FlowJuggler

African Check Scam for Jugglers

April 12, 2010 – 3:02 pm

A while back, I received an email from someone in Africa that wanted to hire me for 3 months of juggling lessons.  I immediately recognized this as a scam but figured that I would play it out…just for fun.

What follows is the email correspondence between me and Mark James between the dates of Feb. 22 and May 12, 2009.

Red = Mr. James (scammer)

Blue = Me (would-be innocent victim)

Mr. James,

I received your information from a friend of mine that mentioned that you are looking for juggling instruction for your son while on a visit to the USA beginning in April.

I am a former Ringling Clown and have extensive training in the circus arts.  Additionally, I have experience with working with boys and girls ages 10-16 teaching juggling.  During the summer months (June, July, August), I tour the eastern USA working with a youth outreach program but am available for the months of April and May to work with your son.  Depending on where you will be based in the Triangle, I may be able to provide a space for our meeting near by.

My typical fee for an hour of training is $250.  If you can confirm a number of dates, I am happy to offer a package discount.

You mention that your son is visiting the USA.  To make sure that I would be able to work with him, I would need to know his age, experience with juggling, and what languages he speaks.

Thanks.  I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

Best,
Paul

Paul Minker
Owner
Minker, Inc.
Jugging Instructor
Minker, Inc.

Hello Mr paul,
Thank you for email.
My name is MARK JAMES am based in west africa.
My son is interested in juggling instruction,he is a beginner,he has no experience.

He needs it 3 times a week at 2hrs per day for 12 weeks,say Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays or saturdays,the time will depend on when will be convenient for you ,as he will be free at all times.

I will like to know the total cost for,3 times a week at 2hrs per day for 12 weeks.

Just to let you know that am based in west Africa.
My son speaks English.

What are the things my son will need for the lesson?
Where is your center located,i will need the address?

I await your reply.
Regards
Mark

Hello Mr. James.

Perfect!  The fact that your son is a beginner gives me great confidence that I would have enough tricks to teach him for so many hours.

Like I mentioned in my previous email, I am available for April and May, but not June.  My usual fee is $250 per hour but if you wanted to schedule 6 hours per week, I could discount the fee to $195 per hour.  6 hours per week for 8 weeks would come to $9360.  I might be able to find someone to cover the last 4 weeks in June if you would like me to ask around.

I am glad to learn that your son speaks English.  What country in W. Africa do you live in?  As a child, I collected Liberian stamps.  I always wanted to meet somebody from Liberia!  They have really pretty stamps.

I do not have a center where I teach but should be able to find a space to teach at a local gym or YMCA.  Where is your son staying?

As for the lessons, your son would need a set of jugging balls and probably a set of juggling clubs.  A decent set of balls will cost about $20 and clubs are a about $75.  I can pick up the props and have them ready for your son if you would like.

By the way, what is your son’s name?  And I almost forgot to ask, how old is he.  If he is 10 or older, that is great.  If he is younger, teaching him might be a bit more of a challenge.

Also, if you need any telephone references I am sure that I could find some past students that would be happy to speak with you about how good of a teacher I am.  I have even taught girls to juggle!

Best regards,

Paul Minker
Juggling Instructor
Thanks for the reply.
Now we can proceed with out any delay.
I will appreciate it if you find some one for last 4 weeks in June.

My son`s name is DANIEL JAMES and my wife`s name is TINA JAMES.
My son and wife will be coming to the state,i will not be coming with my family.
I will like my family to stay around your training center.

Where is your center located,i will need the address?
What are the things my son will need for the lesson?

As regards payment,I am paying in advance,since i will not be coming with my
family.My wife and son will be coming.

Payment for the lesson would be sent to you by my associate with a US
cashier`s check in advance prior to my arrival.

So to that regards,I will need you to provide the following payment details
as stated below :

Name the check will be payable to…………..
Mailing address………….
Phone#………….
Cell phone#……………..

Waiting your response.

Regards,
Mark

Wow! Great!  I would love to work with Daniel.  I think that he is going to get a lot out of this experience.  I just want to make sure he is old enough.  How old is he?

I think Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays would work best for me.  Sometimes I have other work on the weekends and think that I should keep them open in case.  I will certainly ask around about finding someone to work with Daniel for the last 4 weeks.  I am reasonably certain that I should be able to find someone.

I would either be training Daniel at the YMCA in Cary or the YMCA in North Raleigh.  Which would be more convenient for you?

As I mentioned before, Daniel will need a set of juggling balls and probably a set of juggling clubs.  If Tina is going to be sitting in on the lessons, she might want to learn to juggle as well.  Like I’ve said, I’ve taught women to juggle too!

Also, what part of West Africa did you say you were from?  If you are from Liberia, maybe you could bring me a souvenir stamp or something like that.  You don’t have to of course.  I just thought I would ask.

As for payment, you can pay me on a weekly basis if it is easier for you.  The only money I would need in advance is the money to cover the juggling balls and clubs.  You can PayPal me or if you would rather wait until you inspect my balls, you can pay me when you get here.

My cell phone number is 919-429-5723.  I don’t have another number.  I think if you are calling from Liberia or some other place in West Africa, you have to dial a 1 first.  I’m not sure about that.  I’ve never called myself from way over there.  In case you need it, my email address isJuggleInstructor@gmail.com.

