Be Aware...Scam from Ghana

[Guest guest]

Hello to Everyone:

I am forwarding this to the group so that everyone will be aware of the scam

thatis going on.

We received an order via " Relay Operator " A relay is when you are communicating

with a deafperson and we need an Operator to speak what the person is

saying/typing, etc.

This order originated from Ghana, Africa. We took order on Saturday and was

given a decent size order that they said was a RUSH. I went through the entire

situtation with the person on the phone and was given a credit card number.

On Monday I called for a voice authorization, prior to processing the order and

I tried to capture an amount of $300 over the cost of the merchandise, well that

sent the first red flag in that we could not charge more than the cost of the

products and I said to myself, well maybe I need to get an address verification

on this card.

The card originated in London and the person placing the order is in Ghana. I

send him an email asking for another card because we could not capture more than

the cost of the merhandise and therefore there was not enough for the freight

and duty, etc. He then send me three additional card numbers, but also in this

email he is coming across a little impatient because I am asking questions and I

am holding the order.

Anyway, when we took a good look at the cards (all Visa cards) the first

thirteen (13) numbers are the same, so I then called for an authorization on the

amount and an address verification as well, this time we were told that the

cards originated in Australia.

The Merchant Specialist at the bank told me that we should not process this

order and that they are finding a lot of fraud coming out of Ghana, with these

credit cards. The credit cards are good cards they just did not belong to the

guy/company placing the order.

I then send him another email asking him to send the funds Western Union...Guess

what, he has not responded.

Please be aware of this...Any orders coming out of Ghana.. from a Mike or

Grant, 112 Hills Street CNC Limited Accura Ghana and if they are using

the Relay Operators to speak to you that is also a red flag.

The order we received was for quite a few hundred dollars and yes, we are always

excited to receive new orders especially, BUT please investigate before charging

these cards, because we will have to give the money back.

We did not process these cards because it just did not feel right from the

moment he gave me the first card, because my question was if you are palcing an

order would you not know an estimated amount of cost plus s & h and know which

card to present for payment, so when he gave the first card and there was not

enough to process the entire order I went a step further.

I hope this helps. A little long but the bank ask that I pass it along.

Be Blessed!

Pat