to have googled your blog and posted my comment on the side bar
Theres no need to register or have an account with blogger ! I chose Name/URL
Anyway I read that "Deaf Charity Cliam Centre" have tried to send an image to peoples emails !
Do NOT accept or open images from people whom you do not know or trust!
I am very certain they can send "worms" to your email address.
Which means that itll grab your contact list and then will send mass email messages to other people on your contact list. And the process goes on !
Hackers are smart nowdays and can embed virus worms into a JPEG image. In other words a picture infected with a virus will still LOAD in a picture !
The only way to know if its a virus is to scan it with an antivirus scanner !
So with regards to what Heather had posted. Were you able to scan the email attachment showing a person with the winning check with an antivirus scanner ?
Bewaree ppl ! Hackers are getting smart nowdays !
TYVM for making this blog to warn ppl !!

Rebecca said...

Thanks Pat! Yeah, my yahoo account is also for conversations only with people I know. I do not know how they got to me either.

I never gave out my email address so I never got an attachment. I knew right away it was a scam and just chose to play with the person out of curiousity to see how they would react. So no, I never got an email from them nor opened an attachment from them. If they were legit, they would have agreed to give me a company website and send me something official such as a check via snail mail.

Yeah, hackers sure are getting clever! A couple people I know had their facebook accounts hacked into and they were unaware until facebook contacted them to temporarily close their accounts. Apparently "phishers" were sending out spam messages to the person;s contact list and making it look like the sender was the actual account holder. At first I wondered what was up when this particular friend kept sending me links on facebook saying "check this out" with no message stating what it was about. After receiving at least 3 of these messages, I asked the friend why they kept sending me these links. Come to find out, my friend had no idea and did not even send them.

So if you have a facebook account, be cautious on there also. Only add a friend if you know the person or other people you know are friends with them. When I get a stranger making a friend request to me, I send them a message to ask how I would know them or how they found me. (I have certain hobbies people share that add me or friend suggest me for some particular reason). If the person does not contact me back or have mutual friends, I do not add them.

Since the "phisher" incident, I only open links sent by people if they send a message what it is concerning. Anything strange and not adding up I do not open.

Flora said...

I just looked up in google for checking if it is true or not, Lucky i click this blog, and i don't even know this person named "Melody" and her email "deafcharityclaimcentre@live.com" also! i was like huhh too sudden!
here's the conv
Melody says (6:36 PM):
hello
Flora... says (6:36 PM):
hi
Flora... says (6:38 PM):
um.. do i know you?
Melody says (6:41 PM):
i am Melody Smith from the deaf charity organization in New York USA
how are you doing?
Flora... says (6:42 PM):
ohhh, i am doing good, how about you?
Melody says (6:42 PM):
i am fine
are you deaf?........cos i have some good news for you
Flora... says (6:43 PM):
oh i am hard of hearing.
Melody says (6:43 PM):
alright
Melody says (6:44 PM):
your email was picked from the deaf group all across the world as winner in the ongoing deaf lotto
Melody says (6:45 PM):
We got millions of Email address from numerous deaf groups all across the world and our electronic System Randomly Picks 10 Lucky People to win $150,000.00 Cash prize each all in the effort of empowering the deaf and the disabled in general
Flora... says (6:46 PM):
oh really? i am just shocked..
Melody says (6:46 PM):
i understand how you feel
$150,000 is a big amount of money
Melody says (6:47 PM):
you are very lucky to have won
there are only ten lucky winners and you happened to be one of the winners
Melody says (6:50 PM):
are you there?
Flora... says (6:51 PM):
how did you get my email?
Melody says (6:52 PM):
i told you earlier........your email was randomly picked from the deaf group all across the world
Flora... says (6:52 PM):
but i did not sign up for it.
Melody says (6:53 PM):
winners do not sign up for this
Melody says (6:55 PM):
it's just a way of helping the deaf all across the world
Melody says (6:58 PM):
you just happened to be a winner
congratulations
Flora... says (6:59 PM):
what is your name of your organization?
Melody says (6:59 PM):
my name is Melody Smith
and i am from the deaf charity organization in New York USA
Flora... says (7:00 PM):
i mean name of the deaf charity organization and do you have a website?
Melody says (7:01 PM):
due to some bad people who went using the name of our organization to cheat innocent deaf people
Flora... says (7:02 PM):
but how can i trust you?
Melody says (7:02 PM):
we blocked our site because of this
Melody says (7:03 PM):
a new website is under construction
you need to trust me
have you ever hear this before?
Flora... says (7:04 PM):
no i never heard this beforee.
Melody says (7:05 PM):
that is more reason why you need to trust and believe me
i am your claim officer
and i am here to tell you how to claim your winnings
Flora... says (7:06 PM):
oh..
Melody says (7:06 PM):
yes
Melody says (7:07 PM):
every winner is assigned to a winning number
this winning number is your prize winning number and you should safe it
okay?
Melody says (7:08 PM):
Your Unique Winning Number is DL383/3996
you get that?
Melody says (7:12 PM):
are you there?
Flora... says (7:16 PM):
you know... i am sure that you told others the same message to other people.
Melody says (7:16 PM):
why?
Melody says (7:17 PM):
you need to understand what i am telling
and who are the others
Flora... says (7:20 PM):
anonymous ppl that i know, they also got the same msg from you
Melody says (7:20 PM):
you may think so
Melody says (7:21 PM):
but i only talk to winners
Flora... says (7:21 PM):
you sure?
Melody says (7:21 PM):
if you hadn't won...i will not be talking to you

