Provided Services: Beware of this Scam

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Beware of this Scam

Beware of this Scam
Please be aware of this scam

It has come to our attention that you may have received a contact through mywedding.com similar to this:

HelloMy name is Rachel Abby and my fiancée’s name is Richard Brixton, we both work as a partnership in an artwork business, and we preparing for our up coming wedding, which is coming up by 26th of April 2008, we need the services of a wedding planner service, I & my fiancée are presently on vacation to England on a business Contract, and should be back to the State in 2 to 3 weeks time, I want you to get back to Us if you are available for Our date, you can call me on +447853363953 for any question, but I will appreciate if you can e-mail me ASAP, so that I can know what you have for us in planning.

Best Regards Rachel AbbyDO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL OR ANY SIMILAR, THIS IS FRAUDULENT.

This particular scam asks you to cash a chashier's check and request you to return a portion of the money. The cashier's check is fraudulent.
We have taken a number of steps to prevent these scam emails from getting through to you.
Please follow this 3 simple steps to help recognize scams.
Most scams involve one or more of the following:Inquiry from someone far away, often in another countryWestern Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consumating transaction

Regards, The staff of mywedding.com

I myself have recieved several similiar emails;

Here's the First Email that was sent to me:

Donald Castle is interested in your services. You can email Donald Castle directly by replying to this message.Donald Castle dcastle66@yahoo.com+447031943191 Donald Castle writes:

Hello,How are you doing?i just want to know if you will be available to plan my wedding coming up in April 26,2008.My Name is Pam George and my fiance's name is Janet Davis.I works for an Engeneering Company in United Kingdom where i'm presently.I will be coming to State next month with my fiance.So i want most of the arrangement to be done before i come. I am having a budget $70,000 and i hope that will do.

Second Message Before I realized It was a Scam....

Hello Naida,How are you doing today?thanks for your response and for making yourself available to plan my wedding,in fact we are so happy to meet you,we believe that you are going to give us the best.I want you to know that this is what you will do concerning my wedding, you will help me to get a befitting wedding area for the location, a photographer, wedding cake, videographer, makeup and hair bride, DJ, and Reception Dinner that is all,i want to let you know that my company will be responsible for the payment of the wedding as they have promised to send the payment to you by check to make things easy for us, the details of the wedding is not much as am in Uk to discuss in details and they have agree to send the first payment to you and out of it,you will help me also to book my pastor before i return to the State.I am planning tocome over to the State as soon as i finish the company assignment here withmy fiance.Also,i want to know how much is the amount you will take first as your first deposit payment because i want you to book the minister too immediately you get the first payment.I will like you to know that i have my pastor that will be coming for the wedding as the minister,he is my Sunday school teacher when i was teens and it is my great honor to have him as the minister on my wedding,it will really give my fiance a happy time to see him as the minister,all you will do it that when you get the first deposit payment,you will help me to secure the date with him so that i won't lose the date of the wedding.You can call me +44 703 194 3191 or send me a quick replyThanks

Third Email; Hello Naida,I have attach the registration form filled back to you so that you will have the full info of what you want.I will like to answer your questions here .Do you have a theme, set already?no get it for us.Do you have the wedding attire style of wedding dress and Tux's? yes.How many people are in your wedding party?100.How many guest will you be having?100.What kind of cuisine are you thinking of ?nothingWill you need lodging for your guests and or Bridal Party ?yes.Did you want a oceanside event, victorian, country club, romantic, traditional ?country club. What kind of music were you thinking of Band or Dj?DJ.Kindly get back to me.Thanks Donald

Fourth Email:Hi Naida,Thanks for your response,i will be expecting the contract soon and also how much is the deposit payment is require first?Thanks Donald

I was very weary and started rereading the emails, and I called the tel # and all Igot was a voicemail service on one line which was supposed to belong to the Best Man Micheal Smith and Maid Of Honor Rebecca Kingston. I was also skeptical because in the original email It stated that Janet Davis and Pam George were getting married and then Donald Castle keep replying that he was the groom. Im glad I caught them before they scammed me. Just be careful.

