A person, supposedly a good friend of a lady named Wei from China, who identified himself as Wayne Yahaya (with what sounded like a Nigerian accent) called about 9am on Dec 8 to urge me to sent $1500 USD by Money Gram as quickly as possible to a friend of her daughter who had gone from China to UK to US and now needed to get to Canada but had run out of money and was stranded. The day before I had received an envelope with no return address containing a very official looking cheque, supposedly issued by THE CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL in Mississauga, made out to me for $4,850 CAD, laser printer signed by someone other than Mr. Yahaya, and a hand written note saying "Please call me when you receive this payment. Thanks. Wayne Yahaya, 416-414-8098." For this scam to work, some partial payment by the recipient must be urgently required right after the cheque is received but before it has time to bounce. Here's the entire email conversation (where he is always called Mr. Wayne Yaya) by the end of which "Wei" has no recollection of having a cousin named Abbey.
On 2015-11-17, at 2:14 PM, Wei Park <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
How are you? Kindly let me know if your room is still available to host a female student.
I await your respond.
Ms. Wei.
On Tue, Nov 17, 2015 at 11:47 PM, David <*********@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello Ms. Wei,
Yes, we have a room that just became available a few days ago.
David
From: Wei Park <
[email protected]>
To: David <*********@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 6:42 AM
Subject: Re: HOMESTAY
Hello ,
Thanks for your respond. She will be coming on the 15th of December and leave on the 13th of April, 2016. Mr.Wayne Yaya will handle the payment for us since he reside in Canada. Mr.Wayne is a long time family friend. I contacted him about Mei moving to Canada to learn how to speak and write English language, he said its a nice move and promised to assist us with the arrangement. Initially, I wanted to send Mei to Mr.Wayne's home but since his going through a divorce, I thought it's not right to send her there any more and he and the wife understands very well and promised to assist us. Kindly let me know what your price is like for 2 meals (Breakfast and Dinner), My main worry is for my daughter to stay with a good lovely home. I hope your home will provide her the kind of atmosphere she need.
I have done my best as a single Mom to raise Mei up as nice young promising girl and you will love her trust me. She will be going to a language school, but I have also told her that am going to seek for your advice on any good school close to your home, Can you help her to enroll when she comes over? Please note that her English speaking is very slow and for this I allowed her to visit my step-sister in England, I want her English to improve before coming Canada. She will move from England to your home I hope you will assist her.
Mei is 19 years old. I want her to grown just as the Chinese economy is growing. I want Mei to be ready.
I await your reply.
Regards,
Ms Wei
On Thu, Nov 19, 2015 at 11:42 PM, David <********
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello Ms Wei,
You have such a wonderful commitment to your daughter. Our three kids (2 girls, 1 boy) are now in their 20's and living away from home. We also paid for private school to give them excellent education and did out best to raise them well in a loving home environment.
We have had many international students stay with us from China, Japan and Korea. Some knew very little English but we always try to help them feel comfortable and gently assist them with learning.
We would be delighted to work with Mr. Yaya and assist Mei so her her visit to Canada will be enjoyable and educational. I could make some inquires here for what English course would be available for a 4 month stay in Canada. Schools here are typically closed for holidays starting late December so probably a class would begin in early January.
Winter here is typically mild but it can be cold sometimes. Usually we get some snow, but not much. It's good to have a warm coat, gloves and hat and also boots and umbrella for rainy weather.
Homestay cost will depend on how much help Mei needs with transportation. If she is fairly independent then we could show her how to ride the bus, but if she is not confident with her English then she may prefer that we help by giving her some rides. What do you think? The range would be from $170 to $230 CAD per week. I hope that helps. We can also pick her up from the airport for $100 if Mr. Yaya is unable to.
You need not worry with Mei staying here. We love to help and will invite her to participate in familiy activities, meet other people to practice conversation and experiece Canadian culture.
R*** from Shanghai stayed here for 2 months a few summers ago. He still stays in touch. You could ask him about us. *********@qq.com
Picture below: Some homestay guests making paper origami and me making balloons animals.
Regards,
David
<***************.jpg>
On 2015-11-20, at 2:25 AM, Wei Park <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello David,
Thanks again for your reply, and how are you? Like I said my really worry is for her to be with a good family and that's while I went for your home. I have no doubts in my mind she will be happy staying with you. I have not done this before it's my first time and with you. I asked a friend of mine who have done this for her son and she told me that $920 is good for a month.
