How does this scam work - unsolicited loan at mall

[warrexa]

So, a guy at work comes in and says he was at one of those fairs they have at strip malls in the summer. He groans to his wife that he just realized he forgot his wallet at home and he's got to go back to get it.

Someone overhears him and says he'll lend him some money and he can repay it by mailing him a cheque. He asks how much money he wants ... "$50? Here, take $100" and give him two fifty dollar bills (apparently there were more in his wallet).

Coworker accepts (incredulously and gratefully) and then the following day mails the guy a cheque for $110 (extra $10 as thanks). He says the guy's address was "not a house" (but didn't elaborate) and had been given a ph# which was a 1-800 number.

This sounds all wrong. Was it laundering of counterfeit money? (I couldn't see the bills because he had used them) The start of an identity theft? Nobody lends $100 to a stranger on the honour system. $20, maybe, but not $100.

Curious.

[Jucius Maximus]

Maybe this co-worker will be a victim of cheque fraud.

Also, by sending a cheque, he is giving out his name, address, signature and bank account number.

Sounds fishy to say the least.

[spf1971]

I'd guess counterfeit money.

[YYC27]

I'm gonna guess cheque fraud / identity theft. Something's up, though. I don't care how nice a guy you are, people just don't loan cash to complete strangers.

[nuberific]

Who knows, maybe he's just a super friendly fellow. I would deliver the guy cash myself.

[Thalo]

Were they old $50 bills or the newer ones?

[EugW]

I'm gonna guess cheque fraud / identity theft. Something's up, though. I don't care how nice a guy you are, people just don't loan cash to complete strangers.
Yeah, probably identity theft or whatever, but I knew a guy who loaned 3 digit $ to complete strangers a couple of times.

He said he never got the money back. He claimed he knew they were probably scams, but said he figured they needed the money more than he did. :-0 And yes I'm serious. Crazy.

[tkyoshi]

If it is a scammer, they may not be after identity theft but they will alter the amount on the cheque to a higher amount.

[GroceryBagHead]

This whole situation sounds ridiculous.

Let assume it is a scammer that prays on goodwill of other people who will send him a check he can alter. But seriously, does he run around the mall looking for people who throw their hands in the air and scream: "OMG! I forgot mah wallet but I needs cash money to buy this crap!"

Somebody is making crap up.

[Jon Lai]

If it is a scammer, they may not be after identity theft but they will alter the amount on the cheque to a higher amount.

What if it was mail order instead? or a Mastercard Gift Card ;) No chance of identity theft there...

[YYC27]

eh, just mail cash. Who cares if it "doesn't arrive". :P

[gman]

eh, just mail cash. Who cares if it "doesn't arrive". :P

If he does not care if it doesn't arrive, he should not care to mail out at all.

[dealhunt]

When I need to write a cheque to someone I don't completely trust, I usually use the cheques that come with the credit card statement. A little interest charge, but there is liability protection.

[Chrispy]

I'd tell your friend to notify the bank of the pending check transaction and for what amount it should be. That should cover his butt proactively if the other guy does try and alter the amount on the check.

As for identity theft, well, he had better start keeping a close eye on his stuff and credit.

[warrexa]

So, my coworker went home all scared last week after we told him our suspicions. He did a little research on Google and found out that the person who loaned him the money appears to be the president of a small but nevertheless multinational corporation. It appears as though the guy was rich enough for it not to matter if the money never came back and I'm a cynical $&*# with no faith in humanity. Sorry guys.

[kidflash23]

This situation sounds very odd and fishy but I guess you never know.

[MrBurns]

Maybe the scammers in this case are your co-worker and his wife.

[ilusa]

So, my coworker went home all scared last week after we told him our suspicions. He did a little research on Google and found out that the person who loaned him the money appears to be the president of a small but nevertheless multinational corporation. It appears as though the guy was rich enough for it not to matter if the money never came back and I'm a cynical $&*# with no faith in humanity. Sorry guys.



LoL,

Gotto have Faith in Humanity