Report: Dennis Owens, Roger Dorian, TNT EXPRESS

Reported By: (Long Beach New York)

Dennis Owens, Roger Dorian, TNT EXPRESS TNT OnLine Payment Service FRAUD ALERT! Macbook Pro Computer Thieves! Manchester United Kingdom

... I almost fell for it too...

1Author 3Consumer 0Employee

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Dennis Owens, Roger Dorian, TNT EXPRESS

11 Portland Street
Manchester United Kingdom M602AF
United Kingdom
Phone:
Web Address:

Category: Internet Fraud

Submitted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Last posting: Friday, September 26, 2008

Below is the most convoluted hoax I have ever seen...and because I really need a computer, I fell for for it. This scam involves an Macbook Pro computer, Western Union and a fake shipping company called Express TNT.

I found an ad on craigslist New York for a 15.4" Apple Macbook Pro, 2.16 GHz with OS X Leopard. The ad claimed that it was a year old and the warranty was transferable. The asking price was $680 obo.

I contacted the seller, one Dennis Owens. He claimed that he had just moved from New York to Manchester UK, but that he still had the computer and hoped I would buy it. He sent me pictures and told me about a third party transaction/shipping company(TNT) who would take care of getting the computer to me in the US.

The following is a compilation of the letters messages he sent me:

__________________________________________

The laptop is still available and I hope you are still interested. My name is Dennis Owens and I am now in Manchester, U.K.
This machine has been used for professional needs over the past year, it is in great condition and runs perfectly, and beyond evidence of normal use there is only a small cosmetic blemish on the side which is shown in one of the pics. The warranty is fully transferable. One more thing, it works on US voltage so you do not need a converter.

I have attached some pics with the laptop to this e-mail so you can see the condition of the laptop. Please get back to me and let me know if you like the laptop if you're really interested in buying it.

I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the laptop within 3-4 days.

Obviously we need a safe way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after.
I have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the laptop in less than 3 days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a worldwide delivery company called TNT. TNT is similar to Fedex, DHL or UPS and they will provide assistance in hadling the payment and delivery of the laptop.

With this procedure you will have the change to test the laptop before I receive my payment.

The procedure is explained on the TNT webpage and please click on the link below to the TNT website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company.

http://cargoexpresstnt.com/about.tnt/index/details.html

Here is the text of the package confirmation e-mail from the fake shipping company, express-tnt.com:

TNT International Express Features:

International Express Letter with one letter rate and no commodities or weight restrictions.

Shipment picked up at an agreed time.

Next-day express delivery to all U.S. destinations by 3 pm. available for documents and packages, International Express includes door to door service Monday to Sunday during normal business hours.

Status of shipment available via the Internet with Tracking.

TNT International Express Third Party Delivery Service reduces risks associated with Internet transactions by acting as a licensed, trusted, neutral third party providing assistance to Internet shoppers for Internet transactions.

TNT International Express Inc. Third Party Delivery - How does it work?

Phase 1: Buyer and Seller Agree to Terms

Both parties agree to terms, which includes a description of the merchandise, sale price, number of days for the Buyer's inspection.

Phase 2: Transaction - 8 easy to follow steps.

1. The Buyer will provide the Seller with his shipping information.
2. Seller will go to a TNT Location and will leave the merchandise in TNT's custody with the Buyer's name and address as the intended receiver.
3. TNT will make a complete verification of the merchandise, and TNT will also verify the legal papers of the merchandise.
4. TNT will send to the Buyer a written confirmation that the package is in TNT's custody and also, that the package content has been verified and it is ready to be delivered to the Buyer's shipping address. In this delivery notification TNT will also send a complete description of the merchandise, with detailed specifications of the merchandise.
5. At this point TNT will send a complete set of payment instructions to the Buyer, instructing the Buyer on how to make the money deposit to TNT, to the name of the TNT Agent responsible with the transaction. The Buyer and the Seller will receive a Reference Number that identifies their specific transaction.
6. The Buyer will complete his/her payment following the specific instructions sent to the Buyer by our TNT Customer Service. TNT will verify the payment information provided by the Buyer, and after the payment is received by our TNT Payment Service, TNT will deliver the package to the Buyer's shipping address. This service is a door to door service.
7. The Buyer receives the package and verifies the merchandise. After the Buyer verifies the merchandise - and only if the Buyer is completely satisfied with it because the merchandise matches the description sent by the Seller - the Buyer will instruct TNT to release the payment to the Seller.
8. If for any reason, the Buyer will not be satisfied with the package content, the Buyer will return the merchandise to TNT with no expense, no questions asked. In this instance the Buyer will receive a full refund from TNT with funds taken from the Seller's Trust Fund.

