Craigslist Scam: Cheque and Western Union For More Than Amount

Submitted by Khalid on Tue, 2006/08/08 - 10:02.

Technology in Society

Classified ads on craigslist attract scammers from Nigeria and elsewhere.

Here is a recent example when I was trying to sell something.

Not that I asked for $375, and was offered more for it.

Here is the first message I got:

pls can you tell me if this item is still for sale ?and the price

When I replied it was available, this was the reply:

I will have to inform you that i am okay with the price of the [item name] ($375)condition terms are also okay with me,For the Shippment from your location,i have my SHIPPER as soon as we seal this Transaction from your end.

I have a CLIENT of my that is owning me some Fund in United Kingdom that will issue you the cheque of ($2000) soon as you receive the cheque and when cleared you will deduct the cost of the [item name] and the remaining balance will be send to the Shipper through western union money transfer for the pick up from your location.

If this is okay by you, do e-mail me the following detail

FULL NAME ON CHEQUE:
CONTACTED ADDRESS:
MOBILE&LANDLINE PHONE NUMBER:AND ZIP CODE
I will compensate you $50 to remove the advert from the site and will wait until the cheque clear before the pick up commence.hope to read from you today.

This is a classic scam that involves you wiring them money via Western Union, and they sending you a fake cashier cheque.

This exact type scam just

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2007/01/13 - 11:03.

This exact type scam just happened to us on Craig's list. They sent a business check which verified that the funds were available. My son sent the "over payment" via Western Union to Nigeria.

I was scammed just like

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2008/03/17 - 22:17.

I was scammed just like this. You will have to pay the full amount now because the check will bounce a week later.

Craigslist TV for sale

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2007/05/17 - 16:08.

My secretary accidentally made check for $4,100.00 instead of the $1,100.00 for the TV. Please keep an extra $100.00 for your trouble and Western Union the difference to the named address, etc.

I didn't do this because my bank couldn't verify funds. Lucky me, bad for him when I find him. I will.

DOOPED BY "robert turton" <rturton00@gmail.com> on craigslist...

Submitted by Justmillie (not verified) on Tue, 2008/07/15 - 02:28.

Hi, My name is Millie and I too am a victim of the Craigslist Scam: Cheque and Western Union For More Than Amount.. And now My check cashing place has my NAME PINNED TO THEIR wall because of this F#$king ASSHOLE.. I too go the same song and dance, Hello Millie,
It was just brought to my notice that my secretary has posted the payment already, but there was a slight error which I guess we can handle with care, instead of the $250,the actual amount of the item,she made out the check for $2500, she claimed that I requested that but she didn't get that straight and the payment was already posted before I was notified.
So once you have the check please cash it and deduct the money for your goods plus $50 that for your running around expenses.The excess fund should please be sent to my mover via Money Gram.This fund will be use in offsetting the cost of the shipment he has undertaken for me recently.
**Please email at once to let me know that i can trust to have the excess funds sent to my mover**

NOW thats when the red flag said HEY this is BS, So I went a head and re listed my bed that I was selling, but This morning when UPS dropped off a package with my $2500 check in it I second guessed myself.. WHY WHY WHY I don't know I am 100000000000000x's smarter than that but with School starting I thought that the $250 would be great to get my 3 small children School clothes... So off to my local check cashing place I went.............
and well you all know what happened from there.

HOW CAN WE STOP THESE ass holes? The emails come from rturton00@gmail.com, the UPS Package came from a NY NY Address from a Jean Wills, the check was from Santa Barbara News Press, and Written from MID STATE BANK & Trust with a HORRRRRRRRRRRRRRIbLEEEEEEEEEEE Signature from "Jean WillS", checked the tracking from UPS and the Check REALLY came from THE BRONX, and then This creap wanted me to wire the $$ to Name.........Teresa Davis City.........Council Bluffs State........IOWA Zipcode....... 51501
Hello Mildred,
i have been notified that the check has been delivered to you today ...Thanks for the honesty you have employed into the ongoing transaction.Sorry for my late response.Please take the check payment to your bank and have it deposited ,you will then deduct the cost of the bought item,then extra $50 for holding the item and also for deleting the AD. $20 goes to you extra for your run around during the course of the transaction..You are to wire the excess to my mover via Money Gram or Western union money transfer..Here is the info below
My mover is due to be back in your location anytime soon .Afterward I will require the following informations from you........
1. The Reference number that is the 8 digits number on the Money Gram receipt
2. Sender 's name and address used in sending the money
3. Actual amount sent.
4. A scan copy of the receipt.

Note that the Money Gram transfers charges should be deducted from the excess funds.

Regards to the family,

I WANT TO STOP THEM ALL.... I don't need to get Hemmed up for some ones SELFISH BEHAVORS

I recently got screwed over the same way you did

Submitted by Andrew (not verified) on Thu, 2008/08/07 - 21:22.

It sounds like we had the same kinda scam or fraud happen to us i was wondering if you got your money back or did you do anything. thanks

DOOPED BY "robert turton" <rturton00@gmail.com> on craigslist...

Submitted by Justmillie (not verified) on Tue, 2008/07/15 - 02:30.

Note that the Money Gram transfers charges should be deducted from the excess funds.

Regards to the family,

I WANT TO STOP THEM ALL.... I don't need to get Hemmed up for some ones SELFISH BEHAVORS

Craig's list scam

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2007/10/05 - 13:20.

I got this and it sounded a little fishy so I decided to check it out first. I did suggest that he pay me via paypal but I don't think I am going to be hearing back from him.

Sounds Good.
I will like to proceed with payment asap and will like to handle shipment myself when you must have gotten your cash at hand.I am in no rush to pick up the item till funds are clear at the bank.As there are too many scams on internet as regards buying and selling with large bogus account.My mode of payment will be via Electronic Cashier Check drawn on US bank.(Bank Of America).You will probarbly need a business check paper to print and cash or deposit the check today.The business check paper is sold for $20 at any stationery store,staples or at your local office supply outlet.I will add the cost of supplies to your asking price with an extra offer for accepting my mode of payment.I work with an auditing firm and will not have time to mail a check.Electronic Cashier checks is fast and secure.I will need your name and address with valid email address to send the Echeck to your email which you can print immediately when you must have purchase the supplies at staples or any stationery store.Kindly delete the advert of this item if my mode of payment is accepted.I will await your email asap.
Thanks.