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Subject: Collector's Corner...Our favoriteTasc scam becomes even more insidious!!

Author: Dick Schneiders

Date: 10:32:20 05/04/05


I received the following email, unsolicited, offering to sell me a Tasc R30.

<<

Subj: Re: Question for item #5184402040 - The Tasc R30 1995 Chess Computer
Schachcomputer
Date: 5/3/2005 5:40:49 PM Central Standard Time
From: acatistomam@yahoo.com
To: dickschnei@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)

Hello

I am contacting you regarding my item " The Tasc R30 1995 Chess Computer
Schachcomputer  " I had for sale on ebay 2 week ago. I took the auction out to
sell it to someone and it turned out that my buyer didn't have the money to pay.
If you are still interested pls contact me. Would be able to sell with  US$1250
 with shipping included


Best regards

>>

It appears to be in response to a question, but I had never sent any question to
this person.  I tried to look up, on eBay, the item number in the title of this
email, but it never showed up.  If it was only a couple of weeks earlier, it
would have.  Also, I had no recollection of any Tasc R30 recently, and I try to
keep up on these things.  And since the seller did not sign the email, I was
suspicious.  I asked the seller to send me some pictures of the Tasc.

This is the email I received.  I will not post the pictures that were sent, for
space considerations.

<<

Tascs strength and features:
* Johan de Konings 256KB programme on a 32-bit RISC processor running at 30MHz
* Cock de Gorter’s 200,000+ ply opening book. Including a special Aegon anti
human book.
* 128KB working memory and 512KB Hash tables #
* A 41cm x 41cm auto sensory board (SB20) with LED's on each square plus two
indicating colour to play next.
* Smart Board can be attached to your PC so you can play your favourite Chess
programme (This needs a separate cable and driver disc NOT INCLUDED with this
sale).
* Piece recognition. Just place the pieces on the board and the TASC
automatically picks up what piece is where without you having to tell it!
* A fantastic user programmable display, see pics.
* Any time control possible.
* Special beginners and coaching levels.
* You can even use the board and chess clock to play a game against another
player with the TASC as referee or even analysing every move.
* 5 Different playing styles.
Picture 1: The Tasc Chess System
Picture 2: The Tasc Module Unit in Aluminium Flight case.
Picture 3: The Tasc Board
Picture 4: The Tasc Programme Version shown.
Picture 5: The Tasc information display
Picture 6: The Tasc showing analogue clocks
Picture 7: Overhead shot of board in play
Picture 8: The Tasc in play against a Mephisto Genius!
This Computer comes with the original instruction manual
and the original mains adapter (plus two pin to three pin adapter plug for the
UK).

As for shipping and  payment I would like SquareTrade to supervise the
transaction so I can shipp the product first , prior than receiving payment.
If you agree with me I will start the transaction and you will be informed by
SquareTrade with how to proceed. They will keep the money untill you will
inspect the item and agree with purchasing it. If description made by seller
doesn't mach you will have full refund of your money. You will have two days for
evaluation to decide after shipping reaches destination.
If you agree with this please email me your shipping details, and full name for
contact.

Thank you,
Robyn  Johnson

>>

There were several pictures, and they were exactly the same pictures that have
been used in the eBay scams of Clive's Tasc R30 that he sold.  The aluminum
flight case is a clue as to the source of these pictures.  :-)

I am very surprised at the "sellers" mention of "SquareTrade to supervise the
transaction".  He must be able to falsify emails from them, also, in order to
hope to make this scam work.

I don't know how the seller found out that I am interested in purchasing a Tasc
system, and got my email address.

I don't really know what my next step should be.  I probably won't send "Robyn
Johnson" any money, though.  :-)

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks,

Dick Schneiders



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