Naida Lopez
Kreayesions Wedding and Events Planning

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: THANK YOU!!!
...for posting this warning! My sister and I have just begun our new event planning business, and were so jazzed about this e-mail. We weren't sure how to find out if it was "too good to be true" without getting too involved, so we googled the phone #, and voila - your blog!! Thanks for the warning, you have saved us from tears!
-Robin & Heidi
thePretty Event Management; March 25, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Anonymous said...: Hey
Mark from Innerspace Productions. Same people contacted me, I was in mid-scam and realized something stank. I forwarded this link to ALL business associates and fellow vendors of Somdweddings.com. We also found your link from the number. Thank you so much! Here's a list of names they have used: Dawn Burke Alexander, Ben, Donald Castle, David Casky, Pam George, Janet Davis, Micheal Smith, Rebecca Kingston, Olufemi George, Rachel Abby, Richard Brixton, Pasteiner John (Apparently they use this name for Ebay Scams as well)

Good luck everybody!
-Mark
Innerspace-Productions.com; November 5, 2008 at 12:11 PM

Post a Comment

Wedding Toasts and Speeches

'The human brain is a wonderful instrument. It starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand to make a speech.'

As the toastmaster, the best man may find this statement to be all too true! Yes as another one of your many responsibilities as best man, you will need to prepare a list of the order in which each person will make a toast.

Tips for a Great & Memorable Toast-

Mention those you are toasting by name and your relationship to them.
Include a thought about this wonderful event.
Need we say it... don't be long-winded!
Stand to give a toast; remain seated to receive one.
If you will not be able to stand as you deliver your toast, make sure to be in a location where you will be seen by all.
Preparation is essential. Rather than hoping you won't have to make a speech and be caught off guard, prepare your speech well ahead of time; know what you are going to say.
Using humor is always appreciated in a great speech , but use caution and be sure nothing you say could give offence to anyone in your audience.
Speak slowly and loudly enough for all guests to hear.
You may feel the need to have a drink or two before your toast to relax you, but don't let it backfire by consuming too much alcohol before your toast. You may not leave the impression you had hoped for!
Finish the toast with a hearty ending like "Cheers!" or "To the Bride & Groom!"-
Will you be using a microphone? If so, you may want to inform the Dj/musicians that you would like the use of their microphone.
This is especially wise if the rehearsal or reception is in a very large area and people may have a hard time hearing.
Check with the bride & groom before the day to verify that the sound system sill be set up and available for your speech. Some Dj's & Bands may not arrive to set-up until just before the dance is to begin.

Following is a general suggestion of how you may wish to proceed with the toasts & speeches.

Rehearsal Dinner-The best man toasts the bride -Bride toasts the groom -Groom toasts the bride's mother -Bride's father may toast the groom's parentsDuring the Reception-The best man toasts the bride and groom-Groom toasts the bride and her family-The (two) father(s) toast the bride and groom-Bride and groom toast each other.

Professional Speech WritersYou are likely hiring professionals for most of the wedding requirements, so why should the speeches be any different? You may be surprised to find that to have a speech professionally written probably costs less than any of the other items. Professional Speech Writers.Your speech writer will need as much information as you can supply to compile the speech. This will help him personalize the speech which is a must for a great speech. A good speech will have a nice blend of humor, touching personal accounts and modest praise for the person being toasted. Be sure to review the speech to make sure these components exist in your speech.Questions to Ask Your Speech Writer-Will your speech be tailored to your requirements to include what you want to say? -What happens if you are not happy with what you receive? For example, is there an amendment service in case you want any changes made? -Is this included in the cost?-How much does a speech cost and exactly what do you get for your money? -Will you be supplied with any tips to help you deliver your speech? -How long will it take?-Get a contract!