Massage Therapists are now reporting many email scams. The general scheme is that the person wants to get massage for themselves or a friend who are traveling or will be traveling. They sound very real and convincing so it is important to know what kinds of things are out there. I seem to be getting one once a week or even more and will start posting some of them here.
There is also a good article on www.abmp.com that lists a few of the emails and also this bit of information on who to contact to report them. Reporting is crucial to help stop them.
If this has happened to you, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) website, www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm, and click “File a Complaint” to fill out the form. You can also forward the offending e-mails to spam@uce.gov. In addition you can file a complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s website, http://www.ic3.gov/.
Here are some of the scams:
Hello,
How are you today? my name is Mrs Paolita Lussio, i live and work here in italy, i am 36yrs old. I have been doing massage since 1989.I do a deep relaxation massage in which the muscles relax without pain. I also do energy massage that helps people feel great when I am done. I am certified to do pregnancy massage. I have lots of happy clients here in italy. i have a client
Mr. Marcus Bravo , A model here in italy. He will be coming to state in three weeks time for a modeling job and he will be residing in Seattle, WA” temporarily until the neccesary arrangement for his modeling job has been made before he leaves, he will be needing good structural massage and muscles relaxation integration of 60 min session 3 days per week for One Month .
Mr. Marcus Bravo asked me to come with him to the state but i told him i would not be able to go with him to the state as i have a course i will be going for in a week time and because i dont do much about Structural massage and muscles relaxation integration . I promised to help him get a good structurist in your Area.
Pls tell me a little more about your self and your service, how long have you been doing structural massage integration? and would you be able to provide him structural and muscles relaxation when he arrived?
Pls i need you to get back to him with the amount you charge per session and also let me know if he can pay you via US Postal Money Orders or check before he arrived?
Pls send your reply to Mr Marcus Bravo to his personal email address (marcusbra1@yahoo.it ) Because he do check his mail frequently. Tell him i ask you to contact him okay, also tell him your session and charge for treatment,
Thank you very much and do have a nice day.
Mrs Paolita Lussio
Via Baracchini Flavio, 15
20123 Milano, Italy
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello,
I am Mr Damiel Vasquez,I want to book for some people coming for reiki treatment session in your place,They will be coming from London to your city on a vacation and would like to book for a reiki treatment session with you,They are six in number,They are wanting to add reiki treatment session as a part of their pass time during their vacation,I am just a local
person helping people book for therapy sessions
Please find the dates of arrival:
Date of Arrival:10th September 2010
starting date:12th September 2010
End of treatment:20th September 2010.
Please send me the cost for the reiki treatment session with you for the
mentioned date and for the number of person so i can communicate it
with the sponsors and guests.
Do get back to me soon.
Regards
Damiel Vasquez.
damiel.vasquez1@yahoo.co.uk
+44 7035 9999 30
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Enquiry for Massage Therapist
Greetings from Milan ,
My name is Mr Roberto, I live and work as a massage therapist here in Italy . I am 46 yrs old. I have been doing massage since 1991. I do a deep relaxation massage in which the muscles relax without pain. I also do energy massage that helps people feel great when I am done. I am also certified to do pregnancy massage. I have lots of happy clients here in italy .
I have been looking for a massage therapist for over a week now till i met an old friend yesterday that referred you to me, her name is Serah. She used to live in America before she relocated here with her family, so i decided to contact you to know if you will be able to give my client some massage sessions when she arrives the US.
My clients name is Ms Picchi, Shes is a model here in Italy . She will be coming to the U.S in 2 weeks time for a modeling job and will be residing in Iowa temporarily until the neccesary arrangement for her job has been made before she leaves. She will be needing 1hr massage session per day, 2 Sessions per week for 6 weeks when she arrives.
Ms Picchi asked me to come with her to the US but i told her i would not be able to go with her to the US as i have a course i will be going for in a week time, so i promised to help her find a good massage therapist in your Area.
Pls tell me a little more about your self, how long have you been a massage therapist? Would you be able to provide her with the massage sessions from the 25th of this month to the 6th of December, 2 Sessions per week for 6 weeks?
Pls i need you to get back to me with the amount you charge per session and also let me know if she can pay you with a Certified check drawn from a US bank?
Do send your reply to my personal email address { @yahoo.it } for a quick response as i do not check this email always.
Till I read from you remain blessed.
Roberto B
712 Via Mercato,
1,26129
Milano Italy
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you receive a email that is a scam, please share it in the comments section and report it to the authorities. Do not accept the check or money. Do not try to set up the appointments for the massage. Contact your local attorney generals office too.
Hi Julie,
I just got one very similar to the first letter you have posted. It is supposedly from a LMT in Italy and her client is a model. She is supposedly coming to Columbus. Any time someone asks for a lot of info. and then tries to get you to take a bank check to cash is definitely a scam. Those happen in all fields. They are preying on people who are desparate for money by offering work. I just happened to be in a check cashing place one time when a young girl came in and tried to cash one of those checks. Luckily the manager was smart enough to catch it and she actually called the guy who was trying to do the scam. It’s not the first one of those kind of e-mails I have gotten.
Earmarks of a Scam. The more items present in the email, the greater the chance that it is a scam
1) Flattery – “you are the best” “You were referred to me”
2) Urgency/Emotional Appeal – “contact me/them right away” “I/he/she will be visiting soon”. The person is in a great deal of pain and only you can help them.
3) Greed Appeal – requiring sessions 2 to 3 hours each week for a month (you mentally are saying “ch-ching! $$$)
4) Allude to Wealth – “my client is from a wealthy family” or client is a jet setting model
5) Advance Payment – This is the biggist RED FLAG! If you’ve gone this far the next step is – They offer to send you a check in advance. It will look real and it will be for MORE than the amount agreed upon. You will be asked to cash the check and wire the “overage” back to them. The check will bounce after you’ve wired the money. You are now on the hook for the entire amount – you’ll never hear from the emailer again (at least not by the same name).
