Air Parcel Express / APX WorldWide Express review: Widely spread scam 21

I was almost scammed by this fellow (please see photos). He is now called Michael Brandon. He will be lovey-dovey and tried to use the tactics about needing help for rental deposit and rental agreement for the landlord in Singapore. Due to my profession, I questioned him and told him all the procedures are too fishy. And I was so damm right. He actually blocked me off Whatsapp immendiately because I started to suspect him and I did a image search which led to here. He has different photos now. I am just wondering if the gal, Emmy, is really his daughter.

I got to know this person by the name James Cole Levine, via tinder. I gave him my ID and he added me on LINE, and we started to chat. He also claimed that he is from california and works for the oil rig and told me he was in Singapore for 3 days to check this place out before accepting the job transfer, and he would be relocating here in 2 weeks time. on the next day, i couldnt find him on tinder, hence couldnt screenshot his profile by the name of Cole.

He said that he was back to states and then off shore at gulf of mexico. He said he wasnt able to view the apartment before he left singapore. so he needed my help to view the apartment on his behalf. He said he would be sending the original contract over, which i would need to bring it along for viewing. The day before the courier supposed to reach at 6am (the next day), he told me that he sent a total of $7500, inform me to pay the landlady $7000 and the balance of $500 was for emergency and any other misc expenses. According to him, payment has to be done before the landlady will issue housing paper, which has to be submitted to HR for the transfer to here.

The next morning, i receive an email from air_courier@aim.com (air parcel express) with airway bill attachment, informing that the parcel is retained at the custom because of the currency. so i got a call from James, requesting me that i should email the landlady, Lani chen to inform her that we cant pay because i couldnt get hold of þe cash. Lani emailed that she wasnt able to make it for the viewing because her family member passed away. i was asked to transfer sgd1000 to her dbs account (singapore) and then said it is easier to transfer to her indonesian account because she needed the cäsh for the funeral. account detail:zaenal abidin bank:cimb

However, sensing that something was not right even though he sent me a photocopy of a not so clear passport of james cole, i did not transfer the money. i hung up my phone conversation with james, and he kept requesting that we should web cam so that i will be convinced.

Although, i find that the entire encounter fishy, i was doubtful but have yet to confirm if it is a scam. Following, he told me that he had transfer the funds to me but it never seem to reach me. He was able to send me his air ticket booking via klm.com - indicating his arrival to singapore but it was eventually cancelled.

because the transfer took so long, he aid he manage to get hold of someone in indonesia to pay to the landlady, which he sent the transfer receipt as proof, transfer of RP 5, 000, 000.00 to her. He wanted me to transfer $1000 to buy for more time, then reducing it to $500. i did not transfer but told him that i would only have him to pay the landlady upon receiving the funds in my account.

I found out on the airway bill is a scam from here and wants to share this.
Please be careful because he is able to provide photocopy of passport & book a air ticket that can be cancelled without a fee.

OMG. I can't believe how similar our stories are! This same thing almost happened to me too!
I was contacted through InterNations by a man named James Cole. He claimed to be from Scotland but was living in California. He asked if I would like to be friends as he was coming to Beijing soon and would be lonely. I added him on WeChat and we began to talk for a few days. He then asked me if I would go look at an apartment for him because he didn't have any friends in Beijing and wanted to have some knowledge of what the apartment was like before he accepted it. I thought this was a little strange but I agreed because I'm a nice person. He told me he worked on an oil rig near California and would be offshore for the next two weeks so he might be hard to reach. The next day he told me that he would send me a package with $3500 US dollars, $3000 would be for the downpayment on the apartment and the other $500 would be for any expenses that might occur. He asked for my address so I gave him my work address. He also said the contract would be in the package. He said he would send it overnight and I would receive it the following day and to be ready for a phone call from the shipping company to confirm delivery of the package. The next morning, I received a phone call and e-mail from World Air Courier and Mr. Page Kerry with the following message:
"Dear Ms.Nicole
With reference to the delivery of your package, I wish to bring to your notice that your package has been placed on hold by the Chinese customs for some reasons which happens to violate the shipping policies., the Chinese customs detected that currency were included in your parcel. Thereby, certain commissions must be paid as customs duty via us by the sender which is for the immediate clearance of your package. For the main time all tracking information has been with held, this is in accordance to the mode of operations in the Courier sector for financial delivery. We have already taken order number for this package from the custom.
The sender is required to follow all instructions giving to you to facilitate the release of your package. Please, be informed that you are to pay the required charges listed below for the immediate release of your package. As soon as we receive confirmation and evidence of payment of the charges below then we would dispatch your package immediately. The date and time of departure and expected date of delivery will be sent to you.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me, should you need any further information. I look forward to hearing from you.

