being scammed for birds?

Question

i recently answered a ad for a free grey african parrot that said it was located in cameroon which is 43 miles from me but once inquiring to this these people are from cameroon africa and these birds are not free you have to pay to fly these birds over here anyone else had this happen

Answer 1

I've been having fun with the scammers. It's a great way to blow off some steam. LOL

Here's a bunch of email correspondence with this guy "Ferdi" who says that he and his wife are going on some trip with their church, so they have to get rid of their two Hyacinth Macaws. He's "giving" them to a good home. Just so you know, Hyacinths, just one sells for between 8500-13000 dollars here in the US.

First letter, me to him:

You are needing to get rid of your hyacinths? I'm interested. Please email me and tell me more about them and why you're getting rid of them. My name is Shannon and I live in Michigan.


Letter back from him:

Hello Shannon,thanks for the mail, well i,m located in FL, well shipping these babies to you in mechigan will not be any problem.Well i,m newly married, and my wife does,nt prefer a Bird as pet, she prefers a monkey.That is why i,m looking for any loving family to adopt this our precious babies. Infact we just need an adopter who is ready to spoil the babies with love and care.Arer you sure you are ready to spoil this babies with love and care. If so then you can get to us. Remember you will be responsible for their shipping from Florida to Mechigan.Have anice day, i will be looking forward to read from you asap.
God bless you
Ferdi

My next to him:

Actually, my Grandparents and my brother live there in Florida. Where are you guys at? They can just come and get them and they're coming up in a few weeks. They could just come up earlier or later depending on how it works out with you guys.

I do have a lot of experience with large birds. I currently own a Military Macaw and a Greenwing Macaw and they are spoiled beyond belief. So, we are probably the perfect home for your birds.

What kind of monkey are you guys getting?

Shannon

Him to me:

Hello Shannon, thanks for the mail,well i,m so happy you have much experience in keeping birds. i,ve actually been longing for an adopter like you.Well Shannon, we will be getting a capuchin monkey, but it is very expensive.Well i just hope you know how hyacinth macaw parrots are expensive. I want to believe you will give then just the best love and care need by them. They will come along with all their vet papers, a kid of toys and an albulm of pictures.When will they be coming .Well you wil have to wire me a token adoption fee of $400.00.You will have to wire the money via moneygram. Since it,s very close to me.please get to me with all your complete information. well i will prefer to ship these babies to you directly .As soon as you are ready, you can let me know.The pet carrier will comd and deliver her right at your home.I don,t want any body to hurt these babies.Don,t border, as soon as you pay the adoption token, i will pay for their shipping and get to you with the shipping details.Here is my address, please do well to wire trhe money via moneygram since it is closest to me.


Ferdinand Awah Mokoro
901 East Kennedy Boulevard,
Tampa, Florida 33602 USA
Phone [phone] (NOTICE the last 2 digits of his phone number have been conveniently left out)

Me to him:

Hi there,

I don't believe in shipping birds. Too many things can possibly go wrong. My grandma also has macaws, and before I give you any money I need for her to tell me that they exist and are really for adoption. She can come over and look at them. If they're there, healthy and in good shape, she'll hand you the money and take the birds. Then, she'll bring them home on her lap instead of shipping them. I think you can agree with me that shipping them in this weather (it's been below zero up here for two weeks) is just flat out dangerous. Having them ride in the car is much safer and we'll know that they won't be exposed to any cold temperatures.

I know that hyacinths are expensive. So are my other birds. But, if you're adopting them out, you'll want them to go to a good home. With all the scams out there these days, I just need to know that they are real and exist. Grandma seeing them and telling me they're ok is good enough for me. If she say's they're ok then she'll hand you 400 bucks on the spot, you keep it and you won't have to pay out anything for shipping. It's just cash in your pocket.

Thanks!

