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Shanghai Expat Forum Index » City Living Forums » Questions and Answers

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MoonOverMiami
PopStar
PopStar

Joined: Jan 07, 2008
Posts: 1044

Posted: Oct 20, 2009 - 09:01 PM

Another possibility is someone saw your transfer application form if you arranged it in-house. If you observe the tellers in any bank (at least the ones I've been to), they're pretty careless about preventing people from seeing the forms the previous customer just filed. Could have gotten your number from there and the name of the recipient as well.

Report this with the bank/police and see if they can find out who the account belongs to, and who the cellphone number belongs to as well.

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Shangstar

Low Seater

Joined: Feb 07, 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Spitland
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 20, 2009 - 09:16 PM

possibly.........I go to the Premier cashier at the back, and the form I filled in was taken and stored behind the Window, I saw him. Also, I'd doubt if another premier customer would bother to do this. I would assume the number is untraceable, and that the bank account was probably created using fake id, with just the cash card working. I think I will just report it to my bank, and to the beneficiary bank, and let them deal with it.

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officeguy

Seeker

Joined: Oct 22, 2008
Posts: 61

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 08:43 PM

Shangstar wrote:

I usually pay my landlord by bank transfer. I had a few issues with my bank, HSBC, the last time I tried to do a transfer, and the payment could not be made, but it worked eventually when I arranged it in-branch.

Today, out of the blue, I get an SMS from an unknown Chinese mobile number saying that the payment to my landlord (they got the name right), could not be made, asking me to make the payment to a specified account. They also have the benficiary bank correct, but obviously the number is completely different. Obviously I didn't do it, mainly because I did pay the rent and the landlord has confirmed he never sent the SMS.

What's going on here do you reckon? I am worried that the transaction my end has been monitored somehow, or it has been so on the landlord's side. Any advice on what to do? How did they get my number, and the landlords name and bank branch? It makes no mention of the payment being rent, just refers to a "payment". Its in Chinese.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200910/20091022/article_4 17116.htm`

Shanghaidaily

Foreigner latest to fall for phone scam
By Jane Chen | 2009-10-22 | ONLINE EDITION

A FOREIGN resident has become the latest victim of a mobile phone scam after transferring her rental money to a bank account sent by an unknown cell phone.

The woman has reported the case to the police who are investigating, today's Oriental Morning Post reported.

The woman, surnamed Jones by the newspaper, received a text message saying: "Haven't you sent me the money? My bankcard is not working and please send the money to the new card number 6228481120648116213."

The woman thought the message was from her landlord because her rent was due that day, so she transferred 12,600 yuan (US$1,845.56) to the Agricultural Bank of China account.

Shangstar

Low Seater

Joined: Feb 07, 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Spitland
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 08:54 PM

yeah the SMS I got was similar - Agri Bank but different account number. Should I report it to the cops?

My SMS message was as follows

From: +8615261766247
钱还没到汇吧，那张卡没磁性了，请把钱汇到衣行卡上：6228481700685273512. 户名：【landlord's name except for one character]. 办完后短信告知。

Last edited by Shangstar on Oct 22, 2009 - 09:04 PM; edited 1 time in total

Marakanis
Wonder Wit

Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Posts: 3851

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 09:03 PM

Couldn't hurt??

Shangstar

Low Seater

Joined: Feb 07, 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Spitland
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 09:05 PM

...lanlord doesn't give me fapiaos so i guess he's not fully compliant with the tax laws!

I think I will report it with a Chinese friend, so long as the LL doesnt mind.

Shangstar

Low Seater

Joined: Feb 07, 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Spitland
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 09:16 PM

actually, a quick google search of that account number and similar strings results in Chinese reports of similar scams, with that same name. There's no mention of rent in the SMS - just "payment". I guess the name almost matching my landlord's might just be coincidence?

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paulinshanghai

Reacher

Joined: Nov 13, 2008
Posts: 368
Location: Puxi
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 10:36 PM

Sorry, but that scam seems way too easy. Didn't the girl from the SH Daily article think of calling the number? If someone (even someone I knew) asked for that much money I would probably talk to them, not just receive an SMS and pay.

Likewise if someone owed me 12000rmb in rent I wouldn't just SMS telling them to pay.
Maybe Im wrong.

Interested in Shangstars story though. Seems they have a lot more detail about you!

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Shangstar

Low Seater

Joined: Feb 07, 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Spitland
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Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 10:39 PM

the scammer might even be my landlord - yikes!!!

