Timeshare Users Group exposes scams and scum

October 8, 4:38 PMTimeshare ExaminerMark Silverman

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The Timeshare Users Group (tug2.net) is a terrific resource for owners and prospective owners of timeshare. 

Printed in its entirety here (with their permission) is one of their entries on Scams. It's an old scam, and in this case with a timeshare tweak. 

Much like the traditional “Nigerian Scam”, the syntax is awkward, and the spelling, well, creative at best.

"Send Me The Difference" Scam
This ploy attempts to get you to accept a forged or counterfeit cashier's check for more than the amount you agreed to rent or sell your timeshare.
They then request you to send the balance of the money to the thief via untraceable methods. As it may take a week or more for your bank to discover the fraud, the thief will be counting on your honesty to send the difference balance as soon as possible.

Western Union is a favored service since there is no paper trail after the thief picks up his cash at the receiving Western Union office.
The following email exchange is just one such example of the scheme:
In a message dated 29/03/2006 00:30:11 GMT Standard Time, terry_cambell202@yahoo.com writes:
Dear Sir/Madam,

I Would like to make enquiry about your suite for Weekl?Village Resort  in South Wales, so  I presently run a textile and fabrics firm I inherited from My late Dad in the Holland and I want to have  company as a Representative/book keeper in South Wales . My company produces various clothing materials, Batiks, assorted fabrics and Traditional costume which I am planing to have clients we supply  Weekly in South Wales . My worker's will come to South Wales for holiday
 
I WILL AWAIT YOUR URGENT RESPONSE.
Warmest Regards,
Terry
CEO H&L Fabrics & Textiles



Dear Terry
 
Thank you for your mail regarding the holiday unit that I have for rent.  The unit is available for one week only from 5th - 12th August 2006 and details can be seen via the hyperlink in the advert.
 
Should you wish to rent the unit for this week I will need a deposit of �200 to secure he booking and the balance of �800 (using an exchange rate of $1.75/�) should be paid by mid-May.  When paying the balance I will require a list of the names of the people who will be staying in the unit (up to six people maximum) so that I can issue the reservation certificate in the correct names.
 
Kind regards
Mrs Lis W-----

-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Cambell [mailto:terry_cambell202@yahoo.com]
Sent: 30 March 2006 12:06
To: Ms---@aol.com
Subject: Re: 08-05-2006
Hello Mrs Lis W-----,

Thanks for your mail, we our really still interested in renting the apartment on 5th - 12th August 2006 )Fine we are ready to pay �1000 for a week and we are going to rent two weeks,Please My client in the United Kingdom that is indebted to us in the amount of 4,500 pounds,

i will want you to forward to me the the following informations below that i will need to forward to the My client indebted to me so that they can make out the payment directly to you and you will deduct ur money out and have the excess amount on the payment sent to my ticket agent via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER ,

All charges you are to pay at the western union office when sending the excess amount of money should be deducted from my balance, And since i am renting your (Apartment ) from you at this time,I will want to really be sure that my funds will be safe in your hands ,So inorder for us to complete the renting of the (Apartment ) now,I will want you to get back to me with the following informations inorder for me to forward it to the My Client inorder for her to make out the payment in your name and send it to you with out any furtherdelay,
The following informations that i will require from you are as follows,

1] YOUR FULL NAME TO BE WRITTEN ON THE CHECK,
2] YOUR DIRECT HOUSE ADDRESS WHERE YOU WILL WANT THE PAYMENT TO BE SENT TO,
3] YOUR DIRECT CELL PHONE NUMBER THAT YOU CAN BE REACHED AT ANYTIME OF THE DAY

Upon receipt of this informations i have just requested from you,I will immediately forward it to the Company indebted to me to make out the payment in your name and send it to you immediately,I will be awaiting your response as soon as you get this mail,Do confirm this mail and get back to me as soon as possible.
Thanks
Steve