I've been asked to send 15,000 pounds (sterling) of diamonds to London!

Satyagraha · Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:20

I am a lone traveller and these things only seem to happen to me!
Last night on Anjuna beach i met 3 Indian boys at a restaurant and they were very friendly and talking to me then invited me back to their place. It was very far from anjuna and the place was a private residence, elaborately decorated with a Mercedes parked outside.

Once inside, we are talking more and drinking. Other people come into the room some talk some don't. One man in particular, an Italian-Indian strikes up a conversation with me. To cut a long story short, he took me outside and asked me for a photocopy of my Visa and Passport and asked for me to help him send 10,000/15,000 pounds sterling worth of 'handicraft diamonds, sapphires' etc in a package which is marked with my name and passport number, sent to the London Central Post Office. He said i will go on a plane from Goa-Bombay-London, someone will meet me at the airport and i will check the package and then give it to this man, who will then pay me 10,000 or 15,000 in cash.
All this just to sit on the plane and pick up a package. This whole thing is so they can avoid tax because i have a tourist visa and can get away with it...

Everything in my common sense tells me to run a mile. Fortunately i got away they dropped me back in Anjuna and are due to meet me on the beach where i met them last night and take me on from there to another beach where we will 'talk business'.

They want to meet me in just two hours from now!
My best plan of action is to just get WELL AWAY from anjuna, perhaps even Goa and just never look back.

As i said i am alone so this problem is almost entirely upon my shoulders alone, as i have no one to talk to. I have talked to the girl running the internet cafe here who obviously advised me against all dealings with them. Which is very sensible advice.

At the moment there has been only talking, they know my first name only so i feel relatively safe.

I hope everything turns out okay!!!

Wish me luck.

cyberhippie · Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:22

Run a mile, it's a scam, there really is no such thing as a free lunch remember that!!

mira4bai4 · Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:32

A fool and his money are parted so very quickly and if the package contains drugs are your prepared for the consequences. If it goes wrong, you pay and pay and pay and pay. Life is to short and the short cuts just bite you in the arse.

Tapestry · Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:34

Wow, it's like they looked up Scam in the dictionary and followed it to the letter. It's almost a caricature of a scam it's so patently scam-y. Did they also mention you won the Nigerian lottery yesterday and they'll just be requiring your bank details so they can deposit the money for you?

Run for the hills!

cyberhippie · Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:34

There are no diamonds and no package, at some point you will be asked for a little cash to ease this deal, which will promptly disappear along with your new found friends!!

Nick-H · Sep 23rd, 2006, 11:05

There is no "tax avoidance because you are a tourist"

Even if there were any stones and even of they were genuine, just how much duty and VAT do you think would be due in UK.

And there is Indian export duty to pay on this stuff...

Which do you fancy cooling off in after your holiday: an Indian jail or a UK one?

But, as CH says, there are no stones, and now you know how they support their fancy lifestyle!

How come you're even considering it? No... don't answer that....

steven_ber · Sep 23rd, 2006, 11:40

These guys have invested time in you to try to persuade you, don't even meet up with them to say no, they wont be happy.

Keep away from them.

icetea · Sep 23rd, 2006, 12:03

I don't know why you followed them to that private residence in the first place...that alone sounds very dangerous to me...Drinking huh?

Just leave the place and enjoy the rest of your holiday, don't worry they cant track you down (they'll find some other tourist to get busy with)

PhilA · Sep 23rd, 2006, 12:14

As Steven says they may take there anger out on you when they realise you're not mug enough for them..heard many stories like this in Jaipur...it often turns nasty.. just keep well away but don't worry about if they do see you you can always take a gentle stroll to the police station I'm sure they'll get the message!

goangoangone · Sep 23rd, 2006, 12:27

It's a drugs run!

edwardseco · Sep 23rd, 2006, 13:24

The amazing thing is that so mant have been taken on this gem scam. Its like foreign aid to India..

capt_mahajan · Sep 23rd, 2006, 14:18

the basis of any scam is greed. as ch says, no free lunch.

greenchutney · Sep 23rd, 2006, 15:46

i dont understand why people/lone travellers go to unknown private residences at night like this and especially with a ratio of 3 to 1. why dont you just use your common sense and say..he maybe we will do this in daylight at least?..you are in a foreign country..doesnt matter if they speak english or dressed decently...good lord man!...

there should be no first or second thoughts with such scenarios. but since you already made the first mistake of visiting with such shady characters/places during the night...its better you dont show up and i hope to god you are already on the way to the hills or 'disappeared' among the millions in some other metro. good luck and please use more caution in future rendezvous or 'dealings'.....

manreet_16 · Sep 23rd, 2006, 16:07

ooooo Thank u for sharing it..I better warn my friends..Now its time to fight back..thanx again

ragards
manreet_16

lez · Sep 23rd, 2006, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by
Once inside, we are talking more and drinking. Other people come into the he took me outside and asked me for a photocopy of my Visa and Passport and asked for me to help him send 10,000/15,000 pounds sterling worth of [COLOR="Red"

'handicraft diamonds, sapphires' etc in a package which is marked with my name and passport number, sent to the London Central Post Office. He said i will go on a plane from Goa-Bombay-London, someone will meet me at the airport and i will check the package and then give it to this man, who will then pay me 10,000 or 15,000 in cash.[/color]
All this just to sit on the plane and pick up a package. This whole thing is so they can avoid tax because i have a tourist visa and can get away with it...

Wish me luck.

