DJ Scam

[SteepleChase]

The author of this post admits that this is a hoax and he meant no harm. The thread is being preserved in the meantime so that the discussion of DJ's being cheated in the course of their duties can continue. Managing Board Editor


Hey,

Just wanted to warn you other radio folks who might do part time DJ work on the side about something.

This guy named Habish Azeem (or something like that) has been calling area mobile jocks and offering thousands of dollars for "Indian Style Weddings.'

I didn't know it was a scam until, like a sucker, I agreed to one of his 'contracts.' He sent me a check for 10 grand and said to keep what I thought was fair. Then I sent him back like 3 thousand dollars. This was all after we met at a local pie-house to talk over the details. He seemed up and up.

Anyway, his check just bounced and I'm out like 3 grand. I'll say it. I'm a sucker. But I just wanted to warn everyone in the Dayton-cincy area about this guy. Don't fall for it.

for what it's worth this guy claims to be Indian. But I have a pretty sneaking suspicion that he's actually from the middle-east. Just a feeling based on some literature I saw he had with him.

 

[KevinFodor]

You are not alone.

He has been calling DJ's all over Ohio...claims to be affiliated with a company called "Ohio Indian Wedding Planners" out of Columbus. A colleague of mine has been getting bombarded by phone calls from this kook.He tells you to return his calls via an international number and tells you "if you get a recording saying the call costs $500 dollars, don't believe it." (Yeah! Right!) I'm sure calling the international number costs about $500 a minute. You will be a particular target for this guy if you "specialize" in Indian-style weddings.

I have seen what is supposed to be his picture. I agree with you. He looks middle-eastern to me, and it makes me wonder what ties he might have. (Remember...Columbus has been the site of alleged activity where money was supposedly being funnelled to terrorist groups.) I would recommend anyone who has contact with this guy to contact the U.S. Secret Service. He's definitely not legit. And you never know what other sorts of activities he may be associated with. Like the saying goes..."if you see something, say something".

 

[darksoldier]

You took a CHECK for a mobile DJ gig???.... ???

 

[SteepleChase]

GREAT NEWS!!!

I called the police on this earlier today.

They just got back to me and immigration has picked the guy up less than an hour ago in Cincy at a Starbucks.

Apparently, he tried to scam somone (they didn't say who) pretty powerful in one of the cincy groups and they set up a sting and got him at a meeting TODAY.

This is great news. They said he's being turned over to other authorities.

Thanks for everyone's concern.

 

[KevinFodor]

Totally great news...and whoever you are in Cincinnati who had the gonads to go after this guy,
you deserve all of our thanks.

 

[jt12]

Wow! I'm really sorry you got scammed, but at least they caught the guy. As for taking a check for a mobile DJ gig, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I would have thought it odd that someone handed me a check and told me to keep whatever portion I wanted. The question to ask yourself in a situation like that is, "would I pay someone else this way?"

 

[IWorkThere]

He sent me a check for 10 grand and said to keep what I thought was fair. Then I sent him back like 3 thousand dollars. This was all after we met at a local pie-house to talk over the details. He seemed up and up.

My question is: When has $7000 ever been fair for a gig? ???

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

SteepleChase :

In a non-judmental way,
Sincerely, sorry you were taken advantage of.
No, you arent a 'sucker' - it happens to the best
of us; be thankful, you were not hurt, and this
"person" ( for lack of a better term, and obeying the
terms of service, lol : ) - any,ways this " jerk" is
no longer a threat.

again,
sorry for the hard ship you subjected too.
it SUCKs !! to be a victim, *especially since*
you sound like a smart individual...i wish
u all the best from this point forward.
Cheers.

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

The crook Sounds like a real loser, im glad they caught him...

 

[icstephen]

That’s a new take on an old scam, I'm sure you've seen it in your email box for a foreign lottery or inheritance (usually from Africa or Nigeria) they get you to deposit a check and send them the tax or a portion with you getting to keep the rest. I had the same kind of thing on Craig’s list when trying to sell some furniture they wanted to send a check and have their shippers come and pick up the item because they where in Europe and couldn’t meet me...I told them cash only local pick up and they eventually went away. I have never heard of someone doing it in person.

 

[darksoldier]

As for taking a check for a mobile DJ gig, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

A little input for what its worth. Unless the check is coming from a well known organization, or government entity, NEVER take a check for a mobile DJ gig. It is far too easy to get taken. If you want to take checks, only accept them a minimum 7-10 days in advance of the gig, so it has time to clear. Most of us do this on the side, and don't maintain the infrastructure to chase bad debt. Those who scam or cheat DJ's know it. The best way of all is to do a contract/deposit to hold the date, then balance in cash or money order upon arrival. I know way too many DJ's who have been stuck taking checks at the end of the night (Including myself ONCE early in my career.) Some may choose not to use your services,...but you didn't want to work for them anyway. Glad they caught the guy!

 

[KevinFodor]

A reply to "Steve":

The fact that this clown was meeting with DJ's in person was the "hook" that made some DJ's (not I) think
the deal was "legitimate".

In addition, he apparently may have one accomplice. The colleague I know who almost fell for the scam was put on the phone with this "accomplice" (supposedly the person who ran the Columbus Indian wedding planner service) who vouched for the authenticity of the scammer. I hope he ends up behind bars, too.