Other twists: the emailer my pose as a professional, a religious person, or other person of authority that many of us are taught to trust.
Here are a few more recent ones;
Good Day,
My Name is Robert Packer, from Scotland.I want to make inquiry on your Massage and Acupuncture therapy for 8 athletes that will be coming over to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area.
We will require a total of 18 massage appointments and 9 accupuncture treatments for each of the athletes within those dates. do you have availability for us ?
Bellow are details of the reservation:
* Arrival Date: 23rd of January to 12th of February 2012
* Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays through Saturdays
* Number of guest: 8 adults (3 female & 6 male athletes) within the age of 22-36yrs.
Kindly get back to me with details on availabilities and TOTAL COST for the booking of the 18 massage appointments for each athlets,so we can secure the booking with a deposit.hope you accept CREDIT CARD payments? I await your prompt response.
Regards,
Robert Packer
robertp702@yahoo.co.uk
and this one:
Greetings,
I found your contact after a brief search for a Massage Theraphists on the internet and I therefore use this channel to request if you will be available to offer 3days of 90Mins Massage Service to me and my wife. My name is Ben and my wife’s name is Janet, we live and work as textiles suppliers in United Kingdom and we will be visiting the State of Washington in United States on the 10th of February, 2012.
February 10th, February 17th and February 24th,2012 are our preferred massage dates and morning session between 9am & 12pm will be fine for us,but if this time is not available, then period from 5pm upward will make a good alternative.
Moreover if there is any of the quoted dates/times that is not available,please let me know and possibly furnish me with alternative dates/times.We can on each day do the sessions back to back(i.e one after the other) OR at the same time if you have another therapist working with you. Alternatively I can have my own massage in the morning and the one for my wife comes later in the day. We do not have any medical issues whatsoever and we have received massage services several times in the past .
Kindly answer the following questions if you are available for the service required.
What is your address location in Washington so as to estimate our proximity to you ?
How many years of experience do you have in this career?
I look forward to your prompt response.
Regards,
Ben Raes
Here is another one i got today….
On Thu, Dec 8, 2011 at 5:23 PM, Wayne Packer wrote:
Hello,
My Name is Wayne Packer, from Scotland.I want to make inquiry on your Massage and Acupuncture therapy for 8 athletes that will be coming over to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area.
We will require 18 massage appointments for each athlete and 9 accupuncture therapies. the acupuncture appointments will be held three times per week/athlete. do you have availability for us ?
Bellow are details of the reservation:
* Arrival Date: 23rd of January to 12th of February 2012
* Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays through Saturdays
* Number of guest: 8 adults (3 females & 5 male athletes) within the age of 22-36yrs.
Kindly advice details on availabilities and the total cost for the group booking of the 18 massage/9 acupuncture therapy for each athlets,so we can secure the booking with a deposit.hope you accept CREDIT CARD payments? I await your prompt response.
Regards,
Wayne Packer
wpacker700@yahoo.ca
Here is the one I got today:
Eric Glenn ericglennmanf@msn.com
replyto ericglennb2k@rocketmail.com
Greetings,
I want to book for 2 weeks checkups, 1 or 2 hours each day Monday to Friday (morning or evening hours) for a group of 10. We will be coming for a one month vacation/holiday from 25th January 2012 and in line with our plans we will require 2 weeks Holistic Natural therapies to help maintain healthy body due to the nature of our job and also to make our stay fun.
The checkups should basically be a general wellness experience for my group, please let me know specifically the type/s of therapies your clinic offers so i can finalize arrangements with my group and get back to you with more clear and specific details. Also confirm if you can arrange a one on one therapies for us or if its better in group
Awaits your email.
Eric Glenn
One of our RMTs received the EXACT SAME email as Sharon’s Monday, December 12, 2011.
I did receive the exact same email as Julie did.I responded and received the following back:
Get back to me with details.
Hello ,
Thanks for the update. we are currently developing new talents on sprinting, field/track events and badminton. we will be on a training tour in your area within the month of January/February and will be taking all appointments in your clinic. hope you can accommodate them?
Each of the athletes will require a total 18 massage appointments. can you handle the massages? all appointments will be from 2pm each day, 60 minutes massage per athlete.
kindly get back to me with details on availability and total cost for the group booking so we can secure the booking with a deposit. kindly include the types of credit cards you accept payment so we can proceed with arrangements.
Regards,
Packer.
Subject: RE: Massage appointments.
To: robertp702@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Friday, 9 December, 2011, 14:49
Hello Robert,
Thank you for your email. I was wondering what kind of sports the athletes
are performing? And where in the Netherlands will the training tour take
place and where will the athletes stay?
The massages that I can provide are sport massages and chair massages. I do
know somebody that can give trigger point massages or shiatsu massages.
Furthermore I would like to know whether you would like all 8 adults to have
an hour massage of half an hour, if they all have the massage each day
except Sunday, if it’s okay when the massages are given by different people at different locations?
The costs are depending on the answers given on the questions above.
Regards,
Petra Peterse-Bras
—–Oorspronkelijk bericht—–
Van: Robert Packer [mailto:robertp702@yahoo.co.uk ]
Verzonden: donderdag 1 december 2011 10:08
Onderwerp: Massage appointments.
Good Day,
My Name is Robert Packer, from Scotland.I want to make inquiry on your
Massage and Acupuncture therapy for 8 athletes that will be coming over to
your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area.
We will require a total of 18 massage appointments and 9 accupuncture
treatments for each of the athletes within those dates. do you have
availability for us ?
