SCAM! Who knows what they even wanted but a gentleman by the supposed name of William Smith called for an individual in our office. I asked him what company he was with and he said he was not with one, but that his cousin John Marsh (March?) was friends with our employee and gave him some documents that he needed to talk about. I knew it was a scam based on the information provided and he became agitated that I was asking him questions. When I put him on hold he of course hung up.
Had 2 calls within five minutes wanting to talk to my boss. Caller changed his name the second time but the number was the same. Claimed to be a personal friend the first time and my boss took the call knowing it was probably a scammer. The guy asked him for Kelly Anderson and when the boss said he didn't know a Kelly Anderson, they caller hung up. The second time he said his name was Jim Anderson and claimed there was no company, When I pressed, he told me the boss was expecting his call. I told him that I knew what calls my boss was expecting and his name was not on the list. He sounded incredulous that he wasn't on the list and persisted again. I told him there was no way I could put him through without more information and he hung up on me. What could they possibly be trying to get?
Same thing this number called I answered they said can I speak with xxxxx xxxxxx, I said speaking because I thought it was a customer. They then said what sounded like f-you and hung up. Normally I say who's calling but again I thought it was a customer and messed up. So who knows but you can bet this is a scam of some kind. My worries are they hacked a website DB somewhere and are looking for verification to make fraud charges with banks or credit cards. The FCC should track this [***] down. All spoofing can be discovered.
I had a great time with "John", but then I'm the sort of guy who likes to play with his food before he puts it out of its misery.
He started out very robotically, as if he were reading each word aloud.
"Hello, may I please speak to Rob ****."
I asked for his name, and he said with a very thick Indian accent, "John, from New York"
I said, "Oh, you're calling from New York, you say?"
He said, "Yes."
I asked what company he's calling from because I could hear the sounds of a call center in the background.
he said, "I am calling from home."
I asked, "Ok, and what is this call regarding?"
He said, "Rob and I are mutual friends. Will you connect me to him?"
I said, "Sure, and what's your last name, John?" There was a very long, long pause. I asked, "John, are you still with me?"
He said, "Yes."
I said, "Ok, tell me your last name John."
He said, "Will you connect me to Rob please?"
I asked, "Do you have a last name, John?"
He said, "No."
I said, "Ok, let me put you on hold.... INDEFINITELY."
Male caller with a thick accent (Pakistani??) (very noisy background) asked to speak to (used the first name of our CEO). Immediately recognizing con artistry, I asked his name and he replied "Brian". I then asked his company name, he said "I'm not a company" and said he was a "friend" of (used the first name of our CEO again). Bored with his calm demeanor in spite of my toying with him, I offered voicemail (assuming he would hang up in frustration), to which he calmly agreed. Too bad I didn't have time to mess with him longer. :-)