Duped: The Anatomy of a Scam

Duped: The Anatomy of a Scam

by Louis Carufel

Note: Below is an exchange of emails. Some names have been redacted because that’s what they do on real police reports.

Day 1

5:45 a.m.

Louis, hi. Do you have a minute because I would like to ask you something quickly.  

Steve

6:30 a.m.

Good morning, Steve. I do have a minute and many more, so feel free to call any time you like. I'm home. 

Louis

6:31 a.m.

I hope you're doing good! My apologies for not giving you a call about this, but I'm dealing with a pretty nasty throat infection at the moment. I was wondering if you could do me a solid. My granddaughter's birthday is around the corner, and I promised her a $200 Apple gift card. I ran into some problems trying to snag one online—the website's acting up when I try to use my card. Any chance you could help me out with the online order or maybe grab it from a store nearby? Let me know if you can lend a hand.

Steve

10:31 a.m.

Sure, Steve, I can help. I can pick one up at a store nearby and drop it off at your place so you can send it yourself. How's that?

Louis

10:32 a.m.

I wish it were that easy. But I’m out of town, and her birthday's just around the corner, like literally tomorrow. She's been on the edge of her seat all morning waiting for that gift card. Could you snap a picture of it and send it over to me? I'll pass it along to her. It's gonna mean a ton, especially with her big day coming up tomorrow. You have nothing to worry about the refund. I'll have the $200 sent to you by Monday afternoon. Thanks a bunch. 

Steve.

11:03 a.m.

Yeah, I can do that. But I'll need the $200 by Friday. My rent is due. Can you make that happen? And where do I send photos of the card when I get it home?

Louis

11:04 a.m.

Hey Louis, I'll make sure you get that $200 by Friday morning, hope that works for you. You can shoot over the photos of the cards to my email, XXXXXXXXXX. Or, if it's easier, just type out the codes on the back - that's exactly what she's looking for. Really appreciate your help on this. Thanks a lot. 

Steven

11:011 a.m.

Got it. I’m leaving the house soon.

Louis

11:12 a.m.

Thanks for helping out. Once you get it, just scratch off the back to reveal the code, snap a photo of the card, and shoot that picture over to me. I'll forward it to her email right away. Hit me up as soon as you've got it. Thanks a bunch!

Steve

11:17 a.m.

Yeah, Steve. I'll get back to you as soon as I get home. Glad to help.

Louis

Note: Steve is both a classmate and a drinking buddy. We get together often and talk about school, writing, and the sorry state of the world, including humanity’s need for more humor. Steve would do anything for me, and I’d do anything for him.

I called his number.

"You sick?" I ask. 

"No. Should I be?"

"Are you out of town?"

"No. Why? Wanna go for a drink?"

"When’s your granddaughter’s birthday?"

"I don’t have a granddaughter. What’s going on?"

(Pause)

"I’m being duped, that's what's going on."

I called the internet provider. There was nothing they could do. Neither could the police. I was on my own.

DAY 2

7:09 a.m. Hi Louis,Were you able to pick up the gift card at the store yesterday? I was expecting the card details from you when you got home.

Steve

 8:28 a.m.

Hi, Steve. My bad. I was indeed at the store yesterday, but it was all out of $200 Apple gift cards. There were $50 and $100 cards, but you wanted the $200 card. The store manager said a shipment of the $200 cards would arrive today, so I'll go back to the store and pick one up. Sorry for the delay.

Louis

8:29 a.m. Louis, You could've gone for either four $50s or two $100s – it's all good. Still waiting on that photo. Thanks a bunch for your help.

Steve

12:45 p.m.

Steve, my apologies. What should have been kindness between friends has turned into a fiasco. I finally found a $200 Apple gift card. Here’s the photo.

Louis

PS. Really sorry for delays. 

12:46

Louis, there was no photo attached.

Steve

1:09 p.m.

Oops. Sorry. I forgot to attach the photo. Here it is again.

Louis

P.S. I should have asked you yesterday. How old is this lucky grandkid?

1:10 p.m.

You got the right card but the photo you sent to me is the card envelope. Open the envelope and take out the actual card. Shoot that picture over to me. I'll forward it to her email right away. Hey Louis, you've really come through, and I gotta say, I appreciate your help a ton. Today's the big 13 for her, and she's one lucky kid for sure.

Steve

1:20 p.m.

Ok, I will do that. But I'm having lunch right now, so give me just a few minutes. I wish I had had a grandpa like you when I was 13.

Louis

3:30 p.m.

Hi, Steve. Sorry for the delay. I took a nap. Here’s the card without the envelope. 

Louis

3:31 p.m.

Louis, I need to see the backside. Please try again. 

Steve

3:40 p.m

Oops again.

Here's the photo of the backside.

Louis

3:41 p.m.

Great. Now scratch off the silver seal to reveal the actual code. Then send me the photo.

Steve

3:55 p.m.

You make it sound so easy, Steve. You must have done this before. But do you mean that silver seal? Won't removing it invalidate the card?

