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Cockatoo......scam???

I have been looking for a cockatoo and came across on e free for adoption. so i emailed saying i was interested.

This was first message
Have seen your mail but sorry at work now so will reply you better only when I get home.

thanks
estella P

Second message was
Opps. sorry I got your mail only now. Home pc crashed down and it is going to be fixed today however. at work now and cant make any call. but you could call us anything through 07031954464 and surely my husband will answer.

I phoned them earlier and was given another email address to which i had to send my name address and phone numbers which i did.

Then i received this message


Welcome to the city delivery customer service email provider for PETAIR home delivery service. We have information about A (PET) here from:


Names............................... .....................Mr. Menshina Roy
CITY........................................................Dundee
COUNTRY..............................................SCOTLAND
Telephone:........................................... 07031954464
Address...........................................Castlecroft Centre, Tom Johnston Rd, Dundee, Angus, DD4 8XD
N/B we have received confirmation by sender from our headquarter for wiring the urgent delivery fee confirmation of £20 from the sender.

To be delivered to your home address listed at:

Names....................................Julie Prxxxx
Country..................................ENGLAND/UK
House Address..........................4xxxxxL.
Telephone .............................xxxxxxxx

This Bird will come with all necessary papers needed, But as the city veterinarians must conduct another tests to be sure of its health, it was done and all was fine.


PAPERS INLCUDED:



Kennel Club
Veterinary Certificate
Deworm
Shot records
New cage
Health guarantee



So the Bird is now ready for delivery. But it should be noted that this delivery cannot be carried out unless the delivery charges of (£150) is paid for the delivery of the Bird.

This payment is to be done to the Headquarter of the animal moving board and implementation department of the company in BRITISH-CAMEROON.
Payments are made via MONEY GRAM STORE to the animal moving board in BRITISH CAMEROON USING THE ADDRESS BELOW:



NAMES:........................................................... EKUM SCOTT
COUNTRY:.......................................................... CAMEROON
CITY :....................................................................LIMBE
ZIP CODE:........................................................... 00237..
you will need a test question, make it to me?
TEST QUESTION............................................... HELLO
ANSWER............................................................HI.


Which will come alongside with one of our pet carrier.
AFTER CONFIRMATION OF ADDRESS, AND AFTER MAKING PAYMENT GET BACK TO US WITH THE 8 DIGIT REFERENCE NUMBER GIVEN TO YOU AT THE MONEYGRAM STORE BY E-MAIL OR BY CALL.

The Bird is registered under urgent delivery and after confirmation of address and charges paid, we shall provide you with the Time schedule of the arrival and departure of the BIRD.

Thanks
General Manager
Mr. STEVEN MORGAN

TEL: 07024083562



STAY TO ENJOY THE SERVICES OF PET AIR CARRIERS


SECRETARY
Mrs. CHRIS CHAMBERS

PetAir UK. Safe Hands - Safe Journey

This concerned me bit because it said bird was in Glasgow and free to good home. And i have now received a phone call asking if i received message yet and to act on it quickly as bird is waiting to be flown to me in 20 mins.

My gut says this is baddddd.

Julie
«1

Comments

  • Juliep
    Juliep Posts: 136 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    A bit more information for you...

    The site i found the bird on was http://www.oodle.co.uk/sale/pet/bird/-/pet_breed_cockatoo/?inbs=1 and it is no longer there now but others seem to have appeared that also seem dodgy.

    This is the message i received after i made the phonecall and sent my details.

    Hiya,
    Thanks for getting back to me with the details. Well i will take the baby to the agency right now for delivery arrangement and when i am through, the agency will contact you on how you will be getting the baby. Do not send any email to using any email address, keep on using menshina@yahoo.com. From my house to the agency is just about 15minutes drive. As soon as i am back, i will let you know. Thanks


    Now i dont believe i am going the bird no matter what, but would anyone send money to these guys!!
  • shelley_crow
    shelley_crow Posts: 1,644 Forumite
    Scam scam scam.

    I am a member of a reptile forum where the same scam is in operation regarding snakes. I'll try and find a link for you, the message they received is almost identical.

    If you asked for a bird, why is there a bit that says about the "Kennel Club?" I thought that was only for dogs? Methinks they may be running the same scam with puppies too.
  • vippymini
    vippymini Posts: 472 Forumite
    Scam, do not touch.......

    If your looking for a nice friendly pet cockatoo find a nice breeder where you can askmany questins and getto know a bird your going to purchase.. 1 tip too's are very loud :o
  • i`ve fallen for this scam i was a bit sus about it but husband said yes lets do it we have now paid £350 pounds out for kittens and still haven`t recived anything keeo being palmed of i`ve contacted the police and i`m waiting for them to come out. it is bad enough losing the money but my son is heartbroken about it all
  • Definately a scam, there are so many about :( most of them from the Cameroon.

    Are you sure you want a cockatoo? Have you thought about what type? I don't know what experience you have with parrots but please, please research this very carefully - 'toos are very difficult, demanding birds and usually don't make good pets. There are far too many that just get passed around between homes as they are too noisy/destructive/aggressive etc :cry:

    If you do decide to get one, bear in mind that there is no such thing as a free parrot. Cockatoos usually cost £800+ depeding on type, and the more rare ones need CITES documentation. If you find one at a reduced price, it'll be a bird with serious behavioural issues, or more likely, a scam.
  • mine was a kitten i got scamed on i`m so upset by it all my son keeps sayin will the kitten be here in a bit i`ve tried to explain to him but he can`t take it all in
  • syledis
    syledis Posts: 95 Forumite
    Please read this form todays Scottish Sunday Mail, yes the woman is so naive its not true but i still feel sorry for her and her kids.
    http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/lifestyle/law-advice/2008/10/05/1800-victims-of-african-dog-dealers-78057-20774414/
  • bartman
    bartman Posts: 325 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Looking for a cockatoo? Isn't that what George Michael was doing again the other week when he got arrested?
  • tia1803
    tia1803 Posts: 767 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    OMG I CANT BELIEVE THIS!!!
    a few months ago my friend was looking for a puppy and reading the 1st post....it is identical to what we recieved!!!!!
    same address,number and even to the point about the husband answering!!!
    2013 wins...angry birds knex.
  • tia1803
    tia1803 Posts: 767 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    is the number traceable????
    2013 wins...angry birds knex.
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