Shannon

Him to me:

hello shannon, thanks for the mail, well i understand, these babies have their temperature regulated cage.and i don,t think they wil have any problem with that. i know there are alot of scams out there, but remember there are still very honest people living in this world. Besieds you have my complete address.My wife has been over disturbed and will suspect i,m having a fishy game with any body who comes to visit me no matter how old.I, a very responsible man, and will never reap from where i did not sow.Remember, so many people are willing to adopt them.it is juast that you sound to have very much experience, that is why i have decided that you adopt them.Is Your grand ma a vet. it would have been preferable for you to ask of their vet .Shannon, remember i don,t know your grandma, i know just you in this transaction.So if you are really willing to adopt the babies go ahead and wire the money.Once you wire and send me the code, i will then i can be certain that you have adopted the babies.So when will that be possible.rememer these babies donot worth just $400.00.So i dont, see any reason for rsisting to wire the money.I havce an IT seminar over in Mechigan in 2 weeks.I can come along with the babies , but you will have to wire the money foirst so that i certain that you have adopted the babies.Waiting to hear from you now.
Thanks
Ferdi


Me to him:

Wait, so let me get this straight. You are less concerned for the welfare of the birds and more concerned that your wife will think you're having an affair with my 77 year old Grandmother? Ok. Interesting.

I'm not wiring you money without either my brother or my Grandmother seeing the birds. It's just that simple. If you want your birds to go to a good home, this isn't an unreasonable expectation.

And, you can't ship with the birds still in their cage. That's impossible. The birds would have to be removed from the cage and shipped, if that's what you're going to do, but as I've already said, I don't believe in shipping birds. It's dangerous, especially with the unreasonably cold temperatures we've been having.

So, can we see the birds or are you so hung up on money that you need it before we can see for proof that you're not trying to scam us? I'm not trying to be difficult you see, but I just want to assure that they are healthy and are ready to go.

And, no, Grandma isn't a vet. But she is a doctor.

Thank you

Shannon

Him to me:

Ok then when do you think will be possible for your grandma to call round?.The fact that i have disclosed my reason for restricting people from coming to my home does,t make me a fool ok.Note that if any other serious adopter contacts me before, then , i wil give the adopter the babies.
i don,t know why you can understand simple things. anywqay, please when the babies get to you i will like you to do me the favour not to change thier names.Rosa and Rex.
I,ve been insisting that you wire the money first because i want to see how mucth you can trust.If i did not truist you i would,nt have accepted ythat you adopt the babies.Get tome with your complete address, then. waiting to read from you now.
Thanks
Ferdi

Me to him:

I think you're a scam. That's why I'm requiring that my Grandma sees the birds first. She could come today, if that's soon enough. The interesting thing here is that you're willing to give up 18 thousand dollars worth of birds for 400 dollars. If that were true, you'd have to beat people away from your door with a stick.

It's not that I can't "understand" simple logic. What I don't understand is why you people keep scamming people. I know that by making you show us the birds before we give you money, you can't scam us. It's really not that hard to understand.

If she can't come over and see them today, then, frankly you're full of sh*it. If she can, (and she'll have my brother with her so that she's protected.) then I'll believe you, and gladly pay out the money.

If you come up with some concocted reason why she can't see them today, I'll know that you're full of it. And, just so you're aware, MIT isn't in Michigan. But...good try. It's in Massachusetts.

Just so you're aware, if this is a scam and you can't prove yourself, I'm turning over what I have to the Tampa authorities. I actually have a friend that's on Tampa's Police Department.

So...balls in your court. What time should they be there?

Him to Me: (LOL)

Thanks for all the insult, but i must disprove you. when will she be coming. i will wait for her all day long. or better still you can give me a ring b4 she comes. I will actually chase her with a stick as you,ve rightly proposed.Thanks for the insult once more.
God bless you
Ferdi

Me to him:

Well, since you coincidentally left out the last two digits of your phone number on this, I can't call you.

I'm just going to call it right here and call the Tampa police. Since I'm sure you don't actually live at the address that you provided.

I haven't insulted you, all I've done is ask that you prove yourself. You can't, so instead you choose to threaten my 77 year old Grandma. That's really nice, thanks.

