Illinois Smart Logistics is either being used for a scam or IS a scam

My brother called yesterday to ask my opinion on this online deal he found. Within the first few sentences, it sounded eerily similar to one I ran into with someone trying to sell a nicely priced, great condition camper but using "ebay vehicle services" or some such semi-legit sounding company.

Once he gave me the first details my first question to him was, "does she happen to say she's a flight attendant or getting a divorce and is using this company to handle the transaction"? BINGO. Only this time it's Illinois Smart Logistics and he says 'but they have a website and check out.'

Long story short, we determined it was a scam. I'm posting here because I found almost nothing online pointing to this being a scam. Also, I found nothing to explain where the scam happens. My guess is, they provide enough of an illusion to make you think you're dealin with a legit company and the wire transfer is not to any legit company and then your money goes poof.

My guess is it's popped up just since November 2019 (that's when the domain name was registered through namecheap.com). The company website, ilsmartlogistics.com, says it's been in business for 17 years. Sure, they could've just established a website or moved the domain name registration but once you see enough red flags, you can pretty much go with it being a scam.

For example, the email she sent was word-for-word of the ebay/motorhome one with the different product and company name subbed in. Otherwise, identical. Take a look:

Samuel, I'm a flight attendant for American Airlines and because I'm away most of the time I will not be able to deal in person. I'm from Chicago, IL and before leaving I took the skid steer with all the documents to a local shipping company, Illinois Smart Logistics. My presence won't be necessary because their policy is that for 5 days you can test the skid steer while they act as an escrow party and hold your money while you try it out. The delivery fee is included in the price, don't worry. But if on the 5th day you decide against it, though I seriously doubt it, you can return it and get refunded within 24 hours. What I recommend is that we have them to issue an invoice, so you can see for yourself how it works and be able to contact them personally. NOTE: I'm obscuring some info like email addresses and my bro's last name.) 

From: Rebecca LooneySent: Friday, January 10, 2020 10:23 PM
To: samuel Subject: Re: Skid steer

Hi, I'm glad you are interested in my skid steer, it's still available for the price stated in the ad, $12,000.00. I want to be very clear, I'm not selling this machine for a lower price and I'm not interested in any trades or payments. So, it is a 2018 Caterpillar 289D Skid Steer equipped with a 74 HP diesel engine and a 2 speed travel transmission, has 148 hours. The machine is paid in full, no lien/loan or any outstanding debts and I have all the documents, manuals and service records since was new. I guarantee it's been well maintained and ready to work anytime! I own the caterpillar because of my divorce settlement and I'm selling it because I have some urgent debts to pay and also don't need it, so I'm trying to get rid of it as soon as possible. As I'm in a big hurry to sell it I need a fast and reliable buyer, so please let me know if I can rely on you on this deal, I don't want to waste our time if you are not determined to buy or you don't have the funds available.

Here is a link with some photos:  https://imgur.com/a/QaabuRE

From: Rebecca Looney
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2020 2:35:50 PM
To: samuel
Subject: Re: Skid steer

Samuel, I'm a flight attendant for American Airlines and because I'm away most of the time I will not be able to deal in person. I'm from Chicago, IL and before leaving I took the skid steer with all the documents to a local shipping company, Illinois Smart Logistics. My presence won't be necessary because their policy is that for 5 days you can test the skid steer while they act as an escrow party and hold your money while you try it out. The delivery fee is included in the price, don't worry. But if on the 5th day you decide against it, though I seriously doubt it, you can return it and get refunded within 24 hours. What I recommend is that we have them to issue an invoice, so you can see for yourself how it works and be able to contact them personally.

Let's have Illinois Smart Logistics get in touch with you so you can understand better. If interested please include in your next email your contact info for Illinois Smart Logistics: full name, shipping address and phone number, so we can move forward with this transaction

Hope we can do business 

She arranged for the company to send him an invoice. Again, I've obscured some personal info:

A couple of the red flags: 

• Item listing was too good to be true, according to my brother. 
• The address for the company doesn't seem to exist according to Google maps. (Rebecca's does.) 
• The PDF refers to the phone number 773-234-0098 as their financial department. On their website that is the only phone number. A little odd. 
• When you call that number, you speak to a woman with a very heavy accent who is hard to understand and says no one else is available to speak with. 
• Info for them on the google search is scant. Good SEO though.
  

Archive of Crystal Family Photo Pendant Ornaments from Rook17

Earlier I found a Pin showing these previous photo ornaments that looked like jewels. I spent way too long trying to find the instructions in their entirety. They are no longer on what appears to be the creator's blog, Rook17.  I finally popped over the archive.org to track them down. Voila.

All instructions and photos below are from the Wayback Machine's archive of the post. Pics and instructions are not mine. 

