livengrin

IT IS A SCAM!!  Report it!

It's an idiot trying to scam people into sending money via Western Union for various reasons. He's used kidnapping/getting into an accident w/ "your brother", and winning a Honda from "your local dealership"...so lucky....
Complete and total scam.

Anyone knows who this is?

I received a similar text message on 2/4/2011: "Congratulations you have been selected as the winner of a 2011 Honda Accord no personal info req call and ask for Chris Mathews", but the phone number was (856)840-5686. I was curious so i googled him and came across this site. I hope he gets caught.

I received the text message about the Honda and googled the number right away.  I found this site and wanted to log my experience as well.  Is there a way to block this number or block receiving these text message about winning the Honda.  It's happened a few times already over the last few days.  Stop already!
Says to ask for Chris Matthews.  Is Hardball doing that poorly that he has resorted to scams?

I have received the same message over and over about the Honda dealership and whatnot. I told him to remove my number, stop immediately, and while you're at it, check out this website bc no one is buying your crock o sh#$.
I'm still wondering how he got my number.

Note to anyone (still) wondering, at the FIRST mention of Western Union, you should know it's a scam.

P.s. Subway Manager is safe.

We received a call from this number. The man asked for the manager or the person in charge, then he said that there was a bomb and that if we hung up it would explode. I had already heard about a similar situation that had taken place at subway, so I ignored his threats. He told me not to be stupid or try to be a hero, that it was not my money and that if I didnt do wanted I would end up like the girl at subway that got shot in the face. I hung up the phone and Im still alive and no bomb exploded. This took place in Puerto Rico. The guy speakes perfect spanish and english. The cops have been informed and theyre looking into it. The subway manager listened and did what this man told her. She took the money from the store and left in her car. Then she dropped the money where they told her while she was being followed. I hope that this people get caught soon.

I have gotten the same mesage via txt message.  This guy really has some nerve to keep trying this.  Some kind of law enforcement needs to tracks this guy down.

Sorry you went through a similar situation.  It is horrible!  A short amount of time feels like an ETERNITY!
Actually, the police department went to the FBI with this already when it happened to us on Tuesday, 1/11.  So, they are aware of our ordeal as well.  I was also told the FBI opened a case on this.   Fingers crossed that they get this guy!!

Yes, I know for sure this is a scam. I've read about similar ones on 800notes. This is a version of the advance-fee-for-something scam where something is a grant, loan, lottery winnings, interest rate reduction, gift card, doggie, cruise, vacation, free gas, etc., and the advance-fee is for tax, shipping, registration, secure handling, service, etc. They may send you a fake check, may want your credit/debit card or bank account number,  or tell you to wire cash via Western Union, Moneygram, etc. They can put recurrent monthly charges or a 1-time charge on your card or bank account, and sell account info to other criminals and you'll have to replace accounts altogether. Wired-cash is irretrievable - once it's picked up at the other end, it's untraceable and gone. Report to US Postal Service Inspectors https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.

I was so freaked out. It really shook me up. I mean, it really felt like an out of body experience. He was really graphic about describing how hurt my "brother" was. And he was vague enough, but descriptive enough that I played into it. It wouldn't have phased me, if not for the fact that that I couldn't get a hold of my brother at the very second.

And can you believe how idiotic the guy is, that he tried forgot he had done the "basement scam" on me the day before, that he actually tried again with a stupid text message scam!!

Honestly, report it to the FBI in Philly. I did. The guy said he opened a case after reading all these blogs today, which also of corse prompted me to write this one. Calling the police is really the wrong jurisdiction. FBI covered fraud, kidnapping, and even Internet scams. Plus, because it's sort of a non-emergency, the cops can't and don't really do anything.

He can't keep terrorizing people. It's crazy!!

We received a call from this number.  Said he (or they) had our son.  It was the middle of the day, so our son, who is only 9, was at school.  He mentioned something to my husband that they grabbed him, had him locked in a basement.  Mentioned something about drugs in his backpack and wanted money to release him.  My husband started asking questions, and the phone disconnected.  The guy called right back, but my husband did not answer.  We immediately called school to check on our son, who thankfully was o.k.  Then right away called the police, and went and made a police report.  

The police can only do so much if people are not reporting these incidents.  
I understand nusance texts about winning cars are not as bad as someone calling claiming to have your child.  But, please every little bit may be worth it to catch this person.  Please report him!