But you;re right Paul - some people are way too thick. Anything from an unknown Chinese number is probably suspect. I suppose not everyone is that bright, and if the scammers send out enough messages, someone might be dumb enough to send the money.

monalisalee

StreetBeater

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2464
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 - 11:37 PM

Yeah, it's like 1/1000 is probably a good hit rate.
African scammers would think so.
We have had some very strange messages on our cell, but if we dont recognise the number, we IGNORE.
Scary, but.

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johnboy88

Zak101

FooJay

Joined: Jan 20, 2003
Posts: 1605
Location: 苏州 Suzhou
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 23, 2009 - 12:34 AM

^^ Absolutely. Not a pop up as a recorded cell phone number with user ID, it's deleted city - without even bothering to read it. Except when I expect time confirmed calls.

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sid275

Newbie

Joined: Oct 28, 2009
Posts: 7

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 03:28 AM

hi all

my first post on this forum here, its about the well known tea house scam . . it happened in Beijing though, and is a very weird thing that happened to me on my first night there

I had been to Beijing many times before , and knew of the tea house scams and everything, but it was my first night in the town , was bored, it was late at night, had nothing to do.

I was walking back to my hotel, the Regen Beijing, and saw this beautifull girl standing on the street, just in front of the driveway to the hotel entrance, at first I thought she was waiting for somebody , but then she started talking to me and started the usual line of "want to practise my english lets go for drinks" me being bored and wanting some company said , sure why not.

Off we went , to a place called "beijing bar" wich I actually knew from before and where I had been to on my own . We ended up drinking wine and vodka untill maybe 5 in the morning. We were in a private room and while drinking we were playing strip poker. Was kind of fun and we both ended up getting naked in the private room. But then the bill came. It was for 3000 rmb. Couldnt believe it , **** , not that much ? Asked for the menu and saw that the glasses of wine the girl was ordering all night were listed at 245 RMB . The vodka I was mainly drinking was at 50 rmb .

Ended up paying the bill . Then the girl walked me back to the hotel and we went back to my room to play some more strip poker. Ended up **** her in my room. But me being drunk after drinking for couple of hours didnt really perform that well and she got angry . Stressing me about trying again and **** her more . Ended up having to promise to **** her again in the morning . Morning came **** her again couple of times , wasnt bad. But started feeling strange about the huge bar bill and how she orderded the most expensive wine on the menu .

So ? Did I get scammed or not ?

Marakanis
Wonder Wit

Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Posts: 3851

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 03:45 AM

You paid for a hooker, congrats.

sid275

Newbie

Joined: Oct 28, 2009
Posts: 7

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 04:22 AM

Marakanis wrote:

You paid for a hooker, congrats.

the only money that exchanged hands was when I paid the bar bill, she could have gone home after that if she was just scamming me

dys

Barker

Joined: Feb 14, 2007
Posts: 142

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 04:24 AM

no i dont reckon you got scammed there. If she wasnt interested in screwing you she could have walked away at the end of the night with her commission. I reckon she was pretty pleased with her earnings for the night, thought you seemed like a decent enough guy and was quite drunk, and probably fancied a shag.

Marakanis
Wonder Wit

Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Posts: 3851

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 11:07 AM

sid275 wrote:

Marakanis wrote:

You paid for a hooker, congrats.

the only money that exchanged hands was when I paid the bar bill, she could have gone home after that if she was just scamming me

If you nail her again without paying for a ton of ridiculously priced drinks, don't be shocked when an angry pimp shows up at your door demanding money.

rocco72

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 8212
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 11:16 AM

She probably took commission from the bar. i wouldn't be surprised about that.

Marakanis
Wonder Wit

Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Posts: 3851

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 12:38 PM

rocco72 wrote:

She probably took commission from the bar. i wouldn't be surprised about that.

Yeah, 200kuai + drinks are called "Lady Drinks." The girl has to sell a certain amount of them each night in order to earn her keep. Chances are she's drinking water or something really close to it. Usually you have to negotiate to take the girl home, but I imagine if you spend over a certain amount they don't bother. The girl is a prostitute. If she chose not to charge you, congrats. You got a freebie from a prostitute.

Just be careful next time. The first try might have been free, but all bets are off after that.

Also, I hope you wore a rubber. ;D

Renovator

FooJay

Joined: Apr 18, 2007
Posts: 1633
Location: Century Park & MA,USA
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 09:51 PM

Maybe she is exploring the long term possibility of you being her ticket out of China.

leidelaohu

Board Royalty

Joined: June 11, 2007
Posts: 7200

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 10:13 PM

Marakanis wrote:

What, you saw a girl once so now you know all about them ?

Marakanis
Wonder Wit

Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Posts: 3851

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 10:57 PM

leidelaohu wrote:

Marakanis wrote:

What, you saw a girl once so now you know all about them ?

