What would you do for this verify? I’m photographer Dave Koch, and that is the story of how my actual property images enterprise was lately focused by a faux verify scammer.
I used to be lately employed to shoot six properties of various sizes. It was my normal price for MLS shoots, so whereas it’s a huge job, it was nothing I used to be going to make a ton of cash on. All properly and good… however let’s return to the start, the place all good tales begin.
The Preliminary Consumer Request
My first contact with Tony Montego was on April 1st, 2022…. And that ought to have advised me one thing proper there. It was a brief and to-the-point e-mail that merely mentioned: “I would like your Images service in Salt Lake Metropolis”. The e-mail was from “WENDY’S PROPERTIES, LLC <tonymontego111@gmail.com>”
Abrupt to make sure, however I’ve gotten different, related terse emails which have turned out to be good jobs. I replied the identical day with:
“Thanks in your e-mail. What can we do for you?”
To which Tony replied with a for much longer e-mail detailing his wants.
Tony tells me he wants 6 properties shot, all within the Salt Lake Valley. He supplies addresses and sq. footage totals for every — that helps a LOT! He goes on to say he desires 30 to 40 photographs of every location, overlaying each inside and exterior. Better of all, his dates are open, so I can decide and select when to shoot. All he desires is a quote.
Effectively, that is good for me — I’ve one thing to fill in on slack days, and I’ve no rush getting them. This isn’t uncommon; I’ve performed jobs like this for builders earlier than… and I really like doing them due to the pliability.
I get my quote out, primarily based on his specified sq. footage estimates that night. The following day, he replies that he’s going to wish “earlier than and after” photographs, so he’s doubling my estimate, and he asks if that’s okay. Then he asks me to create an “bill cost request by way of QuickBooks” for that quantity.
I don’t use QuickBooks, so I reply that I can’t do that. He then asks for my title and handle to ship a verify. I inform him I solely want half down as a deposit, however he insists on paying in full. Once more, uncommon, however not unparalleled.
The Examine Arrives
The following factor I do know, a verify is delivered to my workplace for the total quantity. Once more, uncommon however not unparalleled.
However then Tony emails me this not 10 minutes after the supply: “The verify delivered to your entrance door, did you obtain it?”
Now my spidey sense begins tickling…. Was this man simply watching tremendous carefully…? Or perhaps he simply acquired an e-mail notification. Regardless, I’m beginning to assume that is bizarre. However I reply sure, I’ve it in hand. Then I get this:
“Friday, could also be after the verify clears, you may make a deposit by way of your cell financial institution app or ATM at the moment”
And now I’m satisfied it’s a rip-off. I don’t understand how or why… However this ain’t proper.
Purple Flags All over the place
Now I have a look at the verify, and I see that the Wendy’s brand doesn’t look proper. And it’s printed in another way than the remainder of the verify. And the return handle on the delivery label shouldn’t be Dave Thomas Boulevard.
I look again over issues, and I notice none of his emails have a signature bar, with “Senior VP of Acquisitions” or something like that… No signatures in any respect.
However the largest pink flag was the Gmail handle. Anybody working for Wendy’s would absolutely use a Wendys.com e-mail handle, or one thing very related. NOT a Gmail handle!
I Google Wendy’s Properties, and there certainly is such an entity. However Googling “Tony Montego” is rather more enjoyable — I counsel you do it. Somebody has created a Tony Montego Nigerian Scammer web page on LinkedIn, that’s a hoot. However there’s sufficient there to know it is a rip-off.
I might similar to the group to find out about this rip-off… and scams generally. If it’s too good to be true, it in all probability is. Take a look at return e-mail addresses. Ask questions. Shield your self. And don’t belief Tony!
I’ve little question that Wendy’s has NOTHING to do with this, so I imply no slight in opposition to them, it’s only a scammer who has chosen them to run his rip-off with. However there isn’t any doubt it is a rip-off.
Be protected on the market!
In regards to the creator: Dave Koch is a working actual property and industrial photographer primarily based in Utah. With over a decade of expertise within the discipline, Dave has been acknowledged by his friends with the Better of State award twice for his industrial images. Earlier than stepping out on his personal, Dave spent fifteen years as knowledgeable photojournalist throughout California, Arizona, and Utah. For enjoyable, Dave enjoys spending his free time exploring the size and breadth of his adopted dwelling state of Utah together with his spouse and daughter. You guessed it: taking photos. Yow will discover extra of his work on his web site, Fb, and Instagram.
