We've been discussing what happens when the mark is hooked and sends his "girlfriend" money because she needs to get to the Embassy for an interview, needs money for the interview, needs money for transportation, etc. There is, however, another variation of this: what happens when the mark comes to visit his "girlfriend" in her country?
This is another variant of the scam. Sometimes, the "girlfriend" will invite the mark to her home country. When this happens, there are two basic variations of the scheme: either nonviolent extortion or outright criminal threats. We will talk about the first variant today.
When the mark arrives in the foreign country, as before, the entire purpose is to get money from the mark. This can be easier (sometimes) in the "girlfriend's" country.
First the mark has to put up money to stay at a hotel, and usually it is one of the better ones. Unscrupulous hotels will sometimes share the proceeds with the "girlfriend." In addition, the mark will have to pay fees directly to the "agency" when they are in the country. The mark will also be expected to pay for food and gifts for his "girlfriend."
It is also common for the "girlfriend" to ask the mark for monies to help with expenses or that the "girlfriend" is going through a crisis and needs some money to help with this emergency. Given the romantic setting and the pleading of the "girlfriend," it is easy to see how the mark will fall for it and give money to his "girlfriend." After all, it is just a one-time thing, right?
We will continue this tommorrow.
www.tauskvega.com
Have a great and fraud-free day.
-------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Love is Cruel IV
OK - so now the mark is hooked.
His "girlfriend" told him that she needs to apply for a visa to come and see him. Now, of course, she needs money to do so. She needs to make an appointment at the American Embassy or consulate. She needs to get to the Embassy. The Embassy is not in her hometown (or if it is, it is a long way from her house) and she needs to spedn the night in a hotel (or several nights) before she can get to the interview. She needs money for food while she is waiting. And, of course, there are the consular fees that must be paid.
It is not uncommong to his the mark up for a couple of thousand dollars at this point. The "girlfriend" will ask for the moneyand, conveniently, have an account to where the money can be wired. Once the money is wired, so the "girlfriend" says, she can begin the process of getting the visa.
So, the mark wires, let's say, $3000.00 to the "girlfriend" so she can get her visa.
By now, of course, readers of this blog should know where this is going. The money arrives to the "girlfriend" who has absolutely no interest of spending it on any visa interview. In any case, visa interviews are handled in a professional manner by the U.S. Department of State and the person applying for the visa will know exactly when and where the interview will take place, so there is no need to spend many nights in a hotel. The money is going directly to the "girlfriend" with a cut given to the agency and possibly to other players.
Once the mark asks about the visa, the "girlfriend" will have a story about how it was denied. But, no worries, they can try again. Of course, she will need to return home while she tris again and, of course, it will require more money to apply, etc. In the meantime, she will wait for the money so the process can repeat itself.
This is like the 419 scam - the idea is to keep the mark hooked and the money flowing.
We will discuss another variant of this tommorrow - what happens when the mark comes to the foreign country.
http://www.tauskvega.com/
As always, have a great and fraud free day.
------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
His "girlfriend" told him that she needs to apply for a visa to come and see him. Now, of course, she needs money to do so. She needs to make an appointment at the American Embassy or consulate. She needs to get to the Embassy. The Embassy is not in her hometown (or if it is, it is a long way from her house) and she needs to spedn the night in a hotel (or several nights) before she can get to the interview. She needs money for food while she is waiting. And, of course, there are the consular fees that must be paid.
It is not uncommong to his the mark up for a couple of thousand dollars at this point. The "girlfriend" will ask for the moneyand, conveniently, have an account to where the money can be wired. Once the money is wired, so the "girlfriend" says, she can begin the process of getting the visa.
So, the mark wires, let's say, $3000.00 to the "girlfriend" so she can get her visa.
By now, of course, readers of this blog should know where this is going. The money arrives to the "girlfriend" who has absolutely no interest of spending it on any visa interview. In any case, visa interviews are handled in a professional manner by the U.S. Department of State and the person applying for the visa will know exactly when and where the interview will take place, so there is no need to spend many nights in a hotel. The money is going directly to the "girlfriend" with a cut given to the agency and possibly to other players.
