I think this is a scam? Please Help?

[ImTheBugFreak]

Dear Kenneth,

Thank you for your order,

Ok send to me $63 including shipment cost through Western Union Money Transfer,

My address is:

I will send to you the tracking number for your parckage on Monday morning after receiving the Western Union details.Also send to me your complete address and your mobile phone number,

Regards,

Zaina.

1x- Gongylus [email protected]$

1x- Phyllocrania [email protected]$

1x- Hymenopus [email protected]$

1x- Pseudocreobotra [email protected]$

1x- Deroplatys [email protected]$

1x- Blepharopsis [email protected]$

I be leave this is a scam because its threw western union and this seller sent me a message straight to my AOL mailbox, which is linked to this account on my profile here?

 

[patrickfraser]

If it's not a scam, those are really good prices. Had you contacted anyone for ooths or was this a random, "out-of -the-blue" communication? I'd be VERY interested in getting P. wahlberghii and orchids, if this is legit.

 

[psyconiko]

Half of the species mentionned are not native to Africa.Is that african supplier also a breeder?It would be the first time in history.

Careful my friend.To me it is a scam.

 

[Precarious]

If it's someone out of the blue that you never contacted just ignore it or report to an admin. But if this is someone you were working out a deal with I've been told they do work exclusively through Western Union in Africa. That doesn't mean you can trust everyone. There are plenty of rip-off artists in the mantis community. Always check seller feedback.

Either way, none of those species are hard to find so no need to take the risk to import them.

 

[ImTheBugFreak]

Yeah I was contacted by this person out of the blue! But when I wrote back it took them a few days to reply? Usually a scam artist is quick about replies from what I have herd. I would feel a lot safer if she would let me pay threw Paypal. I will try and see what she says. It just seems to good to be true! Ole saying if its to good to be true then it is!

 

[ImTheBugFreak]

If it's someone out of the blue that you never contacted just ignore it or report to an admin. But if this is someone you were working out a deal with I've been told they do work exclusively through Western Union in Africa. That doesn't mean you can trust everyone. There are plenty of rip-off artists in the mantis community. Always check seller feedback.

Either way, none of those species are hard to find so no need to take the risk to import them.

So glad you are on this forum! <3 in a non homo way :lol:

 

[Precarious]

So glad you are on this forum! <3 in a non homo way :lol:

Advice: If you are just getting into mantids there is no need to rush things. I suggest you start out with only a few species and really get to know them. Once you have too many cultures going they lose some of that magic as you can't invest enough time and attention to each species. I've only been in this game less than a year and a half and I've already had just about every species I ever wanted. I'm keeping 15 species right now and I will cut that in half in the coming months. Keeping too many becomes a chore. It's just more fun for me with less.

 

[kitkat39]

i wouldn't trust it

 

[PhilinYuma]

Of course the offer is genuine! Unknown gentlemen from Tanzania are noted for their honesty, and to say otherwise is to make a most shameful ethnic slur. You don't want to be known as ethnically slurry, do you?

I have more good news for you. As a reward for being tentatively trusting instead of sardonically cynical, I have another offer for you. If you mail me a mere $100, (in cash and non consecutive $5 bills.) I shall send you 10 (count them) ten "Idolomantis" ooths which I guarantee are not sterile! They still bear the original hallmarks. No need to send the cash by registered mail. I trust you! To be sure that you get your ooths, I shall be sure to label them: "Handle with Care! Fragile! Exotic mantis Ootheca!"

If you contact me before Monday, I can send the order yesterday.

Without checking with Sunny, I don't know if someone who is not a member can contact you through the data that you supply. If not someone with a Tanzania I.P has recently joined us.

The third Great Saying of the Great Mantis Goddess (BbHN) is:

There is no free lunch.

 

[Davedood]

I was ripped off over $100 from a guy in Tanzania about 6 years ago when I first started with mantids. From what I have read I would say 99% chance it's Con Artist. They know all the Latin names and info, but I would not do it at all. Just stay on the forum, lots of us good people will help you out.

 

[Orin]

As mentioned you could find yourself in trouble importing illegally and even if the species listed were all from Africa it would almost certainly still be a scam but since Malaysian species are listed you can be 100% certain it's a farce.

 

[hibiscusmile]

1 true way to tell it is a scam is to look at what they are selling. All ooths are all sought after, nothing common there!

 

[PhilinYuma]

Congratulations, Biohazard, and shame on me. It took a while for the penny to drop, after remembering that Google is my friend, but you are being scammed by one of the three most notorious mantis scammers in the world! None less than the infamous zay white woman who has been a member of this forum, according to the on site info, for nearly a year but never posted after her first day here (did you guys ax her, Orin?).

For the sad story of gullible folks who have been ripped off by this person, Google [email protected].

And if you get a much more sophisticated pitch, complete with pix, from a nice Latin American guy named MantisdePeru, also once a member, run away, run away!

 

[Termite48]

The odor was so bad from this pitch that it should not even make a ripple in the brain waves of anyone with any sophistication. Western Union is a red flag. Tanzania is a red flag, and receiving the pitch without instigation is really red. Be Careful! You surely did the right thing to consult the forum, as there is always much help and sophistry here.

 

[What]

Zaina' date='Thank you for so graciously doing business with me. I am afraid, my dear, that I cannot continue without first verifying that you are you!

In order to do this I must have a picture of you with a shoe* on top of your head. This will verify your identity and I will be able to send your western union for $70.

Thanks much, I cannot wait to complete our transaction!

- <name>

*(if you do not posses shoes, a keyboard may be substituted)[/quote']

 

[Malti]

 

[massaman]

I am sure some people even in this forum have gotten what they wanted from this person without being scammed not everyone is scammed but not everyone is not scammed either its just a hit or miss in my opinon!

 

[Malti]

Massaman, if you like to gamble your money please do. I take care of mine and prefer not to chance it.

 

[patrickfraser]

Is this even the right category for this?