Here's the fake email from the fake company:

Important TNT Payment Instructions/Shipment Details
Please read the Instructions carefully.
Tracking Number: 65578716
Status: Payment Verified
Click here to track your package: Tracking

Dear TNT Customer,

We have verified your payment through Western Union Money Transfer:

- MTCN: 641-890-8635
- Sender's Name: ***** *******
- Amount Transferred: US $680.00

Delivery Type: TNT Express Overnight Delivery
ETA ( estimate time of arrival ): Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 10:00 AM EST

This Macook ad is a total scam. Don't do it. They are liars and thieves. Do not send money to anyone you do not know in order to purchase a computer (or any other item) you have not seen. Do your transactions locally. There should be no reason to involve Western Union in the purchase of a computer. And in no case should a computer purchase involve overseas shipping. In the end, I'm out $738, but a little wiser. Not that it's much of a consolation...

Jsintek
Long Beach, New York
U.S.A.

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:

1Author 3Consumer 0Employee

Consumer Comment

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I have seen this scam also

Madison77 - Madison (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Monday, May 12, 2008 POSTED: Monday, May 12, 2008

I just wanted to say that I have seen something that seems to be the same scam. I found a Mac ibook on Craig's list in Madison Wisconsin that was selling for $300 (seemed too good to be true). I found the same type selling on ebay for a few hundred more than that. I thought maybe this was just a sweet deal. I got an email back today and then did a bit of research on this TNT company and the ripoff report was one of the top listings on Google. I really appreciate that someone posted something about this scam - thanks! Here is a copy of the email I received (it also included 4 good looking pictures of the computer - on one I could see that the power cord was British):

Re: IBOOK G4 1.42 GHz 14 DVD BURNER 120GB 1GB LOADED WIFI - $300

You emailed me about my iBook from craigslist. I've replied to your email but I don't know if you have received my email. My outlook express is acting crazy, I am so sorry about this. Anyway, here I go again. Below is the email I sent you. My email address is Morrison_Susan@hotmail.com

Hello

I still have the laptop. The laptop was set up for the US.
I have attached some pics with the laptop to this e-mail. I am now in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
Since I can't meet you and make the exchange, I would like to use a service that will help us with that:

www.tnt.com/tnt.express.wolverhampton.depot/third_party_service.html

TNT is a worldwide delivery company (like Fedex, DHL or UPS). You can see from their procedure that you will be able to check the laptop before I receive the payment. If you are in a hurry, I will use 2 day delivery (shipping is on me).

Let me know what you think.

Best,
Susan

Consumer Comment

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They tried to take my money too

Medhanie - New York (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 17, 2008 POSTED: Sunday, August 17, 2008

I was apartment hunting in New York City, and found a place in Brooklyn heights for $1399, a price way too good to be true. Normally in Brooklyn Height a 2 bedroom apartment will go for no less than $3000 per month. I reply to the ad and got a similar email requesting that I go through TNT Express to wire money but that I would get the key to the apartment before hand. I'm making it sound simple, but it was quite an elaborate scheme. The woman ("Susan Hvener") had just moved to London because of work and was desperate to rent out immediately this amazing place. I sensed a fraud and did some googling, and that's when I came across JSniks' posting.

I followed up the trail some more and discovered that while the web link that they sent me is a fraud (http://www.tnt.com/country/en_generic/services/special_services/timecritical.html), there is a real and legitimate TNT Express (www.tnt.com). Moreover, the real TNT Express is not only aware of this type of scam, they shut down 1500 scam website just in the second half of 2007. The following link to the real TNT's website details their fight against scamers:

http://www.tnt.com/country/en_us/about/ournews/Internet_Fraud.html

Jsnik - sorry for the money you lost, but you did help two people, including me, from losing theirs... So thanks!

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I almost fell for it too...

