Rule #1 Guys, Don't send ANYONE money -- Ever.

[jntcm]

I've been on here for a few months now, and I see people posting about scammers in here all the time. Tonight I was fortunate enough to encounter my first scammer, and I saw him coming from 200 miles away and I promptly told him "No way".

Don't fall for the scammers games, guys. They message you out of the blue, tell you that you're cute and they like you and they want to come and be with you and do all of these unheard of sexual things to you... but wait... there's a catch:

"I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts!"

It sounds bad, I know... But, if you send them a few hundred dollars, the world will once again be righted and they will come directly to you and it will be nothing but sunshine and happiness until the end of time.

DON'T DO IT!

My rendition of what may happen is, clearly, overly dramatic and you can (hopefully) see that what I've laid out before you is a load of crap. The kids with the to-die-for sexy pictures who say they love you will not be as obvious. Regardless, you must resist them.

If they truly are homeless, stranded, etc there are resources available to them who will help them:

1. They can post on their local Craigslist for somewhere to crash for a few days. It will be much easier for them to get somewhere local (and at no cost to you, to boot!) than for you to give them money to fly/drive/bicycle to wherever you are.
   
2. They can go to a shelter. There are 3,500+ shelters in the US. Some cater specifically to Youth -- some even to GLBT youth. (http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/)
   
3. No car, no gas, pogo stick broken? No way to get to the shelter? They can call the local police. They will gladly take them to a shelter.
   
4. Did their parents throw them out because they're gay? Call the local PFLAG office. They'll put 'em up for a few days and help them get back on their feet. (http://community.pflag.org/page.aspx?pid=256)
   

You do not have to help them. Their predicament whether real, or most likely, a fictionalization is not your fault. They were like that when you found them, and they will be like that when you keep on walking. The above resources are available to them free of charge. Keep your money, buy yourself something pretty -- don't give it to them.

Bottom line, please don't send them money. It's a trick. If it sounds too good to be true (i.e.: drop-dead gorgeous guy telling you that you're hotter than an oven on the sun, when you know good and well that you're an elderly bald man*, and he wants nothing more than to be snuggled up in your arms tonight.) it probably is.

Common sense is the rule guys.

* Nothing against elderly bald men, by the way. I just needed an example. Everyone is beautiful in their own way.

[michael]

Great information. Thanks.

[shakota]

There's a big difference between buying a ticket and sending cash or western union. A scammer boy will insist upon cash, whereas if a boy fails to follow thru on a purchased ticket, the ticket is at least, usually, partially recoverable.

[DavidCreighton]

couldn't a Master just send a ticket if the sub wasn't able to pay for his fare?

[jntcm]

Send money... No.

Buy travel, yes.

My post does not discourage against that. Employers can, and if need be, should purchase travel for the houseboy to get to them. But, protect your interest. Don't blindly send money. Buy a non-transferable plane/bus/train ticket in the houseboy's name from their location to yours. If they intend to scam you and/or just want money for whatever reason then this is worthless to them and they won't want it.

It seems to send a message to "not send anyone money" is ridiculous. Of course employers have to send money or buy travel for a houseboy. I don't know of any houseboy who can afford to purchase travel himself. Even though I did It was only because I had a little money from a past job and now that money is gone but its not the money that was the issue its the fact that someone lied and didn't show up and then they were able to get away with it on this site and do it not once but twice. If houseboys had money to travel then they wouldn't need to be houseboys....

[jntcm]

The moral of this story is, its best to try to find a local house boy. Or at least one in your own state so you can avoid the travel problems.

I wouldn't advise a fully refundable ticket, as those are expensive. In my experience round trip tickets are only a little bit more than one-way tickets, so I see no reason not to go that route. Get the return ticket for 3 weeks down the road. By then you should know if your houseboy is working out or not. If he isn't, send him back where he came from. If he his, you're out a couple bucks on the ticket. Oh well.

One guy who messaged me actually thought I was going to be "stupid as I was before" and do it again. I told him he had to financially help me relocate to him and then he accused me of being a scammer. I told him that I did not want him to send me any money. I had no problem traveling light so that I wouldn't have the need to pay for baggage or any other things in which needed additional money. I expressed that I only needed him to buy a "fully refundable" roundtrip ticket since he said that there was a trial period. He preceded to tell me that he was only buying a one way ticket and that if either of us decided not to continue that he would purchase travel back home....lol

If this is what I have to look forward to then Ill probably end up deleting my profile. I don't understand why someone who says they need and want a houseboy would not pay for travel and expenses to them? I thought thats what employers did in order to hire houseboys?