Flora said...

Flora... says (7:21 PM):
you told the same msg to that person
Melody says (7:22 PM):
who?
Flora... says (7:22 PM):
i am not giving info of that person
Melody says (7:23 PM):
then i am not sure of what you are saying
Flora... says (7:25 PM):
okay then, then why did you add me? even it was weeks ago.
Melody says (7:26 PM):
i told you this already
We are a Charity Organisation, Lending a Helping Hand to the Deaf, as we know that Disability is not Inability
Flora... says (7:26 PM):
yes i know, but you could have left the msg if i am offline or email
Melody says (7:27 PM):
i want to be sure i am talking to the right person
cos some bad people hack others email
Melody says (7:28 PM):
so we need to confirm the right owner of the email address
Flora... says (7:30 PM):
oh do you have any connections with other deaf society?
Melody says (7:30 PM):
we are deaf charity organization here in New York USA
Flora... says (7:31 PM):
then can i have your address?
and your phone number?
Melody says (7:32 PM):
New York
where are you from?
Flora... says (7:33 PM):
nowhere
Melody says (7:33 PM):
umm
Flora... says (7:34 PM):
and your phone number?
Melody says (7:34 PM):
you seem not to be taking me serious here
Flora... says (7:35 PM):
because i want to know if it is real or not
Melody says (7:36 PM):
alright
do you wanna call this office or what?
Melody says (7:39 PM):
number is +1718-819-1710
okay?
Flora... says (7:44 PM):
hmm i still can't believe you
Melody says (7:45 PM):
well you should
you are actually a very lucky person
Flora... says (7:45 PM):
well do you have any proof? like claim report or something?
Melody says (7:46 PM):
i will show you a scan copy of your winning cheque
that will be after i get your information to enable me write your winning cheque
Flora... says (7:47 PM):
what kind of info that you want?
Melody says (7:47 PM):
okay

Flora said...