Once the mark asks about the visa, the "girlfriend" will have a story about how it was denied. But, no worries, they can try again. Of course, she will need to return home while she tris again and, of course, it will require more money to apply, etc. In the meantime, she will wait for the money so the process can repeat itself.
This is like the 419 scam - the idea is to keep the mark hooked and the money flowing.
We will discuss another variant of this tommorrow - what happens when the mark comes to the foreign country.
http://www.tauskvega.com/
As always, have a great and fraud free day.
------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Love is Cruel III
Continuing with our discussion on the sweetheart scam:
At this point, the mark is in communication with the girl of his dreams. Emails have been exchanged and maybe even a few phone calls. Now, it is time to meet the fantasy girl.
This is where the "meat" of the fraud comes into play. At this point, there has been no real investment of money by the mark into this fraud, just time. The purpose of the "girlfriend" is to get the mark interested to the point where he will want to spend money. As stated, the "girlfriend" and the agency that arranges the meeting take the time and effort to make the "girlfriend" look as enticing and beautiful as possible in the pictures and the emails and phone calls are designed as "come ons" to get the mark to take the bait.
Once the mark is interested, money will begin to exchange hands.
There are two real ways at this point that the fraud can proceed. The first way, and the less dangerous way, is for the "girlfriend" to propose that she come to the States to visit the mark so they can get to know each other. Since the "girlfriend" will be (usually) coming from a country that requires a visa, this means that she will have to get a visa from an American Embassy or consulate.
The "girlfriend" will request that the mark send her money so she can proceed with the visa. This usually involves: (a) telling the mark that she needs transportation to an American Embassy or consulate from her hometown so she needs plane tickets; (b) money to stay at a hotel while she waits for a visa interview; (c) visa fees [which actually is a legitimate requirement since the Department of State charges for visas, but not at the price she is stating] and (d) money to pay an agency to help her with the visa processes.
The "girlfriend" can demand several thousand dollars for this, once again stating that she needs the money for the above requirements. The mark, thinking nothing is wrong, will send her the money.
This is where the mark is "hooked." Once again, like the Nigerian 419 scam, the purpose is to keep the mark coming back for more, not for an end result. Once the money starts flowing to the "girlfriend," this is where the fraudsters make their money.
We will discuss how this fraud develops tomorrow.
Here is some more interesting reading on the subject: http://www.kmbc.com/money/9246998/detail.html
www.tauskvega.com
As always, have a great and fraud-free day.
---------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
At this point, the mark is in communication with the girl of his dreams. Emails have been exchanged and maybe even a few phone calls. Now, it is time to meet the fantasy girl.
This is where the "meat" of the fraud comes into play. At this point, there has been no real investment of money by the mark into this fraud, just time. The purpose of the "girlfriend" is to get the mark interested to the point where he will want to spend money. As stated, the "girlfriend" and the agency that arranges the meeting take the time and effort to make the "girlfriend" look as enticing and beautiful as possible in the pictures and the emails and phone calls are designed as "come ons" to get the mark to take the bait.
Once the mark is interested, money will begin to exchange hands.
There are two real ways at this point that the fraud can proceed. The first way, and the less dangerous way, is for the "girlfriend" to propose that she come to the States to visit the mark so they can get to know each other. Since the "girlfriend" will be (usually) coming from a country that requires a visa, this means that she will have to get a visa from an American Embassy or consulate.
The "girlfriend" will request that the mark send her money so she can proceed with the visa. This usually involves: (a) telling the mark that she needs transportation to an American Embassy or consulate from her hometown so she needs plane tickets; (b) money to stay at a hotel while she waits for a visa interview; (c) visa fees [which actually is a legitimate requirement since the Department of State charges for visas, but not at the price she is stating] and (d) money to pay an agency to help her with the visa processes.
The "girlfriend" can demand several thousand dollars for this, once again stating that she needs the money for the above requirements. The mark, thinking nothing is wrong, will send her the money.
This is where the mark is "hooked." Once again, like the Nigerian 419 scam, the purpose is to keep the mark coming back for more, not for an end result. Once the money starts flowing to the "girlfriend," this is where the fraudsters make their money.
We will discuss how this fraud develops tomorrow.