Nope, I watched a couple documentaries on the sex trade in Asia. Amusing stuff.
Why are you trolling so hard lately? Kidney stone?

KalanStar

PopStar

Joined: Oct 06, 2009
Posts: 1237
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 31, 2009 - 11:32 AM

sid275 wrote:

... But then the bill came. It was for 3000 rmb. Couldnt believe it , **** , not that much ? Asked for the menu and saw that the glasses of wine the girl was ordering all night were listed at 245 RMB . The vodka I was mainly drinking was at 50 rmb . .... But started feeling strange about the huge bar bill and how she orderded the most expensive wine on the menu .

So ? Did I get scammed or not ?

That bar bill is not too high.. ever been to Bar Rouge???

You weren't scammed, but considering your poor performance, she probably feels like she was scammed Laughing

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SnappySammy

Board Buddha

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 15136

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 01, 2009 - 03:08 AM

Next you should go for coffee with a young Lady on Nanjine rd..Who want to practise her English....I think the coffee will cheaper than the wine.....After coffee you can check out her sisters Art School Show...

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BuckPlankchest

Reacher

Joined: Aug 22, 2008
Posts: 236

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 05:29 PM

After the feeding frenzy I saw today, I felt inspired...

Hooper: You were on East Nanjing Rd?
Brody: What happened?
Quint: Two art students grabbed onto our side, Chief. We was comin' back from lunch at Kathleen 5...just got a raise. A big raise. Eleven hundred dollars a month more into my wallet. She had my wallet in 12 minutes. Didn't see the first girl for about a half a second. Tiger lady. 1.3-meter. You know how you know that when you're on the street, Chief? You tell by looking from her fake Cons to her ponytail. What we didn't know, was our meeting was so secret, no one else was going to meet us out. They didn't even list us overdue for a week. As soon as it goes dark, Chief, girls come cruisin', so we formed ourselves into tight groups. You know, it was kinda like old high school dances like you see in '80s movies, and the idea was: girl comes to the nearest man, that man he starts meiyouin' and buyaoin and no-noin' and sometimes the girl go away... but sometimes she wouldn't go away. Sometimes that girl she looks right into ya. Right into your eyes. And, you know, the thing about a Nanjing Lu girl... she's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When she comes at ya, doesn't seem to be harmful... until she grabs ya, and those black eyes bat their lashes at you and then... ah then you hear that terrible high-pitched Chinglish whinin'. Watches and DVDs get shoved in your face, and despite all the meiyouin' and the buyaoin', they all come in and they...annoy you to pieces. You know by the end of that first block, lost a hundred men. I don't know how many girls, maybe a thousand. I know how many men, they averaged six a minute. Days later, Chief, I bumped into a friend of mine, Herbie Robinson from Cleveland. Executive. Fat wallet. I thought he was sleep walking. I reached over to wake him up. He was just wandering around, saying something about not needing any more paintings and how expensive could tea be. Noon, the fifth day, Mr. Hooper, a friend of ours saw us. He swung in low and he saw us... he was a young kid, a lot younger than Mr. Hooper, but smart enough to stay away. Anyway, he saw us and he come in low and three hours later a big dark blue Buick GL8 comes down and starts to pick us up. You know that was the time I was most frightened... waitin' for my turn. I'll never go anywhere without my driver again. So, eleven hundred dollars went in the wallet; 316 jiao left and the girls took the rest, November the 8th, 2009. Anyway, we got some nice chopsticks.

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netzwerg

Barker

Joined: Sep 30, 2009
Posts: 130

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 11, 2009 - 08:53 PM

Marakanis wrote:

For example, a girl I knew got in a taxi cab and the driver did something that she noticed was different when he put down the ticker to start the cab fare accumulation. It was ticking like crazy and a trip that should have cost about 15 RMB ended up being nearly 40. She called her Shanghainese friend and explained the situation and then handed the phone to the cab driver.

The cab driver tried to get my friend's Shanghainese friend TO GO IN ON IT AND HELP CHEAT HER OWN FRIEND!

Taxi drivers occasionally try to rip me off too, they probably have some switch somewhere to cheat the ticker or something and think I am a stupid tourist.

I dont argue with them anymore, thats a waste of time, if I smell clear fraud I give him 12rmb (or nothing), take a cell phone photo of his taxi licence and walk off. They never call police or something (and hopefully are happy that I dont call police) because they dont want to loose their licence and dont want their car examined.

The cops can get very serious with taxi drivers manipulating their tickers here in Shanghai, revoking their licence and sending them back to real China...