Craigslist thief tried to scam me.
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:33 pm
First I get an email from a guy with the email johnpaul_4eva@yahoo.com
concerning my 67 Super Reverb For Sale, asking,
(Now I had the thing listed for $1500.. Just remember that)
Then He replies
I have no problem taking a check, but I would have to hold the amp until the check cleared before handing it to your shipping company.But hey if I can take the check to your bank, and cash it that day, and have cash in my hand that day, then they could pick it up immediatly after that. I just have to protect my self when taking a check from a stranger. I hope you can understand.
Now when you say "but my shipping company that will come for it will surely do that on my behalf" are you saying that your shipping company will come, check out the amp, and make sure it works, and they will pick it up, and pack it and everything? WOW EXCELLENT!
Boy that's pretty cool deal there, because I was scared to ship it, that it would get damaged.
If I were you I would still get it insured, just in case, but hey it's up to you.
Thanks, Mike"
So then he replied
Will your shipping company pack it? Or do I need to pack it?
Answers to you questions:
1) what are the "THE REST FUNDS" Is that the $40? Sure I can give them the $40 once I have the 1500 cleared.
But if I take your check to my bank it will probably take a couple days to clear, but if I could take it to your bank they might be able to cash it on the spot, at which piont I would have no problem sending
"The Rest Funds", whiuch I assume is the shipping cost of $40.00, imediately. Any more than 40 you would have to send more.
2) Yes
That would be no problem, once the check has cleared in my bank, or if I was able to cash it at yours, and have the cash in hand.
How much will shipping be, and where and who will it be shipped to? And what is the name of your shipping company?
3) Yes, but if you could answer my questions in this email, and the email I sent before this? I would really appreciate this.
Be as specific as you can, becasue right now your vagueness is starting to spook me, becasue I really don't like taking checks.
But if I do, I will take every precaution to protect myself.
The check will have to clear before the amp leaves my possession. A shipping company showing up at my door with a just check in hand, will not get my amp.
They would have to wait for the check to cash at your bank, or clear at mine. Which Bank do you use?
So the check would have to be sent before the shipping company comes. Then I would schedule a pick up either here,
or at the Music Stand in Port Charlotte onced it cleared. Dave at the the Music Stand in Port Charlotte said said they could professional pack it, becasue I was afraid to ship it.
I asked you in the previous email if your shipping company was going to check out the amp, becasue you said something that sounded like they would.
So maybe having Dave pack it is a Moot point. But you didn't answer that question, or any of my other questions.
So please answer them in detail, so I can fully understand what you are trying to do.
Thanks,
Mike"
So at tbhis point I was waiting for him to reply, and would have accepted a check, and shipped it out as soon as it cleared.Then lucky me, my Lawyer and good Friend Dan "Bunnest in the metro forums" calls me up, and informed me that I should hold the check for 2 weeks, becasue it could be a stolen or fraudulent check, that could clear and be cashed, and then later come back bad, and I could be charged with the crime. Holy crap!
So I just wanted to give the headzup to this type of scam. I'm kind of a trusting person, becasue I'm honest and it's hard to see it in other people sometimes. But I knew somthing was fishy when he offered more than I was asking.
So then I clicked on the first email the scammer sent me that had a link to
Craigslist scam info page. If I would have done that, I wouldn't have almost got took.
Here's then link:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
Here's what's on that page:
It's very similiar to what the guy was trying to pull.
I'm pretty lucky Dan called, I almost got took.
I feel stupid, but I still wanted to share this embarrassment, to make others aware of this.
concerning my 67 Super Reverb For Sale, asking,
I replied yes, "you wanna come by and play it?""is this item still for sale?"
(Now I had the thing listed for $1500.. Just remember that)
Then He replies
So then I replied, " Yes it's a very nice amp. An excellent example of a Super Reverb., "Its a big pleasure reading back from you, i will like to let you know my method of payment cos i want the best for both of us in this transaction. I'm ready to offer you $1540.00 because i do realise and know that one can not just be happy to sell properties if not in need of money or something and also to let you know that i do need this urgently, please let me know if you will accept payment with check as this is the only way i can make the payment as am out of town now for an assignment. I would have loved to come take a look at it though but i will not be able to do so due to the condition stated above but my shipping company that will come for it will surely do that on my behalf, i also want to beleive it is in a good working condition.You may reply with your name and contact address where you will like to receive the payment, if you think you had like to do it this way. Thanks for your time, i shall look forward to hearing from you soon"
I have no problem taking a check, but I would have to hold the amp until the check cleared before handing it to your shipping company.But hey if I can take the check to your bank, and cash it that day, and have cash in my hand that day, then they could pick it up immediatly after that. I just have to protect my self when taking a check from a stranger. I hope you can understand.
Now when you say "but my shipping company that will come for it will surely do that on my behalf" are you saying that your shipping company will come, check out the amp, and make sure it works, and they will pick it up, and pack it and everything? WOW EXCELLENT!
