E-Mail Scam targeted at Interpreters (Scams)

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E-Mail Scam targeted at Interpreters
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E-Mail Scam targeted at Interpreters

Thread poster: Ulrike Lieder (X)

Katalin Horváth McClure

United States
Local time: 18:24
Member (2002)
English to Hungarian
+ ...

The bishop found us through the ProZ directory

Apr 29, 2005

Ulrike Lieder wrote:

The good bishop and his family must be a truly amazing bunch - apparently they are able to clone themselves, with the wife cloning herself to different nationalities to match the intended target's language pair, so as to spend their holidays in different parts of the world at the very same time...

Yep, my bishop was form Ghana, had a Japanese wife, etc...
I checked my Visitors page (great new feature on ProZ) and it showed that this person came through the ProZ directory, then to my profile page and he sent the email from there.
This was on April 22, and his IP address is 81.199.93.40.
I am sure he sent out messages to other people as well.

Be careful.
Katalin

Ulrike Lieder (X)

Local time: 15:24
English to German
+ ...

TOPIC STARTER

In memoriam

Contact is established via various routes

Apr 29, 2005

Katalin Horvath McClure wrote:

this person came through the ProZ directory, then to my profile page and he sent the email from there.
This was on April 22, and his IP address is 81.199.93.40.
I am sure he sent out messages to other people as well.

Many of these scam mails that I receive come to different e-mail addresses than the one that mail coming via my ProZ profile is sent to, so it would appear they have many ways of finding us and establishing contact.

BTW, the very latest of these scam mails I received (just in the past couple of days) didn't even bother to match my language pairs and/or my country of residence. It purported to be looking for an interpreter for a business man who speaks only Arabic and French and was coming "to [my] country" where he would be in need of "oral interpretation only". Needless to say, the message was deleted immediately.

Ineke Hardy
Netherlands
Local time: 00:24
Afrikaans to English
+ ...

E-mail Scam

May 1, 2005

Just received an urgent request for a quote from the Rev. Mark Dudu from Ghana, who needs an interpreter for his 10 day visit to Canada (May 10-20) since his wife and children unfortunately only speak Dutch. He would like to pay in advance...
The Reverend's name should be Duh Duh.

Vadim Khazin

Local time: 18:24
English to Ukrainian
+ ...

A twin bishop from Ghana

May 13, 2005

[quote]Dan Kenig wrote:

Remain Blessed.
His Lordship.
Bishop Steven Kwame.
Tel: +233-243610893

My bishop is probably a twin brother of yours. As you may see below, they share the same phone number, although mine has a "direct line" too. The other, and most amazing difference is that his wife speaks Russian, and they are coming to the US. The rest is the same.

REMAIN BLESSED,
HIS LORDSHIP,
BISHOP YAW YAKOHENE.

Tel: +233-243610893
Direct Line:+233-244033930.

NGK

United States
Local time: 17:24

Bless my ass

May 26, 2005

This is the email I received this morning via Aquarius:

Hello,
I am Bishop Tobi Mensah.Am an English speaking clergy from Ghana. I will be coming over to Chicago IL on holidays from 3rd of June to the 13th of June 2005 for a 10 days Vacation with my German wife, daughter and son of the ages of 3 and 5 respectively.My wife Rev.Lora only speaks German and my native language, because her mum happens to come from Ghana. We will require the services of a German interpreter for 5 hours daily,12noon to 5pm,although this might be flexibly for 10 days because I will not always be with them on most occasions due to other church functions which I most attend.We will like to pay in advance of our visit so she can be assured of an interpreter during her shopping and sightseeing because this is her first visit to USA .
An early reply will be appreciated.Please acknowledge if you can offer this service and give me a price quote, and immediately call me on my
direct line (+233 243610893) as soon as you receive this email, so we
can conclude on all other arrangemnts ASAP, as time is not really on our side.

Remain Blessed,
His Lordship,
Bishop Tobi Mensah.
Direct Line: +233 243610893

N.B. Less i forget, also provide me with your Full Name
that will be on a certified cashier check, drawn from a US Bank, and your Address/telephone numbers, for easy delivery via Express
Courier mailing services

I did wonder what kind of bishop he might be, being married with kids and all. But I wasn't about to let common sense get in the way of a ten day interpretation assignment.

