Scammers are everywhere.

Recently I have been looking for other sources of extra money in the pocket. So I so this add in Craigslist that kind of caught my eye. They were offering me 450.00 dollars to wrap my car (only on the doors and back) a week to promote their energy drink. Me believing that it was true well decided to send an email to the guy and ask him for more details. 

A few days later he writes back telling me that if I was interested to only send him information of my car and my address that he would send me a check for the first week and told me a little about who would be wrapping my car. So I got kind of exited and sent him the information he wanted. He kept on sending me emails and texts in regards of this position. So days later he sent me an email in regards of pay. This is what the email said:

How are you doing today . Am Glad to Inform you that a payment has been sent to you, it was delivered yesterday via USPS. Below is the transaction Details:

Tracking Number: 9470101699320009242899

Check Amount : $3,488

The Package contains a check wort of $3,488, once you receive the Check, get it deposited by MOBILE DEPOSIT, ATM DEPOSIT or at the Bank through the bank teller. once deposited it will clear under 24 hours.. However,  Once the Check clears, you are to deduct $450 your weekly pay and  $50 for GAS you will be using the balance to buy Green Dot MoneyPak for the car wrapping company to get your car wrapped.

 You can buy Green Dot MoneyPak from any of the stores below:

1) Walmart

2) Family Dollar

3) Walgreen's

4) CVC / Pharmacy

5) Dollar General

6) Rite Aid Pharmacy

7) 7-Eleven

You are to purchase 5 cards for $500 in each and 1 for $450, after purchasing it, I will need the recharge pin at the back of the cards after scratching it.

I will be waiting to read back from you ASAP Take good care of yourself and have a blessed day.

Thanks.

So I was like wow this is awesome. Then I was like, why does he want me to get these cards and send him the pin number behind each card and so many transactions? So I waited for the check to arrive.

The next day the check arrived via Priority Mail. My wife was there to receive it. She then sends me a message telling that I had received a letter. So I told her to please open it. She did and told me that was a lot of money just to wrap my car. The I followed on sending her the email that I received. She told me that it was a "scam". When she sent me the picture of the check I proceeded on doing some investigation. It seemed odd to me that:

1. The bank was from Utah - Zions First National Bank,

2. The sender on the check was Denver Union Station Public Authority in Denver CO

3. The sender on the Priority Mail Envelope was from an Attorneys office in Orlando FL

4. The phone number that has been texting me is from a moving agency in Oklahoma City

5. The guy that has been sending me the emails is not the same guys as on the email or the picture. Did a picture search and it pops up as Charles Gibson.

 So many things that are wrong with this. Then he decided to text me and tell me that what is the status of the check or he will be contacting the authorities. I then replied and told him "I will be sending the check back. This whole deal sound like a scam. So I have contacted several people that have all the information needed to look into this. And since then he has not made contact with me either ways.

How can a person try to scam someone else? Where is there integrity as a human being? It's insane that a person can't get up early and go out there and provide for themselves and their families. So please people be aware of scammers with deals that look to good to be true.

This is consider to be fraud and is punishable by law. This is some useful info I found online about fraud:

 The warnings signs vary depending on the type of attempted fraud. For example, a warning sign for telemarketing fraud may include a phone call by an unknown caller asking you to "send money now" to receive an offer. Similarly, a warning sign for identity theft might be a call from someone asking for the digits of your social security number or last known address.

Other, more general, warning signs may include, receiving unsolicited mail requesting you to send money to a bogus account, losing your credit card or driver's license, and promises made by an individual or company that seem "too good to be true".

The practice of fraud is not always geared toward individuals. Business owners also need to look out for fraud perpetrators. Landlords, loan agents, and other small business owners should also be aware of potential warning signs, such as phony references, wrong phone numbers or address on applications, large purchases on bank card without regard to price, style of item, and so on. The golden rule in preventing potential fraud offenses is to be vigilant in handling your business and personal affairs. 

Penalties for fraud offenses may include criminal penalties, civil penalties, or both. Most criminal fraud offenses are considered felony crimes and are punishable by jail, fines, probation, or all of the above. Civil penalties may include restitution (paying the person back) or payment of substantial fines (geared to punish the behavior). The penalties for your offense will depend on the nature, type, scope, and severity of the action and whether it was committed by an individual or an entity, such as a business, corporation or group.