Warning.... Wheel Scam (Mohammed) is back!!

[Jay Herbert]

I got this email today, it looks like our scam artist is back. Everybody be careful, if it is him, he usually wants to get paid via Western Union, so there is no way to trace the money, and once picked up, it's gone.

He "sells" things like hard tops, and wheels. He has "bought" at least one Viper engine, and one set of wheels. He pay's at the pickup point with stolen checks. So he does have some merchandise to "really" sell, but it is stolen.

I'm not sure I got back to him in time, I hope I did. Both Western Union and the FBI had agents assigned. If any of you get contacted, let me know, and I'll put you in contact with them.

Like last time, Mohammed replied to a "Wheels Wanted" ad in the classifieds. Please remember, board users all over the world are usually willing to go check out merchandise for other board users. This fellow tried to sell me a hard top. I told him to "deliver it", to a fellow local to where he said he was, who would then pay him. It never showed up....I got lucky.

Here is the letter:

"I'm about to purchase some Viper wheels in the next hour or so, but I think it may be a scam. They come from England via Moe, short for Mohamed, who is an American airlines pilot living in Florida.

Have you heard of this guy, and could you give me a call."

 

[Larry Macedo]

My father-in-law flies left seat for AA. If your sure he flies for them and resides in Florida, I'll have him check into it, just forward to me all the info on this ass clown.

 

[JonB]

See my earlier post on this a few days ago.

Larry, he says he is out of Orlando area !! Claims he has a hood in Orlando

 

[VIPERCANE]

If he is in Orlando, I am sure Larry and I can track this guy down. I can also use all my various contacts with the local PDs and Sheriff Depts. in the area for info. Let me know.

Bindy

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I remember this guy. Seems he would change his MO since 9/11. "Mohamed, who is an American airlines pilot living in Florida"

I wouldn't buy anything from anybody named "Mohamed." In fact, maybe we should hunt...er, I mean track him down.

 

[Jay Herbert]

Here is the link to Jon B's post on this subject, I missed it the other day.

I was working with Gary Maher of the Western Union Security Department, I'll see if he is still "it" and check to see if the same secret service agent is working the case too. Paul Scharf was also working with law enforcement as well, he may want to get in on this:

Paul Scharf
Don Scharf Automotive, Inc
800-338-4002
Eagle River, WI 54521

Let's see if we can catch him this time. Last time Sean Roe had police waiting for him as Mo was to deliver a Viper V-10 to him, Mo never showed.... then disappeared, 'till now. Mo is a work of art, he uses stolen cell phone numbers, stolen checks, the works.

 

[andrew8896]

He is back alright. If anyone has specific FBI / Western Union contact info (agents on the case), send it to me ASAP. I have some info about this guy.

 

[Larry Macedo]

And this guy is allegedly an Airline Pilot flyin for AA? Or is that just the story he uses?

 

[Vipermed 97.01]

Just sold a hood to a person named mohammed,all seemed to go well including the wire transfer.The hood is being shipped to saudi arabia

 

[Jay Herbert]

Different Mohammed........ Our guy does not pay with real money, he uses stolen checks or credit cards when is is on the buying end and asks for payment via Western Union when he wants to get paid for parts he does not deliver.

 

[MbnViper]

I wouldn't buy anything from anybody named "Mohamed." In fact, maybe we should hunt...er, I mean track him down.

sadly i dont have someting to offer for sale to prove you something (i know you wont buy), but comeon criticizing and stereotyping wont leads us to anything. and names are just names they wont tell you what you are and who you are, and by the way my name is Mohammed too.


P.S. anyone here wired him when he was in a specific country ?

 

[Bonkers]

MBN - I know he sounds like a total [******], but Chucks a good guy - I think he meant from the past experieince with this particular Mohammad that he wouldn't chance it again. This all happened before I arrived (or became really involved) but I have been personally warned about this guy as well.

 

[MbnViper]

Bonkers, i didn’t said he is not a nice guy, i dont know the man so i cant judge him, its just i felt that some people will judge you by your name sometimes not by your acts, so i said i dont have something to sell if i did i wanted to prove that not any Mohammed is like this Wheel Scam (Mohammed), no flame intended here, if i misunderstood the post please accept my apology. Mbn

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Isn't this tha same dude that took the Woodhouse Dealership for a Prowler years ago?

 

[Janni]

Isn't this tha same dude that took the Woodhouse Dealership for a Prowler years ago?

Nope, Alan, that was Alex Astor from my neck of the woods.....

 

[Paul S Lacey]

If its the ebay one then its easy to smell a rat, the wheels are in England, the guys in Italy and you pay the US in dollars?

And all for a set of SRT10 wheels, right I may not have a handgun any more (in this great UK country) but great idea lets go hunting sorry tracking.