Louis

3:56

Hey Louise, No worries at all! Taking off that silver seal won't invalidate the card. Just follow the arrow, peel off the seal, and snap a pic of the codes for me. That's what she needs to get the gift. Sorry for the hassle!

Steve. 

4:01 p.m.

Wait a minute. My name is not "Louise", which is how you addressed me in your reply just now. Are you sure you got the right person?Louis (not Louise!)

4:02 p.m.

Louis, My bad on the typo – you know how these kids can get all hyped up when they're waiting for something. She's been blowing up my email, super excited about that gift card I promised. I just need to shoot her the pic of the codes. I really just want to see her happy. Thanks for coming to my rescue.

Steve

4:28 p.m.

No problem, I understand. Check this out. I tried to peel the silver off, but the damn stuff seems to be stuck. Maybe it's a real old card and the silver melted into the paper. Anyway, can you still get the codes from this? If not, I'll try some more. I'm just afraid that if I pull more silver off the code will come with it. Then we're screwed. What do you recommend?

Louis

4:29 p.m.

I apologize for bugging you repeatedly about this. Could you just try a little more to carefully remove more silver and then take a clearer picture? This way, the code will be visible. Thanks a lot for your dedication and understanding.

Steve

5:37 p.m.

How’s this? I tried to darken the code so it would stand out. If it doesn't work, I'll try something else. That last thing I want to do is remove the silver stuff and tear off parts of the code. I suppose this can't wait until tomorrow, right? Tell granddaughter that you love her so much you’d commit a crime for her, and the card is on the way. I can go back to the store in the morning to exchange this one for a new card. But I don't mind trying some more.

Louis

5:38 p.m.

That won't cut it either. The code is tucked behind the silver seal, totally out of sight. I've attached a snapshot to show you what my granddaughter sent over when I shared those photos you sent earlier. Take a peek and please try harder.

Steve

9:47 p.m. 

Okay. One more go at it. I'm starting to flag, my friend. Sorry. But I have a friend getting off work in 30 minutes. He said he’d stop by. He’s good at this stuff. Works with gift cards all the time. Says he can easily remove the silver stuff with minimal damage to the code. After he does, I'll send the photo asap. If he can't, I'm heading back to the store first thing in the morning. But thanks for your patience, Steve. When we recall this fiasco in the future, I think we'll have a good laugh, just like Montresor and Fortunato in Poe’s "The Cask of Amontillado". 

Louis

Day 2

6:40 a.m.

Hi Louis, It was getting pretty late, and I had to go to bed, especially dealing with this annoying throat infection. Did your buddy who was coming by manage to lend a hand? If not, I reckon it might be a good idea for you to swing by the store this morning, so they can assist you in cracking the code without messing up the card. I gotta say, I appreciate your persistence in sorting this out. Hopefully, she gets her card today and stops blowing up my email with excitement and anticipation. Thanks a bunch!

Steve

9:36 a.m.

Hi, Steve. 

Sorry for the late follow up. My flakey buddy never showed up last night, but he does have a drinking problem. But I did get to the store early today and showed the faulty Apple gift card to the manager. She understood my frustration, but claimed she could neither refund my money nor give me a new card. I knew you and your granddaughter were anxiously waiting--and I was already 2 days late on my promise. If I had another 200 bucks, I would have bought a new card on the spot. But I was broke. So, I had no choice but to leave the store.

And then a miracle. I was approached by a guy in the parking lot who opened his overcoat to reveal watches, switchblades, AirPods, firecrackers, etc. Almost as a joke, I asked him if he had any Apple gift cards. He said sure, and took a stack from his pocket. He gave me two $100 gift cards for only $20! I couldn't believe my luck. I even gave him a $5 tip. When I got home, I opened the Apple gift cards and carefully peeled away the silver stuff. It came off beautifully. Here are the photos. Again, my sincerest apologies. I hope I didn't screw up your granddaughter's birthday. After this, I doubt you'll ever ask me for a favor again. But if you do, I'll be eager to help. Maybe I can make amends. Still your friend (I hope.)

Louis (not Louise)

Day 3

6:57 a.m. Louis, I don’t know how to say this, but the guy in the parking lot duped you. He didn’t buy those cards, he swiped them from a store. The codes on the back were duds. I’m sorry you fell for his scam.

Steve

Day 4

Hi Louis , I haven’t had any response since you sent those useless cards. Is everything ok with you ? Please get back to me as soon as you can.

Steve

Day 7

4:01 p.m.

Sorry for the hiatus, Steve. I was in jail the last four nights. Usually, my counterfeit bills work, but I was nabbed at my bank attempting to deposit a fresh $300 bill. It’s a federal charge, but I’m sure my lawyer will get me off. He’ll use the alibi that my fake bills were pranks; early April Fool’s jokes. But before he posted bond, I had to sit and chill in the clinker. And they don’t let us email from jail! Hence, the hiatus.

Anyway, I should confess that I was getting a little tired of our game anyway. My friend Steve, who’s sitting right next to me and having a beer with me now, doesn’t have a granddaughter or a throat infection. But it was fun concocting excuses, sending altered photos, and yanking your. Thanks.

Louis