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Hey folks...we all have been, or heard of someone who has been, scammed. Typically comes from some third world country, with bogus crddit cards. I get about one every couple months. Well, I finally decide to "Play one of these clowns like a violin"!
I've had him on the hook for two weeks now, with the potential for at least a few more weeks of fun and games. It's really amazing how gullible they are...they really think we don't have a clue it's a scam and that, in this case, I'm going to ship him $16,000 worth of guitars. Yeah, sure!
I may put all the e-mail correspondence into a file so it can be read chronologically. Could provide a good laugh!

Have fun with it Hank!

Hehe...

Ever been to http://www.419eater.com? Lotsa baiting scammer fun to be had there.

I'd love to read that....one of the guys at the 13th Fret did that, and it was great reading. Please post it all here!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

http://www.mayesguitars.com/scam.html

I did this myself, and it was indeed fun :)

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Ok...when the "play" is over I'll ask Lance if there is a place we can post the whole sordid affair without filling up this area.
Meanwhile, I just contacted him today...he was very impatient to get the tracking numbers from FedEx. Told him there was a new policy at Fedex...tracking numbers would not be available on line until the foreign shipment clears their export freight center in Los Angeles...something to do with new Gov't export regs to squelch illegal activities by small shippers. Gave him 2 made-up numbers and told him they ought to be up on Monday or Tuesday. Wait until you hear the "story" I have for him when he cannot access those numbers next week! Ho Boy!

Hey John that was great!!

I can't wait to hear the story Hank...

John... you are just a stitch...

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Hank, when you ready, send me the stuff, ill put it up on a page and link it here...

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

New chapter:

Emailed the Nigerian with the (fictitious) "bad news" today. The FedEx truck, on the way to their Export Center in Los Angeles, was involved in a multi-vehicle accident in I-5. All the cargo was destroyed, including his $16K+ in guitars.
Told him FedEx will expedite the Insurance Claim, but it will be at least a week or two before I can refund the money to his Visa cards.

His panicked reply: <nuratautoparts@hotmail.com>

hello Hank Mauel,
    whats is this all about why all this i hope you have ship those
guitars,so then i want you to advice me on what to do..

Got him for another couple of weeks! This is FUN!

Hank,

What'd be supreme is if you somehow scammed him out of some money! What would his recourse be?

Of course... I'm not telling anybody to do anything less than legal, its just a thought. An eye for an eye...jfrench38399.9968981482

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

I have a scenario in mind if it comes down to that. It will all revolve around the "credit card refund" and the recovery of the processeing fees (that would have been involved) for a real transaction.