Melody says (7:48 PM):
as your Claim Officer and i require More Information about you, In Order for me to process your Claim
Pls provide me with the Following Information

Full Name:
Address:
Sex:
Marital Status :
Job:
age:
Flora... says (7:53 PM):
i want to ask you something, are you also involved in NAD?
Melody says (7:54 PM):
i work here as a claim agent here in the deaf charity organization
Flora... says (7:54 PM):
Do you know what is NAD?
Melody says (7:55 PM):
yes
Flora... says (7:55 PM):
what is it?
Melody says (7:55 PM):
National Association of the Deaf
Flora... says (7:56 PM):
and is deaf charity organization is involved?
Melody says (7:57 PM):
yes
Melody says (7:58 PM):
what about it?
Flora... says (7:59 PM):
just wondering
Flora... says (8:00 PM):
because National association of the deaf have a topic called Scam alert - Protect yourself
Melody says (8:00 PM):
We are affiliated to Organisations Like NAD (National Association of the Deaf), UNAID ( United Nations Aid for Disabled)
yes.......i know
it's because of those people that uses the name of this organization to cheat innocent deaf people
Flora... says (8:01 PM):
i am sorry to hear that, i would not accpet 150000 money
thank you for your time
Melody says (8:01 PM):
no problem
i am not forcing you
Flora... says (8:02 PM):
well you did actually
Flora... says (8:04 PM):
to make me to trust you and also the info you gave me, i looked up and it totally unavailable
Melody says (8:04 PM):
it's because you are afraid
Flora... says (8:05 PM):
so what if i am afraid? how can i know if you are hacker or not
so thank you anyways. i have enough with this.
Melody says (8:07 PM):
okay
but i am telling you the truth
Flora... says (8:08 PM):
okay then do you have any news about spam or something? in NY?
Melody says (8:08 PM):
all over the world
Melody says (8:09 PM):
not only in NY
Flora... says (8:13 PM):
do you believe in God?
Melody says (8:13 PM):
yes
Flora... says (8:14 PM):
do you enjoy doing what is important to you?
Melody says (8:15 PM):
why asking?
Flora... says (8:15 PM):
i do believe god.
Melody says (8:15 PM):
i am a christian
and i believe in God
what is you point?
Flora... says (8:17 PM):
my point is, do you know the colossian 3:9?
Melody says (8:17 PM):
then?
Flora... says (8:18 PM):
did you do that to me?
Melody says (8:18 PM):
what do you mean?
Flora... says (8:19 PM):
oh....
Melody says (8:19 PM):
talk to me
i meant no harm
Flora... says (8:20 PM):
do not make false statements to one another; because you have put away the old man with all his doings
Melody says (8:21 PM):
ummm
it's true
Flora... says (8:21 PM):
yes it is.
Melody says (8:21 PM):
i have a clear conscience
Flora... says (8:23 PM):
oh, i really want to be honest with you, i really want you to quit what your doing.
Melody says (8:23 PM):
what is wrong
Melody says (8:24 PM):
you don't have to tell me what i am to do
Flora... says (8:24 PM):
okay i wish you don't go wrong path because i do worry about you and your life.
Melody says (8:24 PM):
ummm
Flora... says (8:25 PM):
okay?
i just wanna let you know.
Flora... says (8:26 PM):
thank you for you time and also you take your time thinking about whats ahead of you.
i wish you best luck melody and it is nice to met you
Melody says (8:26 PM):
thanks

Thats all i got
http://cid-1e2ce8bde5e2f91b.profile.live.com/ "her profile"

Anonymous said...

today i am one of this. bec they imed me this morning told me that i won 150,000.00 from deaf charity lotto. which i never knew that my email was in it and that pissed me off. sorry about my langauge. thing is that they told me that they would send me the prove of the check and they did, it was fake check, i studied it myself, they told me that i have to pay 650 dollars to have them to send it to me. i told them no thanks and i know this is scam and u people are trying to take advantge the deaf culture and i told them i will start warning my deaf friends about that. so i am one of victims of them :S

Anonymous said...

