There is another booking scam doing the rounds, this time a bit more elaborate than most.  Thanks to one of our industry colleagues for forwarding this message below.  Please note that all spelling and grammatical errors are straight from the original message.

Hello xxxx,

Thanks for your reply and assistance so far. Sorry I am replying late. It is because I am not in my base (Greece) right now. I am in UK for an import Christian Seminar/Sumit.

In any case, I am glad to tell you that I have just concluded payment arrangement with the delegates. They are from Greece but right now, they are in South Africa on a special assignment by the Bishop. I have been authorized to make part payment of £1,000 to you. This is to confirm the booking.

Once more, their names are,

1. Pastor & Mrs. Eric & Shawn Paula
2. Mr. & Mrs. Bruno & Serena Brooks
3. Mr. & Mrs. Terry & Helen Aries

However, owing to there authorization, I am going to send you the Credit Card Information that will cover the deposit payment for their reservation, and the necessary arrangment for the delegates. This was the concensus reached by the church leaders.

Sequel to this, I was able to make arrangement with a pre-paid car hiring agent who will supply the delegates with cars and personal drivers that would convey them to there different destinations while in UK for the visit. He has accepted to render this service to the delegates, but does not have credit card charging facility to enable him charge there credit card. Instead, he has adviced that you send him the money through either Moneygram or Western Union Money Transfer.

Owing to this development, the delegates have instructed that I send the credit card to you to charge the money and remit the difference to the agent to enable him provide the cars and drivers needed during this period. Furthermore, in order not to share the credit card information with a third party, they have decided that only your hotel would be authorized to handle the credit card information.

So once you receive the credit card, you are required to charge (£4,000) from it. Then deduct the deposit cost of your services (£1,000) and kindly send (£3,000) via Moneygram or Western Union Money to the agent whose personal contacts would be forwarded to you in my next mail.

For record purposes, confirm this message and provide me with your;

(1) YOUR FULL NAME
(2) FULL ADDRESS
(3) PHONE NUMBERS for office record.

Note that the balance of your payment will be paid cash upon arrival by the guests.

Please! remember that the integrity of our agency is involved, so this business requires prompt response. I also hope the stay of the delegates would be made comfortable.

Kind Regards

Dr. Collins Cole

NB: I am now in UK and can be reached on this mobile number; +44 (0) 703 184 8436