Here is some more interesting reading on the subject: http://www.kmbc.com/money/9246998/detail.html
www.tauskvega.com
As always, have a great and fraud-free day.
---------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
Monday, June 27, 2011
Love is Cruel II
Let's start discussing the details of the sweetheart bride scam.
The first step, of course, is the mark begins searching for a bride or date online. Usually, this means that he is referred to a website which offers the ubiquitous "exotic foreign women searching for American men" details. The mark is offered a bewildering variety of pictures of beautiful women (sometimes the photographs are taken by professionals with the women being instructed to pose as provocatively as possible). Included with the information, of course, are the various biographies of the women. The agency also provides the contact information for the women, but this information is often filtered through the agency (in the sense that all emails are cc'd to the agency, phone contacts are handled by the agency, etc.). Note, however, that this is not always the case. In many instances, the women provide their own email addresses and/or phone numbers.
The second step is the contact between the mark and the woman. This usually begins with email introductions followed by an exchange of correspondence. It is important to note at this time that the woman usually has a working knowledge of English, or at least can get by in conversation. Once again, however, this is not always the case and sometimes the agency will provide an "interpreter" as part of the service. This email correspondence sets the stage for the next phase of the fraud.
www.tauskvega.com
As always have a great and fraud-free day.
-------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
The first step, of course, is the mark begins searching for a bride or date online. Usually, this means that he is referred to a website which offers the ubiquitous "exotic foreign women searching for American men" details. The mark is offered a bewildering variety of pictures of beautiful women (sometimes the photographs are taken by professionals with the women being instructed to pose as provocatively as possible). Included with the information, of course, are the various biographies of the women. The agency also provides the contact information for the women, but this information is often filtered through the agency (in the sense that all emails are cc'd to the agency, phone contacts are handled by the agency, etc.). Note, however, that this is not always the case. In many instances, the women provide their own email addresses and/or phone numbers.
The second step is the contact between the mark and the woman. This usually begins with email introductions followed by an exchange of correspondence. It is important to note at this time that the woman usually has a working knowledge of English, or at least can get by in conversation. Once again, however, this is not always the case and sometimes the agency will provide an "interpreter" as part of the service. This email correspondence sets the stage for the next phase of the fraud.
www.tauskvega.com
As always have a great and fraud-free day.
-------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Love is Cruel
Today we start talking about a type of fraud that became popular in the 90's, but is still prevalent, especially with the web. It is an especially cruel type of fraud and deceit as it plays on the age-old human desire for companionship. It is called "mail bride fraud," "mail order bride fraud" "Russian bride scam" (although I despise this term for reasons I will explain later) and "sweetheart scam." We will refer to it as the sweetheart scam for the purposes of this blog. The sweetheart scam, in essence, is using the internet to promise a man (usually, although women are prey as well) a marriageable wife (usually much younger) but, as with the "419" scam we discussed earlier, the purpose is not to connect the women with the man, but to stretch out the relationship as long as possible and, during this time, get as much money from the man (obviously, the mark).
More and more, people are using the internet to find dates and brides (and, of course, grooms). Dating sites abound as do commercials for "find the right companion." We will discuss websites, dating organizations and bridal agencies that "specialize" in finding women for American men. As stated, although this is a late 20th and certainly a 21st century phenomenon, it is not new. This scam goes back centuries.
Modern communications and the internet, however, make the sweetheart scam much easier to perform.
Although we will discuss this in detail, there are two details that need to be discussed immediately. First, the websites that promote the sweetheart scam claim that the women they have to offer are "not spoiled by American feminism and are willing and submissive." Anyone who is searching for, in essence, a blow-up Barbie doll to be a house-and-sex slave should question just what kind of wife they want and, more importantly, what kind of person they are. Human beings are not chattel and, anyone who falls for the line of "a submissive woman" is asking for the sweetheart scam. Second, as any marriage counselor or family attorney will tell you, not to mention common sense, marriage is a commitment, both legal and personal (it is not the purpose of this blog to discuss spiritual matters and I don't want to get into this area). Marriages are not made over a visit to a few websites.
