419 Advance-fee Scammers and Hostels

Thats exactly the same with us. Its a bit annoying and sometimes, (especially new) receptionists take a lot of time to answer this emails. It's not so hard to recognize, they usually ask for rooms "in your city" or "coming to your place" or "to your property" etc. They send their emails to thousands of places everywhere, so it is never personal or has never something to do with hostel or our town or even country.

Yes, I don't know why that is, other than perhaps they have a limited knowledge of englsih and just use two first names? Or maybe that's common in whatever country they're orginating from. From what I have seen the main thing they have in common with 419 scams is greed. They usually offer $3000 or something for a few nights for a few rooms - well above what most who get the email would be expecting, so that dollar incentive is supposed to reel you in, and I'd imagine it works.

lolli is right about the non region specific bit - I hadn't thought of that, but it's totally true.

A related scam, but in print is from people who call themselves hotel guide, in switzerland. They send out a letter supposedly asking you to "update" your details in their database. If you read the small print you'll find they are then going to charge you 1000 euros, to be in an obscure guide published in switzerland.
They're basically hoping the letter will be opened by a low level functionary who'll send it back to "update" the listing, and then pay the invoice when it arrives. Obviously any small business would refuse to pay, but then they threaten with lawyers etc etc.
We got one yesterday - torn up and in the bin.

hehehe, ive been dealing with one for a couple of days now. either its a scam or the guy is... well, if you cant say anything nice, dont say anything at all. :D

classic example of them offering to monstrously overpay and then ask you to act as an intermediary - in this case 'we will forward you the £11,000 pounds and you can then send the £6000 pounds to the car hire company' - 4 people for 2 weeks... and we get £5000 pounds? c'mon and £6000 pounds for 2 weeks care hire? hahahahahaha.

its actually quite fun giving them the run around.

I just got this email today:

Stanfield Erwin sent a message using the contact form at
http://www.hostelmanagement.com/contact.

Dear Sir,

First, i apologize using this medium to reach you for a project of this
magnitude. I am a freelance insurance broker in the United Kingdom working
for private clients on request on my professional service.
My purpose of contacting your company is to source for the information or
family of your citizen Mr.Gomez Batzaya, who was my client and did his
company insurance in the UK for three years starting from 2007. Since then
nothing was heard of him on phone or email to operate the registered
company or claim back the refund of the insurance bond of (3.2 Million
Pounds Sterling). All effort to reach him by email was jeopardized and no
family information could be retrieved. The information provided by the
hotel he last visited in the UK was that he claimed to be seriously ill
and decided to travel back home for herbal treatment.

Therefore, i think he is dead and i have decided to reach anyone from
Mongolia who is honest and confidence to be introduced as a member of the
family for the claims of the company insurance funds and benefits
according to United Kingdom Laws.

If you are willing and enlighten to work with me on the understanding of
helping you claim this funds as a member of Late.Mr.Batzaya’s family and
after having it transfer to your account you will give a random percentage
of the total insurance funds to me.

I hope this will be confidential agreement between us and i shall provide
you more information on the funds claim.

Regards
Standfield Erwin