I need your guys help. Is this a scam because I am pretty worried.

[JonnyBoy]

Okay guys, I thought I sold my mp3 player on craigslist and the guy said he wants to pay with a money gram. I was under the impression that the transaction occured by the FedEx guy giving me the money and I give the item after I have the money in my hands. But now I am recieving e-mails about the transaction and some of them ended up in my spam mailbox. I have no idea what's happening and really need some information here. Firstly I recieved this email from the guy who I "sold" it to.

_______________________________________________

Hello,
  this is the FedEx shipping label and the invoice which you will  print out and paste on the package.You will print out 3copies of the label and invoice and you will paste one label and one invoice on the package,then you will drop the remaining copies inside the package item.
Fedex will be coming by 1-3pm today to pick up the item.
Get back to me as soon as possible.
Thanks.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro Forma Invoice
   
ULTIMATE DESTINATION
Nigeria    NO. OF PKGS.
1    
DATE OF EXPORTATION
14OCT05    SHIPPING LABEL NO.
7925 5363 3819    CURRENCY
US Dollars
SHIPPER/EXPORTER
Jonathan Panichella
8033201445
Jonathan Panichella
237 Limberline Drive

Greensburg, PA 15601
United States
Shipper's Ref:    CONSIGNEE
DAVID MAYORWA
8033201445
CLAPPER JIMSON
NO1 ASHIMOLOWO STREET VIA 5TH
AVENUE ABESAN ESTATE,IPAJA
LAGOS, 23401
Nigeria
Recipient Customs Tax ID:    IMPORTER
Same as Consignee





United States Importer Customs Tax ID:
COUNTRY
OF MFR.    DESCRIPTION OF GOODS
Packaging type:(Your Packaging)    WEIGHT
(LBS)    QTY    UNIT
VALUE    COMMODITY
VALUE
UNITED STATES    PERSONAL USE

   18.00    1
pieces    20.00    20.00
FREIGHT    0.00
INSURANCE    0.00
ADDITIONAL CHARGES    0.00
PURPOSE
Gift         TOTAL
18.00         TOTAL
CUSTOMS
VALUE
20.00
These commodities, technology, or software were exported from the United States in accordance with the Export Administration regulations. Diversion contrary to U.S. Law prohibited.



   Terms of Sale:
Free Carrier(FCA/FOB) TOTAL INVOICE VALUE
20.00

SIGNATURE OF SHIPPER/EXPORTER:

I declare that all the information contained in this invoice is true and correct.

____________________________________________________
Jonathan Panichella Date:14OCT05

      

1.
   Print 4 copies of this document.    

2.
   

Sign and insert 3 copies into the shipping pouch with the label.

__________________________________________




It came with the following picture.

[JonnyBoy]

This came from FedEx:

This email is to confirm that a FedEx pickup has been scheduled through fedex.com for the date and location indicated below. We look forward to serving you and thank you for shipping with FedEx.

Confirmation Number:  CVAA00068
Contact name:  Jonathan Panichella
Address:  237 Limberline Drive
City:  Greensburg
State:  PA
ZIP code:  15601
Country:  United States
Phone number:  8033201445
Number of packages:  1
Pickup Date:  14 Oct 2005

This is a post only mailing - please do not reply to this message.

[JonnyBoy]

Dear Jonathan Panichella,
      MoneyGram is hereby congratulating you and at the same time informing you that the MoneyGram

[JonnyBoy]

After sending the buyer a concerned e-mail he sent me this, very quickly after I sent it.



Dear Jonathan,
    you should not worry about for the money gram is sending your money to you as soon as they are sure that the shipping is confirmed,that is why you will have to make sure you send the tracking # to them as soon as the fedex people come to pick it up.
You should read again the confirmation approval they sent to you.You will recieve your money because i have been using the system for the past 5years now.
Thanks for your verification.
  Regards.






and this one




Dear Jonathan,
   there is no any other way i know i can tell you again since you i have told you that the system is what i have been using and it is  legit .
You will have to believe me .
Thanks.

[Sephroth57]

dude thats totally a scam, dont do it

[Stingray]

Surely you don't actually need to have someone tell you that this is a scam do you? If you do, let me be the first. It's a scam.

edit:seph beat me to it, so allow me to be the second.

-S

[Bones]

dude thats totally a scam, dont do it

Surely you don't actually need to have someone tell you that this is a scam do you? If you do, let me be the first. It's a scam.

edit:seph beat me to it, so allow me to be the second.

