Author Topic: Is this a scam (Read 3918 times)

USSEnterprise · « **on:** February 06, 2006, 09:51:00 pm »

Yesterday, I listed an Apple iMac for sale on Craigslist for $350 or best offer. Todsy I got the following email from "Suliat Ashiru"

Quote

Hello seller am very intersted in purcahsing this item from .and i believe it's in good condition i will pay you $400 for the item concerning the payment i will send you ( postal money order) to purchase this from you and i will be responsible for the shipping.so if you are satify with my idea pls do get back with me with you full name contact address and email address so that i go mail the money order.
thanks for reading

What do you think?

jbox · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2006, 10:13:40 pm »

Absolutely not, I think you should send them all of your credit card details.

Always be suspicious of people who offer you more money than you even asked for.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2006, 10:21:46 pm »

Well, he is offering a money order. You don't have to wait for a money ordewr to clear, right?

saint · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2006, 10:25:33 pm »

Scam. S-C-A-M. SCAMSCAMSCAM!

cholin · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2006, 10:29:32 pm »

So what if this was a real deal!

Oh well, its always nice to make the best of things. Money orders do usually clear right away but for some reason international ones to a different bank take like 2 weeks to clear. I learned that buying a minipac off these boards

I say you ask for the money order and insist that they wait for it to clear before you send the product. Usually they tend to wait until you say you shipped it and then cancel the money order, and where are you? You have no money and no computer!

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2006, 10:56:03 pm »

I'll just wait until I am holding the cash in my hand before I send it out.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2006, 11:15:27 pm »

It's a scam.

Since he is arranging the shipping, you'll find that he arranges a pickup before any MO would clear.

Is he having it shipped to Nigeria ?

Cheers.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2006, 12:08:49 am »

with the exception of Canada, I wouldn't sell to someone out of country. I sent him an e-mail asking for a shipping zip code.

jbox · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2006, 12:17:19 am »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on February 06, 2006, 10:21:46 pm

Well, he is offering a money order. You don't have to wait for a money ordewr to clear, right?

And herein lies the true core of any scam. Despite the fact you know this deal is too good to be true intellectually, you still want to go through with it just in case you really have got a rube on the line you can fleece for an extra $50 no one else will give you.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2006, 12:50:08 am »

By asking US if this is a scam, somewhere deep in the bowels of your mind (or is that mind of your bowels?) YOU know it's a scam too, but you want someone to assure you that someone willing to give you MORE money than you asked for isn't suspicious in any way and should be "given a shot".

Let me be the voice of illogic.

Oh NOOOOOOOOO, this couldn't POSSIBLY be a scam, go through with it.

This post also detects your ability to discern sarcasm which often goes hand in hand with scams

SOAPboy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2006, 12:57:53 am »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on February 06, 2006, 10:56:03 pm

I'll just wait until I am holding the cash in my hand before I send it out.

And whats funny, that money order will clear for a week or two, then suddenly, mr bank account is 400 dollars PLUS bounced check fees, lower..

RayB · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:08:32 am »

Jebus Christ didn't we just go through the same thread two months ago?

Oh yeah, in November... and October...

The idea is you're supposed to think "oh a Money Order. Those are secure!" except what happens is its counterfeit and your bank won't find out until about 20 days after you deposit it. By then your item is long gone, and then the bank takes the money out of your account so you don't have the cash either.

PS: The next couple emails from him will probably say something about needing the item in a hurry because he's leaving on vacation or some BS like that. (The purpose being to hurry you along so you send the item before knowing it's a fake M.O.)

Ken Layton · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:41:25 am »

Some of those money orders are STOLEN, but the majority are flat out counterfeit!

This is a scam.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:51:51 am »

I thought you could cash money orders at the post office? I'll wait and see what direction the next emails go in , but said iMac in now posted in B/S/T

DrewKaree · « **Reply #14 on:** February 07, 2006, 03:03:27 am »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on February 07, 2006, 02:51:51 am

I'll wait and see what direction the next emails go in

jbox · « **Reply #15 on:** February 07, 2006, 03:24:56 am »

Screw everybody else. I think you should go for it!

danny_galaga · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:29:06 am »

the scam is simpler than ripping you off of whatever you are selling. they will send you a cheque for even MORE than they first said which will be a dud. but they will contact you to say 'oops, sorry. sent the wrong cheque. can you send me the difference back?'...

SirPeale · « **Reply #17 on:** February 07, 2006, 08:03:29 am »

Quote from: SOAPboy on February 07, 2006, 12:57:53 am

Quote from: USSEnterprise on February 06, 2006, 10:56:03 pm
I'll just wait until I am holding the cash in my hand before I send it out.

