Beware of Scammers

Member since 27 September 2011

ExpatDaveSerial expat31 March 2018 22:22:58

600

Please be advised that there is a low-life scammer, a Gringo, using my photo when he attempts to scam people. He is using a photo of me standing next to two Scarlet Macaws. If you see this photo and someone is trying to buy or sell you something - IT IS NOT ME, it is a scam.

He attempted to scam me months ago and got as far as getting a copy of my Cedula. He was also able to copy the picture I had on my phone on WhatsApp. He stated he was going to transfer funds to my bank account to hold a moto that I had for sale on Craigslist. Now I know... YOU CANNOT TRANSFER FUNDS BY PHONE IN COSTA RICA. If someone tries to get any information about your bank account on the phone, it is a scam.

If you attempt to sell something in CR, only sell to people who are willing to personally meet with you. I didn’t think I would ever be scammed by someone; however, they are very good, will come across as very professional, and I came very close.

I know of one person that I knew years ago who was already scammed using my photo. I sincerely hopes no one else does. Please advise people that you know of this.

- Expat Dave

Priscilla ViP

Member since 30 May 2013

PriscillaViP02 April 2018 13:18:09

42358

Hi Expat Dave,

Thanks for letting everyone know about that scam going on and we are sorry for you as well.

If the scammer is here on Expat.com, the team can help you.
So can you please state where these scams are taking place please? Is it a fake profile on expat.com ?

Thanks for your feedback,

Priscilla
Expat.com team

ExpatDave Serial expat

Member since 27 September 2011

ExpatDaveSerial expat02 April 2018 21:26:28

600

Priscilla wrote:
Hi Expat Dave,

Thanks for letting everyone know about that scam going on and we are sorry for you as well.

If the scammer is here on Expat.com, the team can help you.
So can you please state where these scams are taking place please? Is it a fake profile on expat.com ?

Thanks for your feedback,

Priscilla
Expat.com team

It did not originate from Expat.com, no. Unfortunately, Craigslist. I filed something with the police and they said they are having a major problem right now with several Gringos here and a Tico that is familiar with banking procedures. Apparently, they have scammed many thousands of dollars from people. I was fortunate that I figured it out just in time.

GinnyP Active member

Member since 13 May 2017

GinnyPActive member03 April 2018 22:27:07

Wow
Glad that you did figure this out before anything bad happened.
I’ve been hit hard by check fraud from a check I wrote. 4 people copied info from a check I sent out to a fair (here in the USA) but the people that did this tried to get 48 Thousand dollars from my back account
I had to file police reports, and I even tried to call the banks where they cashed. The bad checks, the banks DIDNT CARE! But I did & boy I was mad when the back just ok thanks. I gave the names of the people who cashed the checks and the tellers, but they still didn’t care.
I wanted to see all of them in handcuffs and marched off to jail. That didn’t happen either. I wanted justice but didn’t get it. So I had to stop writing checks and change banks to a different credit union

ExpatDave Serial expat

Member since 27 September 2011

ExpatDaveSerial expat04 April 2018 01:33:59

600

I posted a warning to people on the Costa Rica Craigslist warning them not to trust anyone using my photo and/or name. I posted under several headings. I checked today and Craigslist had removed them. I shouldn't be surprised. I guess they prefer people not know the truth.