Complaint Review: James Smith - Other

This report or issue is not the same James Smith - Real Estate investor - and therefore does not belong on this page or tied to this James Smith.

Not someone from one of these scam baiting websites...so I really only check that email like once a week for a couple of minutes. Despite the fact that MY emails are only 1 or 2 lines dashed off quickly, they still want to keep trying to scam me. I delete 95% of them, but some I just must mess with...like the guy claiming to be a U.S. MARINE CAPTAIN trying to get some money or other out of Africa. That just pi$$ed me off! At the same time it was funny because he sent some stock photo of a guy in desert camos with A PRIVATE'S INSIGNIA on the helmet.

I started doing similar things... like copying one email and sending it as my response to another. I kept a whole file of them and when I would get a new one, I'd send an older one as my response. I'd get a reply saying that the 2nd guy didn't know who the first guy was and it's a scam but HIS was a legitimate offer, etc. After a while, I realized it just became a waste of my time to address these things at all. Now I just delete them.

Which means "big stupid fool." There! What does that tell you? Try Googling scam baiting and check out the sites that beat them at their own game. I've been doing it and it's a laugh riot! Just write back pretending to be stupid & cooperative (you'd HAVE to be stupid to fall for any of these) and lead them on & on. Get instructions wrong, get account numbers wrong (although you'd never give out a real one anyway!), whatever keeps it going. I've had these scammers running all over Abidjan, Lagos, etc. to different Western Unions, banks, etc. thinking they're picking up money. I even got someone to go to the airport in Amsterdam to supposedly meet me and my cash (the "fee" for picking up my "winnings"). He even went back after I "missed my connecting flight" and didn't show up the first time. They are so industrious at producing fake documents like "Certificates of Deposit" & such; print out a fake itinerary from an online travel site to convince them. After I jerk them around for awhile, I send them some variation of this email: "SUBJECT: Hey Mugu Hey Harrison Blamo Nzi Nelson Chambers: How utterly stupid do you really think we are? Don't you know that pretty much EVERYONE in the civilized world has heard of the various little scams that are perpetrated by you thieves over there? How silly you must have looked, going to Western Union so many times. Really thinking that anyone in their right mind would just send money to someone in Africa that they'd never met. Don't you realize, the various stories you people tell are so well known and laughed at now that I'm surprised you'd even spend that much time on it. You obviously have some rudimentary talents that I'm sure you could put to much better use. Instead of LYING for a living - which no one's God would approve of - why not just get a REAL job that you can be proud of? Take my advice, I am older and wiser. Have you ever heard of Karma?" Try it, it's fun...keep them tied up so they have less of a chance to scam others!

I know of one where some hot model was supposedly on location in Africa (Nigeria, of course). She started chatting with this guy (no, not me- lol) via the internet. After a while, she told him she was working for another promoter rather than her usual guy. She said this other guy didn't pay her, she's stuck in Africa, blah blah blah, and could he do her a favor... Said she didn't want to ask her regular promoter for money to get back to the states cuz then he would find out she went behind his back with another promoter, etc. So could he PLEASE cash a money order from her "friend" and send her the money via Western Union. "Keep some for yourself" lol Poor guy fell for it because he had been emailing her for a while, and she promised him, um, "favors". My favorite is the phone call asking if you want to be a "secret shopper". They say they want to test shop the wire transfer process at Wal-Mart or someplace. So they send you a check for $5000.00, tell you to cash it and wire $4500.00 of it so somebody via Western Union. You keep the rest for your time and effort as compensation. DUH! Obviously everything bounces, and you are left holding the bag. Some people are so greedy they will fall for this kind of stuff. And that's the mind-set of Nigerians that do this scam: Americans are so greedy they deserve to be scammed. While I may not agree with this philosophy, there sure enough people biting on these scams that it is now a huge industry.

