Before I go on, can I just say that Travel Library is an excellent site and I fully recommend everyone sign up. I have had quite a few bookings through them and will continue to use them.
I received a booking request from Steven Douglas who works for the following company:
HALLE RICHARDS INVESTMENTS
178 HIGH HOLBORN
LONDON, WC1V 7AA.
If you receive an e-mail from him, expect it to be a hoax. Reading Travel Library's "Avoiding Scams & Fraudulent Booking Enquiries," he's tried this before.
I got an enquiry for 4 weeks in my apartment for 5 of his colleagues who were on a workshop programme. He provided the names of the staff but he wasn't included. At first I thought great. Then I asked myself, who goes on a 4 week workshop programme ........ in Bad Gastein?
I sent a response with a price and I got a response saying he was out of the country and would pay by credit card – this is a common theme of his e-mails by the looks of other reports. At this point I though I’d check out the company. I did a Google search, searched the Yellow Pages, even went to Companies House website - nothing!
I'm 99.9% sure it's a scam. I don't know how the scam works but it just isn't right.
I am still in discussion with him - I asked him to tell me what flights his staff were arriving on and asked him to pay by company cheque but after asking for that info, I doubt I’ll hear from him again.
My advice is if you receive an e-mail from Steven Douglas, treat it with caution.
Out of interest, does anyone know how I can report him to the Police.
Thanks
Kersh
..and Party 