My name is sue, i am from uk. like u all, i had Melody Smith from deaf charity claim centre, she use email as DeafCharityClaimCentre@live.com and had chat to me online saying how i won $150000, Stupidly i didn't check if it was a scam or not on google but i am now having some1 fight my case to get my money i pay through money transfer in order to get my winning amount back. You will neva guess how much i pay through western unions, I paid £1,500.00 for money transfer fee then had email from IRS, claiming that the transfer were successfully in my account but were on holded as they needed Certificate of ownership at cost of another £1,000 and i had 7 days to pay that or i end up losing the money i paid and the winning amount! I have their boss email which is Kennethwilliams@usa.com, which i have contact today to try and get my money back but am now awaiting reply from him! I swear i will neva add any1 on my msn ever again unless it some1 i know. This had since den pissed me off knowing i am been used by both the charity and by melody! She been pushing me to find some money and pay it off, also claim she had a son who is apparently ill in hospital and had just had a major operation which i believe could be a lie! I have learn my lesson through this now and am neva again going to accept any1 on msn every again apart from person i mite know! Plz see below for email i have put from IRS, after they have successfully transfer money in my bank...........................

Anonymous said...

this is the first email i had from IRS ater i paid £550 (sorry i had to delete my name and address)......
FROM THE DESK OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE
(CASH WINNING CLAIMS SECTION)
IRS HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
1111, CONSTITUTION AVENUE
NW, WASHINGTON D.C
U.S.A

Good day,

I am compelled to inform you; (my full name), who resides at (My address) UK, ENGLAND, who happened to emerge as one of the lucky winners of $150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand USD) equivalent to 91,000 British Pounds from the deaf charity organization lottery that you have to get cleared by this office in correspondence with the Revenue act decree 371c and money laundering act decree 510a of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA constitution.

We received your file for your claims clearance dated 09-09-2009 of file number 9879/09a from the deaf charity organization and it was stated there that you have paid the charge fee of 550 Pounds for the transfer of your winnings of $150,000 into your account and included there is the evidence and receipt of the payment.

Be informed you that you are required to pay 1% of your cash winnings for your final clearance for the transfer of your cash winnings of $150,000 to be completed. 1% of your winnings amounts to $1,500 equivalent to 1000 pounds which serves as payment for your personal income tax which you have to pay because you are receiving this winnings from an organization based in the Unites States Of America. The money must be paid to this office in full before your winnings can be cleared to be transferred into your account.

Be informed that your fast response to this will be at your greatest advantage.

I am also using this opportunity to let you know that the deaf charity organization is a registered organization with the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT all in the effort of empowering and helping the deaf which you have become one of the beneficiary.

A copy of this letter is being forwarded to the deaf charity organization as well so they should be expecting to hear from you.

You should get in touch with the claims officer of the deaf charity organization Mrs Melody Smith through email immediately you get this mail so she can tell you the procedure you will use in sending across 1% of your winnings which amounts to $1500 to them so it can be paid to our office. Once this money is received by our payment department, your winnings will be cleared and your winnings will now be fully transferred into your bank account.


Thanks and more congratulations.

YOURS SINCERELY

Douglas H. Shulman
Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Anonymous said...

After i paid further £1,000, i had 2nd email from IRS................(but were tolded by melody, i didn't not needed to pay any more payment after this)................


FROM THE DESK OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE
(CASH WINNING CLAIMS SECTION)
IRS HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
1111, CONSTITUTION AVENUE
NW, WASHINGTON D.C
U.S.A

Good day,

This is to inform you that your lotto winning prize has been successfully transferred into your account after tax payment is fully confirmed paid to this office.

Your winning prize of $150,000 has now been wired into your account but it's being pended because you are required to get a OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATE which will be sent to your bank before you go there to confirm the money in your bank account.

This certificate must be obtained within 7 working days. It will cost you 1,000 pounds to get the said certificate.

You are to get in touch with the deaf charity (Melody Smith) for details on how to make payment for the said certificate.

It is very urgent.

Thanks and more congratulations.

YOURS SINCERELY

Douglas H. Shulman
Commissioner of Internal Revenue.