I love to talk to you on the phone but I have a hearing problem Mei will tell you more of it when she comes over. Please I will like to know how many members of your family that's presently staying with you. Sorry if I have to ask this.
Also kindly forward to me the total cost for the 4 months, your full name, your home resident address with zip code and phone number which I will send to Mr.Wayne Yaya who will contact you for other arrangements. Mei as I said is coming on the 15th of December and leave on the 13th of April, 2016.. Can You pick her up from the airport? But if not no worries she can the taxi to your home.
Below is my information's
Name: Wei Park.
Address: No.27 Wangfujing Main Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, China,, .
Phone: +447-045-733552.(Note that this is Abbey my cousin cell number he will always get across to me)
Her name's are: Mei Park. I will send her picture by next week.
I await your reply and have a lovely day.
Ms. Wei.
Thanks a lot for the beautiful picture you sent me
On Sat, Nov 21, 2015 at 2:54 AM, David <********
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello Ms. Wei,
It is chilly but sunny here today. I am doing very well, thank you. We are delighted by your reply and look forward to Mei's visit.
We started having Homestay guests about 10 years ago when our kids were still at home. English is the only language we speak. Living here now are just my wife (R****) and I. Our three kids live elsewhere in Canada and we have no pets. We try to have a fragrance free home, so please tell Mei no perfume.
We have two guest rooms and one is occupied this year by a high school student (G***) who is very polite and respectful. When he is at home, he stays in his room except to come out for meals. Mostly he studies or talks by Skype to his family in India. It is his second year in Canada and his English is quite good.
Homestay cost: 4 months with meals and airport transportation, 4 x $920 + $100 = $3,780.
Damage deposit: $460.
This deposit should be paid soon as it also reserves the room for Mei. It will be refunded at the end of her stay to either Mei or Mr. Yaya according to your preference. If we have paid for any personal expenses of Mei that were not reimbursed to us, we will deduct those from the deposit.
Other costs:
If we go to eat at a restaurant, we will pay for Mei also.
If we go to an event or activity that has an admission cost and Mei wants to come, she pays her own admission. (We will try to plan some fun things that will give her good memories of Canada.)
Bus: A bus pass for 1 zone is $91 per month which allows local travel anywhere most of the time. There are other options as well. We can help her with this after she arrives. Details at www.translink.ca
Car rides: We may charge if it is frequent or far, but we are happy to help with occasional short rides for free or if she ever has trouble finding her way back to our place. Her safety is important to us.
English school: I suggest the ****** campus of www.****.ca that has a class starting in early January. Course fees should be on their website. We can help to arrange this for Mei.
Long distance phone card: If she wants one, we can help her buy it when she gets here.
Name: David ********
Address: **********************************************
Phone: **************
David Cel: **************
R**** Cel: **************
Fax line: **************, available to guests for local and calling card calls.
Our cel phones are not smartphones (yet) so we only turn them on when we are not at home. We also have iPad and Android tablets, so messaging, FaceTime and Skype apps are also communication options as well as Facebook.
I am usually working from home (accounting and business) but sometimes have jobs elsewhere. R**** works M-F nearby doing home-care for elderly people but is usually home to make dinner. She is a wonderful cook. Mei can watch or help cook if she wants to. In the evening if we have no other plans, we like to watch old movies.
Saturdays we go to church and have potluck lunch with our friends there. Mei is welcome to come for conversation practice, socializing and to taste a variety of home cooked food, or she can make her own plans.
Sundays we do laundry, housecleaning and chores. Sometimes we go out to listen to live jazz music and have dinner with R****'s mom.
During the holiday season we are expecting a visit from our youngest daughter (C*****). She just turned 22, so Mei will have a chance to talk with someone here who is near her own age.
If you have any other questions, please just ask. We are here to help! I like email more than phone calls so it is fine with me that we stay in touch this way.
Can you tell us a little about Mei: her interests, likes and dislikes, favorite subjects, recreational activities? Does she have any food allergies or medical conditions? We also need medical insurance details and instructions for what we should do for a medical emergency. Or we can discuss this through Mr. Yaya.
Another thing to remember is that our power plugs and voltage is different than in China, so Mei might need adapters for devices and chargers. Again, we will help any way we can.
Please send flight details so I can plan my trip to the airport. I am very familiar with doing pickups from international flights. I will display a sign with her name on it at the arrival area. A photo of Mei will help me to recognize her. She can also call or text my cel when she arrives or email me. YVR airport has free public wi-fi. If she has trouble finding me, any staff can get an announcement made over airport speakers. Have her message, text or email me before her flight on a device she will bring with her so I have her contact info with me.