Strawbery9 - Atlanta (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, September 26, 2008 POSTED: Friday, September 26, 2008

I am relocating to DC and started looking on craigslist for a apartments. I found a apartment that was almost too good to be true and emailed the owner. I am so glad i found this website before hand or i would of been out of 2,400. Its a complete scam. No one should have to pay 2,400 to get the keys to a apartment to view. Below is the trail of e-mails:

Hello ,

Thank you again for your reply . If you are ready to proceed with this transaction I must tell you how this service work and what we need to do.
You have to deposit to TNT Service the first month of rent-$1200 and a security deposit of $1200,so they can proceed with the shipping of the keys and the contract.Like I said, I will pay for 2 days delivery so you'll receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain you step by step how this service work.
1 - To start this transaction i need to know your full shipping information (full name and shipping address)
2 - I'll go to a TNT Office and leave the Keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver.
3 - TNT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal documents that come along with the Keys.
4 - After they will check the documents ,TNT will send you a delivery notification to let you know that they have the Keys and the documents in their custody.
5 - At this point you'll have to go to a Western Union Office and make a money deposit on the TNT agent name for the amount we agreed (the total amount you shall deposit is for the first month of rent and for the security deposit).
6 - After you'll make the deposit you'll have to send the info about the money deposit to TNT .
7 - TNT will verify the deposit information's and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you.
8 - After you receive the package,you must check the apt,decide if you keep the apt or not.If all is in order you'll instruct TNT to relase the money to me. If you don't like the apt they will return your money,and they will ship back to me the keys(you'll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not).
I will pay TNT Service for the shipping and you'll pay Western Union for the Money Transfer fee.
So if you have $2,400 cash (the rent for 1 month-$1200 and the security deposit-$1200) and if you're ready for this transaction tell me your full name and your shipping address and I'll start the official procedure, and TNT will notify you about this matter. You'll also receive important guidelines plus instructions from them (please go through them exactly)
So:
1.As soon as I get your info I will ship the keys and the contract.
2.TNT will check the contract and the keys and they will notify you about this matter(they will send you all the instructions in order to complete the deal in a safe way for both)
3.You must send the money in the next 24 hours to the TNT agent.
4.After you'll confirm the payment they will start delivery at your address(the shipping will not take more then 2 days).
5.After you'll receive the keys,you'll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not.
So if you're a serious person tell me your info and I'll start the process.
PS: When I start the process I must pay TNT fees and if you can't send the money in the next 24 hours,they will cancel the shipping and I will lose the money paid for the transaction.
Best Regards

----- Original Message ----
From: Kimberly Thompson
To:
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 10:16:33 AM
Subject: $1200 2 BR 2 BA LOFT WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS AND WRAP AROUND TERRACE?

Hello, my name is Kimberly Thompson

This was my home for the last five years and is located in Washington, 1400 Church Street NW at P Street, DC 20005. 1350 square foot (interior), light-filled, luxury, penthouse loft with wrap around terrace and panaoramic views. Garage parking and storage. Large bedrooms and walk-in closets. Whole Foods, shops, restaurants, Studio Theatre and art galleries all within 1 block. Pre-wired surround sound with Bose speakers.. Cats and dogs allowed.
I've moved to United Kingdom with my job (i am a construction engineer) and decided to rent it because the rent is is very expensive here.Anyway I can't rent it for more then 5 years.The price is so low because I'm here and is very hard to find a tenant.I'm the owner and it's exactly like in the Pics.The rent of the apt for 1 month is $1200 including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet, cable,parking,air conditioning,fireplace,dishwasher, garbage) and I want to receive the money monthly in my bank account.You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I'm the only person who have the keys and I have no one in United States that could show you the apt.
In order to check it,see if you like it(I'm sure that you'll love it),you need to receive the keys and the contract. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal in a safe and fast way for both.The solution is provided by a company called TNT which is similar to FedEx, DHL or UPS, which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys .
A friend of mine moved here from California and used TNT to resolve the same problem .
This procedure allow you to pay the rent only after you will receive the keys,after you will see it, decide if you will stay in the apt or not( I will receive the payment after you'll check the apt).
Please click on the link bellow to the TNT website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:
http://www.tnt.com/express/en_us/site/home/services/express_delivery_services/special_handling.html
Let me know if you are interested because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of the next week.

Regards,
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