Boy that's pretty cool deal there, because I was scared to ship it, that it would get damaged.
If I were you I would still get it insured, just in case, but hey it's up to you.
Thanks, Mike"
So then he replied
The I replied, "How much would the shiping be, and are you going to send extra to cover that? Or is that what the 40 is for?, "AM SO DELIGHTED TO RECEIVE YOUR INFORMATION. MY MAIN OF WRITEN THIS MAIL TO YOU AGAIN IS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY SHIPPING COMPANY WOULD BE THE ONE TO COME FOR THE PICKUP BUT ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BECAUSE I WANT THE BEST FOR BOTH OF US IN THIS TRANSACTION.
1 .WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO SEND THE REST FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION TO MY REPUTABLE SHIPPING COMPANY SAME DAY YOU CASH THE CHECK AFTER YOU HAVE DEDUCTED YOUR OWN MONEY ?
2.WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO HAVE A TIME FOR THE SHIPPING COMPANY TO ARANGE FOR THE PICK UP OF THE ITEM ?
3.CAN I TRUST YOU WITH MY MONEY ?
IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THIS FOR THIS TRANSACTION TO COMMENCE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY"
Will your shipping company pack it? Or do I need to pack it?
Answers to you questions:
1) what are the "THE REST FUNDS" Is that the $40? Sure I can give them the $40 once I have the 1500 cleared.
But if I take your check to my bank it will probably take a couple days to clear, but if I could take it to your bank they might be able to cash it on the spot, at which piont I would have no problem sending
"The Rest Funds", whiuch I assume is the shipping cost of $40.00, imediately. Any more than 40 you would have to send more.
2) Yes
That would be no problem, once the check has cleared in my bank, or if I was able to cash it at yours, and have the cash in hand.
How much will shipping be, and where and who will it be shipped to? And what is the name of your shipping company?
3) Yes, but if you could answer my questions in this email, and the email I sent before this? I would really appreciate this.
Be as specific as you can, becasue right now your vagueness is starting to spook me, becasue I really don't like taking checks.
But if I do, I will take every precaution to protect myself.
The check will have to clear before the amp leaves my possession. A shipping company showing up at my door with a just check in hand, will not get my amp.
They would have to wait for the check to cash at your bank, or clear at mine. Which Bank do you use?
So the check would have to be sent before the shipping company comes. Then I would schedule a pick up either here,
or at the Music Stand in Port Charlotte onced it cleared. Dave at the the Music Stand in Port Charlotte said said they could professional pack it, becasue I was afraid to ship it.
I asked you in the previous email if your shipping company was going to check out the amp, becasue you said something that sounded like they would.
So maybe having Dave pack it is a Moot point. But you didn't answer that question, or any of my other questions.
So please answer them in detail, so I can fully understand what you are trying to do.
Thanks,
Mike"
So at tbhis point I was waiting for him to reply, and would have accepted a check, and shipped it out as soon as it cleared.Then lucky me, my Lawyer and good Friend Dan "Bunnest in the metro forums" calls me up, and informed me that I should hold the check for 2 weeks, becasue it could be a stolen or fraudulent check, that could clear and be cashed, and then later come back bad, and I could be charged with the crime. Holy crap!
So I just wanted to give the headzup to this type of scam. I'm kind of a trusting person, becasue I'm honest and it's hard to see it in other people sometimes. But I knew somthing was fishy when he offered more than I was asking.
So then I clicked on the first email the scammer sent me that had a link to
Craigslist scam info page. If I would have done that, I wouldn't have almost got took.
Here's then link:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
Here's what's on that page:
It's very similiar to what the guy was trying to pull.
Craiglist scam page
Avoiding scams and fraud craigslist help forum
You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:
DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.
NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"
NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?
FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov/)
Non-emergency number for your local police department.
If you suspect that an item posted for sale on craigslist may be part of a scam, please email the details to "abuse@craigslist.org". Be sure to include the URL (or eight-digit post ID number) in your message.
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Recognizing scams
Most scams involve one or more of the following:
inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"
inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consumating transaction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples of Scams
1. Someone claims that craigslist will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims that craigslist will handle or provide protection for a payment
These claims are fraudulent, as craigslist does not have any role in any transaction.
Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from craigslist, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services -- all such emails are fakes!
2. distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check
you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your item, or rent your apartment, sight unseen.
cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or for just about anything else of value.
value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)
3. Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:
Often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.
