Con man back in business

The secret of being a top-notch con man is being able to know what the mark wants, and how to make him think he's getting it - Ken Kesey

He's back. The Malaysian king of ebay Conman is back..selling cheap 3GS iPhone. (This guy really keeps up with the technology).

Warn your friends...

His Ebay Link

Great talker, great liar. - French proverbs

Laid to rest

In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe - Michael Jackson

Finally after days of speculations, reminiscing and rememberance, the
King of Pop Michael Jackson was laid to rest. I wanted to watch the
memorial service yesterday but had to give when sleepiness overtook me
but all is not lost since the idiot box has repeat of it almost every
hour.

For a generation that was born long after World War 2, this is the
kind of event you can tell your grandchildren, so I guess that is why
we took great interest in it.

I did a mental calculation a few days ago about things I can sit and
tell stories about when I'm old and grey ( if god willing) like what
my grandmother used to do. She had the Japanese invasion and 13th of
May as highlight.

These are the things I remember that probably be written in history

- the collapse of Penang ferry padestarian rail. My mom took me to the
field in front Penang GH as helicopters swoop down bringing the
victims. It was so surreal to me I felt like standing it a movie set
as doctors, nurses and people bustle around in the field and
helicopters landing and flying. It's like watching an episode of
Grey's anatomy. (with addition of air force personnel and helicopters)

- The mass destruction bring forth by the Tsunami. The first ever to
hit Malaysia.

- The death of Princess Diana and Mother Theresa.

- The Highland Tower tragedy.

- The 1998 Commonwealth Games in KL. Great thing as I was given the
chance to participate in the Baton run.

- The death of the King of Pop.

I can't think of any other exciting events. Apart from the mass
production of computers, mobile phones and the Internet, we really
are from a boring generation.

I was a veteran, before I was a teenager - Michael Jackson

Road Rage

I hate it driving more than anything in the whole world. I'm just an awful, awful driver. I get lost, I hit things: parked cars, one moving car, a pole in my parking garage. Just when I think I got everything under control, I'll miss seeing something out of the corner of my mirror..- Rachel Leigh

Things I hate while I'm driving:

1. Drivers who don't how to use the signal light. - I'm not a mind reader, I don't know which way you are going. If you want to cut up right in front of me at least have to courtesy to signal so I can give way. Jumping right in-front of me makes me really mad. I'm trying to drive safely here but don't blame me if I dent your car. All you need to do is flip the signal light control...how hard can that be?

2. Drivers who can't make up their mind - Excuse me, are you trying to drive on the left or the right lane. You can't drive right in the middle. There is a reason why those contractors put the white line on the road you know and please take note that the white line in the middle doesn't indicate the path you need to take like on the aeroplane tarmac. It's either the right or the left, you will do us other drivers a lot of favour if you just stay off the road altogether.

3. It's a road not a parking lot! - Okay... a few seconds can be consider but if you want to buy the whole shop don't you think need to find a parking lot somewhere. You are blocking traffic. If you need to eat Cendol by the road side take your car off the road so other drivers wouldn't feel like dumping bucketful of Cendol on your pretty little head for parking right in the middle of the road and causing jam.

4. Dude! the traffic light just turn green a few seconds ago... get a grip - I know...the traffic light just turn green, but can wait a few seconds for me to get gear right before honking on me like I'm colour blind and didn't know the light just turned green. It's just a few seconds, I'm not proscrastinating on the road...chill out! You are not going to get far anyway in a few seconds (it's not the Formula One)....geez man, are having a heart attack and need to get to the hospital?.

5. Dear Motocycle Man....drive on the other side! - Dear Sir, I know I'm suppose to respect you out of courtesy because you are a tiny bug compared to the other big bad wolves on the road. But can you be considerate, I'm taking a turn, go on the other side so I don't send you bleeding to the hospital and scratch my car. I've turn on the signal light for the last 2 minutes screaming I'm taking a turn, why do you need to squeeze in right there at the moment? Are you made of rubber or something?

I want to be a race car passenger: just a guy who bugs the driver. Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should slow down. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Can I put my feet out the window? Man, you really like Tide... - Mitch Hedberg

Ebay Scam

Since we are on the topic of eBay scammer, today I want to alert the reader to a type of selling scam. Unfortunately this doesn't originate from Nigeria. These scammer are all home grown with the twisted spirit of Malaysia boleh.