-S

I would like you to take a different approach as I have nothing to lose and am curious.

[ChadTower]

Scam.

[JonnyBoy]

Are you absolutely positive?

[Sephroth57]

are you absolutely retarded?  lol, you never heard of a nigerian scam. it even says NIGERIA right in the email man

[JonnyBoy]

Well thanks.

In that case...anybody interested in buying a like new mp3 player?

[mr.Curmudgeon]

lol, you never heard of a nigerian scam. it even says NIGERIA right in the email man

ULTIMATE DESTINATION
Nigeria

Well....look at that. It really does. lol.



mrC

[Clonedsheep]

I work in computer parts sales and anything with LAGOS, Nigeria I avoid now days. I have been sent 4 bad checks from there and numerous emails. The checks are so bad looking I don't know how the Pickup guys hold a straight face. I have been to fake websites and some of them look very good. Stay away.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Like Chad said...it's a simple rule: NEVER SEND AN ITEM BEFORE YOU RECEIVE PAYMENT.

The fact that people even need to be told this makes me want to start working a scam myself. I could use the money.


mrC

[JonnyBoy]

Well, you know, I just really want this damn thing to sell. I don't know, my head isn't on straight, I was under the impression that I recieve payment and exchange the unit at the same time.

[Stingray]

Well, you know, I just really want this damn thing to sell. I don't know, my head isn't on straight, I was under the impression that I recieve payment and exchange the unit at the same time.

If you consider a bad check to be payment then you could be correct.

Simply put, if you send anything to Nigeria, you deserve to be ripped off.

-S

[AC.]

FAKE! It is a SCAM!  Don't ever deal with someone from Nigeria.  Plus, the payment instructions are too confusing.  It is simple, the buyer pays and it is confirmed, then you ship.  Nigeria scams are always rushing you, trying to get you to hurry up. Also, don't respond to them at all anymore.  They are organized crime and you don't want them having any more of your info.

See for more information:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/uclickcomics/20051014/cx_ft_uc/ft20051014

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Well, you deserve credit for asking. Can't fault you for that as it was the smart thing to do. Even though you're going to get picked on.   


mrC

[JonnyBoy]

eh, ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- happens.

[ChadTower]

Like Chad said...it's a simple rule: NEVER SEND AN ITEM BEFORE YOU RECEIVE PAYMENT.

The fact that people even need to be told this makes me want to start working a scam myself. I could use the money.

Oddly enough, there are highly respected and well known arcade parts vendors that do cross ship without having received payment first.  Always surprises me.

[Zakk]

Well, you know, I just really want this damn thing to sell. I don't know, my head isn't on straight, I was under the impression that I recieve payment and exchange the unit at the same time.

I put a pinball machine up on Mr pinball, and I had, and I kid you not, 19 e-mails like that.  They want to pay, overpay, underpay, whatever, and they've already sent a truck to your house!  Jeez.  Look up LADS FROM LAGOS on the net, as you do see lagos in the e-mails, which was kind of pointed out.  Scam-o-rama is the site I believe, it's hilarious to read, if you have never done so.

E-mail the guy back and tell him to stuff it up his daisies. (Although I do think you have already decided to see this as a scam) (?)

[Stingray]

I put a pinball machine up on Mr pinball, and I had, and I kid you not, 19 e-mails like that.  They want to pay, overpay, underpay, whatever, and they've already sent a truck to your house! 

I can do better than that. I listed a Triumph Spitfire parts car that I had already taken all the parts I wanted off of for $50 OBO. I had one of these guys offer me $5k, and they wanted to send a shipper. I almost did it just to get rid of the car and have a bad check to hang on the wall, but in the end I decided that I really didn't want those guys to have my address.

-S

[markrvp]

JonnyBoy:

It's definitely a scam, but I'll buy your mp3 player.

[missioncontrol]

I can do better than that. I listed a Triumph Spitfire parts car that I had already taken all the parts I wanted off of for $50 OBO. I had one of these guys offer me $5k, and they wanted to send a shipper. I almost did it just to get rid of the car and have a bad check to hang on the wall, but in the end I decided that I really didn't want those guys to have my address.

-S

should have towed it somewhere else and gave them that address

[RayB]

Obviously a scam. They probably "own" moneygram.
Though you have to admit this one's a LITTLE more sophisticated than the idiotic "We want you to help us move 15 million dollars and you will get 10%!!"

