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

Fotuman · Oct 5th, 2006, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Funny thing is, Satyagraha never did call in again...

How you're doing man?

Probably on a carribean island by now... spending away those 15000 bucks

davey · Oct 5th, 2006, 15:30

come on tell us whats happened next???? if you dont head all this advice and you turned up to the meeting you may not be available to respond to these messages...good luck and get out of thier way fast

Nick-H · Oct 5th, 2006, 16:24

I hope he is OK...

IVAN · Oct 5th, 2006, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satyagraha

Everything in my common sense tells me to run a mile.

ALWAYS believe these kinds of feelings!

batistuta · Oct 5th, 2006, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fotuman

Probably on a carribean island by now... spending away those 15000 bucks

That is the most likely scenario Fotuman.

eater · Oct 8th, 2006, 08:24

The same thing happened to me.... BUT in Lake Como, Italy, and in 1965, hiking on $5 dollars a day.. - Not only in Goa, eh.....

Before I tell about the "Italian Job", ....I wonder if the Goa crowd probably learnt the scam from sources like the Jaipur people.....who probably picked it up from the Italian Captain!!...

Lonely Planet, 2005: "Major scam in Jaipur, Rajasthan. On my first trip to India I fell victim to a gang of "jewelers". They tricked me for 2700 dollars, my whole travel budget......."
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/indsc/ind_pc.htm

This guy did part with the money...sounds like he lost the $2700, a fortune for a lot of us...

I had hitched to Venice, to see the usual sites.. Guganheim Gallery, St Mark Sq., the 'finest drawing room in Europe', and of course take a picture with the pigeons ...San Georgio, the House of Doges, etc.

I managed a ride from Venice to Milan in a Fiat (Salesman going home), and from Milan to Como (Como is on the border of Italy and Switzerland, important for the scam) hitched with weekenders going to the Lake resort looking for "good time", as all Italians living around Como do....(George Clooney, actor, "Oceans Eleven" etc. has a "cottage" here now...in those days it was a wild country-side)

Reached Como around noon, had lunch at one of the Lakeside Cafe and made my way to the outskirts of the Town for a ride to my next stop, Luzern. Here comes a Limo, put up my thumb ya..right, a limo driver is going to take a hiker

.....

I am looking at the stretch limo as it passes by, keeping my eyes on the brake lights, the car slows down and the lights turn red. It stopped! I pick up my backpack (rucksack, WE used to call it in those days), run for it....the front door slides open, I pull on it and look inside.

The driver was dressed as stretch-limo driver are, cap and all, neck tie and in the back was a fully dressed Captain, ...the driver introduced me to him saying this was an Alitalia (anyway, an Italian Airline) pilot, rank Captain.

The Capt looked red nosed, (flushed)...stoned actually , drunk...Usual chit-chat followed, "Where are you going etc". "Luzern, I said and then to Zurich and Munich..."

The driver did most of the talking in English, the Capt didn't speak much English, only Italian. It turned out the Capt had just flown in from South Africa (ya...or...humm.. as Muchadina says... the Diamond Country). The Capt said that he was going to Zurich....How lucky I thought, I can go as far as Luzern in one ride, and make it before night fall.

By and by the driver says the Capt has just flown in from South Africa and he has these diamonds that he is taking to Zurich to sell if you want to look at them. Sure, I said, I'd love to look at diamonds...having never seen diamonds, except in movies and I knew they looked like glass, only, many many sided and they were supposed to sparkle...that was my knowledge of diamonds

So I get shown a small black-velvet-cloth purse, the driver pours the contents in my cupped hands .. the stones looked rough cut, not smooth, half the size of marbles, otherwise just what I thought they should look like, maybe fifteen or so pieces. The driver says, look, if you are interested the Capt could sell you these and he doesn't have to go to Zurich.

Oh, I really don't know diamonds, I said, I would have no idea what these are worth. The driver says well, how much money do you have.

Greenchutney...look I still had no idea what was going on. Remember, I was hiking, had a glass of wine at lunch, it was 2 in the afternoon, I was sitting in a plush car, soft cushions, I had a ride to Luzern all the way for crying out loud!
And with a Airline Pilot, not just nobody salesman !!

I said to the driver, I only have travellers cheques Sterling for 150 pounds. He asked me how much cash I had. I said ten pounds.

Thats all I had. The driver starts talking with the Capt in Italian. This goes on for a few minutes.

We are just out of the town on the two lane country highway leading to Switzerland. The driver turns on this road and stops on the side of the road. He says to me that the Capt has to meet someone before going on to Zurich and he says, look, why dont you wait here on this road and we'll pick you up after the Capt's meeting, when we come back shortly. So he and I step out of the car, move to the back of the car where the trunk is open. The driver had opened the trunk by pushing a button on the dashboard.