Beware of these kind of seller, from my observation I think it's the same guy who never got tired cheating people.

Okay this guy will offer you cheap unbelivable items like Laptop or iPhone (the hot stuff of the month) at unreasonable cheap price. For a scammer this guy don't really know how to write because he can't diversify. It's always the same thing again and again. After he got busted, reported to eBay and no longer a registered user, he register under another name and go on doing the same thing. Sadly people still fall for his tactics.

I was alerted by one of my buyer who refuse to pay by bank-in methods as she had been cheated by the scumbag. So I look around and have been watching the same offer popping up but the guy kept using different newly registered nickname with zero reputation. So in spirit of doing something for the community I hope you guys watch out for this kind of offer:

Saya ada beberapa unit sahaja. Jadi, siapa cepat dia dapat.
Apple iPhone 3G 16GB ini Dijamin Baru Dan Original made by Apple. Bukan barang tiruan atau 2nd Hand.Ia datang dengan standard accessory di dalam kotak. Saya akan menjelaskan secara singkat disini. Jadi, boleh hubungi saya untuk penerangan selanjutnya.Harganya Dijamin murah. Tidak akan dapat di mana mana harga ini. Harganya ialah Satu Ribu Lima Ratus Sahaja. Kenapa murah? email kepada saya dan saya akan jelaskan.

Looks like the real McCoy right? No, It's a scam, the guy don't do any Cash on Delivery, he doesn't have any feedbacks and he just registed a few days before. (I guess because he kept getting unregisted for scamming). Keep watching...I'm sure next month the same offer will come up from different username.

I don't know how many people have he cheated but it reminded me of another scam from years back. (In order to learn to to trade safely...I have read dozens of scam cases to protect myself...that's why I can say the eBay guy is a scammer). This was a huge case but unfortunately our Cyber Crime Law are quite ineffective. A similar MO was discovered in Singapore and now the guy is in jail. But here in Malaysia, I'm guessing the guy is still out there ripping people off.

Read the Con-man case of Jasmi b. Shaharuddin.

Doesn't the case sound familiar with the cheap iPhone offer, only this time the Custom case was not written there. I wonder what will his reply if you were to ask him how he get the cheap supply?

I wanted to alert all those bidder for his item, but since eBay have this strick policy concerning identity, my only hope is those bidders bid with their head and didn't just simply hand him money.

Scumbag scammer

Seems the only language these scammers know is MONEY...hehehehe. English and grammar is NOT their strongsuit!! -Mission Lady

I have the most interesting week involving a scammer. I didn't even know this type of scam exist until it hit me in the face but lucky for me I read through him like a book so it save me money but it wasted my time.

It involve eBay (it hit on other online auction site also I guess since these kind of people never learn how to quit). I was trying to sell an item on eBay, I've sold a few things before but this is the first time a scammer try to scam me.

How this eBay scam works:

1. They will buy an item from you, ussually with the 'buy it now' price. Other MO includes them selling stuff at a very cheap price (I tell you about it latter)

2. After he bought an item from you, you will received a message like this:

"Hey Mate,I am the winner of your ebay item,actually i purchase your item for my folk in Nigeria as a birthday gift i am willing to pay you enough for the postage to Nigeria.get back to me regarding the payment.talk soon.
- lori67cat"

They ussually tells you that they resides in U.S or U.K but wants the item to be ship to Nigeria...yup folks...Nigeria! The capital of scammer..(like the old Nigerian scam isn't enough to make people shudder).They will tell you it's for their son, daughter etc...etc. They can come up with some pretty amazing sob story too.

I know it a scam the moment the guy mention 'Nigeria'. I know its bias but let face it...with Nigeria scam 419 and all other scam originating from the country, you can't really blame me and Nigeria is known as the most corupt African country. Sorry to all the hardworking, honest Nigerian out there.

I play along because I'm curious as what he will do next, so I replied and wait.

3. After he received the reply then begun the fun part. He will next send you another email 'pretending to be eBay and Paypal. I said pretending because the email didn't originate from the two institution but a fake email telling you that the item had been paid for BUT...here's the trick 'Your payment is currently onhold as to wait for shipment number'. If you are idiotic enough to believe it, you will sent the item to these scumbags and give the number because you want your money. I can't really blame you because the emails do look legit.

