Sometimes it can be fun to play with a scammer (You can almost here the Russian accent. )
How many red flags can you find? It’s like a red flag parade.
“PORTRAITS PHOTOGRAPHY”
(Actual transcript. You can’t make this stuff up.)
It started with an email from Gonzalez papi…
Gonzalez papi
Thanks,kindly get back to me with your total cost to shoot my event for 5 hours service event will start from 7pm and end by 12am,am needing 10 portraits of me and my family including 35 portraits of my guests in disc am turning 60 looking to expect 40 guests and event is indoor will take place in my house here in, philadelphia hope you can do that and what’s your total cost also do you accept credit card for payment?
Brokaw Photography&Video
Hello Gonzalez,
Thank you for your email about photography.
You did not give me date, so I cannot say whether I am available or not.
You would like 45 portraits, which is fine. Will you have a location to set up? A separate room would be good.
Will there be someone to coordinate this to assure we are getting all the portraits?
Will event activities be happening at the same time?
This would require two photographers.
What is the address in Philadelphia?
Bill
Gonzalez Papi
Sure there is in charge of coordinating Will you be available on 20th of June 2019 and here is the address 2610 Parrish St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Brokaw Photography&Video
Thanks Gonzalez,
I can make it on the 20th and I’ll need to see if my second photographer is available. Based on what you’ve provided to me my, quote for all the portraits, the event photography and high resolution files on disk is $1500. We also need to add PA tax and a 3% credit card fee.
Bill
Gonzalez Papi
Oh great,your estimate cost meet up with my initial budget so how much deposit do you need for now for you to lock me in your schedule?
Brokaw Photography&Video
Let me send you a more formal contract. I still need to secure a 2nd shooter.
Gonzalez Papi
Okay no problem am waiting
Brokaw Photography&Video
Hi Gonzalez,
I prepared a simple one page agreement for you which is attached. It described the scope of services and deliverables. Please take a look and if all is in order please print out a copy, sign it and mail it to me via USPS. I can invoice you for the deposit (one third the total) which will secure the date.
Bill
Gonzalez Papi
Apologies for the late response i had an emergency,i could’ve look for a way to meet you and pay in cash but unfortunately i’m in hospital recuperating from the diagnosis of lung Cancer and am out of town now receiving health treatment. so this make me gonna use my credit card to pay you,now i would like to make a deposit of $750 with my credit card for you to lock me in your schedule but also i’ll be needing a little favor from you regarding my eventplanner..?
Brokaw Photography&Video
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis Gonzalez. I hope you are getting the best possible treatment. I’m happy to help you any way that I can.
Bill
Gonzalez Papi
The thing is i never pay the event planner due to the fact that am in sick bed and they do not have the facilities to accept my credit card,the favor i need from you is that i’ll text you my credit card information to run manually on my behalf for the total amount of $4,8150 plus the cc charges so once you have fund cleared and available in your account you’ll deduct $750 as your deposit and help me to send $4,000 to the agent via bank cash deposit and you keep the remaining $100 as your tip for helping me hope this is understood will you help me??
Brokaw Photography&Video
OK, sure send me your credit card information.
Gonzalez Papi
Okay good, what’s your credit card processor and along does it take a fund to hit your account?
Brokaw Photography&Video
Hi Gonzalez, I use several processors Zavious, IBM Quick, & VISA Mate. It usually takes a few days for the funds to be deposited in my account.
Gonzalez Papi
like how many days
Brokaw Photography&Video
It usually takes three business days. So if we did this today I would have the funds next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Gonzalez Papi
Okay good, are you in position to run my card through also i will need your cellphone digit in order to forward you my info?
Brokaw Photography&Video
OK sure, it’s on my quote. I need to have a photo of you. Send me a photo so I have it. I always do this with my portrait clients. Everyone sends me photos.
Gonzalez Papi
so sorry my phone got broken when i was rush to the hospital i can’t used it to take a snap even to make a call
Brokaw Photography&Video
How are you emailing me? Are you in a hospital bed with a laptop? Are there other people around?
Gonzalez Papi
yes, i think have told you before that i was rush to the hospital i was going to my client about a new business trip so i got my laptop bag with me before the emergency
Brokaw Photography&Video
So sorry about your problems. You must be quite resilient. Do I need to send your event planner funds? Good thing you have a laptop. I use a Toshiba. What kind do you use?
Gonzalez Papi
Hp
Brokaw Photography&Video
I have an idea. Laptops have built in cameras. Do a selfie with your computer!
Who is your event planner? Do they accept PayPal?
Gonzalez Papi
you know what i think you are afraid to help me maybe I should look for someone else, i don’t expect you to believe me again if I told you my laptop camera does not work
Brokaw Photography&Video
Laptop cameras are not very reliable. Mine doesn’t work either.
I don’t need a picture right now as long as I get one before the event.
What’s your credit card number?
Gonzalez Papi
i need your cellphone digit so i can forward you the info through my phone
Brokaw Photography&Video
My cell phone number is on the proposal I sent you. Is that what you mean by cellphone digit?
Does your event planner ever hire photographers? We do events as well as portraits.
Gonzalez Papi
yes, maybe when you are through with my event and if your storylines as a good concept to tell then i can introduce you to him
Brokaw Photography&Video
That would be great. We need to wrap this up.
I just got a call that my mother was arrested and I need to go.
How can I get your deposit?
Gonzalez Papi
do you receive a text on your cellphone
Brokaw Photography&Video
No, not yet. Try again.
Maybe I was on the phone when you sent it.
Gonzalez Papi
908-996-4440 hope am correct
Brokaw Photography&Video
Yes that’s my number. I’m sorry but I have to go.
My sister got arrested, too and it’s a big mess.
I don’t have any cheese.
Gonzalez Papi
check and get back to me?
Brokaw Photography&Video
I’m sure I don’t have cheese.
Gonzalez Papi
text me with your number (857) 600-1795
Brokaw Photography&Video
Well, this has been fun, but you are really terrible at this. Just think how if you spent today doing real work instead of working on a scam you’d be making the world a better place. Go out there and help someone.
Gonzalez Papi
Hope you mum and sisters has been released from the cell
Brokaw Photography&Video
😉 Thanks. So hey, I’m sure you are a good guy who cares about people and people care about you. You can make a positive difference in this world if you believe you can. I’ll be thinking of you.
I had one like this on the phone. He opened with the line (in a thick Hindi accent) “I’m from the federal credit union”. I asked him a series of questions to try to determine why he called me but he answered each question with ” I’m from the federal credit union. ” I asked him about a dozen questions and then told him “This has ceased to be amusing” He then hung up.