Administrative 4000CNY
Clearance 2000CNY

TOTAL
6000CNY

Please note- total of 6, 000CNY should be paid via our Regional clearing agent."
I then received a WeChat call from "James" saying that he, too received the message. We then spent the next few hours trying to figure out how to send this money, all the while I was growing more and more suspicious of this situation. Next, after trying many times and in many different ways to send this money with no success, I decided that it was a sign that I should not continue any further and so I blocked him on Skype, WeChat, and I blocked the e-mail address of the "courier" company. I then looked online to see if there was any scam similar to this one and found this site. I, thankfully, only lost time with this particular scam but I am sharing my story because I do not want anyone else to fall victim to it.

Just found out that David name is from Nigeria.
GMT +1. And he is a black man. Be careful, ladies!

This is exactly what happened to me! Guy from InterNations named David. Just happened recently! He said he converted to Islam 2 years ago in Dubai. He talk about God all the time. About a week now. I followed his instructions until I found something odd. I checked up on the internet and found this. I fall into this trap! I lost my money about 370 USD I think. Thank God I don't have more money. This pic I believe is not him. This is a man with his mother.

A Structural Engineer with no brains ... even no brains to point to the right company ... HE FALSLY BLAMES AIR PARCEL EXPRESS, INC. ... so that completes the profile of a dum ###.

Alfred Abrams and the guy on the photo above are the same scammer. Aintnovictim, please block him. He will use your good heart to syphon money off you and will use God and his life as well as his family. He is a con artist with no conscience. He is a professional on line dating scammer preying on people new on Internations.

Please do not trust this person. I was scammed by the same guy. Please do not trust people you meet on line.

same story as above this chap with his mobile number +[protected] from South Carolina USA coming to Singapore 25 Jan 2016 to work for Sonangol Asia Limited will tell you lot of lovely words. Has his wife dead due to road traffic accident. Got a sister with 3 kids and divorce etcs

Hi all,
I was googling to check on this guy named Alfred Abrams when I stumbled upon this page. I must say that I am not at all shocked. However, before I take the next step to self protect myself and warn others on the site, I would like to have a confirmation if this is one of the guy that were mentioned here.

Here is what he wrote me, "Hi, compliments if the day to you and thanks for smiling back. i couldn't help but notice your nice profile especially with such a lovely picture which attracted and enthused me to write you. I am Fred by the way, quite a novice to the ambience and the network, single and ready to mingle :) .i was just browsing through the network when i came across your fascinating profile and couldn't hesitate to admit my interest in you. I don't really get on here due to my busy schedule, nevertheless i believe communication is key to building a great relationship whats so ever. Btw, do you have Line app on your phone? Feel free to write me to add me up, my user id is alfredabrams, you can also write me on my email alfredabrams@outlook.com ...
i will keep my fingers crossed hoping to get a response".

Hi, I know this same guy Paul Mckenzie from online and he told me he is widowed and a Catholic by birth. Daughter Emmy is 9 years old by now. And he claim to be orphaned at the age of 11. Same scam on the parcel, informing me that the parcel is sent as a love token as he is going offshore for 3 weeks. and he can't transfer the charges due to connectivity as he is offshore.

Beware as he promises the sky and weave a dream of the future.

The first charge was SGD300, followed by another for insurance coverage of SGD1200 which they claim is refundable. And the 3rd was a SGD2450 for Anti-Laundering Certificate.

His email is paullywally1975@gmail.com. His skype ID is paulmckenxie. The air courier uses an AOL account and the transfer is directed to someone in Indonesia this round by the name of Herlina Djaja.

they are black people, the person on pic is someone else

Hi all, i recently encountered this scam by the person calling himself Paul Mckenxie.I have attached his photo from wechat.hope everyone can see that.