[clayton]

I have been approached many times by houseboys with all their stories and needing money. I always said no. Then I met this one guy Peter, and we talked for long time. He gave me his phone number, and even sent me his passport. He also gave me his Facebook page. I checked them all out and he sounded for real.

We made plans for him to move here and live with me. He had this story that he owed some guy money and could not leave before he paid him. Well I just knew this was not true but we talked back and forth and his facebook page talking to friends and such, he just sounded like a real guy, so I sent him some money and I sent him a ticket to meet me in Spain, but he never showed up.

Then we talked back and forth and more comments on his facebook page, Gerrad from Netherlands and UK, from his friends, and he just kept coming up with stories, but he wanted to move here and live with me. We finally agreed and I sent him a ticket to fly to here and live with me.

Then 5 hours before he was to fly here he emailed me and said that someone told him he needed to have 500 pounds in his account before he could fly. I told him that was not true and just go to the airport and get on the plane.

Well he never showed up, surprise. Then he was not online for some time. Then I get this email saying he knows I am upset but don't be because he was in an accident on the way to the airport and ended up in the hospital. I told him to send me some pictures.

Well he never did and next thing he was on his facebook Pet-- Ger-ad, and he was using a new Blackberry.

Then he finally admitted that he had used the money for school fees, which is also a lie. His facebook page says he graduated some time back.

This guy is a pure liar and con artist.

I have found out that he has had other names on houseboy. He was brokenheartedPeter, PeterVG, Sanjosekid

Houseboy needs to post information on this guy and anyone that wants information on him I can provide you with copies of his UK passport and his Netherlands passport, and his facebook page so you can watch out for him.

We need to pass this guys information around and each of us that have been scammed or attempted to be scammed, we should start an email back and forth to share this information, since Houseboy is not doing anything to help keep these con artists off the site.

Email lookingtotraveltheworld@yahoo.com if you want any information on this guy.

Also if anyone else out there has had dealings with this guy, would love to hear from you.

[CuriousCP]

Wow, I just made my HB profile just yesterday and decided to look around the Forums, and noticed there are A LOT of topics about issues with this site and its members. Reading this just makes me more angrier at users/con artists/complete liars. It makes the Employers much much more cautious about the Houseboys they talk to, which makes it even more difficult a task for an actual, devoted Houseboy to become a Houseboy for said Employers. It goes the other way as well with Employers that lie and cheat Houseboys. And the story above with the Peter or whatever guy that was "real"...that just annoys me, and makes all the potential and willing soon-to-be Houseboys look bad. If you're one of those users/liars and you're reading this, seriously...stop the bs. Anyway, obviously I'm a houseboy myself and quite honestly have phone calls chat and do as much as you can to know the Employer/Houseboy, and build a strong trustworthy bond. Really though, if you really feel the need to, send the money, but I say only do it once. Serious Houseboys would take advantage of an opportunity like that, if an Employer decides to send you money. If they don't go through with that opportunity, then seriously fellow Employers, just move on.

[scubie2014md]

this topic is very intresting. Im wondering how employers expect a houseboy to meet them if they arent willing to pay travel and expenses. If an employer doesnt want to risk sending money then why not travel to the houseboy instead of the houseboy traveling to you. That way you could get a room/ have dinner..talk etc..and see that the houseboy is actually a real person?

I dont know its just a thought. This is all new to me but as I search for employers and read some houseboys profiles as well its starting to seem like a slutty version of the dating apps that are already out on smartphones and over the internet lol. So far I have only chatted with ONE of the 20+ guys who viewed my profile or have sent me messages that seems genuine and a nice guy.

[Nantucketman]

I have only been a member here at Houseboy.com for a few weeks and yet already this has been my experience with it's members:

Micpropst claimed to be from Brooklyn here yet with a phone exchange from the Midwest but it turns out he is in Nigeria(what a surprise right?).He said he was on peace mission and immediately hit me up to help some Nigerian king get 500,000 euros out of the country...This man is a typical scammer.

Realdeal311 came to live with me and was actually a very good worker but has a troubled past of drugs and incarceration and stole something when we went to the supermarket. He claimed he was totally into mutual sex yet once here would only let me suck him off a few times, and then suddenly just cut me off completely the final week because he is re-examining his "issues" about sex from the past. He also started constantly heading down in my truck to the nude/gay beach so I can only figure he was down there for sex. He just has way too many problems he is dealing with to figure out I guess but I wish him good luck.