Best wishes,
David
On Mon, Nov 23, 2015 at 9:22 AM, Wei Park <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello ,
How are you doing? Thanks a lot for the information's you sent to me. Please note that I have forwarded your information's to Mr.Wayne who will contact you for other arrangements,
kindly let me know once he contacts you. I hope that we meet one of this days as I believe that the world is a small place.
Ms Wei.
On Wed, Dec 2, 2015 at 12:53 PM, Wei Park <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello David,
How are you doing? Please am so very very sorry for not getting back to you in time. I received a message last two weeks Monday at about 10 pm that grammar is down health wise. I have to rush down to see her I have been there all this while, making sure that things are fine with her I just pray that she comes out of this very soon she means a lot to us. Please do remember her in your prays. I wrote Mei too about it and asked her to contact you but I just found out that I never sent her your e-mail address which will make it impossible to contact you.
I thought I will only see her for some days and get back to handle Mei coming to your home but when I got there it was tough that I have to be with her 24-hours every day and with this on my hands I can't even check my e-mail box.
Mei will be coming on the 13th of December, am so sorry for the change in date, I'm sorry I should have inform you before now but with this emergency I can't even think right also note that I got an e-mail from Mr.Wayne that he had mailed you the payment some time this week, he said he could not contact you in time as he traveled out of town I believe his having it very difficult dealing with his divorce if you understand what I mean. I don't what to worry him so much now but he promised he will visit Mei once she arrive in your home.
Note that Mei will fly to US from UK by Thursday so it will be easy for her to move to your home. This was suggested by a friend which I think its okay by me.
kindly let me know when you receive the payment. I will send you her picture once I get home on Sunday.
Have a lovely day,
Ms Wei.
From: Wei Park <
[email protected]>
To: David <*********@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2015 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: HOMESTAY
Hello David,
How was your night? Mine was too bad as I was trying everything within my power to see that she live. I lost grammar last night she's everything to me, her death is a big loose for me, I don't really know what to say or do right now. I grew up under her and she's such a lovely person to me and Ping.
I will be busy for a while to arrange for her burial but I will try as mush as I can to contact you. I got an e-mail from Mr.Wayne that he made a mistake on the payment issued to you as it is more than the agreed price but I have told him not to worry that his funds are in save hands and family.
I just informed her about our lost and I know very well how unhappy she will be if she get to read my e-mail, she is very close to her. Her last e-mail to me she said she's not happy where she is and will like to move on and this makes me worried too.
Kindly let me know when you receive the payment, am still talking with Mr.Wayne about the overage.
I attached Mei picture for you she's a lovely kid as I told you, and you will have no problems with her.
Have a nice day,
Ms.Wei.
<Mei.jpg>
From: David <*********@yahoo.com>
To: Wei Park <
[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 4, 2015 12:38 AM
Subject: Re: HOMESTAY
Hello Ms. Wei,
We are so sad to hear that your grandma has gone to rest so suddenly. It is never a good time for such things to happen. Even though she is now resting peacefully, she will be missed by all to whom she was special to and shared love. We are praying that God will be a special comfort in the days ahead to you and all who were close to her, remembering that one day you will all be reunited.
I have not received anything yet from Mei or Mr. Wayne. Do not worry about the overage...we will fix it with Mr. Wayne.
The change of arrival date is not a problem. Please tell me the airline and flight number so I can confirm the arrival time that day and plan my trip to meet Mei at the airport.
It is a lovely picture. We will do our best to help her have a happy visit to Canada.
Maybe you could give me Mei's email. Then we can exchange some email before her flight. It will be easier to locate each other at the airport if we have previously been in contact.
Yours,
David
From: Wei Park <
[email protected]>
To: David <*********@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, December 7, 2015 8:35 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: HOMESTAY
Hello David,
How are you and your family? Am so glad that my Mei will be staying with a good home and you are going to be a nice mom to her. I have told Mei a lot about your family and she's very please and cannot wait to meet with her new family.
I just came in now and will be out again after sending you this e-mail, I am so busy regarding grammar's burial which am planning to come up on the 15th of December if possible. Am the only person doing all the arrangements for the burial. Grammar have only two children my Mom and his brother Bojing which we have not heard from over 6 years now so am just alone.
