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June 08, 2005
Tramps and Thieves 1
"Scammer Kate"
"Fake Family Yusi, pregnant wife, and kid"
On April 11, I received a nice email from a woman in Austria, who inquired about my work. She seemed very genuine and interested in purchasing a painting for her brother in Spain who was opening a "motel". Well, I have not seen much original art in motels in the USA, but figured maybe it was a European thing. As the month went on, she selected a piece of work and had a cousin in the US send me the funds in US Postal Money orders. Just as I was ready to ship the painting out to Spain, she sent me an urgent email claiming that her brother's wife had just been in a "fatal" car accident and she no longer wanted the art. She requested that I wire the money (minus 10% for my troubles) to her brother to cover medical expenses. I have to admit I almost fell for the scam. This type of crime is running rampant at present.
Also I found that "Kate" is all over websites that report fraud, and just today the money orders were returned as fake. I hope that by posting the following transcripts you can be entertained, enlightened, and a bit more cautious about things that seem to be too good to be true...
Subject: Interested in your Painting
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: April 11, 2005 6:17:06 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was browsing through the internet for good-looking paintings for sale and i came across your website. I will be very glad to have a price list for your available original paintings as i am very much interested in purchasing some paintings.
Kindly get back to me as soon as possible.
Regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Subject: Update..
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: April 12, 2005 6:52:54 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I will like to purchase your “Two White Chairs” 1998 36" x 50". Kindly get back to me with the Total cost(Shipping inclusive) to have it shipped to my brother in Spain who is setting up a Motel.
The painting sould be shipped using the following coordinates:
Yusi Kabalondi
10 Butibamba,
La Cala de Mijas 29649
Spain
I await to read from you soonest.
Regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Michael Pfleghaar
Kate
Thank you for your interest in my work. My pricing is by size and
media. Here is a basic web page of prices to give you an idea of the
range of works on paper vs works on canvas and board. If there is a
specific work you are interested in please let me know and I can get
you a price.
thanks so much and look forward to talking with you further.
Michael
http://www.pfleghaar.com
http://www.pfleghaar.com/sketchblog
Subject: New Update..
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: April 12, 2005 11:24:47 PM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
You are certainly correct about my choice.
I await to read from you.
Regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Michael Pfleghaar
Kate..
Just to be clear this is the painting you are interested in correct?
I will double check the size too.
Should have a shipping cost tonight or early am.
thanks
Michael
http://www.pfleghaar.com
http://www.pfleghaar.com/sketchblog
Subject: I will get back to you..
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: April 14, 2005 6:01:18 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Michael,
I am glad to see that we have finalised on the sales.
I am Ok with the total cost of US$3,700.00. I am
currently on an official assignment in Austria and
will be free to go and send you a Money Order of the
stated amount by weekend.
I will update you as regards payment by Monday.
Regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Pfleghaar
Kate
The total shipping, wood crating and insurance is
$814.88 via UPS 3-5
day shipping. Its the cheapest way to go...even
better than by boat.
I know thats kind of high so I would be willing to
split that with you
and charge you $400 for shipping plus $3300 for the
painting.
If that sounds good, next we will need to figure
how best for you to
pay for this. I can take the payment via Paypal if
you have an account
that is verified. My paypal ID is
************. I also can
fax you an invoice and you can sign it and put your
credit card number
on it and fax it back to me. I must have a signed
copy to process a
sale of this size. The other thing you can do is
express payment to me
in the form of a certified check or international
money order in US$.
My address is
Michael Pfleghaar
Grand Rapids, MI
Please let me know ASAP so I can let the shippers
know what to do.
thanks
Michael
http://www.pfleghaar.com
http://www.pfleghaar.com/sketchblog
Subject: Update on Payment...
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: April 18, 2005 7:13:06 PM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Michael,
I am very sorry for getting back to you this late. I had a pile of work on my table this morning at work and has been very busy ever since.
I was at the nearest post office on Saturday to purchase the Money Order and i was told that they are in short of US Money Order as they normally bring in Money Order's from the US once every two weeks and the next batch will be coming in by this Thursday.