Bellow are details of the reservation:
* Arrival Date: 23rd of January to 12th of February 2012
* Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays through Saturdays
* Number of guest: 8 adults (3 female & 6 male athletes) within the age of
22-36yrs.
Kindly get back to me with details on availabilities and TOTAL COST for the
booking of the 18 massage appointments for each athlets,so we can secure the
booking with a deposit.hope you accept CREDIT CARD payments? I await your
prompt response.
Regards,
Robert Packer
robertp702@yahoo.co.uk
Same mail for me on 17 Jan 12 for me in Switzerland.
Mr Packer is a busy boy and credit to him on his ability to use Google!
Different email address this time
robertpk700@att.net
Same email, maybe its a whole family of Waines and Robers paker traveling the world with atletes… if all the scam emails i received since started practicing were real id be rich by now.
He seems to have a new email.
Good Day,
My Name is Robert Packer, from Scotland.I want to make inquiry on your Massage therapy for 8 athletes that will be coming over to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area.
We are currently developing new talents on sprinting,badminton and other field events. we will be on a training tour in your area during the month of January/Fabruary and will require 12 massage appointments for each of the athletes in your clinic during those dates .do you have availability for us ?
Bellow are details of the reservation:
a) Arrival Date: 27 of February to 12th of March 2012
b) Time: from 2pm each day,Tuesdays through Saturdays
c) Number of guest: 8 adults (3 females & 5 male athletes) within the age of 22-36yrs.
Get back to me with details on availabilities and the total cost for the group booking of the 12 massage appointments for each athlets and the types of CREDIT CARDS you accept for payment so we can secure the booking with a deposit.I await your prompt response.
Regards,
Robert Packer
robertpk700@att.net
Another variation…
From: mark133parker@msn.com
To: markparkermails@yahoo.com
Subject: Inquiry
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:18:41 +0000
Greetings,
I want to book for 2 weeks checkups and counseling, 1 or 2 hours each day Monday to Friday (morning or evening hours) for a group of 10. We will be coming for a one month vacation/holiday in your country from 21th May 2012 and in line with our plans we will require 2 weeks Natural Therapy/acupuncture to help maintain healthy body due to the nature of our job and also to make our stay fun. The checkups and counseling should basically be on acupuncture.
Please let me know if your clinic can handle this for us and get back to me with requirements to enable me contact you with more clarifications. Also confirm if you can arrange a one on one checkups and counseling for us or if its better in group.
Await your email,
markparkermails@yahoo.com
On Mar 6, 2012 10:09 PM, “Mark Parker” wrote:
>
> Greetings,
>
> I want to book for 2 weeks Yoga classes, 1 or 2 hours each day Monday to Friday (morning or evening hours) for a group of 10. We will be coming for a one month vacation/holiday in your country from 21th May 2012 and in line with our plans we will require 3 weeks yoga classes to help maintain healthy body due to the nature of our job and also to make our stay fun.
>
> Please let me know if your place can handle this for us and get back to me with requirements to enable me contact you with more clarifications. Also confirm if you can arrange a one on one counseling for us or if its better in group.
>
> Await your email,
>
> Mark Parker
> markparkermail@ymail.com
Hi! I received an initial email on 2/16/2012 which looked suspicious, so I did not respond.
“How are you doing? I am Dr Fred Kelvin of JEM Foundation, i’m contacting you based on the availability of your services. I will like to know if you have the availability for April 11th, 12th, 13th 2012 as i will be bringing 9 Delegates for your services. Kindly Specify the services you offer and let me know the how many Delegates you can handle daily, The Spacing between the delegates as when you can handle each within 3 dates,
And the time for treatment.Also what kind of cards do you accept for payment?I expect to hear from you soon and will get back to you immediately.
Best Regards,
Dr Fred Kelvin
Email: drfredkelvin@gms.us
Director of Staff welfare
JEM FOUNDATION”
The same gentleman sent me a second email on the same day which was pretty much the same email except for the Email address was slightly different. (gmx.us instead of gms.us)
“Best Regards,
Dr Fred Kelvin
Email: drfredkelvin@gmx.us
Director of Staff welfare
JEM FOUNDATION”
Today, I received another email from a different “DR.” whose text was very similar to Dr. Fred Kelvin. Coincidentally, using the same first name.
“Hello,
I hope this mail met you in good condition; I am Dr. Fredrick Brooke, the director of Staff welfare, Ancient Greek Theatre. I will like to make inquiries and availability on your services for April 25th, 26th, 27th 2012. Some of my delegates would be coming for treatments on sessions. Kindly send me your treatment menu or your catalogue for them to choose which of your services is preferred.
Also I will like to know the number of person that can receive treatment per day and also to confirm your best time. Likewise, I want you to know my term of payment is via credit card to cover their treatment.
I will appreciate it if you can get back to me in time with substantial Information regarding my request by attaching or sending me the spa menu along with mode of payments.. Kindly confirm as per above
Fredrick Brooke
Director of Staff welfare
Ancient Greek Theatre
40 Wyndham Crescent
Canton, Cardiff
CF11 9EH
Email: lordfredb2@cafuc.net”
I had already forwarded all three of these emails to the spam email address you listed above.
Brie Storz
After receiving similar emails from busy boy “Packer” about athletes coming in town from UK, I relied with caution. This is what I received today, I laughed and forwarded it to spam@uce.gov .
On Thu, 3/22/12, Shawn Packer wrote:
Hello ,
Thanks for your reply. I am glad to let you know that the cost and conditions of the booking has been accepted by the Team, as such, we wish to make a deposit payment to secure the appointments. I will send you our credit card details for you to process the payment, so we can proceed with other arrangements for our trip.
Furthermore, we have arranged with a Translator who will be assisting some of the athletes that will be coming from Spain and Asia to associate during our training,also he will be providing them with other necessary travel logistics for the trip. Due to the trust reposed on your company,and the fact that the translator dose not have the facility to accept credit card payments,i am requesting that you assist in processing the total amount for your services and that of the Translators from our credit cards.
