Am I Part of a Craigslist Scam?

[ABM]

First of all, I've listed a beautiful formal dining table/chairs for my fiance' on Craigslist:

I immediately received an e-mail response from someone who said they wanted to buy it sight-unseen (other than the picture I had included in the ad.)

I responded back indicating that I was handling the sale, but if he provided his phone number, I would call him back to arrange a viewing.

I received this response from him this morning (PS: He did leave a phone number, but I'm still a bit leery to call it. I was thinking that I might have him send a cashier's check to my office, then provide the location once the check cleared. I dunno. )

I appreciate your response. I would like to make an instant purchase and plead that you remove the ad. from Craigslist. I don't mind adding an extra $25 for you to close the ad on craigslist so I can be rest assured I'm the potential buyer. I would have loved to come take a look but my schedule is very tight right now.
My method of payment would be through a certified bank Check and it will get mailed to you via FedEx courier service. You don't need to bother about the shipment as that will be taken care of. Kindly provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check immediately.

1. Full Name to be on the check
2. Address where payment will be sent to not p.o.box ( because my courier service does not deliver to p.o box )
3. City
4. State
5. Zip Code
6. Mobile Phone #


NB: I would like to also inform you that there will be an excess amount of funds which you will forward to my movers (for shipment purpose).

Thanks and wish you a wonderful day ahead.

 

[Eastoff]

I agree it feels weird.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

YES, its a scam! That is one of the most common scam attempts on Craigslist.
CASH only on anything you sell on Craigslist.
I get those type of emails all the time. Dont respond, DELETE.

In this case, you are the one selling; and it all starts with you posting something for sale on craigslist - typically something of high value: it's easier to come up with an elaborate story and do some damage when dealing with a $1,000 bike, than with a $5 used tennis racket for sale....
Shortly after posting your ad, you get a message from someone who is interested in buying the item. You have a nice email conversation discussing the details of your transaction and you are proposed the following option:
Because they can't meet you in person at this time, they will mail you a money order; and it's only after you get it that they'll come by (or send someone) to pick-up their purchase.
Sounds good so far, doesn't it?

After you receive the check, you get a message where you're told that the buyer (or their assistant) has accidentally sent too much money. They ask you to cash the check you've received and send back the extra money through Western Union, Money Gram, money order, or any other long distance financial transaction service.
This is where you have to stop dealing with the buyer.

This is a classic case of overpayment scam.
The money order or cashier's check is in fact counterfeit - it will bounce in a month or two.
However, the money you'd send back through Western Union, or similar service, is your own money, is very real; and that transaction can't be reversed.

 

[RR7]

scam, I imagine

 

[Spud147]

First of all, I've listed a beautiful formal dining table/chairs for my fiance' on Craigslist:

I immediately received an e-mail response from someone who said they wanted to buy it sight-unseen (other than the picture I had included in the ad.)

I responded back indicating that I was handling the sale, but if he provided his phone number, I would call him back to arrange a viewing.

I received this response from him this morning (PS: He did leave a phone number, but I'm still a bit leery to call it. I was thinking that I might have him send a cashier's check to my office, then provide the location once the check cleared. I dunno. )



View attachment 2968

Total scam deary... he wants to make a "cashier's check" out to more than the amount of the table and wants the "movers" to collect the rest of the money in cash (i.e. your money) and the check will turn out to be fake.

 

[e_blazer]

Sounds like a pretty typical Nigerian scammer to me.

http://www.fraudguides.com/nigerian_email_scam2.asp

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Very possibly a CL scam. Write back, tell them you will hold it for them, skip the extra $25 but all sales are cash and cash only. No exceptions. However, if they want to pay via such a way, you will hold the property until the check is deemed to be good by the banks.

 

[julius]

Very possibly a CL scam. Write back, tell them you will hold it for them, skip the extra $25 but all sales are cash and cash only. No exceptions. However, if they want to pay via such a way, you will hold the property until the check is deemed to be good by the banks.

That is horrible advice. Don't give out any information like they asked for.

It's either cash and they pick up or fuck off.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

That is horrible advice. Don't give out any information like they asked for.

It's either cash and they pick up or fuck off.

+1

 

[ABM]

THANKS!!

I just received the same type of message on the refrigerator she's selling.

Yeesh!!! :MARIS61:

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

That is horrible advice. Don't give out any information like they asked for.

It's either cash and they pick up or fuck off.

I wasn't suggesting giving out any of the information. However, if they don't give the address, how does the buyer know where to pick it up?

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I still have bogus checks around here somewhere..

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Sounds legit to me.

Plus he's willing to pay you an extra $25?!? That's pure profit! The other people on here telling you it's a scam are just jealous of how good of an Craigslist ad you write. Don't listen to them. Haters always hate.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

1. Full Name to be on the check
2. Address where payment will be sent to not p.o.box ( because my courier service does not deliver to p.o box )
3. City
4. State
5. Zip Code



1. Charles Manson
2. B-33920 4A4R51 900 Quebec Ave.
3. Corcoran
4. California
5. 93212-3476

 

[DaLincolnJones]

or...

Send back an e-mail stating that you are ABM esq, Atty for the estate of X name, and you need to get a large sum of money out of the country to avoid taxes. As the ATTY for said estate, you would be willing to give 20 percent of that sum for services rendered. That ammount would be in the neighborhood of 12 million dollars US. All you require is their Name, Address, Phone number, bank account number anda deposit of five hundred dollars to be sent by Western Union to X location.

doubt you hear from him again..

 

[barfo]

ABM, I've always thought you were part of a Craigslist scam. All these blazer get-togethers you advertise are ways to capture unsuspecting posters and sell them to white-slavery rings, right?

barfo

 

[Spud147]

ABM, I've always thought you were part of a Craigslist scam. All these blazer get-togethers you advertise are ways to capture unsuspecting posters and sell them to white-slavery rings, right?

barfo

You might have a point there. It was kind of suspicious when he planned the "get together with Wheels" thing and didn't attend. Plus the people who allegedly attended won't talk about what happened.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

bait them as long as you can, and then call the cops to be there when you meet the "movers"

 

[santeesioux]

You might have a point there. It was kind of suspicious when he planned the "get together with Wheels" thing and didn't attend. Plus the people who allegedly attended won't talk about what happened.

I always suspected ABM was a Nigerian prince...

 

[Eastoff]

You might have a point there. It was kind of suspicious when he planned the "get together with Wheels" thing and didn't attend. Plus the people who allegedly attended won't talk about what happened.

I had a good time. I love working... I mean meeting Wheels.