I am very sorry for any inconviniences the delay might have caused you. I really hope you can understand.
I will definitely be making the Money Order purchase this up-coming Saturday and will get back to you come Monday Morning before i touch anything in the office ?.
Deepest apologies,
Kate.
Subject: Fresh update..
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: April 25, 2005 9:39:58 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Michael,
I was at the post on Saturday as i told you i will by this
weekend for your payment. Things are pretty different
here in Austria. They told me the expected batch of
Money Order they were expecting didn't make it. I was
really mad .
I then called my cousin over there in States and
instructed him to make the payment on my behalf from
there as i think it's just the best thing to do. I guess it
will be even faster to get to you if sent from over there.
He just called me some 10 minutes ago with the payment
confirmation. He has sent you the Payment. I will be very
glad to hear you have recieved it soon.
Keep me most abreast of situations from over there.
Ahah!! i just attached a picture i took from my digicam as
well a recent shot of my brother and his immediate family
at the construction site of their Motel.
Please get back to me when recieved.
Deepest regards,
Kate.
Subject: NOTICE
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: April 29, 2005 5:16:17 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Michael,
I want to inform you that you that i will be out of the office from the 29th of April t the 12th of May and will not be able to read or respond to any emails within that period.
Kindly postone the shipping of the paintwork till i get back.
Regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Subject: TRACKING INFORMATION...
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 19, 2005 10:20:24 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I just contacted my cousin as regards your payment and he informed me that he has sent it quite some time ago. He gave me the tracking number to the package.
Postal service: UPS
Tracking number: ( 1Z*************** )
Kindly get back to me as soon as you recieve the payment before shipping so i can contact my brother in spain to ensure his availability to recieve the package.
Hoping to read from you soon.
Kindest regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Subject: Happy to hear that....
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 19, 2005 4:56:27 PM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I am so happy to hear that you will be recieving the payment today hopefully. You cant imagine how happy i am as i was worried when i got back to the office to read that you have not recieved. I was short words as to what to tell you.
I will need to call Yusi in Spain to verify his availabilty to recieve the package within next week before the package is sent.
Keep me abreast of situations.
Regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Michael Pfleghaar
Kate
So good to hear from you again I was getting worried. I called UPS and
even though the package was sent on May 3 it was not picked up until
May 18th for some reason. It is due here today via overnight and I
will let you know as soon as I get this. Then tomorrow I can take the
painting to the shipping and packing place and let you know the
approximate arrival time.
thanks so much.
Michael
http://www.pfleghaar.com
http://www.pfleghaar.com/sketchblog
Subject: Great!!!
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 20, 2005 12:30:55 PM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I am so gald to have you confirm reception of the payment. I will have to call Yusi in Spain immediately to confirm his availability to recieve the package within next week before the package is sent.
Deepest regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Michael Pfleghaar
Kate
I now have the payment and will be taking the painting to the shipping
store today. I will let you know the estimated arrival date and you
can OK that with Yusi before it is shipped. Please send me a phone
number for him as well in case they require it.
thanks so much.
Michael
http://www.pfleghaar.com
http://www.pfleghaar.com/sketchblog
Subject: WHAT A TRAGEDY....ACT FAST TO SAVE A SOUL!!!
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 20, 2005 3:04:54 PM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I just finished speaking with Yusi right now on the phone....i think i'm gonna get sick. His wife got involved in a fatal car crash yesterday nightand was rushed to the hospital. I can't believe this...and she's 6 months pregnant. Yusi cried throughout our conversation.....
I still cant believe this is happening...WHAT A TRAGEDY...This is really hard for me. I will need to plead with you on the dying need to call-off my Order for the paintings for now as i believe it will be in my brother's better interest to be helped with things financially this grave critical period as he'll be spending alot in hospital bills. I cant imagine how much this will delay work at the Motel.
Honestly, i know the present situation of things will stand a great level of inconvinience for you but i just cant help better as this period considering the life of a 6-month pregnant sister in-law. She is lying helplessly at the hospital. I can't mistake the need for conpemsation for anything though. I am pleading with you to accept a compensation of 10% of the total payment. I can understand it should be small conpering to the level of inconviniece caused. Oh! What a Tragedy!!
