Craig's List scammer

[prsboogie]

Received this as a response to one of my listings:

How are u doing ? Thanks so much for writing back. I'm Sorry but I won't be able to come see it anymore. I was gonna be dropping in your town in the next 2 days, my business appointment there has been postponed to last Monday in February. I'm still very very much interested in buying this, I need it for my Cousin. Can it still be sold to me? I will mail you a bank official check for the quoted price. I will bear the consequences of not seeing before buying and also add funds to cover the shipping to where it will be needed. I'll arrange a shipper to handle the whole delivery process so it doesn't stress you in anyway. Is this something you can work with? I'll be very much delighted if it can be sold to me. Email me back with your name, address and a phone number for the check

Classic scammer! I'm sure there are others similar to this one, what else have you seen?

 

[Cannonball]

I've had some very similar. Along the lines of "send me your name, address, and phone number. I'll have my agent contact to you to complete the transaction." Really? Your Agent? For a $100 item? So of course I sent them my bank account info....

 

[skiNEwhere]

Although it sounds shady, you could be the one ripping him off if you gave him a po box address and cashed the check without sending him the goods.

(I'm not saying to do that btw, just saying that's in the realm of possibility)

 

[Cannonball]

Although it sounds shady, you could be the one ripping him off if you gave him a po box address and cashed the check without sending him the goods.

(I'm not saying to do that btw, just saying that's in the realm of possibility)

Ummm, this person isn't sending a check. They are trying to steal your info.

 

[skiNEwhere]

Allegedly. Like I said it sounds shady. That's why I'm saying if you were going to consider it, use a po box

 

[billski]

I tried to reverse-scam the fellow by sending him a fictitious name and the address/telephone number of the local FBI office. Never did hear how it worked out!

If I've ever time to kill, I like to read these : http://scamorama.com/

 

[Tin]

Ummm, this person isn't sending a check. They are trying to steal your info.

All of our info is already out there imo. These are just lower-level guys who haven't figured out how to get it yet. My favorite scam is the "Microsoft Security Team" that calls stating you're computer is infected, blah, blah, blah, and try to get you to give them remote access to your computer. It can be a fun time, especially when you start telling them you have a Mac, etc.

(Language Warning)

 

[prsboogie]

Allegedly. Like I said it sounds shady. That's why I'm saying if you were going to consider it, use a po box

This is the third time I have received a VERY similar message. When I've asked them to send me their PayPal info to send an invoice all other transactions end!

 

[MadMadWorld]

This is a very common scam. Here's how it works....

Say you are selling a TV for 200. They will "accidentally" send you a check for 2,000. Because you are such a nice person, you call them and inform of their error. They are so happy that you told them about the mistake that they tell you to just deposit the whole check and just send them back the 1,800. Because of your honesty they may even tell you to just send them 1,500.

Most people would say I'm not going to send them anything until the check clears. However, some people don't and send 1,500 of their own money (usually through Western Union) only to find out 3-5 days later that the check bounced and your new friend is no longer answering their emails.

We get these investigations ALL the time and unfortunately folks are usually SOL.

 

[thetrailboss]

This is why I don't use Craigslist.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

 

[skiNEwhere]

This is why I don't use Craigslist.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

Why not? I'm assuming you would never pay for goods you haven't actually seen.

Let's see what I bought over the years on Craigslist....

Trampoline for $25
Doghouse for $80 (shingles, insulated and everything)
Soul 7's almost new with marker duke bindings $800

That's all I can remember but there's others. There's good deals to be had if you know how to haggle, know what you looking for, and have half an ounce of common sense.

 

[thetrailboss]

Why not? I'm assuming you would never pay for goods you haven't actually seen.

Let's see what I bought over the years on Craigslist....

Trampoline for $25
Doghouse for $80 (shingles, insulated and everything)
Soul 7's almost new with marker duke bindings $800

That's all I can remember but there's others. There's good deals to be had if you know how to haggle, know what you looking for, and have half an ounce of common sense.

I don't sell on CL that is.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

 

[prsboogie]

I have had mixed results with Craig's, I have bought some really good stuff off of it and sold a truck for my wife's uncle on there, but I personally haven't sold anything on it, just the canned spam emails like the one in the op.

 

[Nick]

Have you ever seen 419eater.com ? I remember it being so funny before. Basically a forum like this of guys who have a hobby of scamming scammers.

 

[prsboogie]

Haven't seen it Nick, Ill check it out later.

 

[gmcunni]

This is a very common scam. Here's how it works....

Say you are selling a TV for 200. They will "accidentally" send you a check for 2,000. Because you are such a nice person, you call them and inform of their error. They are so happy that you told them about the mistake that they tell you to just deposit the whole check and just send them back the 1,800. Because of your honesty they may even tell you to just send them 1,500.

Most people would say I'm not going to send them anything until the check clears. However, some people don't and send 1,500 of their own money (usually through Western Union) only to find out 3-5 days later that the check bounced and your new friend is no longer answering their emails.

We get these investigations ALL the time and unfortunately folks are usually SOL.

U a cop?

 

[MadMadWorld]

U a cop?

I work in the digital evidence and multimedia section of the Massachusetts State Crime Lab.

 

[bvibert]

This is why I don't use Craigslist.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

It's not that hard for a reasonable person to spot the scams (which can happen no matter what method you're using to sell). I'm not a big time seller, since I tend to use stuff right up until it's ready for the dump, but I've sold a few cars on CL before my ad was even published on other sources (like bargain news).

 

[Nick]

I work in the digital evidence and multimedia section of the Massachusetts State Crime Lab.

That's cool. You must have some awesome stories!

 

[Nick]

I have sold stuff on craigslist, but I usually don't bother unless it's something big and heavy that I can't put on ebay and ship. SO I use craigslist for things like furniture, workout equipment, etc.