Scam Attempt

It happens to a lot of people, but it seems that this person is trying to scam me the second time (even though the first one failed).

This was initiated in an online dating site. The first time this person tried to scam me, it was under a different profile. The user sent a message asking me to send an email so that he would get to know me more.

So I sent the initial email and this was the message I received:

Paul Marty <paulmarty397@yahoo.com.au>

Feb 15

to me
How are you today?. Sorry for my late reply i have been very busy. My job took most of my time.i am into the Sales of Sculptures and golds,well before i forgot right now i am presently in London United Kingdom for a business trip which will end in four days time.Really am attracted to you and write to know you more,please tell me what you likes and what you dislikes, I love being honesty and attentive at each others good and bad times!
I am really interested in wanting to know about what makes you the special person you are today, I want to know more about your family, your background, your life experiences, past relationships, your goals and dreams, your interests, and anything else you want to tell me. I even want to learn about the secrets you share with someone and what makes up your heart and soul as the friendship I want to build with you I want it to be like no other you have ever shared in or experienced. This friendship I want to build with you will be filled with substance, quality, spirituality and potential.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!.
Paul..

For the next few days, we were sending emails back and forth and getting to know each other. On the 18th, I received a rather suspicious email from him:

Can You Do Me A Favour?
Inbox
x
Paul Marty <paulmarty397@yahoo.com.au>

Feb 18

to me
Hi Carlo,
On my way going down to the Airport to get my flight confirmation this morning i had an urgent message from the Customs regarding my Goods i was told my Goods are on hold by the British Customs Services and to make a payment of $550 for the Custom`s charges which is very compulsory,i will need your help about this in lending me the money,i promise i would pay back upon my arrival

i wait your mail..
Paul..

This rang a few alarm bells. The fact that I hardly know Paul at all and all of the sudden, he asks me to send him a lot of money told me straight away that it was a scam. I replied and told him that I could not help him out due to the fact that I do not know him and have not met him in person. He tried to pressure me by saying that he owns his own business, that he would pay me back on arrival, etc. etc. It did not work and I ended up not replying. I had reported the scammer’s profile to the admins of the site where he contacted me.

Fast forward to yesterday and I received a message on that same dating site. This time it was from a different person, asking me to send an email so he could get to know me more.

I was already suspicious, but I sent an initial email asking what he wanted to know about me. This was his reply:

 James Stephen <jamessteph358@yahoo.com.au>

June 1

to me

How are you today?. Sorry for my late reply i have been very busy. My job took most of my time.i am into the Sales of Sculptures and golds,well before i forgot right now i am presently in  Kuala Lumpur Malaysia for a business trip which will end in four days time.Really am attracted to you and write to know you more,please tell me what you likes and what you dislikes, I love being honesty and attentive at each others good and bad times!
I am really interested in wanting to know about what makes you the special person you are today, I want to know more about your family, your background, your life experiences, past relationships, your goals and dreams, your interests, and anything else you want to tell me. I even want to learn about the secrets you share with someone and what makes up your heart and soul as the friendship I want to build with you I want it to be like no other you have ever shared in or experienced. This friendship I want to build with you will be filled with substance, quality, spirituality and potential.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!.
James..

It is amazing!! It’s the same email as the one I received from Paul!! The only difference is the location of his current business trip..

I didn’t bother replying and immediately reported it to the admins again. I already knew where it was going to lead. Sucks to be him.. =)