As can be seen, this is a long topic which we shall discuss in depth.
www.tauskvega.com
Here is a quick story and video on the subject: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/14/eveningnews/main688311.shtml
Have a great and fraud-free day.
---------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
More and more, people are using the internet to find dates and brides (and, of course, grooms). Dating sites abound as do commercials for "find the right companion." We will discuss websites, dating organizations and bridal agencies that "specialize" in finding women for American men. As stated, although this is a late 20th and certainly a 21st century phenomenon, it is not new. This scam goes back centuries.
Modern communications and the internet, however, make the sweetheart scam much easier to perform.
Although we will discuss this in detail, there are two details that need to be discussed immediately. First, the websites that promote the sweetheart scam claim that the women they have to offer are "not spoiled by American feminism and are willing and submissive." Anyone who is searching for, in essence, a blow-up Barbie doll to be a house-and-sex slave should question just what kind of wife they want and, more importantly, what kind of person they are. Human beings are not chattel and, anyone who falls for the line of "a submissive woman" is asking for the sweetheart scam. Second, as any marriage counselor or family attorney will tell you, not to mention common sense, marriage is a commitment, both legal and personal (it is not the purpose of this blog to discuss spiritual matters and I don't want to get into this area). Marriages are not made over a visit to a few websites.
As can be seen, this is a long topic which we shall discuss in depth.
www.tauskvega.com
Here is a quick story and video on the subject: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/14/eveningnews/main688311.shtml
Have a great and fraud-free day.
---------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Born in the USA (Sort of) IX
Well, let's conclude this series of posts by finding out how do you spot a "notario" or someone who is not an attorney who is practicing law without a license.
The first thing anyone should look for when sitting in the office of someone who claims to be an attorney or is practicing Immigration law is their law license. Law licenses are given by the state (or states) in which a person practices. The law license should be prominently displayed on the wall (NOTE: this is not just for "vanity" sake- it lets the consumer know that they are in the office of a licensed attorney).
The second clue should be on the person's business cards: the card shoudl clearly state that the person is an "attorney at law." Words such as "Immigration practitioner" or "consultant" or even "notary public" should be a dead giveaway that something is wrong.
Third, if an individual has any doubts, they should ask the person for their bar number. A bar number is issued by the state in which a person practices after the person has passed the bar exam to become an attorney. It is a number that is unique to each attorney and is not duplicated. If a person hesitates in giving a bar number, this is also a giveaway that something is wrong. Further, a person should be able to check with the State bar to see if the person is eligible to practice law. Texas, for example, provides a very well run website with information available to any interested party which provides information on all licensed Texas attorneys, including disciplinary information.
Fourth, the person should always be wary if the "practitioner" wants to do business in cash. Any reputable attorney will accept checks and most accept credit cards. Further, any reputable attorney will place in writing (a contract) just what legal services are being provided and how much these services will cost.
Incidentally, it is worth noting that there are Immigration practitioners that do practice Immigration law who are not attorneys. However, these are special exceptions and these people have been well trained and are qualified to practice Immigration law by writ of the Immigration service. Also, the vast majority of these practitioners work for charitable or humane organizations (e.g. Catholic Charities).
Remember once again - the unauthorized practice of law is a crime. Giving your confidential and personal Immigration information to someone who is not qualified to practice law can lead not only to losing money, but to an Immigration disaster. Always work with a qualified Immigration lawyer.
www.tauskvega.com
As always, have a great and fraud-free day.
--------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
The first thing anyone should look for when sitting in the office of someone who claims to be an attorney or is practicing Immigration law is their law license. Law licenses are given by the state (or states) in which a person practices. The law license should be prominently displayed on the wall (NOTE: this is not just for "vanity" sake- it lets the consumer know that they are in the office of a licensed attorney).
The second clue should be on the person's business cards: the card shoudl clearly state that the person is an "attorney at law." Words such as "Immigration practitioner" or "consultant" or even "notary public" should be a dead giveaway that something is wrong.
Third, if an individual has any doubts, they should ask the person for their bar number. A bar number is issued by the state in which a person practices after the person has passed the bar exam to become an attorney. It is a number that is unique to each attorney and is not duplicated. If a person hesitates in giving a bar number, this is also a giveaway that something is wrong. Further, a person should be able to check with the State bar to see if the person is eligible to practice law. Texas, for example, provides a very well run website with information available to any interested party which provides information on all licensed Texas attorneys, including disciplinary information.