Yes, I admit it, I called His Lordship in Ghana. He told me his US sponsor would send me a cashier's check including both my fee and his travel agent's fee, the latter of which he wanted me to wire to Ghana.

Not!

An hour later, a faint memory surfaced from the depths of my subconsciousness ... Hadn't I read a headline on ProZ about some scam directed at interpreters?

Ahem.

Have a blessed day, everybody.

Ulrike Lieder (X)

Local time: 15:24
English to German
+ ...

TOPIC STARTER

In memoriam

Split Personality or a Truly Miraculous Man?

May 26, 2005

I received the exact same message via my Aquarius profile this morning, too. Not entirely sure how the good Bishop and his family will manage to be in Chicago and Tahoe City at the very same time, but I guess everything is possible if you just believe...

In any case, I have sent the message, along with the internet header info, to Aquarius to let them know that these con artists are now using Aquarius as a platform for finding new victims.

(Remain blessed, too...... See more

) ▲ Collapse

IIDA (X)
Japanese to English

We have received it, too.

May 30, 2005

Thanks for the warning!
In our case, he was a bishop with a yahoo email address.
([email protected])
He referred to himself as "his lordship."

----------
Author: Bishop tobi Mensah
Author's Profile: http://www.proz.com/pro/108869
Author's IP address: 213.255.248.152
Message type: Miscellaneous
-----------

Hello,

I am Bishop Tobi Mensah.Am an English speaking clergy from
Ghana. I will be coming over to Los Angeles on holidays
from 10th of June to the 20th of June 2005 for a 10 days
Vacation with my japanese wife, daughter and son of the
ages of 3 and 5 respectively.My wife Rev.Lora only speaks
japanese and my native language, because her mum happens to
come from Ghana. We will require the services of a japanese
interpreter for 5 hours daily,12noon to 5pm,although this
might be flexibly for 10 days because I will not always be
with them on most occasions due to other church functions
which I most attend.We will like to pay in advance of our
visit so she can be assured of an interpreter during her
shopping and sightseeing because this is her first visit to
USA .
An early reply will be appreciated.Please acknowledge if
you can offer this service and give me a price quote, and
immediately call me on my
direct line (+233 243610893) as soon as you receive this
email, so we
can conclude on all other arrangemnts ASAP, as time is not
really on our side.

Remain Blessed,

His Lordship,
Bishop Tobi Mensah.

Direct Line: +233 243610893

N.B. Less i forget, also provide me with your Full Name
that will be on a certified cashier check, drawn from a US
Bank, and your Address/telephone numbers, for easy delivery
via Express
Courier mailing services. ▲ Collapse

Ralf Lemster

Germany
Local time: 00:24
English to German
+ ...

Please send a Support Request to site staff

May 30, 2005

Hi,
Whenever you receive a message constituting abuse that has been sent through your ProZ.com profile by another ProZ.com member, please submit a Support Request to site staff.

This is far more effective than just posting a forum message.

Thanks!
Best regards,
Ralf

echo_echo (X)
Local time: 00:24
German to Chinese
+ ...

I've got one too!

Jun 6, 2005

...And this time he's got a Chinese wife!

Hier is his email from [email protected]:

DEAR SIR,

I am Bishop Robert Mensah. Am an English speaking
cleargy from Ghana. I will be coming over to Germany,
on holidays/Seminars from 10th June to the 20th of June
2005 for a 10 days vacation with my Chinese
wife,daughter and son of the ages of 3 and 5
respectively.My wife Rev.Zanni Mensah only speaks
CHINESE and English language, because her mum happens
to come from China. We will require the services of a
Chinese translator for 5 hours daily X 10 days
because I will not always be with them on most occasions
due
to other church functions which I must attend.
Please acknowledge if you can offer this service and what
will it cost me?.
We will like to pay in advance of our visit so she can be
assured of an interpreter during her shopping and
sightseeing because this is her first visit.
An early reply will be appreciated.
Please indicate your operational base in your country so
that i will know if it okay for me.

Remain Blessed,

His Lordship,
Bishop Asante Mensah.

NOTE THAT MY EUROPEAN SPONSOR WILL PREFER TO ISSUE A
CHEQUE IN YOUR FAVOUR ▲ Collapse

kaca
English to Czech

triplets??

