Beware The Scammers Of May

[Kania2k1]

So, my girlfriend and I have been trying to sell our dining room table on Craigslist. The thing seats 8 comfortably, and there are only two of us, so there is a lot of unused space left over, usually for bills, magazines, and other misc truck parts. So, after lowering the price a couple of times, we finally got a couple of offers on the thing. In hindsight, I should have put, "local, cash only" in the sale listing, but I didn't. Below is a string of emails I got from the first responder.

 

Reply #1

 

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY

** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home

** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping

** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

 

Hello,

i saw on your advert on craigslist and i will like to know if its

still available and on good condition...my mode of payment is through

cashier check,if you are okay with that get back to me with the price

and if you didnt accept check do not bother to reply me

Thanks

 

Replay #2

 

Thanks for you quick responce i will be buying,and i'm okay with the price you gave me.I will like to tell you that i will be paying with a cashier check and as for the shippinpment my shipper will come for the pick up at your location upon your confirmation of receiving the payment and i will like you to

delete the posting from the web and i dont want you to look for anyother buyer,and will like to let you know that am a good man , Busy type,am always at work.i would have love to come down for the pick up.but am not chance to do that now but am satisfy with your discription of the item i will like you to give me the following so that your payment can be send.................

1....your full name to be on the check

2..your full contact address to send the payment to

3..your zip code

4.your mobile and land nunmber to reach you.i will expect your mail so

that i can call you on it .asap

 

Reply #3

 

My shipper will will be coming from IL, And it will be shipped to my mother's place in MICHIGAN....So i will like you to get back to me with the information i required from you in my last email for the quick payment arrangement....Ok.

 

So, during this string of emails, I began to surmise that this "gentleman" was:

1. Not an English speaker. First email seemed to have a British accent ("Advert"), remaining emails have enough typo's and sh!t grammer to make a 2nd grade English teacher want to jump out a window.

2. Clearly a scammer, as he wanted all this extra information from me. I'm not sure how much information one needs on another person to get into someones financial history, but I think this guy was getting pretty close. *NOTE* I did not give him any of the information he was looking for.

3. He wanted to ship a $200 table from DC to Michigan??? Are you freakin kidding me??? Having someone drive from Illinois to DC then to Michigan would cost about $900 in gas alone!

 

Needless to say, this person will NOT be receiving a new, old dining room table. I will not be receiving a bogus cashiers check from the 5th Bank of Congo City-burg. Just wanted to give all of you out there who may use craigslist to buy or sell items. It's a great site, and I have nothing but praise for it, and we have actually found another LOCAL buyer for it. Good luck, we're all counting on you.

[planedr]

I got the same exact reply when I was selling my motorcycle. Another one I got wanted me to ship the bike to Laredo TX to be inspected. Laredo is basically Mexico and then they were going to send payment. You gotta watch those jackasses they'll try any thing to get your info.

[planedr]

Here is another good one. I really beleived this guy, he couldn't be lying, he's a liar, I mean lawyer

NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE (NEXT OF KIN)

From : The Principal Attorney

Henshaw& Co (Legal Practioners).

4 allen way avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. Nigeria.

 

Attn: Dear Friend,

 

I know that this mail will come to you as a

surprise,please accept the content in good faith. I

do not intend to cause any grief to you and your

family.The reason for sending this mail is very

fundamental to the doctrine of human privileges and

right. I am Barrister Henshaw Heintiger, a solicitor at

law, personal attorney to a national of your country

Mr. Nick Allison and used to work with his Company in Lagos, Nigeria.

Here in after shall be referred to as my client.

 

On the 25TH FEB 2002, my client,his wife and their

only daughter were involved in a car accident along

Sagamu express Road. All occupants of the vehicle

unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made

several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any

of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved

unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful

attempts,I have reasoned very professionally and I

feel it will be legally proper to present you as the

next of kin of my deceased client, so that you can be

paid the funds left in his finance firm.

 

I therefore seek your consent to present you as the

Next of Kin to the Deceased since you are at an

advantage,equally from the same country, that the proceeds of this

finance

firm valued at US$15Million can be paid to you. We shall both

share the funds. 40% for you and 40% for me, 5%

should be for expenses or your Government may require

Taxes, while 15% to charities. The said finance Firm has issued me a notice to

provide the next of kin or have his account

confisicated.

 

I expect your urgent response indicating your full

interest in this great business to our both mutual

trust.Your telephone and fax number will be needed for

our easy communication.

 

Barrister Henshaw Heintiger. B, B.L,

Henshaw& Co (Legal Practioners).

4 allen way avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. Nigeria.

 

PLEASE REPLY THROUGH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS

 

PRIVATE EMAIL: [email protected]

 

 

NOTE: ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY THE BOTH US SPEND IN CLAIMING THE FUNDS

OUT OF THE FINANCE COMPANY WILL BE PAID BACK IN DOUBLE BEFORE ORIGINAL SHARING OF THE FUNDS.