Event Planners Beware - Wedding Scam

A new scam is going around, apparently a version of the Nigerian scams that are so prevalent. In this instance, someone in another country, usually in the U.K. or Europe, contacts an event planner in the U.S. They say they are planning an event in the U.S. and need to hire the planner. Of course, the event isn't being held anywhere near where the planner lives, so there is no opportunity to ask for a personal meeting. The planner will have to travel to the site of the event - all expenses paid.

Once initial contact has been established, the person says they have hired a photographer, videographer, live band, etc. from Europe and they need the planner to send money to the person or group so they can purchase tickets. There are promises to wire both the planner's fee and reimbursement for the funds wired to the photographer. Money may be wired but the check will bounce. Should someone fall for the scam, they will never see their money again and of course there is no event.

I have been warned about the scam by planners in other areas of the country. Today I received an e-mail, written in very poor English, asking to hire me to go to Texas for an event to be held in February - hurry, hurry, right away. I deleted the e-mail, though I probably should have forwarded it to the Better Business Bureau. Just be careful - there are weird people out there.

There is also a version of this scam occurring on eBay. When a seller offers a quantity of products that might be popular on the black market in another country, the "buyer" will stop the auction by choosing "Buy It Now." They arrange for shipment and say they are sending the money, but it doesn't arrive or the check bounces.

As in everything, be careful about responding to offers that may seem too good to be true. They probably are.