Sequel to this, i will sending you our credit card details for the payments. as soon as you receive the details, you are requested to process the total amount of $6924.80, then deduct $874.80 as deposit amount for the booking of the appointments,and send the balance of $6050.00 to the Translator as soon as the funds clears your account. all checks and balance of our booking with you will be completed before our arrival. note that all taxes to be accrued by this transaction will be billed to us, so you dont have to pay extra taxes on the transaction.
Kindly confirm the above arrangements and provide me with the bellow information so i can call you directly for proceed on the payments.
* Your full Name:
* Phone Numbers.
* Contact Address:
Please note that this booking requires a prompt response. I expect your expert services.
Kind Regards,
Shawn Packer
(44)7024033092
Here is the one I got and thank goodness I have read this thread because I was going to go through with it!
Hello,
My Name is Mr Frank Bale, from Scotland.I want to make inquiry on your Massage and Acupuncture therapy for 8 athletes that will be coming over to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area. We will require 9 massage appointments for each athlete.do you have availability for us ?
Bellow are details of the reservation:
* Arrival Date: 30th of May to 23rd of June 2012
* Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays through Saturdays
* Number of guest: 8 adults (3 females & 5 male athletes) within the age of 22-36yrs.
Kindly advice details on availabilities and the total cost for the group booking of 72 massage appointments for the athletes,so we can secure the booking with a part payment.hope you accept CREDIT CARD payments? I await you
I await your prompt response.
Regards,
Mr Frank Bale
frank_bale@ymail.com
13 Castle Street,
Edinburgh, EH2 3DN
I just got this one and almost went through with it, good thing
Good day,
My Name is Edward Packer, from Wales, UK. I want to make inquiry on your Massage therapy appointments for 6 Sprinters that will be coming to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area.
We will require 60 minutes massage appointments for each athlete on those dates.appointments will be held three times per week/athlete. we will be booking a total 54 appointmets in your clinic within those period of our stay.do you have availability for us ?
Bellow are a brief detail of the reservation:
* Arrival Date: 21st of May to 10th of June 2012
* Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays,Fridays and Saturdays
* Number of guest: 6 adults (2 females & 4 male athletes) within the age of 22-31yrs.
Kindly advice details on availabilities,total cost for the group booking of the appointments and the types of credit cards you accept for payments,so we can secure the booking with a part payment.I await your prompt response.
Regards,
Edward Packer
wow Mr Packer sure gets around, he’s also coming to Australia…
the first email was like this, and then after i had responded i received the second one:
#1
Good day,
My Name is Robert Packer, from Wales, UK. I want to make inquiry on your Massage therapy appointments for 7 Sprinters that will be coming to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area.
We will require 60 minutes massage appointments for each athlete on those dates.appointments will be held three times per week/athlete. we will be booking a total 63 appointments in your clinic within the 3 weeks period of our stay.do you have availability for us ?
Bellow are a brief detail of the reservation:
* Arrival Date: 29Th of May to 18Th of June 2012
* Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays,Fridays and Saturdays
* Number of guest: 7 adults (3 females & 4 male athletes) within the age of 22-31yrs.
Kindly get back to me with details on availabilities,total cost for the group booking of the appointments and the types of credit cards you accept for payment,so we can secure the appointments with a deposit.I await your prompt response.
Regards,
Robert Packer
robertpk7@att.net
then i received this
#2
Hello Glenn,
Thanks for your reply. I am glad to let you know that the cost and conditions of the booking has been accepted by the Team, as such, we wish to make a deposit payment to secure the appointments. I will send you our credit card details for you to process the payment, so we can proceed with other arrangements for our trip.
Furthermore, we have arranged with a Translator who will be assisting some of the athletes that will be coming from Spain and Asia to associate during our training,also he will be providing them with other necessary travel logistics for the trip. Due to the trust reposed on your company,and the fact that the translator dose not have the facility to accept credit card payments,i am requesting that you assist in processing the total amount for your services and that of the Translators from our credit cards.
Sequel to this, i will sending you our credit card details for the payments. as soon as you receive the details, you are requested to process the total amount of $10820.00, then deduct $3000.00 as deposit amount for the booking of the appointments,and send the balance of $7820.00 to the Translator as soon as the funds clears your account. all checks and balance of our booking with you will be completed before our arrival. note that all taxes to be accrued by this transaction will be billed to us, so you dont have to pay extra taxes on the transaction.
Kindly confirm the above arrangements and provide me with the bellow information so i can call you directly for proceed on the payments.
* Your full Name:
* Phone Numbers.
* Contact Address:
Please note that this booking requires a prompt response. I expect your expert services.
Regards,
Robert Packer
(44)7024033092
Just received this one and was not aware of the scams. Repliec back to him and have included his second email:
—–Original Message—–
From: Evans Max [mailto:evans.max34@yahoo.com]
Sent: May-11-12 10:23 AM
Subject: INQUIRY FOR THERAPY APPOINTMENTS
Dear,
INQUIRY FOR THERAPY APPOINTMENTS
I would like to book massage therapy appointments for 4-clients arriving
from the United-Kingdom on vacation. They will arrive to your region on the
24th June and depart 22nd July, 2012.
Send me in a reply the total cost for the entire appointments.
Can you schedule each person for appointments twice a week for 4-weeks, in
between the period of their stay?
Your advice on price and availability will be highly regarded.
Kind Regards,
Evans Max
…………………………………………………………..
Second email:
Hello Dear,
Thanks for your email and how are you doing today?Thia is to inform you we need a Swedish massage therapy.