And whats funny, that money order will clear for a week or two, then suddenly, mr bank account is 400 dollars PLUS bounced check fees, lower..

He did state a *Postal* MO. Take it right to the PO, where they will instantly verify if it is good or not.

RandyT · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2006, 08:40:12 am »

Quote from: Peale on February 07, 2006, 08:03:29 am

Quote from: SOAPboy on February 07, 2006, 12:57:53 am
Quote from: USSEnterprise on February 06, 2006, 10:56:03 pm
I'll just wait until I am holding the cash in my hand before I send it out.

And whats funny, that money order will clear for a week or two, then suddenly, mr bank account is 400 dollars PLUS bounced check fees, lower..

He did state a *Postal* MO. Take it right to the PO, where they will instantly verify if it is good or not.

I was going to say the same thing. I just took Postal money orders for a total of $1700 for cargo trailer I sold. This was also a long distance sale. I just made sure the post office verified that they were legit and not stolen, etc. (they have a book with a lot of numbers in it...kind of freaky) If they verify it and you walk out with cash, I'm not sure how much risk there is.

But if it's going out of the country, you may want to still be very cautious. US law can reach just about any of it's citizens, but it's not so easy outside the borders.

RandyT

rdmustang · « **Reply #19 on:** February 07, 2006, 08:45:04 am »

Quote from: Peale on February 07, 2006, 08:03:29 am

Quote from: SOAPboy on February 07, 2006, 12:57:53 am
Quote from: USSEnterprise on February 06, 2006, 10:56:03 pm
I'll just wait until I am holding the cash in my hand before I send it out.

And whats funny, that money order will clear for a week or two, then suddenly, mr bank account is 400 dollars PLUS bounced check fees, lower..

He did state a *Postal* MO. Take it right to the PO, where they will instantly verify if it is good or not.

He didn't say a US postal money order. Is a Nigerial postal money order good?

More Cowbell · « **Reply #20 on:** February 07, 2006, 09:21:32 am »

Scam him before he scams you. Cash his check and then send him a box of used pinball machine parts with a note that says, "That'll learn ya!"

Frosty · « **Reply #21 on:** February 07, 2006, 09:59:34 am »

Yeah...I had the same type of email from another CL ad I had placed. I wrote back and said I'd be happy to accept a money order: from American Express, USPS or Western Union. After that, never heard back from him again...

Personally, I love the broken English. It's hard to make it sound so bad--they must put a lot of effort into it:

Thanks for your response..I will like to offer you $180 for the
item,And my mode of payment will be money order,Which will be handled my
USPS,And i will handle the shipping,So kindly get back to me with your
full name and address for the payment. Awaiting for your best response...

Best of all? The name: "Hans Rabbit Moyo" <mrs_hans_rabbit@usa.com>

More Cowbell · « **Reply #22 on:** February 07, 2006, 11:29:38 am »

"I very rich. I big bisness man. Me pay yuo much moneys for your an item. I despratly need a TRS-80 Computer - Classic (doesn't work) . Thank yuo for your fastly responding kindliness.
Sinseerly,
Father Pranab Flubianiatro"

pointdablame · « **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:30:48 pm »

Pretty much EVERY SINGLE time you have to ask someone "Is this a scam?".....

It is.

Listen to everyone here, otherwise you're gonna learn a hard lesson.

cholin · « **Reply #24 on:** February 07, 2006, 07:36:16 pm »

Quote

Listen to everyone here, otherwise you're gonna learn a hard lesson.

And theres your first hard lesson, dont listen to everybody here

Think about it, with people like Drew on these boards, nobody's safe!

Seriously though, ask for the money but dont send the item. If you cash it and its verified, then WAIT a few days and say you sent the item. If in a week or two, the cash is still in your account, you tell him that it got returned and you re-send it. Otherwise, you pay the 3 dollar fee for a bounced cheque and let it go, knowing that it was a scam.

That saves you the hard lesson and you wont ever feel the urge in the back of your mind to try it again.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #25 on:** February 07, 2006, 07:45:13 pm »

I said it once, I'll say it again.

Check out this link if you ever feel the need to question that inner voice

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=49683.0;attach=38603;image

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2006, 08:02:03 pm »

Quote from: cholin on February 07, 2006, 07:36:16 pm

If you cash it and its verified, then WAIT a few days and say you sent the item. If in a week or two, the cash is still in your account, you tell him that it got returned and you re-send it. Otherwise, you pay the 3 dollar fee for a bounced cheque and let it go, knowing that it was a scam.

