PARIS — In the words of Leslie Guenther, interim director for McLaughlin Garden and Homestead, an unexpected $2,000 donation can be a game changer for small non-profits like South Paris’ 19th century garden, home to one of the largest heritage lilac collections in New England.

But Guenther also understands that sometimes it is in one’s best interest to look a gift horse in the mouth, as they say. Another truism? If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Both of these cautionary thoughts paid off after McLaughlin Garden was courted throughout December by a previously unknown benefactor using an established hook to pry money from needy nonprofits.

However, where other organizations have fallen prey to such false altruism, Guenther was able to deflect the scam at a minor cost of $15 stop check fee.

The saga began back on Nov. 22, when an email landed in McLaughlin Garden’s inbox.

“Hello, I hope this email finds you well,” the message reads. “My wife and I are interested in donating to your organization this year. Could you please guide us through the process of donating or direct us to someone who can assist us with it? We are looking forward to your response. Best regards, Gabriel Anderson.”

Guenther responded, advising “Anderson” of the options available to support McLaughlin Garden and asking how he had learned about it. This launched a folksy return note, establishing correspondence on a first-name basis.

The scammer introduced his wife as “Bella” and commended Guenther for McLaughlin’s upstanding operation and reputation. “We’re delighted to pledge a donation of $2000 to support this commendable initiative,” he wrote, promising to mail a paper check as he sprinkled more flattery in with his offer and a few more messages.

On Dec. 16 he wrote again, informing Guenther his “financial correspondent” had advised him the check was delivered and requesting confirmation of its receipt and deposit. Unfortunately for Anderson, his plot became waylaid at that point, as Guenther was traveling and his generous donation sat in South Paris unopened. But by the end of the month she was able to let him know she had the check and it was being deposited.

The check was made out for $4,000, not $2,000. On Jan. 1  Anderson attempted to spring his trap, writing once more that “I believe there might have been a miscommunication, but I want to ensure you know it’s not a major issue. I’ve already discussed the matter with Bella, and we’ve requested a refund of the overpayment, which amounts to $2,000, as it exceeds our budgetary constraints. Bella was a little upset about the error, but I assured her that I trust your organization and have confidence that you will take the necessary steps to resolve this matter.”

A fraudulent check made out to McLaughlin Garden and Homestead was part of a donation scheme to steal a $2,000 refund for overpayment. Submitted photo

Unfortunately for Bella, at the same time Guenther had extended her gratitude to Anderson for the couple’s generosity she was also mindful about gift horses and the risks of not questioning them. Once the $4,000 check cleared, then there would be time to issue any refund.

To underscore the importance of the $2,000 being refunded immediately, one day later Guenther received another email, this time from Anderson’s financial secretary, “Aminat O.” Aminat O suggested the refund could be expediated with a wire transfer or a PayPal transfer. Guenther did not have to think long about her next move – she contacted McLaughlin Garden’s bank and requested that the $4,000 deposit be voided. And ghosted Anderson as well as Aminat O.

A quick internet search brought Guenther to the website of another small nonprofit, SafeBAE. There, a blog post relayed an identical story, right down to Anderson’s email address and pitch of generosity. The SafeBAE team did not disclose whether they were taken for $2,000 (they refer to it as a fraud attempt), but their goal in publicizing the scam is to alert other small nonprofits that groups doing good things are prey for those who do bad.

“I could have written (SafeBAE’s story) myself,” said Guenther. “A small nonprofit that works really hard, we got this gift out of the blue. We celebrate that our hard work is paying off, and then the ‘sorry, we gave you too much money, we need have to give half back.'”

And Guenther had not hear the last of it from Anderson and his associate. He sent her one more, less friendly, missive: “‘I am so shocked that your organization hasn’t yet responded. The account the refund goes to is in need of the funds,'” she read. “Whatever.”

Taking a page from SafeBAE, Guenther reached out to the Advertiser Democrat to share the misadventure of $2,000 lost once in theory – but not twice. She also reported the crime to the Paris Police Department so at least a record exists in the community of the scam plot, and alerted the Maine Association of Nonprofits about it.

“Who would think our little nonprofit in South Paris, Maine would be a target like this,” Guenther said during a phone interview Monday morning. “Its a travesty that people are scamming nonprofits, where every dollar makes a difference. If it can happen to us, there are many others like us that it can happen to.”