The group will appreciate if you make a reduction in the price .Then calculate and get back to me with total cost of your services and the tax, so as to advance by booking the massage appointments in your practice, 60mins/session for each member of the group.The suggested dates are listed below, and they will prefer the sessions to be 2-persons in the morning hours 10.00a.m and the other 2-persons in the Afternoon hours 3.00pm.
Mon – 26th June, 2012
Thursday – 29th July, 2012
Tuesday – 3rd July, 2012
Friday – 6th July, 2012
Tue – 10th July, 2012
Friday – 13th July, 2012
Monday – 16th July, 2012
Friday – 20th July, 2012
Do you have a POS terminal for credit-card advance payments?
Confirm the suggested dates and get back to me soonest.
Regards,
Evans Max
34b vicarage groove,
Camberll ,se5 7ly
London
Here’s one I received today 29/5/12
Do tell me if it is genuine though, I could do with the cash
INQUIRY FOR MASSAGE THERAPY APPOINTMENTS.
Dear Sir/Madam
I would like to book for Massage Therapy Appointments for 4-clients arriving to your region on vacation. They will arrive to your region on the 24th August and depart 22nd September, 2012.
Can you schedule each person for appointments twice a week for 4-weeks, in between the period of their stay?
Your advice on price and availability will be highly regarded.
The suggested dates are listed below, and they will prefer the sessions to be 2-persons in the morning hours 10.00a.m and the other 2-persons in the Afternoon hours 3.00pm.
– 24th August, 2012
– 29th August, 2012
– 31st August, 2012
– 5th September, 2012
–7th September, 2012
– 12th September, 2012
– 14th September, 2012
– 21st September, 2012
Kindly send me the total cost for the whole period and do get back to me immediately for urgent payment.
Do you have a POS terminal for credit-card advance payments?
Confirm the suggested dates and get back to me
soonest.
Freeman,
31-33 Guildhall Street,
Bury St Edminds, Suffolk IP33 1QD ,
United Kingdom
They’re coming to NZ now too! I just found this in my spam folder, and felt bad I hadn’t replied. Then thought it sounded a bit fishy:
From: frank_bale@ymail.com [mailto:frank_bale@ymail.com]
Sent: Sunday, 27 May 2012 12:45 a.m.
To: rachel@bodyworksmassage.co.nz
Subject: inquiry on your Massage and Acupuncture
Hello, My Name is Mr Frank Bale, from Scotland.I want to make inquiry on your Massage and Acupuncture therapy for 8 athletes that will be coming over to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area. We will require 9 massage appointments for each athlete.do you have availability for us ? Below are details of the reservation: * Arrival Date: 30th of June to 23rd of July 2012 * Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays through Saturdays * Number of guest: 8 adults (3 females & 5 male athletes) within the age of 22-36yrs. Kindly advice details on availabilities and the total cost for the group booking of 72 massage appointments for the athletes,so we can secure the booking with a part payment.hope you accept CREDIT CARD payments? I await you I await your prompt response. Regards, Mr Frank Bale frank_bale@ymail.com
From: Mr Frank Bale
Email: frank_bale@ymail.com
Phone: 71827777278
—–Original Message—–
From: Edward Packer [mailto:edwardpk@att.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:46 AM
To: Virgin Traders
Subject: Yacht booking
Good day,
My Name is Edward Packer from Wales,UK. I want to make a Yacht booking for 6 of my colleagues that will be coming to your country for a 7 days Cruise vacation. we would like to know if you can organize a cruise tour package for us while on vacation in your country.
Bellow are details of the booking:
ARRIVAL DATE: 23rd to 29th of July 2012 DURATION OF STAY: one week NUMBER OF GUST: 6 adults
We will require a confortable luxery yacht,a Catamaran or a motor boat with a skipper for those dates.kindly get back to me with details on availabilities on those dates,total cost for the one week booking of the yacht and the types of credit cards you accept for payment so we can secure the booking.
Regards,
Edward Packer
14 Monthermer Road Cathays
Cardiff, CF24 4QW
Hello all,
I’m from Italy and got this on my personal page about Reiki this today. Supposedly another scam.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write to confirm the possibility of having treatment sessions with you during the period we will be staying in your area for our vacation period. I got your address from the internet while searching for a competent therapy center that will hold these sessions for us.
The patients are 4 persons from Northern Ireland coming for vacation in your area and have shown interest in having this sessions with you, I would like to know if it would be possible for you to hold the sessions with us for the following periods;
Session starting date: 4th September 2012
Session ending date: 8th September 2012
Duration of the session: 5 days
Number of patients: 4 persons(adults)
Time of each session per person: 60 minutes
Total time of sessions per the 4 persons per day: 240 minutes per day (4 hours)
Please state the TYPES OF TREATMENT SESSIONS YOUR CLINIC PROVIDES AND THE RATES, so that we will decide on the type of treatment that best suits us.
In case there are no available space within this period 05/09/2012 – 12/09/2012 do not hesitate to get back to me with the free dates.
Thanks for your anticipated co-operations.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Philip Muller
129 Hillsborough Road
Lisburn
BT28 1LA
Northern Ireland
UK.
TEL: 00(44) 7879147109
philip.mullerservices@gmail.com
I received this and carried on quite a back and forth with this guy til that “feeling” came over me.
I found your website and I thank you VERY much for the info. I have forwarded the 5 e-mails we conversed on to the gov website.
Thanks again!
This was the first one that was sent to our website:
Good Day, My Name is Frank Bale.I want to book for a 60 minutes Bowen session for 8 athletes that will be coming over to your country for a three weeks training tour in your area. The athletes are all sprinters and will require Bowen therapeutic treatments that will help reduce strain,improve physical fitness and enhance movement for the athletes.do you have availability for us? Bellow are details of the reservation: *Date:appointments will start on the 26th of August to the 15th of September 2012 *Time:evening appointments from 2pm on Mondays,Wednesdays,Fridays & Saturdays *Number of athletes: 8 adults (3 females & 5 male athletes) within the age of 22-31yrs. Kindly advice details on availability and the total cost for the group booking of 12 appointments for each athletes,so that we can secure the booking with a deposit payment.hope you accept credit card payments? I await your prompt response. Regards, Frank Bale frank_bale@ymail.com
Here is my latest!