Thanks so much for the response and considering my message and taking the pain and time to write back to me to my email, I would really do appreciate to get to hear more from you and about you...

I am David Shervey, 41 years old.I presently reside in La Mesa, California, USA...I am single and widowed..My wife passed away a year ago from cancer...I have a daughter she's 2 years old born from surrogacy...I am a Structural Engineer and my job entails Architecture, Real Estate, Building and Construction, am self employed, i own a small coy and self practicing...I would love to get to communicate more with you and get to know more about you, be friends and glad you also do wish as well...
Hi,
You might be curious how I came across your profile on there and why my profile location says Singapore..I would be visiting Singapore soon 2 weeks from now and i want to get to meet new people and make friends and if anything good comes out of the friendship I am open and willing to welcome..I was actually going through profiles of members on the Internations and i came across yours, caught my attention..I got interested and would love to get to know the person behind these profile then decided to write to you...I am generally new to the internet online thing and to the internations site and its the only site and social network I am on presently on..

I look forward to hear back from you as soon as possible and get to know more about you..It would also be nice to meet you face to face and in person when I arrive there in Singapore..Thanks so much...

Thanks so much again for the response..I am so glad to hear from you again and would be glad to get to hear more and know more about you...

Thanks for the words of comfort...

Let me continue the conversation and communication by sharing more and extensively about myself..

I am 41 yrs i was born on the March 20 1973 of a Venezuelan mother and American father..My father pass ed away when i was a little boy at age 5, so little do i know of him except for little child hood memories and pictures that keeps on the memory lane but i still have my mother...I weigh 85 kg, height 5 ft 11 inch...What about you?

As you already know from my previous mail..I am widowed...My wife passed a year ago and i have a daughter..she is her daddy's
girl and the princess in my life..Shes all have got...My daughter is 2 years old..It has not been easy raising a child of that young tender age and a girl as well, playing the role of a father and a mother, it has been an hard one on me as well interfering with my work..Actually my daughter was born out of surrogacy...Since i and my late wife both had full knowledge of her predicament, health status and life span, we decided to a least have a child through that means even if she wasn't able to bear a child herself so we can have memories ever after and lineage together...After my late wife demise, i was actually doing all i could as a father and as well doing my best i could to play the role of a mother which was a hard period of time for me considering my busy nature of work so i decided to recall back the service of the surrogate mother to come take custody and be her nanny so she can be taken good care of properly and she can have a good upbringing and as well have a motherly like care for the time been duly signed agreement and legal binding...

I am a Structural Engineer by profession and i am self employed..My Profession entails a whole lot and covers lots of areas from Real Estate, Building and Construction, Architecture..I am registered with some reputable firms and company i work for as consultants and extend my services and professionalism contractually and call off basis..I am a certified structural engineer BSC and MSC from Massachusetts institute of Technology Boston and some professional certifications in my field and HSE and i am still reading more, writing more certifications and also keeping myself to date with the rising technology and science development..My occupation is a career job and a very versatile one covers a wide range of job areas...My career plan is to be a renowned consultant to big reputable clients in the big industry...I worked for a few years before i was able to get some loan and floated a small company of mine 5 years ago..I have always wanted to work for myself and be self employed, employ people to work for me and also be an entrepreneur and i am working towards making my dreams a reality..Also i plan to have a family of my own, me my wife and our children to love, care and cherish with all my heart and life with all sincerity and faithfulness in trust and believe in and for each others...And we all live happy together for the rest of of life's, grow older together...

I travel a lot also as a result of the nature of my work it takes me around both within the States and outside..Its also part of my hobby..I also travel a lot for vacation as well as for work too..I love to cook, swim, travel, real books, relax, travel go on tour and walk on the beach...I live a very simple life and am partially vegetarian..I do not have friends or keep friends aside occupational colleagues which i have not seen and been in contact with in quite a while now since i think the last time i saw and heard from any of them was the era when my wife passed away, should i call myself more of an introvert...I am a devoted christian and puts God in front of everything and above all..What about you?

and a whole lot more...