Fourth, the person should always be wary if the "practitioner" wants to do business in cash. Any reputable attorney will accept checks and most accept credit cards. Further, any reputable attorney will place in writing (a contract) just what legal services are being provided and how much these services will cost.
Incidentally, it is worth noting that there are Immigration practitioners that do practice Immigration law who are not attorneys. However, these are special exceptions and these people have been well trained and are qualified to practice Immigration law by writ of the Immigration service. Also, the vast majority of these practitioners work for charitable or humane organizations (e.g. Catholic Charities).
Remember once again - the unauthorized practice of law is a crime. Giving your confidential and personal Immigration information to someone who is not qualified to practice law can lead not only to losing money, but to an Immigration disaster. Always work with a qualified Immigration lawyer.
www.tauskvega.com
As always, have a great and fraud-free day.
--------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Born in the USA (Sort of) VIII
Let's continue with our discussion of "notarios" - those who engage in the practice of Immigration law without a law license.
There are three main problems with using a notario for Immigration work.
The first, obviously, is that the person is not an attorney and is not qualified to practice Immigration law. As we have already discussed, the practice of Immigration law is a complex legal field demanding not only a sound legal education but also the capacity to keep current with the state of the law. Immigration law is a constantly changing field. Immigration practitioners must keep constantly updating their knowledge base. Attorneys have to do this as a license requirement. Notarios have no such requirement. As such, notarios do not have the knowledge base to practice Immigration law.
This leads to the second issue: because Immigration law is so complex, it is important to be able to perform a legal analysis BEFORE submitting forms to Immigration. Sometimes the best course of action for Immigration practitioners is to do nothing at all. If Immigration forms are sent to the USCIS and the person has no legal status and cannot receive a legal status, what can happen is that a person who applies for Immigration benefits but is unable to receive status may find themselves in Deportation/Removal proceedings. Notarios have been known to send people to interviews with the USCIS with the end result that these people are placed in Removal proceedings. In other words, a person who does not know what they are doing can get their clients deported.
Finally, a person who is practicing law without a license is committing a crime (in the State of Texas). The unauthorized practice of law is a serious offense. This is fraud, pure and simple.
Here is an article on the crackdown of such notarios: http://www.yourvalleyvoice.com/news/article_2344dd0a-92c8-11e0-8b89-001cc4c002e0.html
Next, we will look at what can be done if you are a victim of a notario.
www.tauskvega.com
Have a great and fraud-free day.
-------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
There are three main problems with using a notario for Immigration work.
The first, obviously, is that the person is not an attorney and is not qualified to practice Immigration law. As we have already discussed, the practice of Immigration law is a complex legal field demanding not only a sound legal education but also the capacity to keep current with the state of the law. Immigration law is a constantly changing field. Immigration practitioners must keep constantly updating their knowledge base. Attorneys have to do this as a license requirement. Notarios have no such requirement. As such, notarios do not have the knowledge base to practice Immigration law.
This leads to the second issue: because Immigration law is so complex, it is important to be able to perform a legal analysis BEFORE submitting forms to Immigration. Sometimes the best course of action for Immigration practitioners is to do nothing at all. If Immigration forms are sent to the USCIS and the person has no legal status and cannot receive a legal status, what can happen is that a person who applies for Immigration benefits but is unable to receive status may find themselves in Deportation/Removal proceedings. Notarios have been known to send people to interviews with the USCIS with the end result that these people are placed in Removal proceedings. In other words, a person who does not know what they are doing can get their clients deported.
Finally, a person who is practicing law without a license is committing a crime (in the State of Texas). The unauthorized practice of law is a serious offense. This is fraud, pure and simple.
Here is an article on the crackdown of such notarios: http://www.yourvalleyvoice.com/news/article_2344dd0a-92c8-11e0-8b89-001cc4c002e0.html
Next, we will look at what can be done if you are a victim of a notario.
www.tauskvega.com
Have a great and fraud-free day.
-------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
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