Crystal Family Photo Pendant Ornaments

 Materials

• Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
• Plaid's Folk Art Acrylic Paint -- Metallic Silver or Gold
• Chandelier Crystals (From the craft store or home improvement store)
• Family photos, scanned and reduced to fit the dimensions of the crystal. 
• pencil
• scissors
• paper towel
• paint brush
• Pinch bails (from the beading section of the craft store -- silver or gold depending on your preference)
• Beads of your choice
• Crimp tubes
• Crimp bead covers
• All-in-one jewelry pliers
• Silver or gold beading wire (thin enough to pass through the beads when doubled-up.)

Step 1:  Print out photos in high quality on regular printer paper.  Lay crystal on top of photo and trace with a pencil.  Cut along the inside of the pencil marks.

Step 2:  Set crystal on piece of paper towel.  Apply a thin coat of Dimensional Magic to the back of the crystal, leaving a 1/8" border.  Gently set the photo (face down) on top of the Dimensional Magic.  Using a finger, press the photo into place.  The paper towel will prevent the Dimensional Magic from running to the front of the crystal.  You can apply firm pressure without getting your other hand sticky. Work out any wrinkles, then set aside to dry for a few minutes.

Step 3:   When Dimensional Magic is dry, paint the back of the paper with the Folk Art Metallic paint.  Allow to dry for a few minutes, then brush on a second coat.

Step 4:  When the second coat of paint is dry, you're ready to start beading.  To bead:

• Pinch a bail into place with your all-in-one tool.  If the hole in the crystal has been sealed by the photo, use a pin or needle to open it back up.
• Thread an 9"-10" piece of wire through the bail.  Lock into place by threading a small bead through both ends of the wire (length will depend on how long you would like the finished ornament to be).   
• Continue adding beads by threading both ends of the wire through the hole.      
• When you've achieved the desired length, thread the ends  of the wire through a crimp tube, in opposite directions, to create a loop.  Pinch crimp tube in place with your all-in-one tool.  Then use the tool to trim the loose ends of the wire.   

   

Your ornaments are ready to hang from the tree or wrap as a gift.

 

The Dimensional Magic Crystal Pendants can also be attached to a larger bail and hung from a necklace.  I'll be featuring a tutorial for these braided lace and chain necklaces later in the week. 

those were the folds

One of my last classes in UB's Publications Design program was Advanced Graphic Design. One of my favorite classes. We took on some fun, creative projects each week. Lots of working with folding and paper cutting. Paper craft on steroids.

I fell for pop up books during that class and very cool folded objects.

Once a week I get these emails from the Fold Factory but the image isn't always enough to make me go watch the video. This one was. I think this is called a Jacob's Ladder (I didn't have audio on). We did one for class and I remember being so excited by my concept but it didn't work out. I went out and bought a Mr. Potatohead and took pics of him in different faces. And so I thought it'd be this Mr. Potatohead of a thousand faces idea, but in a paper fold. It wasn't quite as cool in execution as it was in my head.

Here's a very lovely, professional execution of the same thing. I don't get to do this for work but I can dream. And it's nice to know that maybe that class could be used for the business world someday.

slip a nickel in my pot, joe

I went to the coffee shop around the corner to get an afternoon fix. There was some loud, club music playing. After gazing numbly at the coffee menu I looked at the barrista, who was waiting for the customer in front of me to hand over his cash. She caught my eye and started moving her shoulder to the beat of the music.

Having a silly, caffeine-based relationship with her is great. I'm not a regular at this place, but she remembers me and I her. When I go and she's there, we always have a good laugh. She might be faking it to get a good tip. Maybe she's sized me up as a sucker for being willing to toss a tip for a connection. Fine by me. It works.

The laughter is worth $1 and the experience is genuine.

and so it is done...

12:40 am.

I'm sitting on a balance ball. My laptop precariously resting on my outstretched leg. Dog next to me, snoring.

Just finished cutting and folding then gathering my semester's work. Something masochistic in me doesn't want to go to sleep just yet. How can I sleep? It's not 2, 3, or 5 am.

This class has been challenging, enjoyable, stressful, sleep-depriving, educational, encouraging, fun. Everyone added something to the experience. See you all around campus.

Why do some people decide to start line/queue right in the obvious flow of foot traffic? Say you go in to a Sbucks and there's only one person in line, ordering at the cash register. You have the choice -- stand right behind the person and cut off foot traffic or stand alongside the pastry case. Why do some people choose the first option? Even when I'm dead tired, I still think 'where do I stand to make sure people can still get through?'

These are the things that drive me crazy. Don't be oblivious!

flash assignment

For fear of not having enough blog entries, i'm posting the link to my flash project. I sent the link to some friends and family who haven't seen me lately because of this class. My dad is not known for being a gushing parent by any means so I accept the smallest of victories. His response was too funny:

Hi Stace:

How much of this are you responsible for? Did you do all the animation and the “balloon” text from scratch? It’s very creative!!!!

It looks good on the screen. Does the music change tempo on purpose? Is that to reflect the spud’s mood?

May I forward this to people?

Dad

I told him he was welcome to send it to anyone but that he might be suffering a bit from the overly proud parent syndrome. Can you imagine? "Look at what my 36 year old daughter did. I'm so proud of her." Oh, that's a laugh.