> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf
> Of Joe Wronski
> Sent: 20 January 2012 15:10
> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
> Subject: Re: [OT] This *is* a Scam
>=20
> Local PD just gave me standard warnings.  Local FBI says just destroy
> the check.  I haven't given any info, except a mailing address, which
> points out that if I really want to play with these types of people, a
> throw away email address and a PO box would be handy.   No point in
> contacting my bank, as they're not involved and I have no intention of
> cashing it.  I did send the issuing bank a PDF scan of the check and
> Fedex info.
>=20
> Now, I'm getting inquiries from the scammer.  The content is polite, but
> the subject line is all caps:
> "WHY SILENT?(READ CAREFULLY AND ACT FAST)URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED ASAP"
>=20
> I'll just stay quiet, as though I'm not reading email.  I need to put
> this aside and continue the job search, work on a google maps app, and
> order some parts.

This is a variation on an extremely common scam.  The check (I find it hard=
 to write check instead of cheque!) will initially appear to clear, giving =
the victim the impression they have the money safely tucked up in their acc=
ount.  The victim then pays the "agents" their fee as described in the scam=
mers email.  Sometime later compromised account that the check was drawn ag=
ainst will be discovered and the money removed from the victims account by =
the bank.

In the UK at least, this scam is very commonly attempted against people sel=
ling a high value item such as a car.  The scammer will overpay the seller =
in the same way (without ever looking at the car), and instruct the seller =
to pay their "shipping agent" to cover the cost of transporting the car to =
some foreign country.  The car may even be collected by said "agent", and t=
he victim has then lost both the car and the money they paid out.

This is why the scammers are very keen for you to cash the cheque send out =
the money to their agents as soon as possible.  The longer it takes for you=
 to cash the cheque, the greater the chance that the compromised account wi=
ll have been found and flagged up, so the cheque will be immediately refuse=
d.

Regards

Mike

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