Have you heared the one about the three Bears

Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:20	#1
Satyagraha Big Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 58	I've been asked to send 15,000 pounds (sterling) of diamonds to London! I am a lone traveller and these things only seem to happen to me! Last night on Anjuna beach i met 3 Indian boys at a restaurant and they were very friendly and talking to me then invited me back to their place. It was very far from anjuna and the place was a private residence, elaborately decorated with a Mercedes parked outside. Once inside, we are talking more and drinking. Other people come into the room some talk some don't. One man in particular, an Italian-Indian strikes up a conversation with me. To cut a long story short, he took me outside and asked me for a photocopy of my Visa and Passport and asked for me to help him send 10,000/15,000 pounds sterling worth of 'handicraft diamonds, sapphires' etc in a package which is marked with my name and passport number, sent to the London Central Post Office. He said i will go on a plane from Goa-Bombay-London, someone will meet me at the airport and i will check the package and then give it to this man, who will then pay me 10,000 or 15,000 in cash. All this just to sit on the plane and pick up a package. This whole thing is so they can avoid tax because i have a tourist visa and can get away with it... Everything in my common sense tells me to run a mile. Fortunately i got away they dropped me back in Anjuna and are due to meet me on the beach where i met them last night and take me on from there to another beach where we will 'talk business'. They want to meet me in just two hours from now! My best plan of action is to just get WELL AWAY from anjuna, perhaps even Goa and just never look back. As i said i am alone so this problem is almost entirely upon my shoulders alone, as i have no one to talk to. I have talked to the girl running the internet cafe here who obviously advised me against all dealings with them. Which is very sensible advice. At the moment there has been only talking, they know my first name only so i feel relatively safe. I hope everything turns out okay!!! Wish me luck.

Sep 23rd, 2006, 11:05	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,298	There is no "tax avoidance because you are a tourist" Even if there were any stones and even of they were genuine, just how much duty and VAT do you think would be due in UK. And there is Indian export duty to pay on this stuff... Which do you fancy cooling off in after your holiday: an Indian jail or a UK one? But, as CH says, there are no stones, and now you know how they support their fancy lifestyle! How come you're even considering it? No... don't answer that.... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 23rd, 2006, 11:40	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 8,833	These guys have invested time in you to try to persuade you, don't even meet up with them to say no, they wont be happy. Keep away from them. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Sep 23rd, 2006, 12:27	#10
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,492	It's a drugs run! __________________ GoanGoan......here

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:22	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Run a mile, it's a scam, there really is no such thing as a free lunch remember that!!

Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:32	#3
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,175	A fool and his money are parted so very quickly and if the package contains drugs are your prepared for the consequences. If it goes wrong, you pay and pay and pay and pay. Life is to short and the short cuts just bite you in the arse.

Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:34	#4
Tapestry Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 315	Wow, it's like they looked up Scam in the dictionary and followed it to the letter. It's almost a caricature of a scam it's so patently scam-y. Did they also mention you won the Nigerian lottery yesterday and they'll just be requiring your bank details so they can deposit the money for you? Run for the hills!

Sep 23rd, 2006, 12:03	#8
icetea 'sort of hate India' club member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chennai, via Romania Posts: 917	I don't know why you followed them to that private residence in the first place...that alone sounds very dangerous to me...Drinking huh? Just leave the place and enjoy the rest of your holiday, don't worry they cant track you down (they'll find some other tourist to get busy with)

Sep 23rd, 2006, 12:14	#9
PhilA Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 34	As Steven says they may take there anger out on you when they realise you're not mug enough for them..heard many stories like this in Jaipur...it often turns nasty.. just keep well away but don't worry about if they do see you you can always take a gentle stroll to the police station I'm sure they'll get the message!

Sep 23rd, 2006, 13:24	#11
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,707	The amazing thing is that so mant have been taken on this gem scam. Its like foreign aid to India..

Sep 23rd, 2006, 14:18	#12
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,509	the basis of any scam is greed. as ch says, no free lunch.

Sep 23rd, 2006, 15:46	#13
greenchutney Account Closed Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: planet earth Posts: 1,579	i dont understand why people/lone travellers go to unknown private residences at night like this and especially with a ratio of 3 to 1. why dont you just use your common sense and say..he maybe we will do this in daylight at least?..you are in a foreign country..doesnt matter if they speak english or dressed decently...good lord man!... there should be no first or second thoughts with such scenarios. but since you already made the first mistake of visiting with such shady characters/places during the night...its better you dont show up and i hope to god you are already on the way to the hills or 'disappeared' among the millions in some other metro. good luck and please use more caution in future rendezvous or 'dealings'.....

Sep 23rd, 2006, 16:07	#14
manreet_16 On the Move Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada\India Posts: 358	ooooo Thank u for sharing it..I better warn my friends..Now its time to fight back..thanx again ragards manreet_16

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Diamonds, Gold and Rings... Is India Considered Cheap?	pravie	Packing Tips for India travel	30	Sep 2nd, 2007 13:32
India asked to send ship to fetch Sri Lankan refugees	Sama	India Travel News and Commentary	1	May 29th, 2006 05:59
Dollars or Sterling?	jollygirl	Chai and Chat	7	May 11th, 2005 22:18
Dollars or Pounds Stirling?	crodge	Chai and Chat	8	Feb 10th, 2005 04:17
Pounds sterling/US Dollars?	jaz	Chai and Chat	14	Mar 3rd, 2004 02:02

User Name		Remember Me?
Password