Hey- em- I had the same thing happen- on Jan 14th. Sick sick scam. Playing on a crazy idea thats ridiculous, but that "what if feeling" is just horrible.
I do have a brother in philly who matches the description. And what's more, I couldn't get a hold of him at that very instant. I kept the guy talking while a coworker called to finallly, after 30 mins of stalling, was able to get my brother on the phone. SICK! After reading your story, I'm amazed how this Chris really has his story down, verbatim! He told me it was the bloods on north cambria, who had my brother in a basement. Said if I didn't wu them money, they'd shoot him and kill him. After verify my bro was all good- I just hung up on him.

I called the number back, a day later and got a voicemail. Which was surprising, as I thought it was a pay phone. Called again, and got a person, who answered, "chris mathews, can I help you?". I hung up.

This idiot had the nerve to text me, literally right after I called. The text said, Pennsylvania HONDA would like to congradulate you on being the GRAND PRIZE winner runner up. You have til 5:00 pm to claim your prize. Call for info. Ask for CHRIS MATHEWS".

Didn't ruining was worth it to txt back that he spelled congratulate wrong.

You'd think this jerk would have his scams on separate phone numbers!!!!! I called the FBI to report this.

I got the same call about winning a Honda Accord 2011, i-phone, macy's check for 1000$.  I would have to western union $430.00 to a family member and then change it when they deliver the car.  I called Western Union and the only person who could collect the money is the person you make the transfer to and they would have to show Photo ID.  Do you really think this is a scam?

Same thing.  Messsage about winning a Honda.  Same Wester n Union, but I didin't send it to him.  Send it to myself and when car is delivered then change the recipient's name.  When I saw other posts, realize it is a scam.

I just got a text from him saying i was a runner up for grand prize for a honda sweepstake and had a hour to return phone call to receive my prize. I called out of curoristy because i am always filling out for contests. And he said honda wanted to give me a car and asked for permission if ABC could film me winning this. He said i had to western union him 450 dollars to cover for insurance and registration and taxes. Which usually the case you have to do win when you win a prize. He said after i sent him the money and they made sure i had that in my bank then they would come with the car. He said that last year they did this and the family didnt believe him and that they were there with the car and they were scrambeling trying to get the money and that the boss didnt want to go through this again so thats why he is asking for the money up front. I had my suspicions and decided to look up the number to see if he really was calling from a honda place and then i saw all these posts and like my gut instinct thought it was a scam. So beware. oh also he is going by the name chris too

Yep. The story is that Chris was walking home in the ally back from a store buying milk for his kid and a pack of cigarettes for himself. He has a wife and a kid. He was supposed to be at work, but now he is caught in this situation trying to help this poor guy that he saw in the basement window covered with blood. The guy handed Chris a piece of paper with my name and number. Chris, ?Mr. I am intelligent? who cannot keep the consistent story said that he knows these guys (perpetrators) so they are not bothering him, but they just want Christ to make the call to see what I was willing to do to help. The victim is my ?son? who is 25 ? 30 years old (hello, I am between 25 ? 30). Then Chris says, he could be my brother (well, I have a brother, but no where near Philly). ?They? told Chris the victim?s name is ?Michael.? The perpetrators believe that Michael stole a bag filled with money from them and they want the money back, which is $1000. Michael is about 5?8?? Caucasian. They do not want you to get off the phone because they do not want you to call the police, yet they heard my office phone rings and I even put them on hold?.. They still went along with me (which they must have thought I was totally buying their story) and told me to get in the car and go to the nearest Western Union so that I can wire them the money. Chris even offered to meet up with me (I was so tempted to accept this offer so I could kick his stupid behind)! I told Christ that I needed verification that Michael is still alive then I will even double the money. Chris decided that I watch ?too much movies.?  LMAO!  I called police anyways. I talked to my detective/police buddies, who told me not to worry about this, but it certainly is upsetting. What if I knew Michael who fits the description that they provided? I have to admit, as much as I knew that this was pathetically bad and very immature scam, I was at the same time a bit nervous since it could be my boyfriend or close friends?..

I got the text too. I gave the number to another person to call and he basically said the same story but wanted $1000. People are scum.

i got the same exact message, i called and the guy said his name was chris, he told me this big lie. i called the cops and they are on their way.

I got the same message , dont believe it . we already called the cops and they have responded.

the message sent to me was
"This guy that is hurt gave me your number. I have been trying to call ya but in th"
and that's all he said. i asked who he was and never got a response.