I received something similar about a structural engineer who has been widowed for 2 yrs with a 2 yrs old daughter, even sent me his photos. Then he went to the UK after we met for a few days and bought me some presents there too. I really dislike him use the divine name of GOD and claiming he is a devoted christian, but at the same time cheating and hurting others,

Hi...I am David .. I would really do love to get to know more about you and get to be friends… please feel free to write to me more via email davidshervey@outlook.com or send me your email address and i would be so pleased to write and share with you more about myself and more pictures with you.. Thanks.. Looking forward to hear back and more from you… David..

Thanks so much for accepting my contact request and writing to me to my email address… Lets get to communicate more via email, i have replied your mail and written back to you more about myself already to your email address and would share more pictures with you in my next mail when i get your response and keep on the communication between us from there and get to know each other better… Thanks.. Looking forward to hear back and more from you and your mail.. Have a lovely night rest and sweet dreams and a lovely day and week ahead.. David

Hi, thanks so much for sharing. The post actually prevented me from being cheated and fooled. I received the same email from Air Parcel Express but just under a different name. The guy was named James allen Levine and we met on InterNtaions. After you are connected with him on InterNations, he would chat with you via Skype or Wechat, asking you to help him with some questions for living in Singapore because he will be relocated to Singapore in a month. Then he would ask for your address to send you a token of appreciation. He will then ask you to wait for the call from the courier to confirm the delivery time. He will also tell you that he sent some gifts, together with some money to help him pay for his rent after viewing the apartment for him on Orchard. Consequently, you will receive an email from the courier company called Air Parcel Express, telling you that the parcel was put on hold by Singapore custom because there is money inside. They will ask you to pay for the penalty in order to have the parcel released and delivered on time. He will urge you to pay 900 SGD for him first to a POSB / SCB bank account as soon as possible and assure you that you can take the money in the parcel once it is delivered. I checked out the courier email address airparcel.courier@aim.com and found out similar tricks were used to cheat other people, some also on InterNations. I have to admit that I should not exchange contact with him at the very beginning and trust his words. However, new to InterNations, I have never thought this scams will happen on InterNations.

Alfred Abrams

10/10/14

to me
Hi Des,
Compliments of the day to you, and i believe you must still be in the dreamland at the moment. its 9.41am down here, quite a hectic day at work but also and also sweet due to the fact that i meet you and i got that little teenage feeling of meeting the opposite sex for the 1st time...lol. However, i am being positive that God might have a plan for us. No one is perfect but the way we express ourselves lets people have a different perspective about us.So enough of how i feel, and a little about me;I am a structural engineer specifically based on civic and offshore engineering. basically into offshore pipeline design and all forms of oil and gas exploration and production which is sufficient to high degree for labor and expertise. We design or find ways to enhance or modify marine based structures.i love my job as it requires a high degree of labor and expertise so there's never a dull moment.Meanwhile, i am single and have been widowed for over 3years and haven't dated since then, but i believe its now time to move on with life and connect with the opposite sex and i find you really distinctive, very interesting, attractive which makes me highly optimistic of getting along with you.However, once again i must admit how interesting i find you, and how enthused i am in getting to know you better and i do hope that we find lots of mutual interests and chemistry.I also hope that we can build a great friendship which could develop into something really special and based on a mutual understanding of each other, honesty, faithfulness, loyalty, commitment and sincerity. I also look forward to smiling to your messages too, getting to know you has been a lot more fun than i thought, quite unfortunately we have talked too much probably because of the network connection from you path and maybe because of how exhausted you were after work, and i must admit my admiration for your personality and realistic notion of life.i love nature, animals, beach (ocean breeze), kids, learning new cultures and languages, travelling...I want someone whom I can care about, who would care about me too and we'd still be ourselves and appreciate each other.I want someone who is mature and fun loving, open minded, laid back, honest, easy going and with great sense of humor, qualities which i sense in you gives me great optimism.Here are a few sweet and sometimes silly things i find interesting (i hope some of it don't scare you off..lol):
I love fresh flowers in my house...tulips are my favorite, i love animals, I love the smell of rain, fresh baked cookies, babies and dog feet (strange I know)! The smell of fresh sheets that dried outdoors, Smell of campfires, the sound of the ocean waves and breeze, i love the beach, I love popcorn for dinner, Love lazy rainy days, The sound of little kids laughing, And my favorite color is blue(sky blue), guess why? because the sky is my limit...lol...My Believe is that there's 1 woman out there that can help me find that affection again. Someone who is Understanding, Kind, good sense of Humor, Loving, caring, honest, sincere, passionate and affectionate. I've been lonely for some time now but not desperate because i have the love people around me.but i really want to feel that bond a couple share, that love that gives you butterflies in your stomach at every thought of that special person and you walking or doing something very stressful and suddenly pause to smile at the thoughts of how that person make you feel(those special moments you share and those stupid things you do together that have you both laughing for hours).
Most people don't know what it take to hurt another's feelings and emotions, so i'm not into playing games. Basically that's all on me for now unless you're willing to know more, then you can ask!. meanwhile i'll love to know more about you, even the tiny bits of things that makes your heart beat. If you wouldn't mind me asking some questions so i get to know what you really into and want in life.so here you go and please take your time because this is not a race..lol
What is the one thing about yourself that you would like me to know? (More insight into personality.)
When was your last relationship and how long did it last?
What are you looking for in a relationship?
What do you think is the most important value in a relationship?
Do you believe in love at first sight?
What is your favorite month of the year and why?
Which is the one job in the world that you would love to do?
Do you like animals/keep pets?