You are a waste of oxygen. People like you need to pack up your things and head back to Cameroon where you came from. The internet has given you an open pathway to scam and hurt people who honestly want to give birds good homes. It makes me sick.

And...just so I can accomplish what you've accused me of with the insults...if your wife thinks you're having affairs with 77 year old women...you must be one ugly duck.

Have a great day!

Shannon

And him to me:

with your red anus.scam, thief, what parrot can you get for 400 . i will immidaitely report you to the police that you are some of those thieves who snuggle good into the Us.Coward

(that's actually all it said. It started out with "With your red anus." HAHAHAHA)

And, Me to him, final transimission...

Go for it. They'll see on my record that I've never been OUT of the US. Moron.

And, actually, there are a lot of people who are needing to find good homes for their parrots. Hence the reason that people sell them for cheap. Where you're from, I'm sure 400 bucks would re-roof your hut. Here, 400 bucks is what it costs to take those birds to the vet and get them treatment. Usually people who are giving their birds away have a lot of problems with them and need someone to assume the responsibility.

You're just a jackass looking for money. Instead of doing this with birds, you outta take pictures of all 53 of your little kids and ask for adoptions. Leave the poor birds out of it. Tell people that for 10 dollars a day, they can help feed your kids. You'll probably have better luck.

My red anus? That's all you can come up with? Jeez. You've got to learn your English, boy. There's a LOT better comebacks you can garner than RED ANUS. LOL How old are you? 15? If you want your scam to be believable, you're going to have to quit using internet language too. B4? LOL What, you can't afford school where you're from?

Call the police. I'm waiting for them to come take me away...

Hugs!

Shannon

Answer 2

No reputible breeder i understand will deliver an EGG, now a weaned toddler yep thats a decide for some. do no longer purchase an egg, i anticipate you dont understand the thank you to handfeed and attempting to hatch no longer to point and feed from hour one the fowl probably wont make it. this is that if it hatches first of all. you nevertheless going to would desire to purchase a brooder thats a pair hundred dollars for a stable one... your going to would desire to handfeed each hour before everything then each 2 hours for various WEEKS. Are you waiting to try this? circulate on your community breeder and spend the money, Breeders maximum many times are decrease priced than puppy shops. To be easy the hefty cost is going long with possession, we've all paid the cost!!!! Then after the hefty cost you have the cost of stable high quality seed, pellets and toys .. do you have any concept what number toys a fowl can circulate via in a week?????

Answer 3

I am sorry for all the misinformation out there, You did the right thing by checking further We are beginning to see advertisements from all over the world thanks to our computer age. Some countries allow shipping of animals, but the U.S. may have stoped allowing importation of them . especially on birds. animals. Most of our large hook bills are not being shipped to the U.S. importing, from other countries I believe was stoped back in the 80s . And now with the Bird Flu, it would be even more difficult. Check with some of your animal shelters. join some of the bird clubs on line. sometimes you can find one pretty resionable from local U.S. Breeders. Bird Talk magazine have listings. you could even run an ad. wonting to adopt sm. parrott. see what happens. you might get lucky...

Answer 4

Yep - Try Birdtalk.com and other reputable bird websites that offer birds for sale and adoption. Most sites let you place an ad for free. Did you by chance answer an add off Craigslist.com or out of the paper? I had the same thing happen to me calling for a Bulldog puppy for my sister!


SDKRAMER7 - WOW! That was awesome - I can't believe you kept it going for so long! I loved the "red anus" remark - I almost peed myself!

Answer 5

Where are you located? Are you American? It is illegal to import parrots into the USA without a special licesnse. Nothing is free- if you really want a parrot, you should consult a breeder or a rescue agency about adoption. There are rescue agencies for parrots in most countries.

Answer 6

Yes, this is a scam. The problem lies in the country where this practice originates. Some countries do not have laws to protect customers from fraud. Better to stay away. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Have a great year.

Answer 7

It's a very common scam. If you do pay, you wont get any birds.

Answer 8

if its an overnight business...dont mess with it...better off looking locally...