However as scumbags goes...these are the eternal bane of scammer:

• a. they can't spell right
• b. their grammar are atrocious
• c. they can never keep their year right.

Upon close inspection of those two emails you will notice the year at the very end of the emails are still in 2008. If they decided to change the year...here is the thing you can do:-

• Never ever open your account from the email given.
• Check you account from the main institution page, don't simply click on the email because whatever payment or message given to you will be in your account...not your email. It might be forwarded to your email but the main massage will be in you original account. If it's not there...you know what that means. SCAM!

At this stage I got tired of playing...so I report the scam to eBay and then cease to contact the guy again.

4. Scammer don't really know when to quit, he contacted me again, telling me he had paid then threatening to report the matter to eBay and suspend my account because he feels he had been con....Con-man telling you'd conned him...precious!

This was his email to me:

"Hello Dear, I just wanted to let you understand that i have been in look out regarding the shipment tracking num# upon which i just contact eBay to alert them about this matter..................

Sequel the why you've n't send out the item yet????????????????????? I trusted you before making the payment sequel now you have not respond also i have report this case to the community to ensure this is not a SCAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!..

eBay has reply back with confident saying you will be in contact soon.........Also i wanting you to know that this payment is out of my account pending into your acc: sequel you have not fully obey the rules and regulation to the policy saying you will have to get the shipment refence details send to the verification so that your payment can be credit as soon as possible.

Thanks hopping to read back from you "

Not enough with that, he sent another fake eBay 'Notice of account suspension'. This time the year was 2007...hehehe what an idiot.

Anyway the guy was no longer an eBay member thanks to me. But I don't think he will stop scamming soon.

Yesterday...maybe after realising that his trick didn't work I received another email:

"Hello Dear,

I am in a hurry writing this mail. I had a trip to West Africa Nigeria opening ceremony. Unfortunately for me all my money got stolen at the hotel where i lodged from the attack of some armed robbers and since then i have been without any money i am even owing the hotel here,So i have only access to emails,my mobile phone can't work here so i didn't bring it along. Please can you lend me $1,500 so i can return back and settle the hotel bills i would return it back to you as soon as i get home.

I am so confused right now because i am in serious trouble overhear .You can have the money sent to me through my information via Western Union.

Receivers Name-- Lori YerkeyReceivers Address---120 Campos Street Lagos Island,Lagos 23401,NigeriaMtcn NUM 10 digit that would be given to you at the Western Union Money Outlet--?Text Question--who sent moneyText Answer--youAmount Sent--?Please don't forget to attach photocopy of the Scan Receipt in which you use in sending the Money at the western Union Outlet .

Hope to hear from you.
Thanks and God bless"

I guess his predicament has changed...huh! From Illinois now he is lost in Nigeria....you might ask...what happens to his son? since he said that his son was in Nigeria can't he help him?. I guess an idiot always stays an idiot.

P/S: The best way of dealing with internet shopping is Cash On Delivery, if you wants to bid on something on eBay, read the seller's reputation or shop at trusted online shopping site like Amazon. The only person that can safe you is yourself.

While chatting with my little scammer in February 2009, he told me he was "steering" at my picture. Maybe he was trying to drive a car right through it?? -childrg0

iPhone 3G vs Samsung Omnia

A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely.  - Pam Brown

In a rare occasion of the galaxy, I found myself with two very impressive phone. (It is rare since I'm  not a handphone enthusiast, I used my phone until they die on me...only then I get a new one). But this week I had my hand on 2 quite hype of the momen phone Apple iPhone 3G and Samsung Omnia.

Both are touch phones meaning there are no visible keypad for you to use, although Omnia does have a very good optical mouse function you can use to navigate the phone. As far as touch functions goes....hands down to Apple Iphone, it has a very sensitive, easy to use and very swift and smooth navigation. (Other phone have a few miles to go before they can claim that they have iPhone easy touch functionality)

Not saying that Omnia touch function was bad, but it is certainly a bit difficult to manuvoure.  
Maybe as Omnia works on Windows Mobile platform, it works better with a stylus (the very reason why I think Samsung bundle it together with the phone). To my experience, I ussually needs both hands to use Omnia, bad for driving and while on the go.