Scam "bait" items include laptops, plasma TVs, cell phones, tickets - but could be almost anything
common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
deal often seems too good to be true
4. distant person offers to send you a money order and then have you wire money:
this is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check is FAKE
sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not
scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
deal often seems too good to be true
5. distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service.
most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
for more info, do a google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud"
6. distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods
he says he trusts you with the partial payment
he may say he has already shipped the goods
deal often sounds too good to be true
7. foreign company offers you a job receiving payments from customers, then wiring funds
foreign company may claim it is unable to receive payments from its customers directly
you are typically offered a percentage of payments received
this kind of "position" may be posted as a job, or offered to you via email
Other Resources
U.S. Postal Service warning scambusters
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actual scam emails sent to craigslist sellers
Hello ,
Thanks for your mail back concerning the inquiry mail i sent to you.
The price,condition also the pics i viewed is okay by me .And my client
confirm there is no problem about the price($975 ) ,my client do pays with
a {USA}cashier check,he has agreed to mail out as bank cashiers check of
$3500. to you on my behalf to cover the shippment fees.About the shippment,
that we be taken care by my me & my personal assistant,my personal assistant
will be using his shipper to do the quick processing of the shipping of
the(1987 Toyota Celica) to my client.
So all you are to do after you will received the check in your mail,
Just take out your sale amount and refer the remaining money to my shipper
immediately through the westernunion or the money gramm outlet so to get the
money fast and start the fast arrangement for the pickup of the
(1987 Toyota Celica).Since you are the original owner of this item,and i
am buying the item directly from you i will like you to write your full name
to be on the check,with the mailing address which my client will be using
to issued out the check to you.I do wish to trust you by refering the rest
balance back to my shipper and also your fast doing to this transaction.
I will like to hear fromyou if this is okay by you and you are ready to
process ,if you aready to sale your item and promise refering the rest
balance to my shipper immediately you received the check so can start the
quick arrangement for the pickup. Any body that want to buy this item
this item just tell therm that it as been sold. I will like to copmplete
this transaction befor the new year. I be at my computer waiting to see
your epky to my payment method mailed.
THANKS AND MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR DETAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
##########
> Thanks for getting back to me,i will be
>purchasing the motorbike Like i said earlier i am based in the
>netherlands(holland).there won't be any probs about the shipment,after
>payment ,the pick up will be made at your place. i have made arrangements
>with the prepaid shipping company. As regards payment,this is what i am
>going to do;I have a client in ENGLAND who is owing me 5800POUNDS i would
>instruct him to make out a money order/certifiedcheck to you in that
>amount and as soon as it clears your bank. you can now deduct your money
>from it and send me my balance,i will using use part of the money to pay
>for the shipping and other expenses .you will then send my balance by via
>western union money transfer.Although the value of the check is more than
>the asking price but i think i should be able to trust you with my
>balance. The reason why i am doing this is that it would take a check
>sent from over here in HOLLAND 21days to clearover there,whereas a check
>sent from the US would clear tops within 48hrs. So i would like you to
>deduct the western union charges from my balance.So if my terms are
>acceptableto you,i would like you to give me your fullname,address and
>phone number so that i can instruct my client to make out the check to
>you. Pls get back to me as soon as you get this mail so that we can
>round things up in a timely fashion..i willbe trusting in this business
>transaction.
###########
> Good day
> i am an auto dealer based in TAIWAN,i am interested in buying your
> ( 1989 Jetta GL 4 door )I will like to know if you would accept
> acertified cashier check for the payment of the,i also need to
> know the price and your full name and address including your
> phone is also needed in which payment will be sent to . i have a
> shipping company who takes cares of my shippment .So don't bother
> about the shippment.I will also like to know if is still in good
> condition and
> shape.urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the (
> 1989 Jetta GL 4 door )
> REGARD
#############
> Thanks for your mail,Since the cost of your bike is $800 i just contacted
my client about the cost of your bike and it present condition and he said
there is no problem about that.So my client said he will be issuing you a
Certified Check of $4000 while you wire 3000 to me through Western Union
Money Trasfer and you deduct the cost of your bike $800 and keep the
remaining $200 which my client said you should take for the terms of
Transaction and Agreement between you and my client.So i will like you to
send me your full contact information to where my client will be sending you
> the Certified Check like this:
> name.........
> full address.............
> city...............
> state.............
> country..........
> zipcode............
> cell/office/home phone number.......................
> I will look forward to the requested information as soon as possible so
that the check can be sent out to you immediately And do get back to me
with the Pics of the bike so tha! t my client will be Able to see What he
is paying off.Get back to me immediately. Looking torwards your
> respond,
> Best Regards.
###########
Good day
i am an auto dealer based in TAIWAN,i am interested in buying your
( Comic book collection - 500 comics )I will like to know if you
would accept acertified cashier check for the payment of the,i also
need to knowthe price and your full name and address including your phone
is alsoneeded in which payment will be sent to . i have a shipping
company who takes cares of my shippment .So don't bother about the
shippment.I will also like to know if is still in good condition
and shape.urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the (
Comic book collection - 500 comics )
REGARD
I'm pretty lucky Dan called, I almost got took.
I feel stupid, but I still wanted to share this embarrassment, to make others aware of this.