This is GREAT!  I look forward to teaching Daniel the wonderful world of juggling.

Paul Minker
Juggling Instructor

PS…what is the purpose of your wife and son’s visit to the USA?

Hello Mr paul,
Hope you’re well and smiling.

My son is 16years old.
My wife is not interested in juggling,because she is come on a research program.

Am not from Liberia.I will get you some stamp.
As regards the payment,I don’t make use of Credit card,we spend in cash here ,so the only option is that my associate will be issueing you a check on my behalf for the full payment prior to their arrival and start of the lesson.I will not be coming with my family,my wife will do the inspection.

Let me know if that would be acceptable for further correspondence.

Below is answer to your question

Helloe Mr. James,

Sorry for the delay in getting back in touch with you.  I am on the road this week performing and teaching and have limited access to the internet.

Great!  16 is a perfect age to learn to juggle.  I look forward to working with your son.  I have set up a space to practice juggling at the Cary YMCA.  If your wife and son will be staying closer to N. Raleigh, I should be able to secure a space there as well.  I have to reserve a lot of dates and have to put down a deposit for the space.

I am really happy that you will be able to send me a stamp.  That is really neat.  Thanks.

As for paying a deposit, I don’t usually take deposits but if it is customary in your culture, I will accept prepayment.  Could you please also send a copy of identification.  In our country, it is customary to get a copy of a drivers license and a telephone number.

You can send the check to:
Paul Minker
POBox 431
Wake Forest, NC  27588

Do you have a phone number or address for your wife for when she arrives in NC?  In case your interested, I have a friend who manages a local Hilton Hotel.  I can probably get you a discount if you’re looking to book accommodations.  Just let me know.

Looking forward to working with your son!  Don’t forget to send the stamps.

Best,
Paul

Hi Mr paul,
Good to hear from you.
Thank you for the info you sent.

My family will be staying in the City of Raleigh.

What do you use the stamp for?how many stamp do you need?

As for the identification,my wife will give you a copy of my drivers license,once they arrive.
Here is my tel:+234-8035454443.

Accommodation is not a problem.

I will let you know when the payment will be sent out to you by next week,and also i will let you know the arrival day and time once i get there flight ticket.

I will get back to you.

Regards

Mark

(few weeks pass)

Hello ,
I am so sorry not to have contacted you all these while concerning the lesson and payment.It was due to to my wife’s illness.She has been in the hospital down with a very serious illness and that has denied us of all we have to do.

However,we are still very much interested and want to let you know that the payment will be sent to you by my associate .

we may need to reschedule the date.

I am indeed so sorry once again for any incovenience that may have caused you and I want to assure you once again that we are still very much interested and you will be getting payment soon to really ascertain our seriousness.

Do accept my unreserved apology.

I look forward to hear from you.

Regards
Mark

(few days pass)

Hello paul,
I am so sorry not have informed you that payment has been sent via a regular
mail.
I have been very busy due to some services beyond my control.
As soon as you received it,do notify me..
regards
Mark james

Hello Mark,

Great to hear from you.  I am sorry that you got caught up in work.

I can’t do all the trainings as I would have hoped as I am about to enter my busy season but I can certainly do some of the sessions.  If your wife and son are in the states already, I would like to get started right away.  We can figure out how many session we can fit in and I will refund your overpayment to your wife when we meet.

As for location, I would prefer to meet at the N. Raleigh location.  You can find directions at www.ymcatriangle.org.

I look forward to working with your son.

Best,

Paul Minker

“Raleigh’s #1 Juggling Instructor”

Hello Mr paul, Thank you for the reply. My family will be arriving May 20th,he can start his training that same week.Let me know how many sessions would be available for him. Thank you once again. Best Regards Mark

Hello Mark,
I could do 3 days a week for 3 weeks…mornings are most consistent for me.  If you wanted, we could do 2 sessions per day.  Maybe 9-10am, break, and then 11-noon.  This would give your son a little more instruction time with me and hopefully meet his and your goals.  Let me know.

I will be checking my mailbox on Wednesday and will let you know if your check has arrived.

Best,
Paul
“The Triangle’s Top Juggling Instructor”

Hello,

Have you receive the payment.

Hello,

And the scam begins…

Thanks very much for your transparency and honesty!

Coincidentally,I just got off the phone with my associate that sent the payment and he did confirm to me about the payment.

He actually made a mistake in sending more than bargained.
I had asked him to send you check for $9,360 and have the remainder sent to the ticketting agency for my family’s flight ticket and other related travelling expenses i am to incur prior to there arrival,but he got my information wrongly and sent you all the money.

Anyway,it is good to know that you have received it,which is the most important and makes one have sense of purpose!

With that said,I will like you to kindly take out $4,895 and get the rest of the money remtted to me so that i can have it paid for the flight tickets and other expenses.

Meanwhile ,let me know if you received this message ?

waiting your quick response.

Regards.

Mark James

Dear James,

I understand.  Mistakes happen.  Good thing I didn’t deposit it yet!

If it makes things easier, I can destroy this check and your wife can pay me when you get here.  Otherwise, I can just send you the check back.

Best,

Paul Minker

“Your Balls are in Good Hands with JugglerTrainer Paul”