[Response to TUG Ad: Scammer - Sister Vincentia Goeb] [merged]

[DeniseM]

additional information: I'm not feeling very good about this. The email is from a person that goes by the name of : Sister XXXX. It's well detailed and well written, detailing steps of the transaction. It's not asking me for any money up from, but stating a cash offer for my timeshare, and saying that the closing will commence within the next few days. Asking me to let them know if this works.

Phony "buyer" scams are a dime a dozen - they get you hooked, THEN they tell you there is a fee - collect the fee and steal your money.

If you will please tell us the details of the transaction, we can give you a much more accurate answer - but your last response screams SCAM!

-What resort?
-How did the broker contact you?
-Did you have your timeshare advertised for rent?
-How much are they (allegedly) selling it for?
__________________

 

[scottbey]

I am concerned that this is one of those "fake offer" scams. Without knowing all the details of the transaction, it's hard to say.

To the OP:

-What resort?
-How did the broker contact you?
-Did you have your timeshare advertised for rent?
-How much are they (allegedly) selling it for?

additional information: It's Westgate, It's a private person, who is saying they are disabled, so they need to deal through their broker who will arrange the closing through first american transfer.... I was selling for 3k, I have the timeshare advertised for sale. They offered 2500.

 

[scottbey]

I agree that real money involved changes the equation. If this is a timeshare worth some money, you don't want to sign the deed to anyone unless you are fine with the escrow agent.

I have to ask, did someone offer you more money than the TS is selling for on eBay or elsewhere?

If they are, you are about to be scammed.

You didn't give enough info for some of the excellent sleuths here to dig deeper for you.

additional information has also been posted. I have the timeshare for sale at 3k , they offered 2500. through TUG.That's the only place I have it posted for sale.

 

[Rent_Share]

Getting Smarter regarding the offer amount

This is a phony check send us the back the extra scam

Offer to pay the $150 closing costs for your closing company, and resort fees to be paid from escrow.

You will never hear from them again



There is no reason to protect the Sister's identity

 

[DeniseM]

additional information: It's Westgate, It's a private person, who is saying they are disabled, so they need to deal through their broker who will arrange the closing through first american transfer.... I was selling for 3k, I have the timeshare advertised for sale. They offered 2500.

It's a scam - one we have heard about many times before. They usually say they are deaf and can't handle the transaction themself.

I am going to send you an email - please forward the email you received to me.

A gentle suggestion - next time you have a question, provide all the details up front.

 

[DeniseM]

There is no reason to protect the Sister's identity

True - you would be doing other possible victims a favor by posting the whole email here (redact your email address.)

 

[Rent_Share]

Remember Denise called SCAM on Post #3

 

[DeniseM]

Remember Denise called SCAM on Post #3

It's my Spidey Senses!

 

[DeniseM]

Here is the email:

Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 02:00:56 -0700
From: sistervincentiagoeb @ yahoo.com
Subject: Re: My time share
To:

Thanks for the details. Having reviewed all the information provided, I have made my offer as clearly as possible below.

1- I will be willing to pay $2,500 for your timeshare, closing will commence within the next few days.

2- I am hearing impaired in both ears and as a result, I will doing all closing formalities through my broker. I will be responsible for the closing cost and title transfer fees along with my broker fees.

3- Closing will be done through First American title transfer(www.firstam.com/title) and funds will be held in Escrow during closing.

Let me know if this works and I will inform you on the next step.


Sister Vincentia Goeb

------------------

On May 11, 2013, at 11:02 AM, Sister Vincentia Goeb <sistervincentiagoeb @ yahoo.com> wrote:

Thank you for your response to my inquiry regarding your timeshare. I am interested in purchasing it. I am a private buyer. Are you a private owner or a broker?

I would like you to confirm the information on the ad such as weeks of availability for the year and your asking price. Can your resort be exchanged via RCI or interval?

What is your asking price? I will make you an offer when I hear from you.

Awaiting your feedback.

Sister Vincentia Goeb

 

[RX8]

The GOOD news..... TUG saves yet another person from having a significant amount of money stolen from them.

The BAD news..... The OP still owns their timeshare.

Searching Google, there really is a Sister Vicentia Goeb. This scammer has stolen the identity of a nun to violate one of the Ten Commandments. If that doesn't send the scammer straight to hell I don't know what will.

 

[DeniseM]

Couple of tips for newbies:

Scammers often claim to be pastors, missionaries, etc., so you will think they are honest people of faith. They also often claim to be doctors, nurses, or other professionals in the US for training, seminars, etc.

The "hearing impaired bit" was so the OP wouldn't ask to talk on the phone.

 

[Bwolf]

FWIW, my response to the good sister mentioned the title company we would use. It is the same one used by the Timeshare Resort in question. Very legitimate, been around a longtime, very low fees. Being the seller, my right to peace of mind trumps the buyers, period.

The good sister never responded.

 

[theo]

Same game, new name --- whether Judy Boulay, Frank Tesoro or "Sister Vincentia Goeb"

This one really had the earmarks of being a scam right from the outset IMnsHO --- and I said so early on...

Some minor refinements (new phony [but "sound alike"] title company name, new phony broker name, "Sister Vincentia" making a first cameo appearance in a non-speaking role), but there are familiar features retained from prior attempted scams too, most notably ---"I'm hearing impaired in both ears" (i.e., there will be no phone numbers, no broken or heavily accented English revealed, no actual conversation at any point at all).

I do miss one imaginative part (which apparently wasn't in the script this time) about the phony, mythical broker being "currently at a timeshare convention --- in Egypt"!! I really liked that imaginative twist...