Changi Wong securchangi@msn.com
8:27 AM (11 hours ago)
to securchangi
Greetings,
We wish to inquire about your Holistic services, I want to book for 2 weeks therapy, 1 or 2 hours each day Monday to Friday (morning or evening hours) for a group of 10. We will be coming for a one month vacation/holiday from 21th Nov. 2012 and in line with our plans we will require 2 weeks Holistic therapies to help maintain healthy body due to the nature of our job and also to make our stay fun.
The checkups should basically be an Holistic experience for my group, please get back to me with the required information below so i can finalize arrangements with my group and get back to you with more clear and specific details.
Type of therapies you offer:
Best arranged in (group/individual):
Confirm availability for the required date:
Types of credit cards accepted:
Awaits your email.
I am a Speech Language Pathologist and have received a similar letter, that was very specific, requesting therapy for a gentleman with Parkinson’s Disease who would be visiting from Hong Kong for “advanced medical treatment” in the U.S. — this was very specific to me, as I specialize in Parkinson’s. It appeared very suspicious & I responded with a general statement, 2 days later I received a follow-up email which was also odd, requesting a specific date for the appointment and a request to know my fee. I responded by asking for further information, including which hospital and dr. he would be seeking medical treatment withw (because, wouldn’t THEY set up speech therapy for him) — this scared them off & haven’t heard back since.
Hello,
My Name is Mr Frank Bale, from Ireland. I want to make inquiry on your Massage and Acupuncture therapy for 8 athletes that will be coming over to your country for a 3 weeks training tour in your area. We will require 9 massage appointments for each athlete. Do you have availability for us ?
Below are details of the reservation:
* Arrival Date: 2nd of February to 23rd of February 2013
* Time: evening appointments from 3pm, Mondays through Saturdays
* Number of guest: 8 adults (3 females & 5 male athletes) within the age of 22-36yrs.
Kindly advice details on availabilities and the total cost for the group booking of 72 massage appointments for the athletes,so we can secure the booking with a part payment.hope you accept CREDIT CARD payments?
I await your prompt response.
Regards,
Mr Frank Bale
I got this email on December 28, 2012. The fraudster actually stole and impersonated a real massage therapist’s identity but the contacts are changed:
From: “Robert Morrissey. MSI . RMT. CPT”
return email: robertoaudrey12@hotmail.com
Subject: Massage Sessions Enquiry Date: Fri, Dec 28, 2012 8:40 AM
Greetings from Victoria, Melbourne!!
My name is Robert Morrissey I live and work as a massage therapist here in Sydney, I am 49yrs old, Am originally from milan italy. I have been doing massage since 1991. I do deep relaxation massage in which the muscles relax without pain. I also do energy massage that helps people feel great when I am done. I am also certified to do pregnancy massage. I have lots of happy clients here in Sydney.
I have been looking for a Massage therapist for over a week now till i met an old friend yesterday that referred you to me, so i decided to contact you to know if you will be able give my client some massage sessions, My client’s name is Ms Rachel Leese, A model here in Melbourne, who will be needing some Massage sessions when she arrives the States, She will be coming to the U.S in 2 weeks time for a modeling job and will be residing in your Area temporarily until the necessary arrangement for her job has been made before she leaves.
She will be needing 1hr Massage session per day, 3 Sessions per week for 6 weeks. Ms Leese, asked me to come with her to America but i told her i would not be able to go with her as i have a course i will be going for in a week time, so i promised to help her get a good Massage therapist in your Area.
Pls tell me a little more about your self, how long have you been a Massage therapist? Would you be able to provide her with the sessions from the 10th of JAN to the 30th of FEB, 3 Sessions per week for 6 weeks. I need you to get back to me with the amount you charge per session and also let me know if she can pay you with a Certified check drawn from a US bank?
You can view some of Ms Leese’s Pictures from the link below:
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/2289511/viewall#/25490320
Till I read from you remain blessed.
Robert Morrissey, MSI, RMT, CPT
House Of Seasons Hair And Beauty Centre
43 Greville Rd, Rosanna VIC 3084
ph:(03) 9409 9619
I got the following email, which is the typical blueprint scam email to massage therapists. There seems to be a spike in these emails going around, and other types of employment scams.
From: “Susan Blow”
Cc:
Subject: MASSAGE THERAPIST REQUIRED Date: Sat, Jan 12, 2013 3:37 AM
Hello,
My name is Susan Blow; I will be going on my annual leave on the 8th of
February and my husband & I will be coming to California, USA on holiday
for 1month. We would be staying from Sunday 10th of February 2013 to
Wednesday 13th of March 2013. I require the services of a Personal massage
therapist, though this could be done rather flexibly for the entire period
of our stay. I will require your services for 2 days each week and for 1
session of 1hour or 1hour/30mins each depending on your availability.
Basically I require full body massage in other to relax as I regularly
have stiffness in my shoulder and lower back. Over the past 1 month I have
hired the services of a personal massage therapist and I find each session
very relaxing and refreshing. Since I am going on a 1 month holiday I
would like to continue with my work-out program during my stay in
California. I am interested in either full body massage or a combination
of massage and manual therapy. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts,
recommendation and the total costs for your services (4weeks – number of
sessions 8).