Due to your busy daily schedule i thought the email be very convenient to keep in touch with you.i look forward to you response which will help me understand you more...
Have a wonderful night and sweet dreams :)

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

Hi Des,
I enjoyed reading every bit of answer you gave to all of the questions and thank you one more time for honoring my questions with your very honest answers, I feel more closer to you because your answers have helped me know more about your personality, I like how you answered the questions and you really have done a great job at teaching yourself all that interesting stuffs, i can tell that getting to know you will be a lot more fun than i earlier thought. You have some wonderful things going on for you are i hope i become a big part of that someday and for a very long time. I understand you have a thing for trust based on that fact that i we only met on the social network group and have cultural and religious differences which rather might seem like a tough ride for me, but i want you to know that i am willing to stick with you through this and i will try as much as possible to understand you and be patient with you too in order to show you the beauty inside of me that will put a lasting smile on your gorgeous face and also let you know how honest and real i am, giving up is way harder than trying and i will see this friendship through and make you realize how real my intentions are.Please feel free to ask me any question as i am always here to listen and answer them.So tell me, how was your weekend?anything interesting you would love to share? please feel free to tell me, I like that we are getting to know each other and i promise to be the best honest i can and please do tell me what you do not like about me, i am very open to change. It is only fair of me to ask all of that questions and not give a reply about mine, so i hope you enjoy reading and getting to know me well in my answers.Already told you where I am from and where I lived most of my life.There is a lot that I want you to know about me. I have never been one to talk about myself, but I will try. I am confident and independent. I am direct in my relationships with people which is sometimes hard for others to take, but I do not beat around the bush and so I will be honest and truthful with you always. I am not desperate for a relationship, but I sure would like to meet someone to share love and life with. I believe that all of our experiences have made us what we are today and that we are better for them. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why things happen the way they do but I believe that I am supposed to be here now for whatever reason and I always make the best of every situation. what I am looking for in a woman is first and foremost for her to be my VERY BEST FRIEND. Also someone who shares my values, is honest and trustworthy, takes pride in her home, and loves to be near family. I would like to be able to exchange a glance and know exactly what one another is thinking a closeness no one else could ever understand. To stand in a crowded room and not see anyone else but one another. I would like to be free to be me within the framework of a loving relationship and I would like my partner to know that she is also free to be herself. I would never expect a woman to change into some preconceived mold of my creation because I have none. She should just be herself. The most important values are honesty, trustworthiness, and respect for one another. My lady must be real and sincere.What I would want in a Partner is commitment to a life together and for someone to answer all my questions because I am curious about pretty much everything! I would want my partner to have a sense of humor and to laugh. I want it to be an easy relationship, one without drama and sensationalism.Love at first site? Yes, I do, but at this age, there has to be more...lol..My favorite month of the year is May because its my birthday and December because its Christmas. I love football season, the english prmier league to be precise. I love campfires, hayrides, Halloween, raking leaves, chilly nights and warm days.The one job I would like to do? well, that'd still be my present job, structural engineering though it could be sometimes hectic, but it very cool job and pays pretty well (its all about the money...lol), well if god were to give me an opportunity to choose a talent/ job in my next life maybe i will choose to be world class footballer like the cristiano ronaldo...lol...i love reading too and I would also like to write a novel some day.I like pets, especially cats, Cats are so arrogant, you just gotta admire them and no two are ever alike, i also love dogs and have them both.