I just sent Michael22 from Washington,D.C. $100 as he needed gas money to drive up here he said. He texted me all the way until around 5pm and then it just stopped and dear Michael never arrived and not a word from him so I put him down to being another young scammer to be avoided. He has also now blocked me it seems, this after telling me how much he wanted a great new life with me.

I am beginning to think there are no honest young men here just looking for a great life with an older man who will cherish them and take care of them and treat them with respect.

[blueskyskip]

Hi All. Just a few words to add to this thread in the hope of contributing some common sense and some experiences.

1 - there is nothing is the world as dumb as an older gay man when confronted with a handsome 20-something guy who wants to play. I’m not being rude - this is all of us employers. Preferably J/O first then look at the profiles.

2 - always spend time checking - use google image search, which often reveals copied porn stars’ photos. There’s a whole series of profiles of ’trained slave bois’ ‘seeking ownership’ or similar wording. Too good to be true - too right! Turn-ons are invariably ‘honesty’ and turn-offs ‘dishonesty’ - it’s so funny you should laugh at it. The Admin here deletes them as fast as he can. Always spend plenty of time swapping emails and on skype - if that’s not possible, there’s a problem!

3 - confession time - I have bought air tickets (I’m in Europe) but of course don’t spend more than you are OK to lose, just in case it doesn’t work out. I did even send money to the US though the guy DID come to Europe and was an absolute Angel and we keep in touch (he’s in college).

In summary - do be cautious; check as much as you can and ask lots of questions. Only proceed if you have NO doubts. And on a final positive note - I’ve met some wonderful guys on HB!

[cdolan167]

Lesson learned here

[Takaria]

Interesting thread. Some thoughts are heartwarming and reassuring that there are good and nice employers. However, one employer's entry in this thread made it sound like he was talking about objects instead of houseboys/person.

Fair to assume, as both for employers and houseboys, that the bad apples spoil the whole bunch?

[DJHJD]

Interesting thread. Some thoughts are heartwarming and reassuring that there are good and nice employers. However, one employer's entry in this thread made it sound like he was talking about objects instead of houseboys/person.

Fair to assume, as both for employers and houseboys, that the bad apples spoil the whole bunch?

Lesson learned here

Hi All. Just a few words to add to this thread in the hope of contributing some common sense and some experiences.

1 - there is nothing is the world as dumb as an older gay man when confronted with a handsome 20-something guy who wants to play. I’m not being rude - this is all of us employers. Preferably J/O first then look at the profiles.

2 - always spend time checking - use google image search, which often reveals copied porn stars’ photos. There’s a whole series of profiles of ’trained slave bois’ ‘seeking ownership’ or similar wording. Too good to be true - too right! Turn-ons are invariably ‘honesty’ and turn-offs ‘dishonesty’ - it’s so funny you should laugh at it. The Admin here deletes them as fast as he can. Always spend plenty of time swapping emails and on skype - if that’s not possible, there’s a problem!

3 - confession time - I have bought air tickets (I’m in Europe) but of course don’t spend more than you are OK to lose, just in case it doesn’t work out. I did even send money to the US though the guy DID come to Europe and was an absolute Angel and we keep in touch (he’s in college).

In summary - do be cautious; check as much as you can and ask lots of questions. Only proceed if you have NO doubts. And on a final positive note - I’ve met some wonderful guys on HB!

Just spent weeks talking to Stokesys -

Verified him on FB, did a background check, talked to him endlessly - fell for the same scam. His non-refundable air ticket for today went unused. Not a peep out of him since I told him I wouldn't send him any more money until he got here.

I think that the most salient point is - don't send a red cent more than you can afford to lose, and you got value from your "purchase" in the fantasy of some handsome young man making you feel, for a few short days, like you still had some value as a relationship partner.

[jntcm]

The moral is don't send any money. At all. Ever. (Or gold, or diamonds, or rubies, or bitcoins, or anything that can be currency.)

As a personal rule, I don't even use anything like Western Union for people I know... They're just the worst company in existence. So I'd definitely never use it for a random stranger I met on the internet.

Just cut and past the following: "No, no money." whenever they ask.

Do your due diligence, and if you think they're worthwhile send them a ticket or go visit them on your own. The best option, really, is to go see them. Meet them in person. Then bring them back with you if you so desire.

As soon as you offer them a ticket instead of money they'll find reasons to "need" money.

"My phone time runs out tomorrow, I won't be able to talk to you anymore." -- Sorry, we tried. Next.