The best help you can render me is to urgently send the balance to Yusi in spain through Western Union Money Transfer as it is the fastest way the Money can get to him. Please, kindly look up the nearest Western Union Agency. I dont really know the location of the hospital so i suggest you make the Western Union Transfer with the below stated information:
Reciever Name: Yusi Kabalondi
Location: Spain
Test question: Relationship
Answer: Client
MTCN: (to be provided after the transfer)
I will be counting on your most considerate understanding. Kindly send the above transfer details to Yusi through his email address: ( yusilondies@yahoo.com ) and also notify me as soon as it is sent so i will call him. He wouldn't be checking his mails now...i believe.
Expecting to read from you.
Best regards,
Kate.
Subject: Waiting for your response...
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 21, 2005 8:10:10 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I just checked in to see if you have been able to send Yusi the Money. I dont know what the situation stands at..have you been able to locate a Western Union Transfer Agent location?
I checked up at the Western Union website to find the closest Locations near you for ease. Below are the stated result from my search.
*********************************************************
I can only rely on your kindest consideration at this trying period. This is realy a bad period for the family.
Deepest regards,
Kate Henshaw.
Subject: Re: WHAT A TRAGEDY....ACT FAST TO SAVE A SOUL!!!
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 21, 2005 9:22:12 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
I just cant believe this!! What can i say. Please when are they clearing at the bank....Yusi really needs these funds as soon as possible.
See what you can do.
Kate.
Michael Pfleghaar
I am sorry but Western Union has advised me to not send and will not
transfer this amount at this time until your money order has cleared my
bank.
Michael
http://www.pfleghaar.com
http://www.pfleghaar.com/sketchblog
Subject: PLEASE UPDATE ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE..
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 24, 2005 10:58:22 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I just checked in to know the situation of things from your Bank. Have they cleared the Money Orders? Please let me know the position of things. Yusi called me again today...he has not been himself since the accident.
I can trust on your conscience to make the transfer down to him as fast as it possibly can be. As i believe you already know, Western Union offers oline transfer option.
Let me know as soon as the transfer is done.
Kindest regards,
Kate.
Subject: PLEASE UPDATE ME ASAP..
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 26, 2005 8:11:30 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I have not heard from you in a while. What seems to be te situation of things from over there. The situaion of my syister in-law is really grave at this time and needs urgent attention.
Please update me ASAP as regards the transfer i pleaded about to Yusi.
Waiting to read from you soonest.
Rgards,
kate Henshaw.
l Pfleghaar
I am sorry but Western Union has advised me to not send and will not
transfer this amount at this time until your money order has cleared my
bank.
Michael
http://www.pfleghaar.com
http://www.pfleghaar.com/sketchblog
Subject: PLEASE ACT FAST!!
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: May 30, 2005 4:46:34 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
How was your weekend...good i believe. I spoke to Yusi over the weekend and he told me that his wife has been transfereed to a specialist hospital in canada for a surgery. The condition of the wife seems to be deteriorating.
I dont know what the situation of things are over there as regards the money. I believe the bank must have cleared the issue by now. Kindly get back to me with an update.
As soon as it's possible to send the money to Yusi, i'll advise you seed it to him in Canada as that's his present location. The transfer should now be made to him through (MONEYGRAM INTRENATIONAL TRANSFER) using the below stated information:
Reciever's Name: Yusi kabalondi
Reciever's Address: 3726 Rue Jean Talon Est
Montreal, QC
H2A 1X9
Canada.
Sender's name and address: .....................
Trnasfer control Number: .....................
Test question and answer: .....................
Kindly forward the details of the transfer to Yusi as soon as it's made to his email address ( yusilondies@yahoo.com ) and also notify me to that respect.
I'll be looking forward to reading from you soonest.
Regards,
kate Henshaw.
Subject: Update me..
From: kattie_henshaw@yahoo.com.au
Date: June 3, 2005 4:10:56 AM EDT
To: info@pfleghaar.com
Dear Micheal,
I have not heard from you since Monday. Please update me as soon as possible.
Regards,
Kate Henshaw