I got scammed for $2000 - well, almost! Somebody hacked the account of a friend of mine Ravi Env and tried to goad me into sending the money to some unknown guy. FRIENDS, MAKE SURE YOU DONT FALL FOR THIS KIND OF SCAMS. . Luckily for me, I kinda know my friends chatting style - Hes such a big fan of Telugu and its difficult to imagine him not using a single Telugu word in a long conversation. I grew more and more suspicious when the person insisted that the money needed to be transferred immediately and played it very safe. At one point, I even thought of calling my friend, but I was on the road and couldnt do much. . Have a look at the conversation (and a good laughter) - Formatted it for better reading . Ravi Env: Are you online? . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Yes sir, whats up? . Ravi Env: Sorry to bother Bhardwaj are you still in US? [This was a bizarre question] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Yes, I kind of settled down in Ohio . Ravi Env: Do you have banking experience with Wells Fargo USA? . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: No I always used Chase and BoA . Ravi Env: But they have branches near you? . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: They dont have any in Ohio . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Whats the issue? . Ravi Env: need to inquire with them . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: ? . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Looks like there is a branch in Columbus . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: 2 hours from my place . Ravi Env: Hold on im asking the recipient . Ravi Env: He has BOA too. Can you help me inquire please? . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Will do whatever I can. What exactly is needed? . Ravi Env: I need to deposit money to a wells fargo account or BOA account in the US within today. I need to know what is the fastest way to transfer money from India. Urgent. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: It takes at least 2 days but let me check. I m traveling today n headed to the airport. Let me call them. . Ravi Env: Ok please let me know. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: They say at least 3 days in general but they want to know the specifics. You can reach them on (001) 315 724 4022 . Ravi Env: 3 days. No way to do it instantly? [ This sounded strange. I was surprised the person didnt even try to call them] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: They said no instant transfer. Have you checked with Western Union? . Ravi Env: They are closed here. And Western Union here can only receive but cant send because of RBI policy. . [Oh, really?] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: I closed my account with BOA but during my banking days it used to take more than 24 hours. Even locally. . Ravi Env: I thought you said you are using BOA . [This message was unusually assertive. Ravi never talks to me like this and I kind of guessed where this was going] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: I was using BOA. Right now the account is defunct. I said I always used chase n boa. I think my wife has an operative account. . Ravi Env: Maybe you can help me deposit from there? Then I will transfer it to you. Will that be faster? . [ Suspicion! Suspicion!!] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: But in any case, instant transfer, as far as I know from a foreign country is not possible. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Whats the amount? . Ravi Env: 2K USD. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: 2k is within the limits, let me check with Chase . Ravi Env: 2K cash deposit? . Ravi Env: What do you mean limit. . [Again, an unusual way for asking a question] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: There are limits on cash transfers . Ravi Env: The recipient says cash deposits have no limits. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: I faced that before with my banker . Ravi Env: He said you can deposit any amount as long as you go to the branch and bring cash.. . [ This not Ravi for sure for Ravi never appeared to be a person who would force someone like this ] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Yep, if its cash. But we are talking (about) online here . Ravi Env: You can help me deposit cash? . [ Aahaa ] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Im at the airport n there is no bank nearby. Thats the problem. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: I can only transact online . Ravi Env: I see. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: But 2k is within the limit . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: There is no problem . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Even chase guys are saying instant transfer is not possible [ I bluffed here, never made that call. But the truth is that instant transfer to a different bank account is not possible, as far as I know] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Unless its my own account . Ravi Env: Cash deposit is instant tho. . Ravi Env: But thanks anyway . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Yes but I will be landing after 9.00 local time . Ravi Env: Sure . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Should it be done today? . Ravi Env: Yeah . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Just checked .. there are only two ATMs of BoA in my town zip code .. There is no branch . locators.bankofamerica/locator/locator/LocatorAction.do . Ravi Env: ATM does cash deposits . [ There you go, man!] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: and for Wells Fargo there is nothing in 100 mile radius . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: yes but can ATM do 2k deposit? I never tried .. even if it does I need to do it after I land [ Bluff game, hehe, but I asked this question for a reason ] . Ravi Env: Yeah it does . [This answer came instantaneously. The guy who knows well about ATMs in the US does not know to find the customer support number of a bank?] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Withdrawing 2k would be a problem . Ravi Env: Then that means you cant do it. . [ I was sure at this point of time. But I just wanted to continue the conversation for fun] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: newayz lemme see what I can do . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: Left a voice mail for my wife. . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: If she checks it before 6.00 Eastern then she can do it, or else she wouldnt be. I know she is in a meeting right now. I asked her to login to my account and ping you for details. I cant check it as I will be on the plane . [Office call at this point of time. I knew it would be a looooong conversation so I had to let this thief go] . Bhardwaj Velamakanni: and my apologies if she cant do it. Its too tight to get it done today. . Ravi Env: Thats alright. . Give me your number. Will call you or have my wife call you if it is possible [Not sure if this message was delivered but I had to attend to my office call - I really wanted to play with this guy for some more time by extending the conversation] . [No response after that and THE END]
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 23:50:05 +0000