Florists from UAE?

[BamaE4U]

For some strange (maybe not so strange) reason, our Florist Association has gotten phone calls from a man in Houston claiming to want to send one of their UAE (United Arab Emirates) florists to the Alabama State Florists Association Convention.

They have been very persistent (TOO persistent) wanting us to send them a formal "Invitation" to our convention. Too the point of calling three of our Board members 3-4 times a day.

This person would be flying in from Dubai (15 hour flight) to supposedly attend our convention.

Then another strange call from a lady in India wanting an "Invitation".

The information has been handed over to Homeland Security and FBI. They were very thankful for our concern and responded quickly to the phone calls.

Evidently, it is much easier to obtain a visa if a formal "Invitation" is in hand.

 

[Aqua]

need an invitation too!!!! lol

~Silvie~

 

[Sher]

For some strange (maybe not so strange) reason, our Florist Association has gotten phone calls from a man in Houston claiming to want to send one of their UAE (United Arab Emirates) florists to the Alabama State Florists Association Convention.

They have been very persistent (TOO persistent) wanting us to send them a formal "Invitation" to our convention. Too the point of calling three of our Board members 3-4 times a day.

This person would be flying in from Dubai (15 hour flight) to supposedly attend our convention.

Then another strange call from a lady in India wanting an "Invitation".

The information has been handed over to Homeland Security and FBI. They were very thankful for our concern and responded quickly to the phone calls.

Evidently, it is much easier to obtain a visa if a formal "Invitation" is in hand.

Thanks for that info Glenn...in a million years it would never have occurred to me to watch for something like this or to call HS...Thanks...
Sher

 

[FloralFantasies]

Thanks for that info Glenn...in a million years it would never have occurred to me to watch for something like this or to call HS...Thanks...
Sher

Wow! I guess in these days we all have to be on alert. I wouldn't have thought of that possibility either. Thanks for sharing that Glenn.

 

[RWK]

That is interesting.........but not out of the realm of legitimacy.

My very good friend and fellow AIFD member Jun......before he moved to the states he was a florist in Kuwait working in the National Palace as well as his own shop. Jun is a native of the Phillipines and as such does a lot with the World Flower Council........and from what I have been told by several people, there is usually a fairly large arabic contingent there.

Turning the issue over to HS was probably a good idea.......they should be able to determine the legitimacy or not.

 

[BamaE4U]

My very good friend and fellow AIFD member Jun......before he moved to the states

Got to meet Jun in Palm Desert. My wife and he were inducted at the same time. Is he in Texas now?

BTW Ricky, Andy Hopper AIFD says "HEY". Saw him today at a local design show. Also BTW, he says, "YOU are the crazy one".

 

[RWK]

You are thinking of a different person.

Marjun (Jun) Salinas and myself were inducted together in New York. We tested together in St. Louis and over the course of that symposium, we became friends. For a while last year and on a couple of occasions, I have freelanced in Jun's two shops. He has one shop in Maryville,TN and a second location in a neighboring town of Alcoa.

 

[BamaE4U]

You are thinking of a different person.

Marjun (Jun) Salinas and myself were inducted together in New York. We tested together in St. Louis and over the course of that symposium, we became friends. For a while last year and on a couple of occasions, I have freelanced in Jun's two shops. He has one shop in Maryville,TN and a second location in a neighboring town of Alcoa.

Okay. . . . I need to ask Kathie who it is that I was thinking of.

 

[Connie]

Thanks for that info Glenn...in a million years it would never have occurred to me to watch for something like this or to call HS...Thanks...
Sher

The things one can learn on Flower Chat!