I agree that there's a lot of con artists out there. They come a dime a dozen. But in my experience, it seems to me that people who be in these informercials and promises you wealth and financial success by studying their system is mainly out to ripoff innocent consumers who are chasing a dream. Most of them, not all of them. When I decided that I wanted to become wealthy and financially free, I did call numbers on informercials. I did order cds, tapes, and books from these coaches, and I did follow their steps. Honestly, some of them were good meaningful people that did want to help you, but they expected you to go out and do it. And there are some who PROMISE you a dream. Now, to be honest again, if I learned a lot of knowledge when it comes becoming wealthy, just like college, I'll charge too. I'm serious. When you go to get financial advice you pay for the service. When you go to get legal advice, you go to a lawyer and pay their fees. When you want to learn how to become financially free, you educate yourself in a way that wealthy people think, and invest. Also learn how rich people pick and choose their advisors. In this country along, less than 10% of the population are millionaires and billionaires. Huge reputable financial companies that most people use aren't giving them the tools to become financially free. Maybe the reason why most popular financial companies out there are attracting more "average" investors is because the majority of Americans prefer not to be, or don't know how to be, or have a totally different "corporate" or personal definition of the meaning of wealthy, rich, or financially free (making money without working)based on what they've learned in the traditional school systems in this country, or they're making money off people who invest, hold, diversify their portfolio, and hope and pray that the stocks go up and continue going up until they retire(even though the stocks do go down sometimes which is when there is a bear market), or the lack of financial intelligence which most people say they don't need. Maybe it's because most people prefer to just live a comfortable "average" life, and nothing's wrong with that. Just take a moment and think of a major financial company. Look how many people have their investments in these companies, look and study the financial products they offer, and finally, research the average annual income of the people who are investing in these companies. And yes, some extremely wealthy people probably have their investments in these companies just to have a little investment on the side, but not their entire savings or trust. After so many years, their (nest egg) would be an average amount like everybody else. Now, look at the small 7% of the wealthy Americans in this country. Study what they invest in. Find out what certain investments their investing in, and why they're investing in it. Then after that, melt down your pride, fear, jealousy, stereotype, or any other biased feelings you may have on rich people for a minute and find a way to talk to a wealthy individual in person. Find someone who are in the lifestyle you want to be and learn from them. Find out what advisors they hire, people they hangout with, and learn how to speak their language when it comes to the financial world. As for me, I'm currently a full-time student and I'm flooded with tests and studies in which I can say that I have no time to do this. I'm still in the process of improving my time management skills. But my time is so precious for me to learn about investing in a professional way. Not in mutual funds, Roth IRAs, or 401(k)s like the MAJORITY of Americans are investing. I'm talking about REAL investing that REAL investors invest in. Investing in properties or assets that create a good amount of cashflow in my bank account every month without me getting up and going to work for it. I'm learning to advanced my education to invest in my family's financial future so I can pass it on to my next generation,(I can't will my job to my family). I'm doing what I got to do to pay for REAL education by paying for advice from a financial advisor who are not just giving advice, but are living a financially free life by making money from their investments that are exceeding their expenses and still maintaining their lifestyle, in other words, being wealthy for life. Be really careful who you get your advise from. The cliche 'if it sounds to good to be true, it usually is' is very true at some degree. If I told you that I can help you make a million dollars in just two months, that sounds really good to be true, and it is.(Publisher's Clearing House anybody?) hahaha!, or try your luck in the lottery anyone?, hahaha! (Just had to add a little sense of humor in there ya know?) But also living a life where you don't worry about money anymore, being able to travel anywhere in the world (in your own private jet), living in any house you want anywhere in the world, writing a check of any amount without worrying about breaking the bank sounds like something too good but it's TRUE, and people actually live those lives because these people have actually done their due diligence, and researched everything they needed to learn to achieve that type of lifestyle. Most people want that lifestyle, just a few actually do something about it. Do some more research. If you really want to become financially free, independent, and wealthy, do more due diligence. Don't settle for less. And don't settle for the first offer or promise you hear. I'm not selling you anything, I'm really serious about this. Most people live to work. There's nothing wrong with that if you LOVE to work. 95% of the population works for only 5% of the population. These 5% got there's, it's about time you get yours. Don't follow the bandwagon. Have your own mind. James Smith may be like other salesmen, but you have your own mind. It may not cost you thousands to build you a solid team that'll help you gain wealth, and then again it probably would. That's totally up to you. And it's not easy to build wealth, if it was, don't you think the entire country would be wealthy? With that, you'll appreciate your wealth more. Learning from trial and error is awesome because you learn from your mistakes which help you become a better investor. Invest in YOU for more TIME for your FAMILY. Because we only live once. It's either you're living for your boss, or you're living for you. Research on these so-call informercials and these "salesmen" that says they can help you make a million dollars in such in such time. Quick money never be appreciated. Go out and actually meet millionaires in your city or vicinity and ask them questions. "I want to become financially free, I want to gain wealth, can I have a moment of your TIME to learn how to get where you are". And you'll be surprised on how many wealthy individuals out there are humbled and more than happy to share you their knowledge and conections (because you took the effort to ask). And I also learned that most millionaires and billionaires don't go out on televisions at 12 or 2am in the morning with an informercials selling promises. If you want to learn how achieve the level their in, you go to them. You're seeking them, because if they just come to you and tell you how, yeah, it's going to sound like a ripoff, and what they're saying won't make sense. You have to change your MINDSET about money, finance, the economy, and how you see things. Because millionaires and billionares don't think like the rest of the 95%, so that means they don't invest in the same investment vehicles that the 95% of investors invest in. If you want a headstart on how to change your mindset on how to think like a rich person, I recommend a few books that I read myself and now I'm on my way to building my wealth as we speak. "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", is an amazing book in my opinion. Regardless of other people's opinions, he actually gave me step-by-step ways to think like a wealthy person. "Think And Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, and "The Magic of Thinking Big" by Dr. David Schwartz. These books also gave me some good insight on how to continue thinking big to reach my goal in being financially free. Now I know where to look, and what questions to ask, even though I will still make mistakes in the future still. (I'm human). I continue to surround myself with positive optimistic people to help me continue my journey. Because I realized that people who complain about other people, or who complain about life isn't enjoying what they're doing, or they have nothing else to do. Are you an entrepreneur? Act like one. Keep learning. Is James Smith a ripoff? Okay, if that's the case, dust him off, move on. Your time is coming, keep pushing, press on, you'll be blessed for it. Aight? I'm out, peace!!!!