But everything is not lost for Omnia maybe in the functionality department it is a bit slow but as functions as a phone go, Omnia outweight iPhone almost in all aspect.  Working on Windows Mobile platform, it means you can download a lot a fully functional application free of charge and sync it with your phone. Not to mention all the great apps the came bundle together with the phone. Something you can't really do with you iPhone (unless of course you jailbreak it).

iPhone being Apple product as ussual has it limitation, you can't use the USB cable to download other that sync with iTtune, as an ereader, I find it a bit difficult to download my ebook without having wireless connection at home (it's not difficult...it's impossible). Something that is not an issue with Omnia.

Omnia comes with 5 megapixel camera complete with flash and another camera at the front (fantastic for 3G conferencing) while iPhone 3G comes with only a 2 megapixel phone at the back, so no, you can't have a Skype conference although you install Skype on your phone (you only can talk on the phone for free if you have Wi-Fi of course, pretty much the same as your iPod touch).

Video playback on iPhone is again limited to only certain format while Omnia video playback was built to play quite a number of video formats. Not to mention a video recorder and editing apps. Omnia battery us use changable while iPhone need the bit Apple store to do that, and since Malaysia only have Apple retailer instead...the problem just escalate.

All in all, Omnia was designed to be a lot of things unfortunately to road to get there is a bit rough. It's like saying you can find Utopia at the end of Africa. If only they can make the touch function more sensitive, this will be a great phone. There is no point having all this great application but trying to use it give you headache.

As for Apple iPhone...it's a fun phone to have with a wireless network and computer, your iPhone can be a great item and with the new software update coming this June hopefully it can be a much better phone. (They upgraded the SMS system on the new software...looks very promising)

Read here for a technical review of Apple iPhone vs Samsung Omnia.

I'm still a bit confused about Nokia, for a mobile phone company, they started with such a great leap, unfortunately they seems to drop the ball somewhere along the way....

As a teenager you are at the last stage in your life when you will be happy to hear that the phone is for you.- Franz Lebowitz

In space

My brother asked a very interesting question - what will happen to the
iPod or iPhone motion sensor in space, will it still works?

To bad we forgot to ask Dr Sheikh Muzzaffar to play with iPod in
space...hehehe

Tug of War

The only thing that one really knows about human nature is that it changes. Change is the one quality we can predicate of it. The systems that fail are those that rely on the permanency of human nature, and not on its growth and development. The error of Louis XIV was that he thought human nature would always be the same. The result of his error was the French Revolution. It was an admirable result. - Oscar Wilde

While the world is running rampage on economic crisis and swine flu, some of our top political people are busy playing tug of war over the General-Estates...(remember the Tennis Court Oath). They have a simple choice of giving back to power to the people to choose but they rather sit in court playing. Sometimes I wonder how did they expect Mat Rempit to have courtesy when the one sitting on top is acting like a truant child.

It was not reason that besieged Troy; it was not reason that sent forth the Saracen from the desert to conquer the world; that inspired the crusades; that instituted the monastic orders; it was not reason that produced the Jesuits; above all, it was not reason that created the French Revolution. Man is only great when he acts from the passions; never irresistible but when he appeals to the imagination. - Benjamin Disraelli

Dreamer

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. - Harriet Tubman

After almost an eternity of Thirteen Sense, finally a new song for the background - Dreamer by Uh Huh Her (yup it's a wierd name)

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. - Kahlil Gibran

Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.-Anais Nin

Keeping up, if this space haven't been updated there are only two explanation;

1. I'm lazy

2. I'm busy

In this case...it's mostly the former rather than later.(isn't is always). The third consideration would be...I have no idea what to ramble about. My respect for writers have suddenly increase ten folds not to mention Oprah. As a TV programme the show talks about everyday mundane problem. I mean, most of the topics are not something sensational, more of everyday lives. Topics that came across our mind but never take it seriously. How Oprah take that issue and change it and make us took notice is what make the show such a good show. 

So right now I'm thinking what topic to write to make this place a more interesting place. 

As far a my life goes, this must be one of the interesting week. A pipe burst and our living room and kitchen were submerged in a few inches of water. Nobody realized what has happen until we woke up for Subuh prayer and went down. Subuh cleaning got to the service!

For the first time in my life I got to climb  to our rooftop. Trying to figure out a leak on the roof. Scary but an exiting experience.... I just realize both involve water...

Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise. - Alice Walker