New rip-off as of 10/25/05

I am a lucky user of Rip-off report. I discovered this site a long time ago and have been using if as a reference to doing business via internet.

Lately, I encounter an opportunity working with an oversea company helping them processing payment from clients in the USA.

Job Description:
Receive payment 'Cheque' from customer, desposite into 'Your' account wait for the oversea account to send in the money. You keep 10% of the money.

My Situation:
Contact person: 'Mr. Michael Cheng'
Received a payment 'cheque' from Mr. 'James Dean' for $90857,57.

My Commission: @10% = $9058...

Process I:
I figure this might have been a rip-off, but I got time and curisity and went ahead and desposite the check. Through the bank there is a 7-12 day clearing requirement for check especially that amount. So I inform the member of the bank to keep an eye on that cheque since we know each other in this Hawaiian island.

Process II
After 3 days, a Mr. James Dean who issued the cheque starts calling me daily, leaving messages, and questioning why his payment has not been forwarded to Mr. Michael Cheng. It goes on,

Process III
On the 5-7 days, two things start to happen.
Mr. Michael Cheng so understandingablly feel the situation of bank holding the amount for clearing. So he wanted me to go to the bank and ask for advancing $10,000 in cash. And send $5000 each to two seperate account in different countries via Western Union.

$5000 each to the following account
============================
First Name: Gasmi
Last Name: Beya

Address: 76 Hendric Straat
Amsterdam, Holland
============================
First Name: Kate
Last Name: Phillips

Address: 87 Calle Guadal
Madrid, Spain
============================

Meanwhile...

Mr. Peter from Mr. James Dean's 'Security department' called to tell me they put a hold on the check saying they are concerned with the check that has not been forwarded to Mr. Michael Cheng for account update.

So the bank also told me the check has been returned.

Then Mr. Peter proceed to tell me they are concern with my credit history, etc., and they cannot release the fund until I on behalf of Mr. Michael Cheng, send in $5000 for security desposite. Then they will release the fund of $90587,87 to me and my $5000.

Conclusion & right thing to do:

1. Not to get involoved.
2. If you had time like myself.

a. On the check, try to find out the bank name and company name. Contact the company and have them confirm the validity of the check. In this case, the check was counterfeit and signature on it is a forgery.

b. If you don't have 'Their' money, don't send out 'Your' money.

c. Notice if they are willing to give out their full contact information. For example, the three characters in my story

Mr. Michael Cheng:
Company: Arts & Crafts
E-mail: michael cheng cheng [michaelchengliu@yahoo.com]
Character: caring, understanding

Notice, not company email but yahoo!! I requested several time for his contact phone number and address, etc.,,He never gave them to me. Always email...:(

Mr. James Dean:
Company on check: Groff Tractor & Equipment, Inc.
Company sent payment via Fedex: newbridge Financial Group
Fedex Account Number: 231278966
Phone Number: 4164102177
Address: Markham, Ontario, Toronto, Canada
Post code: L3R4T9
Character: Angry, Inpatient

Mr. Peter:
Don't know his company, last name,
Phone: 905-781-7556
Character: Angry


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Funny note:
Whenever I called Mr. Peter. He always hestitated to say who he is. As if he forgot who he is.

Li: Hello, this is Li, returning your call.
Peter: ......
Li: Can I speak to Peter.
Peter:Ya, this is PETER...

Li: OK........


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Reminder: If you don't have 'Their' money, don't send out 'Your' money.

If you are interested in discovering or building a new business, then maybe we should get in touch

Li
Honolulu, Hawaii
U.S.A.