Today, I got a call for Air ticket inquiry. As a travel agent, I have to share this story before it happens
to someone else. Scams come in many shapes and methods. Not only travel agents are being targeted but anyone who is willing to open the door to their scheming ways. Scammers are just like anyone else, living, surviving, and finding ways to better their life. The only difference with them and anyone else who work hard to earn is that they do not have conscience. Scammers will find ways how to earn easy as that is a job for them. Everyday, they think of how to scam. Everyday, they learn things to better their skills and so for us good hearted people, we must learn how to beat them and not fall to their scheming trap.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Travel Agents Receive Online Scams
The call came in around 9:00 a.m. As I was starting the day, working on a client’s
cruise to Europe. I actually hang up the first time because when I pick up the
phone, there was a gap like I smell scam. Lol… of course, I can’t smell scam
but I thought it weird just like using google phone connecting to your real
mobile phone, the same gap sound happens. Or is it just my gut warning me?
The call originates from (909)757-7822 and registers as a number
based in California.
The second call came in after less than a minute. The person
on the other end asks if I am the travel agent with a strong accent. I was
already kind of suspicious and did not answer in a professional manner. I
responded “Yes, I am”. He was quick to tell me he needs a ticket for February
26 or 27 and returning March 11, departing Los Angeles to Dubai. It’s a red
flag for me when booking air only with dates that close but I proceeded to see
what will happen. I asked for his name and gave his first name Karim, so I
thought.
I proceeded to ask for email address, date of birth which he provided.
Email address seems weird. You know, email address that has letters and numbers
and doesn’t make sense but who am I to judge, right? His email is citcle7750@gmail.com.
I went ahead and ask for his full name, stating letter by letter with code –
Kareem Mooney. Provided info as emailed-
KAREEM MOONEY
PASSPORT NO:482973055
DOB: OCT/20/1970
EXP: JULY/26/2022
ISSUE COUNTRY : USA
KAREEM MOONEY
PASSPORT NO:482973055
DOB: OCT/20/1970
EXP: JULY/26/2022
ISSUE COUNTRY : USA
He seems to know what a travel agent would do to make sure all
letters are correct! He was very persuasive in telling me that he will wait for
ticket to be booked over the phone. He asks if I issue the ticket myself and I
said no. I book with our vendors who offers good price. He even said, you
should issue ticket yourself as a travel agency to make it convenient. I said,
yes, I wish but not interested.
This time, I googled the flight itinerary and gave him a price. He asked to email the flight itinerary which I did. He said everything looks good (wow, no questions ask about price) and he wants it booked immediately! I said sure but I need to see your passport.
Me: I require to see the passport when booking air only. Please
take a picture and email it to me.
Kareem: I don’t have my passport right now but I will email
you all the information.
Me: Ok. I should have not said OK but I know this is just a game.
Kareem: Is it booked already?
Me: Yes (white lilies). What card are we using for the
booking?
Kareem: Hold on, can you also check a flight for my business
partner? ACC to Dubai, departing February 22nd and returning March 4. This is a diversion, I believe.
Me: Okaaaayyyy….
So, he also has a business partner that needs air departing from ACC to Dubai. As he said this, he practically knows by heart what the airport code is and he really should have been a travel agent. LOL! His business partner needs to depart on when? February 22? It’s in a few days!!! Another red flag!! I gave him a price. A really good price which means it is not the lowest price.
Kareem: Send me the flight itinerary. The price looks good. Do
you charge the credit card as one for two tickets?
Me: It will be two separate charges because passengers
depart separate airports.
Kareem: Okay. Since my business partner’s ticket is lower
price compared to my ticket, why don’t you book his ticket first. (Another way to distract someone, instant changes)
Me: Okay, Mr Mooney, (doesn’t that last name sound like lots
of money? Lol) I really need to see the passport first before continuing
because of the fact that the ticket is originating from Ghana. There seems to be
a lot of fraud happening and I now require seeing the passports before booking
air only.
He insists that he doesn’t have the passport in possession at the
moment. While insisting, the email came in regarding Business partner’s name is Gideon Osei. Provided info as emailed -
GIDEON OSEI
PASSPORT NO : 638065844
DOB : NOV/24TH/1968
EXP: MAY/12/2022
ISSUE COUNTRY : USA
GIDEON OSEI
PASSPORT NO : 638065844
DOB : NOV/24TH/1968
EXP: MAY/12/2022
ISSUE COUNTRY : USA
Is he a travel agent? Haha...He said he got my name through our
company.
He insisted photo of passport will be sent later. At the
end, I insisted that I will not book air only especially coming from Ghana as
there are so many frauds going on. He asked if it happened to me before so I
said yes to be better safe than sorry. Was he sorry? No.
I did a search for their names on the web as doing so helps when
in doubt.
Reflecting on how the conversation flows, he was trying to
distract me from personal booking then change to another booking (his business
partner)plus he wants to book ticket outright!.
He has no fear to tell me what he wants, how to conduct
business, manipulating me, and he’ll do the same to anyone to get what he wants.
After I insisted, he hang up shillyshally and did not hear back from him
though he promised to send photo of passport. Was my gut right then?
He has the patience that I have but we have two different goals –
I make a living by selling travel, providing assistance before travel to after
the travel, great service so clients will enjoy creating great
memories when they book with me.
He, on the other hand is creating a lifestyle of scamming
agents so they can travel for free at the expense of others (using someone else's credit card).
Two different analogy in life. Which lifestyle is better?
I should have been patient so I can get more info especially the credit card.
Whether you are a travel agent like me or not, please be on guard at all times and don’t fall for any scam!
Always ask for proper documentation.
Do not be afraid to say no if the situation is making you uncomfortable.
If it's too good to be true, run away as fast as you can!
Always ask for proper documentation.
Do not be afraid to say no if the situation is making you uncomfortable.
If it's too good to be true, run away as fast as you can!
Lastly, I say “No to scam!”
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