I was about to pick up my rucksack...(oops.. backpack).. from the trunk. I stopped and said to the driver, why not leave the rucksack here, save me carrying it....I'll wait here under the tree, you can pick me up when you come back. No says the driver, its better you take this, we'll be back soon.

So the rucksack comes out, I stand by the roadside...half an hour goes by, one hour....three o'clock. Never saw them again.

Had no idea what was going on until summer holidays were over and, I was back in College and had told of the experience to friends in college..........

machadinha · Nov 9th, 2006, 04:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Funny thing is, Satyagraha never did call in again...

How you're doing man?

Thankfully Satya's been around & we've been PM'ing. Apparently nothing untowards nor Caribbeanesque has been going on

Cheers folks.

edwardseco · Feb 18th, 2007, 03:38

This scam is in all the guidebooks..

palerider · Feb 18th, 2007, 03:55

He's still got two legs right?, and he's not wearing furs?.
It was so creepy, i decided not to think about it at the time.
Indonesian and thai jails are full of such Philanthropes.
Eeeek, that was scary.
Thank God i don't drink.

Tokyo Aztec · Feb 26th, 2007, 22:36

I am sorry to say that I just became a victim of this scam. I saw all the red flags and just disregarded them and let their friendliness get the best of me. I did a cash advance for over $2,000 and gave it to them as a down payment. I am currently in Tokyo where there was supposed to be a delivery and then was supposed to go to the US to make another delivery. Just today the swindler called me and urged me to go to the US as soon as possible because he was talking to the police and told them I was in Japan. I also have some really cheap looking "silver" jewelry with me that is supposed to be real, but I have not verified that yet. I was just wondering what anyone else's thoughts on this situation is. I have cancelled all my credit cards and they are all in pending fraud investigations, but I don't know what to do next...

kalyani68 · Feb 27th, 2007, 01:23

Some of you have mentioned accepting drinks from strangers. Got me to wondering....How common is the use of "date rape" drugs in India? I am talking about colorless, odorless and tasteless drugs like GHB which get slipped into a drink, eventually rendering the victim unconscious for a time, long enough to fall victim to any number of things.

anilkhare · Feb 27th, 2007, 01:38

i feel sorry for u tokyo

kmalik · Feb 27th, 2007, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Funny thing is, Satyagraha never did call in again...

I just noticed that we did hear from Satyagraha - on a different thread "Setting up a business partnership in Kerala." Seems like (s)he had gotten all the way down to Kerala and was looking to 'invest' in his/her life savings of about 4 lakh Rs. (I guess all that remained after the 15K GBP down payment on the parcel of gems) in a dubious business partnership

I happen to remember as I joined in with a large contingent from IM in offering him/her some of the same advice - run, run, run!

Now I am wondering if Satya is writing the book on getting scammed or just pulling our leg

Nick-H · Feb 27th, 2007, 01:52

Tokyo... you're away from your scammers, so, what problem?

Unless you gave them your home details....

