Scamming on the Internet

Okay, so I just want to share a story with you that happened to me recently.  As some of you may know, I’m currently looking for investors for my talk show.  Well, I have an investor video up on YouTube, so I’m guessing that’s how this person found me.  

Someone by the name of Andries Boekel*** emailed me saying he was interested in investing in my company.  He said that he saw my show and that he was a huge fan.  

I replied to him by saying that I would answer any questions that he might have.  He emailed me back asking how much I had in saving and how much I needed for the investment.  

I told him I needed $500,000 for 20% of my company for the investment.  I never told him how much I had in savings, because it is none of his business, assuming he was a legitimate investor.

He had emailed me a will saying he inherited 5.1 million dollars from Edwin Gabriel and a copy of his passport.  Well, he was from the Netherlands, and I have no idea if the passport was even valid.  He said he would send me the $500,000, but I would need to pay a fee for “the security of the money.”  He would have to ask his accountant what the fee would be.

I replied that I hoped it wasn’t a scam, because no legitimate investor would be asking me for money.  I told him how I found scams online about Edwin Gabriel (at least two pages on Google saying Edwin Gabriel died leaving 5.1 million dollars—the exact same amount he said he inherited).

He emailed back saying his accountant fee would be $750, it wasn’t a scam and how he sent the documents and his passport.  He even said that I had his IP address.  What would that do for me, if I sent him the $750, and he didn’t send me the $500,000.  My lawyer couldn’t sue him being in another country.  What good would an IP address do?  Absolutely nothing with him being in The Netherlands.

Anyways, I did contact my lawyer, after asking two friends.  My lawyer said that each party is responsible for their own fees.  Also, I had told Andries if it wasn’t a scam then he could just deduct the $750 from the $500,000.  He refused to do that….so you know it’s a scam.  I emailed him saying what my lawyer said and that legitimate investors don’t ask the business for money in order for them to invest.

I just want to help those of you who might get a similar email or think someone may be trying to scam you.  First, trust your gut instincts.  When I got the initial email, I thought, “Wow!”  My gut said, this is too good to be true, someone is just emailing me wanting to invest.?.  Of course, a little part of me really wanted it to be true.  This can be the case with any of us.  When we really want something bad enough, pertaining to anything, we need to try and take our emotions out of it.  We need to make sure we are thinking 100% with our heads, otherwise, we may get taken advantage of.

Secondly, look for the red flags.  Red flags mean there is something not quite right.  Make sure you pay attention to them and not just brush them aside because you don’t want them to be true.

Next, ask around.  Tell your friends and ask their advice.  They won’t have the emotional component involved and will be able to look at it from an outsiders point of view.

Next, do your own research.  I googled the information and immediately found what I was looking for.  One the will Andries sent me, there was the name of a bank.  I emailed the bank and asked them if they dispersed the money to Andries Boekelman.  They emailed me back telling me not to reply to the email, and that it was a scam.  They sent it to their investigation department, and to let them know if something else arises.

Finally, ask your lawyer or an expert.  They should know what is best to do…and it may be worth spending the money to have them look at any documents.

Let me know if you have come into any of these situations, I would love to hear from you…..Beware, because they might appear in the least likely places.  Who would have thought someone would take advantage of someone who is trying to fulfill her dreams and help people.  I even told him this…that it is a dream to expand and grow my company in order to help more people.  These people are ruthless and know what to say to take advantage of their targets.  Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of and be their next target!  Make sure you protect yourself, research, and listen to your instincts!