Young padawan ... reread the thread ... the seller is saying that he will arrange the shipping ... suddenly the courier shows up at your door so you can't scam the guy back like that. You can, of course, decline to give the package to the courier, but the point is the same -- the deal ain't gonna happen and you've just wasted time and money ... "and time IS money to a guy like me"

... razza frazzin kids ... can't learn 'em nuthin ... always looking for that angle with the hope that they can fulfill their greedy need to exploit the offer that is obviously too good to be true ...

Cheers.

carazy · « **Reply #27 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:39:04 pm »

yeah if he is offering more than what you are asking something is wrong there.

danny_galaga · « **Reply #28 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:45:35 am »

it's easy to discern that it's a scam without any second-guessing. read his email carefully. memorise THAT style of writing. ANYTHING written like that is dodgy. until the non-english speaking scammers can write english fluently they give themselves away instantly...

THAT EMAIL IS FROM A SCAMMER

Xam · « **Reply #29 on:** February 09, 2006, 01:32:11 pm »

If you do it...and receive a money order...wait for the bank to tell you it has cleared. It seems like a slight twist on an old scam. The old scam went something like: you get a money order or cashiers check for x dollars over the amount you ask for. The "buyer" asks that you simply forward the extra amount. The seller assuming that a money order or cashiers check is legit sends the money and the product. The check bounces "buyer" gets your product and whatever extra money you sent them...you get ripped.

Don't do it.

Xam

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #30 on:** February 09, 2006, 01:49:28 pm »

At this point, I know its a scam, and am definitley not dealing with this guy. I recieved an email from the United States Postal Service telling me that my money order has been approved, and to ship the item immediatly. It looks almost real, but its obviously complete ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- once you read it, with the bad grammar and all. I'm called up the USPS and told them. They are telling me to contact investigations. I know it may not do much good, due to the fact that his name and address are probably made up, but what the hell.

JackTucky · « **Reply #31 on:** February 09, 2006, 02:38:32 pm »

Oooh. lets see the email. That's hilarious

Jacktucky

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2006, 04:13:04 pm »

Here's the e-mail. Notice that I was selling an iMac desktop and this says an iMac Laptop. Additionally, the link to "Printer friendly Version" leads to Islamabad.net

pointdablame · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2006, 04:45:21 pm »

wow.. even for idiot scammers... those "USPS" pages are horribly done.

JackTucky · « **Reply #34 on:** February 09, 2006, 09:54:39 pm »

Islamabad.net is where the USPS clears it's money orders. Duh

Thanks for posting!

Jacktucky

fredster · « **Reply #35 on:** March 02, 2006, 03:50:43 pm »

Here's a guy who lost $3 million on those nigerian scams -
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nigerian2mar02,0,3251538.story?coll=la-home-headlines

pointdablame · « **Reply #36 on:** March 02, 2006, 04:48:15 pm »

Quote from: fredster on March 02, 2006, 03:50:43 pm

Here's a guy who lost $3 million on those nigerian scams -
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nigerian2mar02,0,3251538.story?coll=la-home-headlines

certainly proves that someone can be book smart, but still be an idiot

DrewKaree · « **Reply #37 on:** March 02, 2006, 10:41:56 pm »

Quote from: pointdablame on March 02, 2006, 04:48:15 pm

Quote from: fredster on March 02, 2006, 03:50:43 pm
Here's a guy who lost $3 million on those nigerian scams -
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nigerian2mar02,0,3251538.story?coll=la-home-headlines

certainly proves that someone can be book smart, but still be an idiot

Does that mean if you're a book idiot there's no way you can be smrt? Oops...I mean smArt!

pointdablame · « **Reply #38 on:** March 02, 2006, 10:48:42 pm »

Quote from: DrewKaree on March 02, 2006, 10:41:56 pm

Quote from: pointdablame on March 02, 2006, 04:48:15 pm
Quote from: fredster on March 02, 2006, 03:50:43 pm
Here's a guy who lost $3 million on those nigerian scams -
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nigerian2mar02,0,3251538.story?coll=la-home-headlines

certainly proves that someone can be book smart, but still be an idiot

Does that mean if you're a book idiot there's no way you can be smrt? Oops...I mean smArt!

I'd try to answer that, but I'm not S-M-R-T enough.

shmokes · « **Reply #39 on:** March 02, 2006, 11:03:42 pm »

I think this is thread has the best subject line ever. Because you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the answer is an unqualified yes before you even click on it.


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