edwardseco · Feb 27th, 2007, 04:47

2000 USD over a lifetime is a good education for when you buy a house..

Oct 5th, 2006, 16:24	#63
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	I hope he is OK... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Oct 8th, 2006, 08:24	#66
eater Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mumbai presently, previously Canada Posts: 431	The same thing happened to me.... BUT in Lake Como, Italy, and in 1965, hiking on $5 dollars a day.. - Not only in Goa, eh..... Before I tell about the "Italian Job", ....I wonder if the Goa crowd probably learnt the scam from sources like the Jaipur people.....who probably picked it up from the Italian Captain!!... Lonely Planet, 2005: "Major scam in Jaipur, Rajasthan. On my first trip to India I fell victim to a gang of "jewelers". They tricked me for 2700 dollars, my whole travel budget......." http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/indsc/ind_pc.htm This guy did part with the money...sounds like he lost the $2700, a fortune for a lot of us... I had hitched to Venice, to see the usual sites.. Guganheim Gallery, St Mark Sq., the 'finest drawing room in Europe', and of course take a picture with the pigeons ...San Georgio, the House of Doges, etc. I managed a ride from Venice to Milan in a Fiat (Salesman going home), and from Milan to Como (Como is on the border of Italy and Switzerland, important for the scam) hitched with weekenders going to the Lake resort looking for "good time", as all Italians living around Como do....(George Clooney, actor, "Oceans Eleven" etc. has a "cottage" here now...in those days it was a wild country-side) Reached Como around noon, had lunch at one of the Lakeside Cafe and made my way to the outskirts of the Town for a ride to my next stop, Luzern. Here comes a Limo, put up my thumb ya..right, a limo driver is going to take a hiker ..... I am looking at the stretch limo as it passes by, keeping my eyes on the brake lights, the car slows down and the lights turn red. It stopped! I pick up my backpack (rucksack, WE used to call it in those days), run for it....the front door slides open, I pull on it and look inside. The driver was dressed as stretch-limo driver are, cap and all, neck tie and in the back was a fully dressed Captain, ...the driver introduced me to him saying this was an Alitalia (anyway, an Italian Airline) pilot, rank Captain. The Capt looked red nosed, (flushed)...stoned actually , drunk...Usual chit-chat followed, "Where are you going etc". "Luzern, I said and then to Zurich and Munich..." The driver did most of the talking in English, the Capt didn't speak much English, only Italian. It turned out the Capt had just flown in from South Africa (ya...or...humm.. as Muchadina says... the Diamond Country). The Capt said that he was going to Zurich....How lucky I thought, I can go as far as Luzern in one ride, and make it before night fall. By and by the driver says the Capt has just flown in from South Africa and he has these diamonds that he is taking to Zurich to sell if you want to look at them. Sure, I said, I'd love to look at diamonds...having never seen diamonds, except in movies and I knew they looked like glass, only, many many sided and they were supposed to sparkle...that was my knowledge of diamonds So I get shown a small black-velvet-cloth purse, the driver pours the contents in my cupped hands .. the stones looked rough cut, not smooth, half the size of marbles, otherwise just what I thought they should look like, maybe fifteen or so pieces. The driver says, look, if you are interested the Capt could sell you these and he doesn't have to go to Zurich. Oh, I really don't know diamonds, I said, I would have no idea what these are worth. The driver says well, how much money do you have. Greenchutney...look I still had no idea what was going on. Remember, I was hiking, had a glass of wine at lunch, it was 2 in the afternoon, I was sitting in a plush car, soft cushions, I had a ride to Luzern all the way for crying out loud! And with a Airline Pilot, not just nobody salesman !! I said to the driver, I only have travellers cheques Sterling for 150 pounds. He asked me how much cash I had. I said ten pounds. Thats all I had. The driver starts talking with the Capt in Italian. This goes on for a few minutes. We are just out of the town on the two lane country highway leading to Switzerland. The driver turns on this road and stops on the side of the road. He says to me that the Capt has to meet someone before going on to Zurich and he says, look, why dont you wait here on this road and we'll pick you up after the Capt's meeting, when we come back shortly. So he and I step out of the car, move to the back of the car where the trunk is open. The driver had opened the trunk by pushing a button on the dashboard. I was about to pick up my rucksack...(oops.. backpack).. from the trunk. I stopped and said to the driver, why not leave the rucksack here, save me carrying it....I'll wait here under the tree, you can pick me up when you come back. No says the driver, its better you take this, we'll be back soon. So the rucksack comes out, I stand by the roadside...half an hour goes by, one hour....three o'clock. Never saw them again. Had no idea what was going on until summer holidays were over and, I was back in College and had told of the experience to friends in college.......... __________________ Just happy to be here.........

Feb 18th, 2007, 03:55	#69
palerider adam singh Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Udayapura, Bangalore soon Posts: 196	He's still got two legs right?, and he's not wearing furs?. It was so creepy, i decided not to think about it at the time. Indonesian and thai jails are full of such Philanthropes. Eeeek, that was scary. Thank God i don't drink. __________________ I finally realised, in the nic of time, that Life was for Living.

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Oct 5th, 2006, 15:30	#62
davey Grumpy Old fart Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Australia (Buderim) Posts: 536	come on tell us whats happened next???? if you dont head all this advice and you turned up to the meeting you may not be available to respond to these messages...good luck and get out of thier way fast

Feb 18th, 2007, 03:38	#68
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,239	This scam is in all the guidebooks..

Feb 26th, 2007, 22:36	#70
Tokyo Aztec Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1	I am sorry to say that I just became a victim of this scam. I saw all the red flags and just disregarded them and let their friendliness get the best of me. I did a cash advance for over $2,000 and gave it to them as a down payment. I am currently in Tokyo where there was supposed to be a delivery and then was supposed to go to the US to make another delivery. Just today the swindler called me and urged me to go to the US as soon as possible because he was talking to the police and told them I was in Japan. I also have some really cheap looking "silver" jewelry with me that is supposed to be real, but I have not verified that yet. I was just wondering what anyone else's thoughts on this situation is. I have cancelled all my credit cards and they are all in pending fraud investigations, but I don't know what to do next...

Feb 27th, 2007, 01:23	#71
kalyani68 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 215	Some of you have mentioned accepting drinks from strangers. Got me to wondering....How common is the use of "date rape" drugs in India? I am talking about colorless, odorless and tasteless drugs like GHB which get slipped into a drink, eventually rendering the victim unconscious for a time, long enough to fall victim to any number of things.

Feb 27th, 2007, 01:38	#72
anilkhare Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 405	i feel sorry for u tokyo

Feb 27th, 2007, 01:52	#74
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	Tokyo... you're away from your scammers, so, what problem? Unless you gave them your home details....

Feb 27th, 2007, 04:47	#75
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,239	2000 USD over a lifetime is a good education for when you buy a house..

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