We are trying to get them all but they hide in Brazil, no extradition treaty and we don't get the entire message source and codes with IP's unless you foward the entire email to the FBI CyberPatrol or CyberForce whatever they call us sick of scams geeks that are willing to word with the government. I suggest you go to www.fbi.gov and foward the entire email. Report the fraud to the Equifax and they notify the rest, because they can read code and source material and hack as good as the good guys but they steal numbers, and info. Go to equifax.com and report it NOW. Also before responding to these idiots...think about what your parents told you...there are no free lunches and if it looks too good to be true it probably is. You didn't give him your SSN and bank account info did you? If not they are getting slicker, harder to make an international fraud case against them if they leave little or no paper trail. That's why we need the email to find and search all the IP's they hide in. Also when it doubt check it out on snopes most scams, urban legends true or false are listed there. This paticular scam has evolved but we've jailed over 500 in the last 8 years. And before you ask...no, it's doubtful we'll get the money back even if we do luck out and he steps out of his protected littly area. Sorry, I take these guys personally, that's why we constantly check this site. These guys, credit scams, fake lotto and Child molestors are the ones my group targets. Good luck you're case will probably be assigned to another group as mine is working a Credit Card Scam...TOTAL VISA DO NOT ACCEPT THIER TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE OFFER. They start with not processing orders on some sites, only give you 50 in credit but offer you 30,000. Then when they harras and harass you, you'll send your payment ontime but it takes them 2-3 weeks to process it so there's a late charge that will put you over the limit. Once they frustrate you to the point of murder, they cancel your account and if you paid online or by paper check they empty the account and have your SSN so you have over 20 loans, credit cards whatever on your report.

(((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES))) This group has had nearly 15,000 members since it was started in June of 2005. All scammed or nearly scammed by these Nigerian bandits. As stated, some of them will work on a targeted victim for quite some time before they move in for the kill. They profess love, and tell compelling, believable stories about all of the tragedy in their lives. They gain our trust, and use it to their advantage. When they want us to "help" them, we are generally fairly willing to do so. Because we have been corresponding with them for some time, and after all they "love" us. They are having problems cashing their checks, so we "help" them, with no gain on our part. Greed is NOT an issue here. For information, help and support, when involved in one of these Romance Scams, visit the Yahoo Group, Romancescams. (((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES))) This group was set up specifically for victims of this particular scam. There is NO charge for any assistance given. The scammers get enough of your money. Thanks, CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Jenny, Although I am sorry to see that you got ripped off, people need to use good old fashioned common sense. Step back and think about this with some logical perspective. Money orders can be cashed almost anywhere. Money orders can be deposited in any bank account. So why would anyone pay you to deposit and cash a money order for them when they could just do it themselves? And, how was initial contact made? Did you answer a spam email? {NEVER respond to a spam email, never even open one] Did you know this person previously? How would this person know you? Western Union? This is the first sign of a scam! NEVER send money to anyone you do not know personally by Western Union. Western union locations and the website BOTH warn of these scams and warn against sending money to people you do not know. I think sometimes our greed and/or financial desperation overcome our common sense. However, gather everything you can and file a report with the Financial Crimes Division of the FBI, and file a complaint online with the FTC. For know, you are obligated to pay your bank, and keep in mind that they could actually prosecute you for passing a forged check. Not likely, but possible. Good luck.

As long as they continue to get money from people stupid enough to send money to someone they never heard of before why would they quit? I mean, you get an email from someone you never heard of, and automatically trust them 100%? It is always amazing to me that people fall for these things. I mean, seriously, c'mon people, didn't you ever think "How did this person get my name, and why am I so lucky that someone would pick my email address at random to be so fortunate as to have such a windfall". Didn't your mom teach you "If something seems too good to be true it probably is"? Have we lost all of our common sense?

I swear, if I truly had all the money coming to me that these Nigerian "Barristers" claim I have coming, I'd be a billionaire by now!! I'm so sorry to hear that you have fallen victim to what appears to be their latest scam.

A new version of the Nigerian scams........ I guess scammers CAN be creative.... The mechanics of the transmittal after the money order was cashed at the bank is not clear: You posted "...and I sent him the money..." And also "...or the bank( Community Trust)...they were supposed to hold the money until the money order cleared but they did not.." Which is it...not that it would really make much difference.... I guess this is simply sad and too bad....