A listing of names and e-mail addresses that I have come across that seem to be being used in booking scams. Please send me any others you may have come across.

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Sender: BARRY COLEMAN

From: BARRY COLEMAN <barrycoleman02@gmail.com>

Reply-To: barrycoleman01@gmail.com

Subject: Reservation!!

The mail message exactly as I received it.

Dear sir/ma
I'm really glad to contact you about some reservations i'll like to  book for my guests in your hotel.
I'm Mr Barry Coleman  a citizen of United Kingdom . but i'm  currently in germany for a construction purpose. Please note that my  guests are coming to your country for the holiday vacation and i'll  want them to lodge in your hotel. Three couples will be coming , so  go ahead and reserve rooms for the below details.
GUESTS NAMES.          Room rate
1.MR/MRS thompson      double ROOM
2.MR/MRS PETER         double ROOM
3.MR/MRS john          double ROOM
TOTAL :  3 DOUBLE ROOM.
CHECK IN : 20/03/ 2009
CHECK OUT :25/03/ 2009
So, go ahead and reserve three double room for the dates provided  above  and kindly get back to me with the total cost in english  pounds. ( GBP OR DORLLARS) .. Then i can provide my credit card  details for you to charge the amount.
Also, please note that i'll not provide my credit card for you to  use as guarantee, note that the total amount will be charge from it  and i'll be needing an invoice after i have make the payment. So,  confirm availability and get back to me with the total cost in  english pounds ( GBP OR DOLLARS ).
Awaiting your swift response.
Many thanks,
Barry Coleman

Obvious clues that this is a scam.

• 3rd party mail account
• Different From and Reply To
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Case Misuse/Abuse
• Extra Spaces
• I’m not a hotel, do you book before you know what for and how much

I responded with the following mail

Hi Barry

Thank you for your enquiry. I have space on the dates you requested.

6 people for 5 nights @ R450 per person per night = R13500 or 1000GBP
50% booking confirmation fee = 500GBP

Please send though your credit card details so that I can deduct the Booking Confirmation fee.

regards, Grant

“Barry’s” Response

Hello Grant,

Thanks for the bookings and the total cost of the accommodation is okay by me and i’m ready to pay the bills.

I want you to help me send (GBP 4,500) to a travel agent. This (GBP 4,500) That will be sent to this Travel agent is for the Air-ticket fare of  my staffs coming down to your country which will be deducted from my secured credit card.

Also, i’m compesating you with the sum of (GBP 500) for the transfer fee and for your efforts.

Note: that i should have given the travel agency my credit card for him to deduct the ticket funds but he does not  have the facilities to charge or debit credit card .

Therefore, the charges that you will make on my credit card will be :
Reservation Fee:                (GBP 1,500 )
Travel Agent Fee:                (GBP 4,500)
Transfer fee & compesation Fee:  (GBP 500 )
—————————————————–
TOTAL COST TO BE CHARGED:   (GBP 8,500)
—————————————–

Do get back to me if you are in the office right now, so that i can forward you my credit card details to charge full amount and transfer the Travel Agent funds.

Thanks For Your Understanding.

AWaiting your Quick Response.
B.Regards
Barry Coleman