 

[andrew8896]

Well, you can bet Mohammed was just an alias anyway (he does speak arabic however, and his english is far from perfect... FYI, in case anyone ever has the pleasure of speaking with him). Here are some of his new aliases:

Alias 1: Merca Mancini, 291 high road London, UK E10 5QN [email protected]
Alias 2: Merca Mancini, 291 high road London, UK E10 5QN [email protected]
Alias 3: Carlos Vargas,1a bow street London, UK e151hd [email protected]

Maybe that will force him into getting some new fake ID's.

Mr X was pretty good, he managed to take some money from me! I will keep the info coming on him, I wouldnt mind reducing his illegal income.

 

[andrew8896]

The guy is in Italy? If that is true, I have to change my plane tickets...

 

[Jay Herbert]

He is back alright. If anyone has specific FBI / Western Union contact info (agents on the case), send it to me ASAP. I have some info about this guy.

Gary Maher of the Western Union Security Department
[email protected]

 

[Jay Herbert]

If its the ebay one then its easy to smell a rat, the wheels are in England, the guys in Italy and you pay the US in dollars?

And all for a set of SRT10 wheels, right I may not have a handgun any more (in this great UK country) but great idea lets go hunting sorry tracking.

Hre is the lastest attemp by Mo. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL HIM... beware if you get an inquiry from, either this email or phone number. I am forwarding all this to Gary at WU.

Subj: Viper Club of America Classifieds request more info about Ad Number 4440
Date: 10/21/2003 6:39:06 AM Central Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: **********************




hello i have a set of 2003 viper wheels i just got off mine i can sell them to you for $1700 including the shipping i am a pilot living in the usa i love vipers and i always buy the parts just to keep i also race them i have a set of 1998 rt/10 wheels also i bought them from england from a wrecked one if interested i can sell you those also for $1200 if you will buy both sets i can give you a deal all for $2600 i am overseas at this time you can call me at 011-20122500616 any time i can have them shipped to you right away .i usually buy parts from europe i get them cheap.
thank you

 

[MbnViper]

011-20122500616 !!!!!!!! italy ? this number if im not mistaken is in Egypt (Cairo)? and a mobile i believe

 

[andrew8896]

Just FYI, I have been talking to Gary Maher at [email protected]

 

[Jay Herbert]

011-20122500616 !!!!!!!! italy ? this number if im not mistaken is in Egypt (Cairo)? and a mobile i believe

Possible, he has used stolen cell phone numbers in the past. Guess you can steal a number from anywhere and use it on "roaming"?

 

[Jay Herbert]

Just FYI, I have been talking to Gary Maher at [email protected]

I got this from Gary today, sounds like we need to go to the FBI:

To: Jay Herbert <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Fwd: WHEEL SCAM E=MAIL

Jay;

That is what I heard from another person. I think we need to get someone from the Internet Fraud Complaint Center involved. If you would have the two people that have been taken report the incidents to them. They can report it on line from the FBI web site and click on the IFCC moniker. They can then fill out the form. The IFCC will call me and I will assist them with the cases.


Gary E. Maher


I think this is what Gary is referring to:

internet fraud complaint center

 

[Gerald]

anyone that solits YOU On the internet is mostl likely a scam artist...

 

[Jay Herbert]

anyone that solcits YOU on the internet is most likely a scam artist...

What this fellow is doing is looking though the "parts wanted" in the classifieds, and contacting those people who are looking for (primarily) wheels and hardtops.

In general, if everyone would follow good buying practices (COD, pay via Escrow, or have a fried check out the merchandise/and or pick up the merchandise) they would not get burned.

Buy asking for payment via Western Union the scammer sort of pulls a fast one, people pay Western Union via credit card, so the THINK they are covered, but what many do not realize is it is actually a "Cash Advance" (similar to writing one of those checks the credit card company sends you, or using your credit card to get cash from and ATM) so you are not covered if the transaction is fruadulent and the goods are not delivered like you are on most credit card transations..... it is a "Cash" transaction.

 

[Paul S Lacey]

Ex British Bobbie, still got some friends left in so if you need any help checking addresses etc then let me know

 

[Jay Herbert]

Got this from Gary at Western Union:

Jay:

We can try to shut him down but he will just change his name. Lets catch this guy instead of going round and round with him. Contact law enforcement and I will help them catch him.




OK, anyone got anything lately? WU will assist law enforcement to catch him.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

This one sounds fishy!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33742&item=2441721151


Description
Brand new set of four Dodge Viper Wheels. These things are still in the box, only one box has been open, and that was so I can take a picture. These are straight from DaimlerChrysler. These are not a knockoff. Please mail me with any questions in:[email protected] Thanks...

 

[GR8_ASP]

I like the ship to locations: "Will ship to United States, Caribbean, Middle East, Mexico and Central America, Africa, South America, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Canada."

So where is this Australasia?

In the ebay ad he does not even mention what year, size or any details of the wheels. With no ebay history only a fool who wants to be parted from his money will bite.