Someone was offering $600 for four tickets on the 50 yard line. When I inquired about the tickets, the scammer, using the fake name Dan Brenner, told me he could set up a transaction through ebay using Western Union - where the funds would only be released to him once I received the tickets. He sent a real looking ebay transaction with my user name/address and his user name and address in the UK. He wanted me to send the transaction number (MTCN) and a photocopy of the receipt.
I stopped at a currency exchange and after asking some questions discovered that Western Union functions like a Swiss Bank account in that all you need is a MTCN number to get your cash and there's no way to hold a payment until a transaction is verified. It's a very popular internet scam apparently.
I did some research and found that the London address that this scammer sent me (I felt like a moron trying to buy football tickets from someone in the UK) was an international call center and I found evidence of him using the same address to prey on an LSU fan.
After doing a little more research, I found out that he wanted me to send a copy of the receipt because people often send scammers fake MTCN numbers to mess with them. Thankfully, I found this gem, which provided the template for a fake Western Union receipt.
My friends, it was on! I created a fake email address for Angelina Graziano and responded to the ad:
Angelina Graziano
To: sale-bgkzy-1988585127@craigslist.org
Subject: Michigan/MSU football tickets!
hey there! hope im not too late. r u still selling the tix??? i would totally like to buy them.
thx!
Angie
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
The tickets are still available.If you are interested to buy them reply me with your full name, address and your eBay id so we can start the transaction.
Thanks
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
OMG! so excited!
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
sorry 4got to add my info!
Angela Graziano
ebayid: Angelove89
10382 Line Dr,
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
Thx!!!!!!!!! XOXO =)!!!
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
Did you received the invoice from eBay how to purchase the tickets from me?
Please read the invoice. You will send the money to an eBay agent. Not to me. eBay will send the funds to me ONLY AFTER you will send them the confirmation that you have the tickets in hand and they are real.
I will wait your reply
Thank You
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
i didnt know u were in london! Bonjour!!! lol! i was there last summer and saw pierce brozlin (sp?) on the london eye and got so excited i left ipod on the ride. one of your policemen with the funny hats had to help me find it!!!
im on my way to western union now! Thx!!!
To: dan Brenner
off to eastern union!!!
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
Angelina,
Did you sent the payment?
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
still there?
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
hey u! i sent the payment!
sorry my scanner is so bad.
the number is: 3804117256
thank u so much! my ex-boyfriend will be so surprized!!!!
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
Did you sent the payment for next day or money in minutes?
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
money in minutes. why, is everything okay? my ex-boyfriend is so excited!!!!
XOXO. thank u!!!
ps do u have a picture of the tickets? lol. just cant wait to see them!
To: Angelina Graziano
I am at work right now
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
k, enjoy the rest of ur day. u made mine!!!!
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
Please call at western union and see what is the problem. the eBay agent can't pick up the money..i don't know why
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
OMG! please don't send the tix to someone else. i sent you the wrong number. so sorry! you must think im so dumb. :( a wrote a 1 instead of a 4! so sorry!!! :(
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
no problem Angelina..The tickets will arrive tomorrow.
It's ok?
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
what is the correct mtcn?
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
what's an mtcn? is that my sociatal security number?
thx!!!!
To: Angelina Graziano
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
im confused. my roomate has a better scanner - should i send you a better copy of the recept?
thank u for being so patent with me. sorry i am so dumb.
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
Yes...send me a better copy
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
:)))) nice..i like monkeys:)))
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
i figured he could keep u company while i scan the recept. lol
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
sorry it took so long - i have the scan you ready or should i send you another monkey pic. lol!!!!
dan Brenner
To: Angelina Graziano
send the scanned paper
Angelina Graziano
To: dan Brenner
Dan,
While I suspect you will continue to troll the internet, taking money from innocent people with this tired Western Union scam - I hope that posting this conversation to every internet forum I can get a hold of will not only alert people to your crap, but encourage them to mess with you and waste your time in new and creative ways.