Jul 5, 2005

[quote]Vadim Khazin wrote:

Dan Kenig wrote:

Remain Blessed.
His Lordship.
Bishop Steven Kwame.
Tel: +233-243610893

My bishop is probably a twin brother of yours. As you may see below, they share the same phone number, although mine has a "direct line" too. The other, and most amazing difference is that his wife speaks Russian, and they are coming to the US. The rest is the same.

--------------------------

Mine is exactly the same, except this time it is Czech his wife and children speak...

Remain blessed.
Rev. Mark Dudu
Tel: �243-879257
Direct Line: 233-244-033930
----------------------------

REMAIN BLESSED,
HIS LORDSHIP,
BISHOP YAW YAKOHENE.

Tel: +233-243610893
Direct Line:+233-244033930.

Philip Ronan
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:24
Japanese to English
+ ...

More Dudu

Jul 5, 2005

The Rev Dudu has decided to visit the UK, but now his family only speak Japanese. It seems a bit odd that he can't do the interpreting himself.

The Rev. Dudu wrote:

Hello,

I am Rev Mark Dudu, an English speaking Rev from
Ghana. I will be coming over to Exeter UK on
holidays from 20th to 30th of July 2005 for a 10 days
vacation with my wife, daughter and son and they only
speak Japanese. I need an Japanese translator for
5hours daily X 10 days.
:
:
Expect to hear from you as possible.

Remain blessed.

Rev. Mark Dudu
Tel: +233-243-879257
Direct Line: 233-244-033930

What a waste of Church funds!

Louise2
English

Now he has a German speaking family and is coming to Paris!

Jul 5, 2005

Thanks for this website which helped me confirm what I suspected after receiving this e-mail.

Hello,

I am Rev Mark Dudu, an English speaking Rev from
Ghana. I will be coming over to Paris France on
holidays from 20th to 30th of July 2005 for a 10 days
vacation with my wife, daughter and son and they only
speak German. I need an German translator for 5hours
daily X 10 days.

Etc etc...

Probably got my address from ... See more

Sandra Alboum

United States
Local time: 18:24
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...

THE SCAM HAS CHANGED - but it's still the same...

Jul 10, 2005

Here was my (rather funny, I thought) exchange this evening. I figured I might as well try my best, right? I mean, I needed a good laugh:

---
Dear Sandra,

Compliments. I have gotten your contact on the internet on a list of interpreters hence my communication with you.

I represent an Arab prince who wants to come to the United States to establish a Casino. I speak and translate Arab and English Language. The situation is that my client has partners who are Spanish and French, but they do not have interpreters.

I was therefore wondering if it would be possible for you to represent my client’s partners as Translator and Interpreter.

The assignment is simple and would last for only about 2 weeks, within these 2 weeks, you would need to be with my client’s partners at meetings to be held and you would also need to translate agreements to be signed.

If you would be interested in the above, kindly respond as soon as possible so I can inform my client. In this case, we would need to know how much you charge, and how payment can be made.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Yours Sincerely.

Ahmed XXX
Owner: XXX.

----

Ahmed,

Thanks for your email. Yes, I am interested. My rate is $1000/day, and I would expect your clients to pay for my transportation, hotels, and food.

As this is an international job with international clients, I would require a prepayment of the expected job fees via Paypal. Two weeks at $1000/day is $14,000. Therefore, I would need a minimum of $7000 to book me for this time. Payment would need to be received by COB Monday, July 11, 2005. Please keep in mind that I am on EST, which is GMT -500.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Sandra

---

Dear Sandra,

The effective date would be 20th July and your advance payment would be sent before then. However since you are going to be representing my clients for an extended period, I request a 30% discount.

Also, please note that I am not a Paypal user, your fee would be mailed to you in form of check which you can immediately access if deposited with your bank.

Kindly consider the above and reach me back with you comments.

Thank you.

Ahmed.

---

Dear Ahmed,

Unfortunately, I only work with Paypal for projects such as these where I know neither the person who is hiring me nor the person who I am working for. It helps to avoid the check scams that are rampant in our industry.

I am sure that you will understand. If you would be so kind as to pay me via Paypal, I would happy to give you a 35% discount.

Best,
Sandra

--

Needless to say, he didn't particularly care for the fact that I called his bluff and raised him 5%

Sandra

--

He persists. This morning:

Dear Sandra,

Thank for your email. The issue here is not paying with Pay pal, the issue is that I do not operate with it and do not know how it works.