I hope that my email will help you know more about me and i look forward to frequent communication with you, keeping in touch will help me know you more and i am highly enthused for it.Finally, as regards to you question of what made me text you, well like i told you earlier iwas running some scrutiny i was looking thorough the members on the meet up group when i came across yours, then i saw your pic which you were holding a phone it was unclear to though but i was most stunned my you mean smile and you still looked so beautiful so i checked you out on twitter too and got a clear picture of your, so i thought to go ahead and write you a message :)...apologies for snooping into your privacy without your knowledge..
i hope to hear from you again soo, good day and have a wonderful week ahead..

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

Airparcel Express

Attachments11/4/14

to me
AIR PARCEL COURIER

Welcome!
Air Parcel Courier.
USA Tel: +[protected]
4th Nov 2014
web site, www.apx-air-courier.com
Dear Ms. Dessi
With reference to the delivery of your package, I wish to bring to your notice that your package has been placed on hold by the Indonesian customs for some reasons which happens to violate the shipping policies., the Indonesian customs detected that currency were included in your parcel. Thereby, certain commissions must be paid as customs duty via us by the sender which is for the immediate clearance of your package. For the main time all tracking information has been with held, this is in accordance to the mode of operations in the Courier sector for financial delivery. We have already taken order number for this package from the custom.
The sender is required to follow all instructions giving to you to facilitate the release of your package. Please, be informed that you are to pay the required charges listed below for the immediate release of your package. As soon as we receive confirmation and evidence of payment of the charges below then we would dispatch your package immediately. The date and time of departure and expected date of delivery will be sent to you.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me, should you need any further information. I look forward to hearing from you.

Administrative
Clearance

4, 000, 000
5, 500, 000

TOTAL

9, 500000

You are to pay a total of IDR 9, 500, 000

DELIVERY DESTINATION
NAME

ADDRESS

NOTE: Please confirm the above address for the effective delivery of your package
We are glad to be of service to you.
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Morgan stone
Head, Customer Propositions
Air Parcel Courier

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

Make payment via out agent
Bank name, , , , , bca
Acc name, , , , , monica indriani listyanta
Acc number, , , , , [protected]
please make payment immediately, email me once done

This same scam just happened to me again. I have informed Internations about this profile and hopefully they will remove him immediately.

its the same how they approached me

AIR PARCEL COURIER

Welcome!
Air Parcel Courier.
US Tel: +[protected]
9th Jan 2014
web site, www.apx-air-courier.com
Dear Ms. Sol
With reference to the delivery of your package, I wish to bring to your notice that your package has been placed on hold by the Korean customs for some reasons which happens to violate the shipping policies., the Korean customs detected that currency were included in your parcel. Thereby, certain commissions must be paid as customs duty via us by the sender which is for the immediate clearance of your package. For the main time all tracking information has been with held, this is in accordance to the mode of operations in the Courier sector for financial delivery. We have already taken order number for this package from the custom.
The sender is required to follow all instructions giving to you to facilitate the release of your package. Please, be informed that you are to pay the required charges listed below for the immediate release of your package. As soon as we receive confirmation and evidence of payment of the charges below then we would dispatch your package immediately. The date and time of departure and expected date of delivery will be sent to you.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me, should you need any further information. I look forward to hearing from you.

Administrative
Clearance
300, 000
500, 000

TOTAL
800, 000

You are to pay a total of KRW 800, 000

DELIVERY DESTINATION
NAME 000

ADDRESS 000

NOTE: Please confirm the above address for the effective delivery of your package
We are glad to be of service to you.
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Gary Cook
Head, Customer Propositions
Air Parcel Courier
Corporate Bankingal

Thanks Cherilyn for your information. It was really scam, he used the same way to me. Luckily I clarified and checked before I transfer money (SGD700) to the POSB bank account.