 

[LocalGuy]

I always made the up-front deposit significant enough to cover all my "fixed" expenses -- hired help, transportation, any additional gear, and/or unusual requested songs -- and give me at least a few bucks for my time. Even in a worst-case scenario on the day of the event, all I would have been out would have been my time.

And I would have still had a live mic and some of the worst, burnt, trite, most undanceable music known to man, including more than five full hours of "beautiful" music recorded straight from a real "easy listening" radio music library to hissy cassettes. 8)

 

[board_manager]

Dear Users,

The person who started this thread has admitted to me in an email that this was all a hoax. He apologizes for it going as far as it did. He has asked that I remove this thread, but that wouldn't be fair to all those who have responded in a thoughtful manner. While the initial story may not be true, the problem of DJ's being cheated in the course of their duties could be a sizeable issue.

This thread will remain up so that others can continue to offer their thoughts.

Managing Board Editor

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

did i read that right ?!

its late, and my mind is still at the arena, where i saw the blue Man group tonight !!
-
the original post/er -- to whom, i typed ( some thing to the effect)
it SUCKs to be scammed,and *please dont feel bad* it happens to the best of us...

Actually, was the one who was one step ahead, and "being funny" by setting up a hoax,
here in this forum?

 

[Kahuna1]

I have to ask, if this was a hoax originated by SteepleChase, then why was it colaborated and expanded on by KevinFodor? Are they both a part of the hoax? If so, why are they allowed to continue to post of these boards?

And on a larger scale, did anyone else think that this whole thing smacked of racism and hatred? I mean come on, Indian Wedding Planners and this quote from KevinFordor's post....

"I have seen what is supposed to be his picture. I agree with you. He looks middle-eastern to me, and it makes me wonder what ties he might have."

Ties to what, the international terriorist sleeper cell that's operating out of central Ohio? Fodor also recommends.....

"I would recommend anyone who has contact with this guy to contact the U.S. Secret Service."

Maybe what the Secret Service would be more interested in is the person or persons who are spreading this hoax across the Internet.

 

[KevinFodor]

Kahuna:

I reported what I was aware of at that time. I know nothing about a hoax and did not willingly or intentionally participate in one. I would swear to this in court.

Anyone who knows me knows I am not a racist...or a bigot. But, I am a conservative, and will not apologize for it. I do believe there are people inside the borders of the U.S. who want to kill us. (Or make money off of us so they can give the money to people who could be related to terrorist causes.) I believe there are, potential terrrorists among us. Just watch local news broadcasts if you don't believe that. I
described, accurately, a picture I was shown, which was proported to me to be the person my colleague was supposedly dealing with. But I did not say what I said with any racist or bigoted intent.

If there was more to this than I know, I am clueless about it. And if I was unwittingly brought into a hoax, then I offer my sincerest apologies. I value my good name.

Speaking purely hypothetically here, just run the numbers on what a "potential" scammer could get scamming $3-grand from 50 or 100 DJ's out of the thousands of mobile guys there are in this state alone. It's potentially, a big chunk of money. Many DJ's have big egos. The "wannabe" DJ's sometimes have even bigger ego's. Both could easily, gullibly fall into this type of trap. And that's why I stated the "possibility" that I stated. But, again...it's purely hypothetical.

I state for the record: I certainly recognize not all people who look Middle Eastern, or who look as though they are members of any particular religion or group are terrorists. And I do not judge people solely on their appearance, or their looks. I was privy to some things which caused me to report what I did. But, seeing as how the moderator has stated what he did, I feel it's only best to say nothing further, pending further information down the line. And that, for now, is the last I'll say about it.

 

[Kahuna1]

K-Fod

Sounds like you got hoaxed along with the rest of us on this one, but I'm thinking it must have started with someone in your building, or at the very least, someone you know personally.

All politics aside, I believe it's dangerous to live in a enviornment of fear and what if's. If keeping the American people in a constant state of fear over pending terrorist attacks in our own backyards is thier goal, it seems they have you hook, line and sinker.

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

Dangerous to say/post , but :

Well, i am reserved to post this, and almost don't want to:

but , K-Fod, said, does not judge on looks.

-False. Every one does.

As the NBC show "IDENTITY" tries to point out, there are circumstances, one must
judge a book by its cover; or it is NOT a stereo-type, if NUMBERS/FACTS back it up...
just avoid "Blanket" statements, such as....all ____people, are ___ .

also, i find it curiously, ironic, when one types; "I AM NOT A RACIST, OR BIGOT"
and then proceeds to follow that up w/ I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE BLACK / GAY, etc...

for once, as k-fod, did in his post:
he is NOT a racist,bigot; and proceeded NOT to mention he has minority friends.
WHY is that such a big deal ? well, the moment u PERSONALIZE a race, catergory,etc..
it clouds one's preception of the entire race as a whole... "Your (latino ) friend is cool,
But, the "other guys" are the ones ruining it for all"
-That says to me:
you have known, the latino, in this case, for many years, and to you : equal.
but, someone w/ the EXACT same characteristics, that you DID NOT personally
INVEST a friendship in - will become a victim, of the pre-judging thoughts, one may have...

well, sorry, this was a hoax, ( or was it ? ) very confusing post....lol,
but as a sidebar, interesting topic: post and threads.

take care / weekend, enjoy it !

 

[lovejamminoldies]

Okay that was wrong. I told quite a bit of friends about that DJ Scam. I don't understand why you would play a trick like that. Were you bored? Were you scammed before and felt like messing with us? Haha. Funny. I don't find it very funny.