"I have to pay <insert person here> to <insert task here> before I can leave." - Oh well, good luck. Next.

"My <relative> was <somehow injured> and I have to pay for <something> before I can go." -- Sucks to be you. Next.

"My <relative> threw me out and I have nowhere to stay until I can get to you." -- Every city has a homeless shelter of some kind. If not, the Red Cross and/or PFLAG will put you up for a day or 2.

"I need money to get to the bus/train/airport/etc." -- Walk. It'll do you wonders.

Think with the big head, not the little one fellas and you'll be ok.

Just spent weeks talking to Stokesys -

Verified him on FB, did a background check, talked to him endlessly - fell for the same scam. His non-refundable air ticket for today went unused. Not a peep out of him since I told him I wouldn't send him any more money until he got here.

I think that the most salient point is - don't send a red cent more than you can afford to lose, and you got value from your "purchase" in the fantasy of some handsome young man making you feel, for a few short days, like you still had some value as a relationship partner.

[jntcm]

Responding to an old post here, but I've been pondering this subject lately.

If we take the optional sex out of the equation, this is just another job, right? I'm an employer, you desire to be my employee.

So, lets say you lived somewhere and wanted to get a job at Burger King across town. Would you call them up some day and say "Hi! I'd like to work for you guys, but I'm all the way across town. Will you wire me cab fare so I can come for an interview?" No. Not unless you wanted all the Burger King people to laugh at you. Point being, why is this job any different? Why is it somehow the responsibility of the employer to get the employee to the interview?

Think with the big head guys.

There's a big difference between buying a ticket and sending cash or western union. A scammer boy will insist upon cash, whereas if a boy fails to follow thru on a purchased ticket, the ticket is at least, usually, partially recoverable.

[Guest]

On ‎11‎/‎14‎/‎2015 at 4:10 PM, jntcm said:

Responding to an old post here, but I've been pondering this subject lately.

If we take the optional sex out of the equation, this is just another job, right? I'm an employer, you desire to be my employee.

So, lets say you lived somewhere and wanted to get a job at Burger King across town. Would you call them up some day and say "Hi! I'd like to work for you guys, but I'm all the way across town. Will you wire me cab fare so I can come for an interview?" No. Not unless you wanted all the Burger King people to laugh at you. Point being, why is this job any different? Why is it somehow the responsibility of the employer to get the employee to the interview?

Think with the big head guys.

There are two types of "employers" on this site, but the answer to that is actually quite simple. This is NOT a real job. Here is how you know it's not real:

If the manager at Burger King did indeed hire a taxi to help a new applicant make his/her interview and that person came in and robbed the store, the manager can call law enforcement and file a report.

On the other hand, if a man pays to bring a "boy" to his house (and we all know 90% of the time it's for the potential for sex) and that "boy" robs him blind, does the man call the cops? Hell no, because he knows he can't explain to them that someone he hired for (ultimately) sex robbed him. That would be like calling the cops because your crack dealer shorted you a few rocks.

Actually, I'm a 911 dispatcher now and have worked in law enforcement for many years over many states, and I can say that last one actually happens on a daily basis.

Back to the point, though; just because the word "employer" is on this site doesn't mean the positions offered here are real jobs. Just because you see it on the internet doesn't mean it's true ("...he's a French model." Remember that commercial?). I mean sure; if you hired an actual maid, you would probably expect him or her to provide their own transportation. However, you're not on houseboy.com to hire a maid. Let's just be honest.

It doesn't mean a person can't benefit from this site, though. Personally, I had a great time as a houseboy filling a void in a good man's life and being a true friend.

I was the guy that the other 10% of the "employers" here took in. These guys weren't looking for twinks or dick pictures or anything like that. They were respected men looking for that go-to guy that would be there to help him manage his day and his life. I learned from the guys I was with, and they learned from me. What I learned from them got me a real job in law enforcement years ago, but it wasn't that long ago that I was sleeping in my car. I know what it's like to be down and to owe everything to the helping hand of one trusting stranger.

I am about to leave my job as a 911 dispatcher to work from home now that my own business has taken off. Because of what I've been through, I would be the kind of employer that, instead of laughing, would offer a ride to the right kind of person that was trying his hardest to get a job and just get a leg up in life.

No matter the situation, one thing remains the same; it's always a bad idea to send money to strangers. You can always send a ticket or go meet the person yourself instead.

 

 

 

[Buck52]

On 5/22/2012 at 3:19 PM, jntcm said:

send

I agree that this site does seem more heavily infested with money scammers than others I've frequented and I've only been on this site a little over a week. 

 I've developed a good nose for most but am often still surprised by some of the "slick" cons they use. 

Take "Sirkinkt" for example. Claims to be master of do-and-so, wants my email immediately to send details. Turns out he wants a fee of $5k for his "trained" boy. NOT!

Another recent one, "MuscledCutie", who I've seen a couple of posts here from him, who is here in Texas as am I. He's so anxious to come be with me, can't wait, truck is getting taken away, phone getting turned off, relative throwing him out of the place he's staying, has no way here other than a friend who wants $100 to bring him, please send the money. I tell him I'll pay the driver upon arrival. Driver says nope. I say fine, I'll come pick you up the next day, give me the address. Never heard from him again. Scam! So like has been previously stated numerous times, don't send money. And watch out for the two previous characters. Peace to you all. 

[Djphilly29]

I was scammed out of $400 today

[Buck52]

By the same guy that I mentioned in this post. 

[Nantucketman]

On 3/7/2012 at 12:48 AM, shakota said:

There's a big difference between buying a ticket and sending cash or western union. A scammer boy will insist upon cash, whereas if a boy fails to follow thru on a purchased ticket, the ticket is at least, usually, partially recoverable.

The ticket is refundable but to HIM not to you. I found that out the hard way after buying a $700 plane fare for a guy who then missed the plane supposedly because he had to buy health insurance for his mother "before I leave" which made no sense since he could have done it a day later from here.

[Nantucketman]

Ok after being scammed numerous times because i am too stupid to see the warning signs let me pass along some ways to detect you are being scammed: 1) He can't ever appear on camera live because his camera is broken(African guys will say spoilt) 2)He just needs $200 out of the $500 3)He sent you pics that look like a pro model but when you ask for a specific photo like two fingers against his cheek he can't manage that for some excuse 4)He is an orphan and his parents either died in a car crash or one died to cancer and now his mother has moved to Ghana or Nigeria for medical reasons(What American would do that?)Do not deal with anyone who admits to even being in Africa for any reason as the guy who claims he is from USa or Europe will later tell you he is having customs problems with the art or whatever he is exporting for his business or else his passport and money were stolen(he can contact his embassy or his Bank for a wire right?) 5) Do not accept a box or package for him because he trusts you 100% and you just need to pay a courier a fee to accept it 6)He has no money now but manages to be on internet and must be paying rent to live somewhere and just can't seem to file for unemployment or welfare and a SNAP card for food(no one these days should be without money and food in the US). He uses the word TRUST a lot as well as LOVE yet he has never met you: come on guy, you are being scammed!!! Ask to talk to him on the phone: an african voice is very distinctive and you will hear the voices of kids and adults usually in the background though he claims to be alone. I hope this help you avoid the traps I fell into. Now no money goes out for any reason: if they are real they will make it to me on their own.

 

[ProfDad49]

i got hit up for money yesterday by iambronson. He "absolutely" wanted to come live with me, but first he just needed $320 by 5pm yesterday for his car note and insurance. We only had our first communication yesterday, and within an hour he wanted the money...and was mad that i didn't "trust" him. LOL. When I said the only way i would consider paying it was if he sent me the account login info and let me pay it directly, he said that wouldn't work for him, he needs to pay it himself on his own credit card to protect his credit rating. When I explained that's not how credit ratings worked, he peaced out. 

[michael]

9 hours ago, ProfDad49 said:

i got hit up for money yesterday by iambronson. He "absolutely" wanted to come live with me, but first he just needed $320 by 5pm yesterday for his car note and insurance. We only had our first communication yesterday, and within an hour he wanted the money...and was mad that i didn't "trust" him. LOL. When I said the only way i would consider paying it was if he sent me the account login info and let me pay it directly, he said that wouldn't work for him, he needs to pay it himself on his own credit card to protect his credit rating. When I explained that's not how credit ratings worked, he peaced out. 

Did you report the profile? There is no active report on him.

[Buck52]

A NON-refundable plane, train or bus ticket is the way to go unless you're up to traveling to him and returning with him in tow. Even then they often say they will need $ to get to the airport, train station, etc. Don't do it unless you just don't need the money. So you are out of the money for the non-refundable ticket whether they come or not. Just part of the hiring process sometimes. Don't give them more when they ask for it because chances are good you won't see them. The old saying holds true, if it looks too good to be true, it won't be. Turn and walk away holding on to your money.