So a co-worker of mine got this e-mail from someone claiming to be the director of the museum of life sciences…? We are a not-for-profit organization and we do fisheries assessments on different lakes all over Ontario. This summer we have been working on a rather extensive Lake Sturgeon assessment (this is how I figure this man got her contact information). Some of the stuff he is talkin about doesn’t quite add up. For example she isn’t a doctor, nor are we working in Minnesota. Here’s what we found out about the scammer: (the actual scam e-mail she recieved is at the bottom).
He runs what we can call a biological supply house. He sells your
specimens.
I do not know of a museum that has received anything in return.
He can be very aggressive, such as emailing your superiors, or in one
US case
a state legislator in the US to pressure a state fish & game group.
My advice has been consistently to just not respond.
Next, he will ask you for hagfishes and other “sellable” taxa that
our common
in your area.
Now for the actual e-mail she recieved:
Respected Dr.Deary ;
We are in need of the following 45 PRESERVED STURGEON ;ACIPENSERIDAE
FISHES,ANY SPECIES( INITIALLLY PRESERVED IN 5 % Formaline for 7 days
than
transferin 45IS;OPROPYL SOLUTION )as I AM WORKING RESEARCH ON :
” THE COMPARATIVE SKELETAL MORPHOLOGY OF WORLD ACIPENSERIDAE AND
POLYODONTIDAE FISH FAMILIES”.
WE CAN PAY YOU THE CITES PERMIT FEE and AIRFREIGHT CHARGES on your
specimens
IN ADVANCE through Bank Draft.
Since you work with lake sturgeon in Northern Minnesota
U.S.A.,hence, Please help us and provide the following
PRESERVED SPECIMENS VIA AIRPOST EMS/SPEED-POST PARCEL through Post
Office.You
may also provide your Damp-Packed specimens through FED-EX (
international :
Economy). I have a valid Fed-Ex Import Account.
DIFFERENT SPECIES OF ACIPENSER :
Sturgeons ... Preserved.Fingerlings;20 Cm.to 30 Cm.Size ..45 Pcs.
Now, the decision is in your capable hands. Please think over my
request, keeping in mind the obvious Research need.I think there
would be no objection to you while I am prepared to pay the PERMIT
FEE and
Airfreight/Airpostage to you in advance. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ESTIMATE
and do
send the available specimens VIA EMS SPEED-POST AIRMAIL PARCEL
through
Postr Office on my address .
You may also send your Damp-Packed specimens through FED-EX(
International :
Economy) as I have a Valid Fed-Ex Import Account. Please MARK the
following
Statement on your Parcel,Packing-list, Customs-tags and on CUSTOMS
INVOICE as
per Indian Rules:
“TEACHING-AID MATERIAL OF 45 PRESERVED FISH SPECIMENS FOR SCIENTIFIC
STUDY USE HAVING NO COMMERCIAL VALUE;ACTUAL COST FOR CUSTOMS
PURPOSE DOES NOT $.20-OO BUT NOT CHARGEABLE( FOR CUSTOMS
PURPOSE ONLY).”
Hopefully, I am awaiting to have you eareliest reply by Email.Please
cooperate with us on most humanitarian ground and oblige.Thanking
you.
With regards, I remain
Respectfully yours,
Dr.M .F. H. Rehmani
Director
Museum of Life-Sciences
INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
1066, Civil Lines,
Jhansi-284001, U.P.,
INDIA.