I got an e-mail from Mr.Wayne about the overage which is $1,170 Our agreed price was $920 per month which is $3,680 for the 4 months. I have asked Mr.Wayne to loan me the money which he has agreed to, you can call him to confirm. Though in his last e-mail he told me he will be going on vacation.
Mei told me she have no money on her at all after her move from UK to US early this week, and I have no money to send to her right now as I have a lot to do here that involve money for grammar's burial, and I spent a lot on grammar's hospital bills. I told her I will talk to you. I am wondering if you can send her $1,500 from the amount Mr.Wayne sent to you so she can pay some bills, flight ticket, do some shopping and have some cash on her to move around with when she comes over till I settle down after the burial, I promise you I will make up the balance within her first month with you.
Kindly send to me the nearest airport she will land for easy pick up and the airline you think will be fine for her to fly with. I will get back to you later today when I hear from her.
Have a lovely day. Please am counting on you to take care of my Mei. I will give you her flight details once I get it from her. I have asked her to make sure her flight will land in the evening say around 6pm or 7pm your local time so you will be chance to pick her up. Or what do you think?
Ms. Wei
On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 3:43 AM, David <*********@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello Ms. Wei,
How are you? I hope you are managing to cope well with things there and have support from friends and family.
We have everything ready for Mei here. I want to let you know that I received payment today from Mr. Wayne. I will call him tomorrow as well. Perhaps the overpament can be used to pay for English class tuition for Mei? I will try to find out the cost for that.
Blessings,
David
On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 12:22 PM, David <*********@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello Ms. Wei,
We are all fine here. I wish we could help you with burial arrangements but we are so far away.
The closest airport is ***. Some airlines that go from US to *** are: American, Alaska, Delta and United.
We have plans for Sunday afternoon to go to hear live Christmas music at 3pm and then have dinner at the home of R****'s Mom. If Mei can land by about noon that would be better so she can join us and meet some of our relatives.
What US city is Mei in? I don't know where to send money to or how to tell Mei where to pick it up. I have no way to communicate with her to make arrangements. It's best to send only the US money that she needs before getting to Canada. Otherwise, she will have to convert it back into Canadian money.
If it's helpful, I could send her web links for good flights, or buy a flight ticket for her now and email the boarding pass to her.
David
On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 5:07 PM, Wei Park <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello David,
Thanks a lot for your e-mail I really appreciate your concern about me and with this I know she will be happy with you. David, if you are a woman you will know how I feel about my daughter who's 1000's of miles away from home and the child tells you she's no longer happy where she is. After everything that have happened my only joy now will be to see Mei under your roof,
Please I will really appreciate if you can send her the $1,500 via Money Gram Transfer to the below information's she sent to me today. She said Money Gram is just a stone throw from their home and she have a friend there who will assist her.
Below is the information's she sent me:
Name: Amber Brooks.
Address: 2731 27th St City: Rock Island State:Illinois Zip: 61201, USA
Sender's Names:
Reference Number:
Amount sent:
With this it will be faster and she can pay her way through to your home. I will really be glad if you can send it today and forward to me the information's so I can send to her. Am very busy with grammar's funeral arrangements she means a lot to me and Mei.
Please I am counting on you to take care of her and your family she's the only person I have now since grammar is gone.
Thanking you for your understanding and God bless.
Have a lovely day,
Ms. Wei..
I just thought it right for you to send the money to Amber who is a good friend of Mei, she will cash the money and hand over to Mei since she knows the system very well, she will not find it difficult don't worry Amber will hand the money over to her I have sent Amber an email as to this regard and she said know worries.
On 2015-12-08, at 8:09 AM, Wei Park <
[email protected]> wrote:
Please Dave can you send it in US$ 1,500$? I don't know how much it will be for Canadian dollars please I beg you
On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 6:31 PM, David <*********@yahoo.com> wrote:
Please give me a phone number and email for Mei.
David
From: Wei Park <
[email protected]>
To: David <*********@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 11:13 AM
Subject: Re: HOMESTAY
Mei don't have a phone number but you don't need that to send her the money according to Wayne. But her email is
[email protected]
Wei
On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 9:30 PM, David <*********@yahoo.com> wrote:
Ok. There is one more thing I need before I can send the money. Abbey will tell you about it.
David
From: Wei Park <
[email protected]>
To: David <*********@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: HOMESTAY
what? and who is Abbey?
From: David <*********@yahoo.com>
To: Wei Park <
[email protected]>
Sent: Dec 8 at 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: HOMESTAY
Ask Ping.