I can arrange for a Money Order to be sent to you if you know what that is.

Kindly reach me back with your comments.
--

And I put the nail in the coffin:

Ahmed,

Thank you for your email.

I could definitely take your money order. However, the cash would not clear until long after July 20th, when this job supposedly is to begin. By then, I'm sure you will have emailed me and told me that the job has been shortened or cancelled, and asked for a partial (or whole) refund. And -- because you must think I was born yesterday -- you'll want me to write you a check based on the assumption that the money order is going to clear. I'll do that, you'll receive my check, and pocket the money. And then... surprise! Your money order will turn out to be bogus! IMAGINE THAT!

Next time, try being a little more original in working your scam. This one is far too common. Maybe you could tell me that you had $10 million dollars that you needed to get out of Nigeria because you're the son of the ex-King of Mumbutzi?! If so, I have a bridge I can sell you.

Regards,
Sandra

[Edited at 2005-07-10 15:21] ▲ Collapse

Ulrike Lieder (X)

Local time: 15:24
English to German
+ ...

TOPIC STARTER

In memoriam

They are getting lazy, too....

Jul 10, 2005

Sandra,

good for you for letting him know that you're on to him. (Not that that'll stop those scammers...) I received the very same e-mail (verbatim!) from Ahmed, he had not even bothered to change the language combinations to match my language pairs.

So here is Ahmed, who is ostensibly based in Ireland, asking me to interpret Spanish/French. Come on, at least make it look like you're a legitimate client!

So here is Ahmed, who is ostensibly based in Ireland, asking me to interpret Spanish/French. Come on, at least make it look like you're a legitimate client!

Another "inquiry" I received recently was even more vague; that sender was looking for an interpreter "in your region" and did not even bother to mention the required language pairs. One would think that they'd take a little more care to make their scams look a bit more legit, at least at first glance...

[Edited at 2005-07-10 15:58]

[Edited at 2005-07-10 15:59] ▲ Collapse

Almost Scammed
English

OH MY GOSH I CANT BELIEVE IT -- WHAT A SCAM

Jul 31, 2005

I received this July 31, 2005

"I am Bishop Asante Mensah Am an English speaking clergy from Ghana. I will be coming over to Salem on holidays from 15th to 25th of August 2005 for a 10 days Vacation with my wife, who is Hard of Hearing and only communicates in sign language, and my lovely daughter/son of the ages of 3 and 5 respectively.

We will require the services of a sign language interpreter hence this is the mode my wife use in communication for 7 hours daily, 12 noon to 7 pm, thought this could be very flexibly, for 10 days.

As I will not always be with them on most occasions. We will like to pay in advance of our visit so she can be assured of an interpreter during her shopping and signtseeing because this is her first visit to America.

An early reply will be appreciated. Please acknowledge if you can offer this service ASAP and give me a price quote, as time is really not on our side.

You can also reach me on phone number 01123-480-3498-0844.

Expecting your quick response.

Remain blessed,
Bishop Asante Mensah

NOTE THAT MY EUROPEAN SPONSOR WILL BE PAYING FOR YOUR SERVICE THORUGH CASHIER'S CHECQUE OR MONEY ORDER."

I responded favorably to him. Then he wrote:

"My dear _____,

Thanks for your mail. I have understood all you have said your mail. My wife understands American Sign Language. Please be very fast in giving me your charges so that I communicate it to my interpreter for acceptance and payment to you.

I await your urgent replay.

His lorship
Bishop Mensah"

AFTER THAT I CALLED HIM TO GIVE HIM MY QUOTE BUT THE LINE WAS A BAD CONNECTION, WE BARELY HAD A CONVERSATION, I TOLD HIM I WOULD EMAIL HIM. I DID --- WITH RATES, ETC ETC. I CALLED ONE OF MY CONTRACT INTERPRETERS AND WE WERE BOTH VERY VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL 10 DAY JOB (70 freelance hours). THE OTHER INTERPRETER DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THE WEBSITE. I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM HIM YET AFTER HE GOT MY RATES, I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HE SAYS, IF I DON'T BLOCK HIM BEFORE THAT.

THANKS FOR EVERYONE POSTING THIS ITS HORRIBLE!
An interpreter in Oregon

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