And don't think it's just the Nigerians. You can get scammed like this by good old Americans too. Friend of mine lost about $800 trying to buy a laptop in the late 90's. Similar MO: Guy was in a big hurry because he was moving within a few days. He insisted on payment by Western Union. He told her they had a password system and that they wouldn't release the money to him until she called and confirmed that the item arrived. To make my friend feel comfortable with the deal, he actually gave a phone # and she called him. In the end though it was either a disposable or stolen cell phone. Couldn't be traced to anyone.

[rampy]

obligatory p-p-p-p-powerbook

Send him something else in the fed ex box

[missioncontrol]

obligatory p-p-p-p-powerbook

Send him something else in the fed ex box

send them a big ol' turd

[Stingray]

Surely with the engineering skills on this board we could put together a great m-m-m-m-m-mp3 player.

-S

[NoOne=NBA=]

eh, ---auto-censored--- happens.

I feel obliged to insert that ---manually-censored--- doesn't just happen.

***Holes MAKE ---manually-censored--- happen.

[Setabs]

can't you contact craigs list or fbi for mail fraud?  You could probably call you local fbi office to have them check into the guys name and address to see if its been used in previous scams.

[AceTKK]

I'm pretty sure Craigslist has a disclaimer at the top of their site warning people about these kinds of scams. 

-Ace-

[DrewKaree]

Surely with the engineering skills on this board we could put together a great m-m-m-m-m-mp3 player.

-S

Does it have to play all three at the same time, or can it play the "m", the "p" and the "3" separately?

C'mon....can we please help out on this one?

[Effayy]

Surely with the engineering skills on this board we could put together a great m-m-m-m-m-mp3 player.

-S

Does it have to play all three at the same time, or can it play the "m", the "p" and the "3" separately?

C'mon....can we please help out on this one?

Ok, in all seriousness... Let's help out on that.  I would enjoy nothing more than the satisfaction of knowing a scammer just got scammed.

Buy a really cheap tiny FM radio from The Dollar Store, and snazzy it up somehow.

- FA

[SteveJ34]

Ok, in all seriousness... Let's help out on that.  I would enjoy nothing more than the satisfaction of knowing a scammer just got scammed.

Buy a really cheap tiny FM radio from The Dollar Store, and snazzy it up somehow.

- FA

An old cassette tape recorder with a tape with a self recorded song entitled "M P 3"....

....or make it easy on ourself, go outside and find a couple of bricks, into the garage to find some duct tape, wrapem' together, place in box, and ship.

[TalkingOctopus]

I think a good rule is if you have to ask the question:  "Is this a scam?" then it probably is...

[cdbrown]

Money Gram and Nigeria in Google brings up some links about hoax's - ebay tops the list

http://forums.ebay.com.sg/thread.jspa?threadID=300001076&tstart=0&mod=1129251802941

[Harry Potter]

or alternatively, visit www.419eater.com

[JonnyBoy]

I just recieved one from Holly Dorothy (heh) about buying it for her friend in Africa...

Oddly enough, she wants to pay with a money order or traveller's check?

[Samstag]

I just recieved one from Holly Dorothy (heh) about buying it for her friend in Africa...

Oddly enough, she wants to pay with a money order or traveller's check?

That one is definitely legitimate, since it's coming from a friend of a Nigerian rather than an actual Nigerian.  Reel her in before she finds a better deal!

 

[JonnyBoy]

Getta load o' this.... I got this new guy....Toyin Gray (hehe) that is going to give me 400 instead of 300! Wow, life is good...

[duffjr]

i just got one for my apartment.  this nigerian is offering to pay my rent each month as well!

[JonnyBoy]

I got a new one...


Hello ,Thanks for your response ,  i will like to let you know that am really intrested in buying it from you.Okay I will like to make final confirmation of the sale,I will like to pay you with (westernunionmoneyorder).And i want to send it to one of the Charity Organisation in Nigeria,for their Annaul Anniversary because i was once a patron there before i was transfer to United State,and calculate the shipping cost and the cost of this item . So kindly get back to me with the following details,  Your Full name.....? Your full contact address...... ? Your telephone number. ? so that i can contact my (WesternunionMoneyOrder Agent).Looking forward to hear from you.  Thanks  Note....I will not mind paying you extra $100 for this item .Till i read from you


This makes me wonder, how in God's name could he scam me by sending me a money order?

[Harry Potter]

I got a new one...


