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South Fort Myers woman victim of nanny scam
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BONITA SPRINGS — A South Fort Myers woman who wanted a job as a nanny instead got scammed out of $491, Lee County Sheriff’s Office records show.
The woman posted an advertisement on a nanny-for-hire Web site. A man from England hired her as his children’s nanny. The man told the victim, Geraldine Walker, 47, he needed an apartment in Brandt Apartments on Plantation Road in Fort Myers and he would be in Fort Myers on Sept. 2.
The man asked Walker to send a deposit to Brandt Apartments based in Virginia. She wired $292 through Western Union to a woman in Norfolk, Va., records show.
After she sent the money, the man told Walker he wouldn’t arrive until Sept. 8 and told her he was sending a check for $4,000 for her to deposit into her bank account. She was to take $300 as good-faith pay for the job and to cover the money she originally paid and was told to send the remainder of the money to the Norfolk address.
She deposited the check on Sept. 8, wired an additional $169 and was about to wire $3,355.99, but “decided to cancel the transaction because it didn’t feel right to her,” according to the report.
Walker has attempted numerous times to contact the man to no avail.
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WOW! What a scam artist!
BUT WESTERN UNION should be held accountable here.
There's usually someone at both ends of the transaction.
Why not go after the people at the end location in VA?
Easy to nab this guy hopefully.
#1 Posted by beetlejuice on September 11, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So I am to assume that the check didnt clear. Sometimes I wonder about the judgement of victims in circumstances such as this. Why would she front her money for an apartment for a guy that allegedly has the funds to hire a nanny and she doesnt know. Thankfully she came to her senses before sending the balance.
#2 Posted by SandnSurf on September 11, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How was she scammed? Did the check clear or not?
#3 Posted by 5GsforCirclesofSistahs on September 11, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stupidity on her part.
Didn't she get a clue when her potential employer asked HER for money?
#4 Posted by Opinionated on September 11, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was the nanny cute? I'm asking beforehand on behalf of Smallblock and Naplestrek. They are in the market for a woman.
#5 Posted by Jadip811 on September 11, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a scarey thought that this dim wit would be taking care of kids.
#6 Posted by PHATFROG on September 11, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brilliant!!!
#7 Posted by volochine on September 12, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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