Not today buddy!!

For the past few weeks I have been emailing "Edward" at edward_andrew101@ymail.com about his wedding. Initially he seemed on the up and up, of course hindsight makes me see some things I overlooked.

Well, he finally decides he needs to lock in the date with a deposit and I gave him my information. A few days later I receive an email saying that he needs to pay for some other vendors, and he asks if he can make the check out for more than the amount needed so I could help make the payments for him. I told him I was not comfortable with that idea because it is a common scam, but if he needed help he could send separate checks that I would deliver for him. I quickly caught on that the "wedding" was just a reason to send a check. At this point I also thought saying scam to a scammer would stop the tricks.

After a few days without response, I was surprised to see a package on my door, it was his check. Because I wasn't born yesterday, I called the individual listed on the check to confirm my assumption. No surprise, it was fraudulent, and they had received three more calls about other bad checks already that day.

I am insulted that these scams are so common and they still tried to pull it off on me. Atleast be more creative with your tricks, geez!!

To my new friend "Edward" you've got to do much better than that young man. PS - The photograph of your fake check is on the house, thank you for choosing DeWitt Photos.

For everyone else, don't think that these tired old scams have run their course. Bad people are still doing bad things, always do your homework! I was a success story, don't be their success!

For anyone interested in any of the information on the individual, I am including it below:

Bad guy: Edward Andrew email: edward_andrew101@ymail.com

Package was mailed from Honolulu, Hawaii, not Indiana. Check was from a New York firm, "Edward" claimed to be living in London, and he wanted me to transfer money to Trinidad.  As you can see they couldn't have made it any easier to see the scam coming unless they titled their emails "scam".

UPDATE:  I never let on to "Edward" that I found out about his plot or that I put his info on my website.  Since Monday he has continued to email and call asking me when I was going to wire transfer the money back to him.  Technically speaking that means I am scamming the scammer...it's great therapy actually!  We've effectively scammed each other out of some time, but I hope that's time that he doesn't have to scam someone else...that makes me the winner.  Sorry "Edward" you lose!

Party Time

Weddings and weather have a lot in common, neither are very predictable.

I never know if all of the bride's plans are going to crumble around her and turn her into the dreaded bridezilla.  I normally don't know what to expect from the wedding party and I certainly don't know what will happen at the reception with all of the guests.

Jeremy and Marie's wedding day started off well, but one thing led to another and our photo time before the ceremony was cut short - not my favorite scenario.  After the ceremony, the limo left without me which meant we also missed some after-ceremony photos.  At this point I wasn't sure what else would happen before the night was over.

Making up for the shaky start, the reception turned out to be a huge celebration.  And by celebration I mean a "drop it like it's hot" party, even the casino staff was dancing and having fun.  Did I mention the drinks were flowing...and flowing?!

The DJ and I were talking about the different styles of wedding receptions and I later thought about our discussion.  Why do couples have big receptions that turn into crazy parties?  Who cares!  They are celebrating a joyous moment in their life, a moment that should be fun. 

I say there is no better way to set the pace for their new life together than with family, friends, and some serious dance-floor shaking partying.  

Congrats Jeremy and Marie - celebrate your love with everything you've got!!