Hello ,Thanks for your response ,  i will like to let you know that am really intrested in buying it from you.Okay I will like to make final confirmation of the sale,I will like to pay you with (westernunionmoneyorder).And i want to send it to one of the Charity Organisation in Nigeria,for their Annaul Anniversary because i was once a patron there before i was transfer to United State,and calculate the shipping cost and the cost of this item . So kindly get back to me with the following details,  Your Full name.....? Your full contact address...... ? Your telephone number. ? so that i can contact my (WesternunionMoneyOrder Agent).Looking forward to hear from you.  Thanks  Note....I will not mind paying you extra $100 for this item .Till i read from you


This makes me wonder, how in God's name could he scam me by sending me a money order?

Simple. He sends you a fake money order/cheque, you send him the item, you send him the balance out of your own pocket thinking the money order/cheque is good, deposit cheque/money order in bank, cheque/money order bounces and you're out of pocket.

Ok not so simple but still a classic.

[JonnyBoy]

Then I just wait to see if the MO is real before sending it. That's just common sense.

[RayB]

Then I just wait to see if the MO is real before sending it. That's just common sense.

Are you still actually hoping this isn't a scam!? Stop wasting everyone's time here then. You're obviously one of these "what if it's true" types that NEEDS to get bitten before coming to his senses. Go ahead with the deal. Deposit the MO. Guess what happens later? You'll be out 1 MP3 player AND your bank will charge you fees for the bounced MO.

Have fun.

[JonnyBoy]

I'm positive it's a scam, don't get me wrong. I was just curious. I wasn't even considering doing it because the e-mail contained the word Nigeria. I just wanted to know how it all worked. I'm sorry.

[duffjr]

it sounded like he's gonna make a donation in your name.

[AceTKK]

Some of these guys are getting really good at forging money orders.  I've heard stories of folks receiving one of the bunk MOs and taking it to the bank.  Even the bank can't tell it's a fake, and so they pay out the amount and deposit the MO.  When it fails to clear on the other side, the bank will come after the invidivual to get their money back and, unfortunately, that person has probably already mailed out the item. 

Long story short, don't deal with internatinal buyers unless you're CERTAIN they're on the up and up.

-Ace-

[ChadTower]

it sounded like he's gonna make a donation in your name.

Into his behind.

[Brunnen-G]

Then I just wait to see if the MO is real before sending it. That's just common sense.

It might look legit, and your bank may very well credit your account for it.  *However*, once the check/money order hits the bank it was supposedly drawn from, it bounces, and then the money is deducted from your account.  For African banks, this can take up to six months.  Plenty of time for the scammer to make good his escape.

[Ken Layton]

Some of these checks and money orders are later found to have been stolen! Some of them are also just plain counterfeit just like counterfeit money.

[Setabs]

If there is still any doubt read this.  http://www.secretservice.gov/alert419.shtml

[Havok]

Why won't the Nigerians send me any letters? I want to help!

[DrewKaree]

I got scammed the other day myself.

I bought a bottle of those schlong enhancement pills and all I got was this enormous package

[Havok]

I got scammed the other day myself.

I bought a bottle of those schlong enhancement pills and all I got was this enormous package

Yeah, but that's your NOSE! Wrong appendage...

 

[DrewKaree]

I got scammed the other day myself.

I bought a bottle of those schlong enhancement pills and all I got was this enormous package

Yeah, but that's your NOSE! Wrong appendage...

 

tommy, is that you?

[shmokes]

I don't think it's a scam.  What reason does this guy have to rip you off.  I think that trust is the best policy here, and in general.  Send the MP3 player.  In fact, don't even wait for the money order.  I'm sure he's good for it.  Just think, if you refuse to do business with this guy just because he's nigerian people might think you're just racist!

[MaximRecoil]

This makes me wonder, how in God's name could he scam me by sending me a money order?

Tell him that you don't want a money order. You want $300 worth of canned hams and Lucky Strikes. Pretty hard to forge those, and look at all the gas money you'll save from not having to drive to the store to pick them up yourself.

[Stingray]

Why won't the Nigerians send me any letters? I want to help!

List a car for sale anywhere online. They'll come pouring in.

-S

[Harry Potter]

Why won't the Nigerians send me any letters? I want to help!

go on google, and search for guymen + guestbook

Enter your fake e-mail address into guestbook. repeat 5-10 times. Sit back and wait for the scams to pour in.

[Daniel270]

Just found this.. thought everyone might be interested

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20051017/tc_pcworld/123047