NOW YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY R USING ME, AFTER I WAS TOLD BY MELODY, I DID NOT NEEDED TO PAY ANY MORE PAYMENT, IT TURN OUT THEY R USING INNOCENT DEAF PPLS, I HAVE A SOLICITOR FIGHTING TO GET MY MONEY BK FROM THIS CHARITY. I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD NAME THEMSELF AS DEAF CHARITY CLAIM CENTRE BUT SCAMCENTRE@RIPPINGINNOCENTDEAFPPL.COM! Wot an idiots!

I sure hope u all don't make same mistake as me, Next time i get weird some1 trying to add me, i will check them out on google.com.

BE CAREFUL AND PLZ DON'T END UP LIKE ME!

Rebecca said...

Flora thanks for sharing your IM conversation and thank you to everybody who has left a comment sharing your experience being contacted by these people.

I am SO sorry to those of you who have been taken advantage of and fallen victim to this scam. Good luck with the authorities and I sincerely hope you get your money back. I know that has got to really hurt. We have been to London and I know that 1000 to 1500 pounds is a great deal of money!

In the US the deaf community is a pretty close tight knit group and I imagine it to be there also. Tell as many of your friends you know what happened and spread the word so we can put these scammers out of business.

Update - I have been contacted by a police officer in California who is investigating this scam down there.

Keep us informed of any investigations and if you were successful getting your money back.

Lisa said...

this the convo wit my girl nd she aint deaf only find email from deaf sites she want become interpreter nd those peopl is shit see wut they say i cam n at the end

Deaf Claim Center (2:46 PM):
Aundrea (2:47 PM): hi
Deaf Claim Center (2:47 PM): hello
Deaf Claim Center (2:47 PM): how are you doing to day
Deaf Claim Center (2:47 PM): Aundrea (2:48 PM): i'm doing ok i guess.
Aundrea (2:48 PM): depressed.
Deaf Claim Center (2:49 PM): ok
Deaf Claim Center (2:49 PM): so how is life
Aundrea (2:50 PM): ok, i guess.
Deaf Claim Center (2:51 PM): why?
Aundrea (2:51 PM): i just do.
Deaf Claim Center (2:53 PM): so you don't wana talk to me
Aundrea (2:53 PM): i can.
Aundrea (2:53 PM): what do you want?
Deaf Claim Center (2:54 PM): i want you
Aundrea (2:54 PM): want me?
Aundrea (2:55 PM): like for what?
Deaf Claim Center (2:55 PM): yes
Aundrea (2:55 PM): sex or something?
Deaf Claim Center (2:55 PM): both
Aundrea (2:56 PM): you want me for both?
Aundrea (2:56 PM): what do you want me to do?
Deaf Claim Center (2:56 PM): yes
Deaf Claim Center (2:56 PM): anything
Deaf Claim Center (2:56 PM): you like
Aundrea (2:56 PM): no you tell me.
Aundrea (2:58 PM): ?
Deaf Claim Center (2:59 PM): what do you want me to tell you?
Aundrea (3:00 PM): u can tell me waht the hell u want
Aundrea (3:01 PM): cat got ur tounge
Aundrea (3:02 PM): u pussy
Aundrea (3:07 PM):

Anonymous said...

Hello! Jus sharing cos i have just encountered the person u all mentioned. some further details u all might interested.. cos i was too boring so decided to play on the game.

After the process done, email with ur beautiful cheque with ur name and the huge amount stated.. then quiet for a while.. cos i kept barking that im leaving.. so she replied that the processes fee costs about 800plus.. WOW!! Impressive cos we won over millions.. what we care about 800plus.. haha! okie, come to the final topic.. money gram.. to where/who:

Name:Jesus M Brizal
City:Albuquerque
State:New Mexico
Postal code:87121
Country:USA

anyway she replied: we will be await for the 8digit no of the confirmation from us!

Jus sharing.. mean no harm! DK!

caz said...

So glad I found this site. I got a message through facebook saying I had won £450,000 but I had to pay £1000 for the payment of the cheque...as if!!!
Even sent me scan of cheque!!