I seem to recall that a doctored, bogus check (the original apparently stolen from a legitimate U.S. bank or credit union, and then subsequently altered) appears at some point, in the very same amount of $2,500 too, if I recall correctly --- although TUG input usually (...but unfortunately, not always) steered would-be "volunteers" away from getting drawn into the scheme before actually reaching that point.

Don't you just wonder how many people actually get "suckered" into these things who never find TUG and / or never tell their story? I can only hope that TUG input makes some difference every now and then...

 

[Ron98GT]

It's a scam - one we have heard about many times before. They usually say they are deaf and can't handle the transaction themself.

I am going to send you an email - please forward the email you received to me.

A gentle suggestion - next time you have a question, provide all the details up front.

Are you 100% sure? I'm still on the fence.

The buyer requested "First American Title", which is a nationwide title/escrow company, which handles residential and commercial real estate. I've used "First American Title" in the past myself. Looks like the buyer erroneously added "transfer" to the end of the name. NOTE: I'm saying that's what it looks like. Buyer could/should ask for a telephone number and an escrow agents name from the broker.

No problem with a person, primarily use to residential real estate, using a broker/agent, as long as the buyer (in this case) pays the broker/agent. Seller could/should ask for the brokers telephone number. After getting the brokers name, the seller could/should also do a Goggle search.

Neither buyer or broker is asking for any money from the seller. The buyer must pay for fees to open escrow. Buyer must deposit all closing costs in escrow, which includes the $2500 sales price, using certified funds. The Seller only has to supply proof of ownership.

As long as there is some kind of contract, signed by and agreed to by both parties, and the escrow/closing is handled by "First American Title", NOT First American Title "Transfer", this COULD BE a legitimate offer, worthy of pursuit.

If this is a Las Vegas 2-Bedroom Westgate, $2800 seems to be the going price on eBay, but I don't know anything about the other Westgates (Florida?).

When ever your buying/selling any real estate, be it residential, commercial, or timeshares, there is always risk. Proceed with caution, ask questions, and cover your bases. Otherwise your never going to buy or sell.

 

[Lucas]

title transfer question [merged at this point]

I'm selling my timeshare and I received an offer through my TUG ad. The buyer insists that we work through First American Title Transfer Service. Is anyone familiar with this company and its reputation? Thanks for your advice!

 

[presley]

Just say No.

 

[LannyPC]

Did you check out this recent thread:

http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192116

The fact that both these responses came within a day or two of each other seems very fishy.

 

[Rent_Share]

Are you 100% sure? I'm still on the fence.

The buyer requested "First American Title", which is a nationwide title/escrow company, which handles residential and commercial real estate. I've used "First American Title" in the past myself. Looks like the buyer erroneously added "transfer" to the end of the name. NOTE: I'm saying that's what it looks like. Buyer could/should ask for a telephone number and an escrow agents name from the broker.

.

GET OFF THE FENCE IT"S THE SAME GROUP THAT"S BEEN TROLLING THE TUG WANT ADS

THEY USED TO USE CHICAGO TITLE'S NAME IN THE SCAM

http://www.chicagotitletimeshare.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76

FRAUD ALERT: It has come to our attention that the name of Chicago Title Insurance Company (“Chicago Title”) and some of its logos and business addresses are being used in attempts to defraud the public through false transactions involving the transfers of timeshares. In some reported instances, the perpetrators have contacted timeshare owners and falsely represented themselves to be employees of Chicago Title or to otherwise have a business relationship with Chicago Title. These frauds are predominately carried out via phone and email or by using a website claiming to be that of Chicago Title or Chicago Title’s ultimate parent company, Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
We caution against providing personal information or sending money to any person claiming to represent or to have a relationship with Chicago Title. In the event you are contacted by a person making such a claim, you are strongly advised to seek clarification from our office at timeshare@ctt.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Chicago Title works with law enforcement agencies in order to assist and/or facilitate the arrest and prosecution of fraudsters worldwide. If you believe you’ve been the victim of fraud or an attempted fraud using the Chicago Title name, the incident should be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center through www.ic3.gov and the relevant law enforcement authorities in the jurisdiction where you reside.

If the seller offers to change to change the closing company to one he employs at his expense and the buyer disappears, that should confirm that it was a scam and/or the buyer isn't serious.

 

[DeniseM]

Are you 100% sure? I'm still on the fence.

I am 200% sure - this same scammer with the "hearing impaired" baloney has contacted several other people.

 

[csxjohn]

Are you 100% sure? I'm still on the fence.

....

If your "Peggy" radar didn't go off when you read the email Denise shared, you need to get it re-tuned.

 

[Lucas]

Thank you Presley.

 

[theo]

Is "Sister Vincentia Goeb" getting around a bit more???

I'm selling my timeshare and I received an offer through my TUG ad. The buyer insists that we work through First American Title Transfer Service. Is anyone familiar with this company and its reputation? Thanks for your advice!

Is "Sister Vincentia Goeb" still looking for even more timeshares on TUG, still seeking to use a non-existent closing entity via her non-existent broker, because of a non-existent hearing disability in both ears?

Sorry my friend, but it just ain't real; it's instead a convoluted scam...

 

[theo]

A question for Denise M...

Denise:

Is it possible to see if the originating IP for the communications from "Sister Vincentia" is located in Egypt?

I seem to recall that someone (...I think it may have been Steve N. / TR Oglodyte) traced the IP for the departed "Judy Boulay" and "Frank Tesoro" (who used the same song and dance) to an IP address in Egypt.

I'm just curious if "Sister Vincentia" is the latest iteration from Egypt, or a new scam gig originating elsewhere, but using the same M.O.

 

[DeniseM]

I don't have the IP - the original poster emailed me the email.

 

[gnorth16]

Why would a nun need a timeshare and how would they pay for it???:hysterical: