10/03/2026
I love scam emails-
I want to have a surprise family reunion party and would be proposing to my fiancé that same day , I want the event held at your venue on November 11th , with 25 Guests on the list. I'm flexible with the date. Before we proceed with our request, please
1. Do you accept credit cards ?
2. Can you work with the band performing for the event
regarding payment and arrangements ?
Await your quick response.
Regards
Audrey Aunks
This email is a textbook example of a catering overpayment scam targeting restaurants, event venues, and small businesses.
If you are a restaurant owner or manager who received this message, do not reply and do not accept any bookings from this sender. The name "Audrey Aunks" is a completely fabricated persona used to launch this automated script.
How the Scam Works
1. The Bait: The scammer reaches out with a seemingly lucrative request for a large event (a 25-guest surprise family reunion and proposal). They emphasize that they are flexible with the date to make it easier for you to say yes.
2. The Hook (Question 1): They explicitly ask if you accept credit cards. They want you to say yes because their intent is to provide you with a stolen or fraudulent credit card number.
3. The Trap (Question 2): They ask if you can handle the payment and arrangements for their "favorite band".
The Financial Theft Ex*****on
If you respond to this email, the scammer will ask you to charge the full cost of the restaurant venue plus the band's fee (often thousands of dollars extra) to their credit card. They will give you a fake email address for the "band" (which is actually just the scammer) and ask you to forward the band's fee via an irreversible method like Zelle, Venmo, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
A few weeks later, the real owner of the stolen credit card disputes the charge. The bank claws back the entire amount from your restaurant, leaving you responsible for the thousands of dollars you forwarded to the fake band.
Red Flags in This Email
• Third-Party Payment Requests: Legitimate clients will pay their vendors directly. A request to route a band, photographer, or florist's fee through your house account is a massive red flag.
• Vague Details: The email lacks a location, specific menu questions, or a phone number, relying entirely on email communication.
• Awkward Phrasing: The sign-off "Await your quick response" paired with an unnatural name ("Aunks") is highly indicative of an overseas template script.
Mark the email as spam, block the sender, and ensure your staff is trained never to process third-party vendor payments through the restaurant's point-of-sale system.