I’m 45 years old and a senior accountant, working with Palomar Foods
Limited here in the United Kingdom. I will be happy to pay in advance of
our visit to guarantee your services during our stay. We can have the
therapy sessions at your Clinic/Studio. I look forward to hearing from
you, many thanks.
Best regards,
Susan Blow
72 Crownstone Rd,
London SW2 1LY
United Kingdom
Thank you! You saved me from being scammed from some dude in Australia. So far I’ve gotten 5 similar emails claiming to be from Australia and the UK. Deplorable, the crap people try to pull on honest, hard working people. Again, thank you for your article/posting. You saved me from making a HUGE mistake.
HERE IS HOW FAR IT CAN GO. I ACTUALLY HAD A CHECK ARRIVE AT MY DOOR THIS MORNING FOR $4850.00 IN MY NAME!! FROM ROBERT MORRISEY, THEN RACHEL LEESE, PURCHASED BY “JOHN MASON” THEN APRIL KELLY THEN SOME OTHER NAMES ON THE CHECK. SCAM!
Good Morning, How was your weekend? Am so glad My final show is on Friday Morning, So I would fly back to Australia on Friday night I would call you on Saturday Morning when i arrive which should be Night in the states so we can go over the details you need for my sessions before my arrival. I received a message that My Check would be delivered this Morning in the Hr of 8:30 – 10:30 Via Fedex, This is the FEDEX tracking number ( 7944 9672 5286 ) You can track the package so as to know what time it would be delivered, After you receive the check, deposit the funds and when its available deduct the amount for my sessions from the funds you receive and you help me wire the rest of the funds to my Equipment’s rental Manager so they can confirm the payments and have my Photo Equipment’s ready before my flight to the states on Sunday. Pls make sure you email me as soon as you put the funds in the bank on when the funds should be available so i can email you my Equipment manager information and instructions on where you would help me wire the funds for my Photo Equipments so i can pick them up before my flight.
I await your email on updates.
See you soon
Ms Leese
I have received the same e-mail “MT” above has received.
From: Susan Blow
To:
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 3:37 AM
Subject: MASSAGE THERAPIST REQUIRED
Hello,
My name is Susan Blow; I will be going on my annual leave on the 8th of
February and my husband & I will be coming to California, USA on holiday
for 1month. We would be staying from Sunday 10th of February 2013 to
Wednesday 13th of March 2013. I require the services of a Personal massage
therapist, though this could be done rather flexibly for the entire period
of our stay. I will require your services for 2 days each week and for 1
session of 1hour or 1hour/30mins each depending on your availability.
Basically I require full body massage in other to relax as I regularly
have stiffness in my shoulder and lower back. Over the past 1 month I have
hired the services of a personal massage therapist and I find each session
very relaxing and refreshing. Since I am going on a 1 month holiday I
would like to continue with my work-out program during my stay in
California. I am interested in either full body massage or a combination
of massage and manual therapy. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts,
recommendation and the total costs for your services (4weeks – number of
sessions 8).
I’m 45 years old and a senior accountant, working with Palomar Foods
Limited here in the United Kingdom. I will be happy to pay in advance of
our visit to guarantee your services during our stay. We can have the
therapy sessions at your Clinic/Studio. I look forward to hearing from
you, many thanks.
Best regards,
Susan Blow
72 Crownstone Rd,
London SW2 1L
United Kingdom
Confirming on the Susan Blow email, I received an identical email about her taking a trip to Pittsburgh the same time as her ‘California Trip’
My name is Susan Blow; I will be going on my annual leave on the 8th of
February and my husband & I will be coming to Pennsylvania, USA on holiday
for 1month. We would be staying from Sunday 10th of February 2013 to
Wednesday 13th of March 2013. I require the services of a Personal massage
therapist, though this could be done rather flexibly for the entire period
of our stay. I will require your services for 2 days each week and for 1
session of 1hour or 1hour/30mins each depending on your availability.
Basically I require full body massage in other to relax as I regularly
have stiffness in my shoulder and lower back. Over the past 1 month I have
hired the services of a personal massage therapist and I find each session
very relaxing and refreshing. Since I am going on a 1 month holiday I
would like to continue with my work-out program during my stay in
Pennsylvania. I am interested in either full body massage or a combination
of massage and manual therapy. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts,
recommendation and the total costs for your services (4weeks – number of
sessions 8).
I’m 45 years old and a senior accountant, working with Palomar Foods
Limited here in the United Kingdom. I will be happy to pay in advance of
our visit to guarantee your services during our stay. We can have the
therapy sessions at your Clinic/Studio. I look forward to hearing from
you, many thanks.
Best regards,
Susan Blow
72 Crownstone Rd,
London SW2 1LY
United Kingdom
The email I received from “Susan Blow” has an IP address of 41.190.3.192 from Lagos, Nigeria.
Here’s another massage therapy scam that was going on a few years ago:
Hello,
How are you today? my name is Mrs Tessy Brown, i live
and work here in italy, i am 36yrs old. I have been doing massage since
1989. I do a deep relaxation massage in which the muscles relax without
pain. I also do energy massage that helps people feel great when I am
done. I am certified to do pregnancey massage. I have lots of happy
clients here in italy. i have a client Miss Nancy James A model here in
italy. she will be coming CA in two weeks for a modeling job and she
will be needing bodywork and therapeutic massage for hr in the morning
and 1hr in the evening every day for 9days, five times the first week
and four times the next week, she asked me to come with her to the US
but i told her i would not be able to go with her to the US as i have a
course i will be going for in a week time. I promised to help her get
a good massage therapist in your Area.
pls do send me your office
address so that i would know if she will need transportation to get to
your office. Pls tell me a little more about your self and if you can
give me References of people you have worked with.
pls do get back as
soon as you receive this message.
