Hostel/Hotel Email Scam Warning

Hey Guys,

It happened to me too, didn't know that it is so often to everyone.

Now I am aware that I'll have to train a bit my new receptionists on this topic.

Thanks

I have certainly heard of people doing that on facebook, hijacking an account and then sending a message to all friends saying they're stuck in some foriegn country, and need you to wire money to them via western union. Catches people out, adn wouldn't be surprised if it comes about again with the number of people stuck due to volcanic activity.

Our latest is we're getting some FIFA officials.

Hello
I like to make a reservation in your facility for 2 double rooms for
my clients who are coming for Tour Operator Programme in your
country.They are two FiFA Officials,The Name's Of The Couples Are:
Mr & Mrs Butragueño Fernando
Mr $ Mrs Koumargialis Konstantinos
Arrival date: 20th November 2010
Departure date : 28th November 2010
Number of nights:8 nights
Number of Guest:4
pls get back to me with your rates and total cost if rooms are
available so that i can give you my credit card details for a
deposit payment.
Best Regards,
James Adams

Must have moved the world cup from South africa to the UK without me knowing.

In my last email I had told the scammer that the total is $9837, for the premium room, but that I also had one in the basement for $800 -- also that there are bedbugs in some of the rooms, but not in those rooms so there's no need to worry. :)

No destination city, country or hotel name has ever been mentioned yet.

Here is the reply -- exactly 7 days later (minus a few hours) :D

Hello,
am very sorry for late reply i was out of office since. After some convversation with my clients i now dicover i will need your help Thanks for the bookings & confirmations .The total cost of the accommodation is quite okay by me and i'm ready to pay the bills.Also want you to help me Charge another 7500 $ to a travel agent who has issued my guests air flight ticket to your hotel.The 7500 $ that will be sent to the agent is for the ticket fare for my guests which will be deduct from my credit card.Also, i'm compesating you with the sum of 600 $ for the transfer fee and for your efforts. Please note that i should have given the travel agency my credit card for him to deduct the ticket funds but he told me that he doesn't have the facilities to charge or debit credit card , so that's why i bring my vote of confidence in you and i dont want you to betray the vote of confidence i put in you so i want you to transfer
the funds to him after the money charge from my credit card has reflect in your account you can now make the transfer to the agent via western union. So, the charges you'll make on my credit card will be:
Accomodation fee [$9837]
Agent fee with Ticket fare ( 7500 $ )
Your Commssion (600 $ )

Note that my credit card will be charged for the amounts above. Please do get back to me if you are in the office right now so that i c an forward my credit card details to you , then you can charge full amount and transfer the agent funds to him
kind regards.

I'll keep going and see what he says...

I had told the scammer that every room had been infested with bedbugs and cockroaches (including the beds) and that I had to close the hotel down and his guests wouldn't like it. This was his reply:

Dear My Good Friend

Am very sorry for that but i want you to know that there is
no problem with that and i also want you to know that me and my
clients can also help you out when with get over there just get back
to me when you are in the office so that i can send you my credit card
details for the full payment. and i also want you to know that me and
my clients want to give you an extra amount of $200 for you to do some
of arrangement in your hotel ........do get back to me as soon as
possible so that i can send you my credit card for the below amount
:$18137 .......Thanks

Waiting to read from you Asap

Regards

Rick