Rgds
Tessy
I also got the following email, similar to the one from Robert Morrissey above. The IP address was 175.139.90.47 from Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
From: “Galea Robert”
Subject: Massage Sessions Enquiry Date: Sat, Jan 19, 2013 7:51 AM
Greetings from Victoria, Melbourne!!
My name is Galea Robert I live and work as a massage therapist here in
Sydney, I am 49yrs old, Am originally from milan italy. I have been doing
massage since 1991. I do deep relaxation massage in which the muscles
relax without pain. I also do energy massage that helps people feel great
when I am done. I am also certified to do pregnancy massage. I have lots
of happy clients here in Sydney.
I have been looking for a Massage therapist for over a week now till i met
an old friend yesterday that referred you to me, so i decided to contact
you to know if you will be able give my client some massage sessions, My
client’s name is Ms Paris Luise, A model here in Melbourne, who will be
needing some Massage sessions when she arrives the States, She will be
coming to the U.S in 2 weeks time for a modeling job and will be residing
in your Area temporarily until the necessary arrangement for her job has
been made before she leaves.
She will be needing 1hr Massage session per day, 3 Sessions per week for 6
weeks. Ms Leese, asked me to come with her to America but i told her i
would not be able to go with her as i have a course i will be going for in
a week time, so i promised to help her get a good Massage therapist in
your Area.
Pls tell me a little more about your self, how long have you been a
Massage therapist? Would you be able to provide her with the sessions from
the 30th of JAN to the 10TH of MARCH, 3 Sessions per week for 6 weeks. I
need you to get back to me with the amount you charge per session and also
let me know if she can pay you with a Certified check drawn from a US
bank?
You can view some of Ms Paris Luise Pictures from the link below:
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/460922/viewall#/21935017
Till I read from you remain blessed.
Galea Robert, MSI, RMT, CPT
House Of Seasons Hair And Beauty Centre
43 Greville Rd, Rosanna VIC 3084
I received the following email. the IP address 209.85.220.179 appears to be from Inglewood or Mountainview, California, unless it has bee falsified, so don’t think all of these scams originate from somewhere outside of the US.
From: “Jane Anslem”
Subject: Massage Treatment Needed.. Date: Sat, Feb 02, 2013 10:41 AM
Hi ,
My name is Jane Anslem.I would be visiting California for short vacation. I am looking for a competent massage therapist for deep tissue, Therapeutic and Swedish massage therapy to help relieve of stress and pains. I would be glad to know the following information regarding your service.
Charges per hour:
Hours of Operation:
I look forward to hear from you ASAP.
Thanks,
Jane
I got yet another massage scam email, this one showing several email addresses, one from hotmail, an actual return email to a Finland website, and an originating IP address of 196.203.79.239 from Tunisia.
From: “Craig Dennis.MSI.RMT.CPT”
Craigdennismassage@hotmail.com
reply email: roberttherapy@suomi24.fi
Subject: Massage Sessions Inquiry Date: Sat, Feb 09, 2013 12:24 AM
–
Greetings from France!
My name is Craig Dennis a Graduate of the prestigious Atlanta School of
Massage in the United States, I worked with many celebrities and
developed an international reputation for fantastic massage with an
impeccable sense of service, I now live and work as a massage therapist
here in France, I have over 19 years experience and have given more than
20,000 massages as a professional bodyworker. I do deep relaxation
massage in which the muscles relax without pain. I also do energy
massage that helps people feel great when I am done. I am also certified
to do pregnancy massage.
I have been looking for a Massage therapist for over a week now till i
met an old friend yesterday That Referred you to me, so I decided to
contact you to know if you will be able give my client some Massage
sessions. My client’s name is Ms Aly Corte, A model here in France, who
will be Needing some sessions Massage sessions When she arrived the
States. She will be coming to the states in 2 weeks time for a modeling
job and will be Residing in your Area temporarily untill the Necessary
arrangement for her job has been made before she leaves.
She Will Be Needing 1hr Massage session per day, 3 sessions per week
for 6 weeks. Ms Corte, Asked me to come with her to the states but i
told her i would not be able to go with her as i have a course i will be
going for in a week time, so i promised to help her get a good Massage
therapist in your Area since i use to live in the states before i
relocated here.
Pls tell me a little more about your self, how long have you been a
Massage therapist? Would you be ble to Provide her with the sessions
from the 25th of this Month to the 30th of March, 3 sessions per week
for 6 weeks. I need you to get back to me with the Amount you charge per
session and also let me know if she can pay you with a Certified Check
drawn from a a U.S. bank?
You can view some of Ms Corte Pictures from the link below:
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/2729864/viewall#/30609578
Till I read from you remain blessed.
Craig Dennis
Telephone 544 48867 1816
from France
Outside France 1544 48168902
I received this email scam Sunday, March 17 at 6:53 pm. (services may differ)
———————————
To: Webmaster
From:
mark
mark_pil@yahoo.com
Message:
Hello,
This is mark,i will like to know if you are available for the below
service:
Skin rejuvenation
Pedicure
Massage
Manicure
Eyelash and tinting.
Do you accept credit card for payment,thanks i awaits your reply asap.
—————————————————–
Hi,
Am hearing impaired that is why am using via e-mail to contact you now…I want to book an appointment for the below service
Massage
I want you to get back to me with the total estimate for 7(Female) people for 3rd of May,also want you to know that they will be coming with a private transportation driver to for the service.I will be expecting your reply back with the total cost then your full name,address with directly phone number for the private transportation to locate your place when they are coming for the service…..So that i can give you my credit card for the payment asap.
————————————-
NOTE: At this point, I realized it was a scam (after googling him name) and told him to go scam someone else. I never heard back….:)
We have just recently received an almost identical email from “hearing impaired” individual looking to book 5 Hot Stone Massages for 5 females….
What IS the scam here?? I knew it sounded phishy but cannot figure out what is to be gained by the individual??