Craigslist Scam: Cheque and Western Union For More Than Amount

I am going thru the something right now. Some said they will send me via paypal 5300 for my truck but i have to wire 650 dollars of my own money thru western union to the shipping company. she said tht for some reason she cant do it. so i tought this was fishy and i asked her for her number so i can actually talk to her. after saying tht she ignored me and just sent me the money. i said after tht tht im not sending my own money bc how do i no tht i will forsure get tht money thru paypal and she said tht i am acting strange now and tht she is going to take legal action thru paypal if i do not wire the money. bc she can not take the money back out. i dont no what to do here?

I was almost scammed as well. I sold a laptop via craigslist. Here's the emails...

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 3, 2011 9:01:12 AM EDT
To: Brandy

still available for sale??

Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

Yes.

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 3, 2011 11:25:38 AM EDT
To: Brandy

Thanks for responding, I'm ok with the price. I would like to send payment asap. Please let me know if a certified check is ok. After my check clears my shipper will come and pick it up at your location. I would have loved to come and take a look but I can't. My shipper will though. If you can get back to me with your details I'll get the check out asap. Need your full name and address and your telephone number.

Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

Is there anyway that you can send the payment via Paypal? Let me know. If not, please ensure that you're sending a valid bank check.

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 3, 2011 12:19:07 PM EDT
To: Brandy

Yes,kindly let me have the payment details right now..so that i can issued the check out today..thanks

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 3, 2011 6:26:05 PM EDT
To: Brandy

Hello Good Morning,
Thanks for the information,  i will need your honest and trust to end up this transaction. I will like to know if i can trust you with my money,since the payment will be issued out today... please i want you to remove the item from sales list because I'm going to start working on your payment and get back to you with the tracking # so that you will know when to expect it. I have a friend who will manage me a low price shipping and I assumed that i will include the mover funds along with your payment. So when you receive the check get your item fee and the rest goes to the mover guy so that it will be delivered directly to my house. Let me read from you.

Thanks.

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 3, 2011 5:29:37 PM EDT
To: Brandy

Hello,
Thanks for your reply,the payment has been issued out and it will delivered to you this week and i will get back to you with the tracking details and shipper infirmation to pickup the item since i have other items to shipped along with this items around you.i will get back to you asap..thanks

One week later….

Re: Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

I haven't received the check. Did you send it out?

From: peter paul
Subject: PAYMENT WILL DELIVERED TO YOU THIS MORNING....Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 12, 2011 5:37:24 AM EDT
To: Brandy

Thank you for your patience, i will like to tell you that the check have been process out to you yesterday by UPS courier services, but there was a little delay from the UPS  courier service that they just send me the tracking details now and i was told that the check will be delivered to you today  so here is the tracking details (J2310861279) so you can track it via www.iship.com//trackit. All you need to do now is to get the check cashed and deduct the money for the item plus and extra money of $50 for the running arround and the patience you have for me since all these days and get the rest sent to my shipper via Western Union money transfer /money gram money transfer.So mind you here is my shipper information that you will send the remaining money to as soon as you get the check cashed.

SHIPPER INFORMATION TO GET THE MONEY SEND TO:

NAME:=========SHELIEA SIMMONS
ADDRESS:========7018 Blair Road
CITY:============DESERT HOTSPRINGS,
STATE:============CA
ZIPCODE:===========92240

Once the mover's payment has been sent to them mover Via  Money Gram
Money Transfer or Western Union Transfer , I'll want you to send me
the information below:

...........Sender Name and Address
...........Receiver"s Name and Address
...........Actual Amount sent After deducting Transfer Charges
............Reference Number  or Mtcn number

Also note that all the money gram or Western Union charges should be
deduct from the money you are sending to the Mover Agent,Once this has
been done, I will want you to send me your Map Quest and fix a proper
day for the pick up of the Item so that there will be a proper
arrangement. I will be looking forward to hear from you Soon.

Thanks

From: peter paul
Subject: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING..... Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 12, 2011 10:22:29 AM EDT
To: Brandy

Hello,
The payment has been delivered to your front door this morning and i
want you to kindly get the payment deposited this morning and deduct
your money for the macbook and get the rest money sent to my shipping
company via western union money transfer this morning and deducted
your money with extra $50 gave to you and make sure you get back to me
with the western union details asap..Thanks

Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING….. Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

Hello. I received your payment, and it has been deposited. The check will need to clear before I can wire to your shipping company. My bank had to deposit the whole check. I will get back to you in 3 to 5 days with the shipping details. Thanks.

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING..... Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 12, 2011 12:29:47 PM EDT
To: Brandy

Hello,
Kindly let me know when exactly the bank told you the check will cleared since i have others items to pick up as well.looking forward to read from you asap..

Thanks

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING..... Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 12, 2011 1:44:27 PM EDT
To: Brandy

i will appreaciate it if you can help me to kindly get some money sent to my shipping company today so that they can go ahead with my other items that have paid for and they are waiting for the pickup payment to be sent to them today so that they can go ahead and get it picked up.but i dont know how you can be able to assist me to get some money sent to them today.let me know if they is any help
..thanks

Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING….. Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

My bank cannot issue me the money until the check clears, unfortunately.
You should have just sent me the $650 and paid them separate to avoid the
hassle. I'm currently at work all night so there is nothing else I can do
tonight and until the check clears. I tried to do what I could. I have
the day off tomorrow so I will try to take care of it then seeing that it
clears.

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING..... Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 12, 2011 4:05:37 PM EDT
To: Brandy

No problem.thanks

Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING….. Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

ok. Here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to send your laptop myself and
send the remaining money back via money order, and deduct the cost of
shipping. You're going to need to pay your shipper on your own terms,
because I'm not going to be held responsible for transferring through
Western Union for you. I'm a busy person and have no time to run around
transferring money to people and setting up shipping appointments seeing as
I will not be home.  There was no reason why you couldn't have paid me the
laptop money and that was it. If this is a problem, I will issue a full refund of the $2900. Can you provide the address so I can send your laptop and/or the laptop? Thanks.

From: peter paul
Subject: Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING..... Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Date: May 12, 2011 6:17:53 PM EDT
To: Brandy

Hello Brandy,
I got your email and i understands all what you said but i want you to know am a also a busy person as well this is a reason, i was using my shipping company to picked up my goods bought online for me since i was working with Blue Sea Ship Company and Most of my time was on Sea.So its was my son that need the laptop and told me he saw it online that i should buy it for him ...The arrangement has been on ground already since i just bought some furnitures as well that will be picked up along with this laptops to my house and am really sorry for the little stress gave to you but kindly assist me in getting everythings done properly and i gave you extra more $50 for your gas and stress.Pls note the time you will be using in sending money order is the same time you will be using in sending western union and western union is even more faster than money order so i want the shipping company to received the money on time that is why i was prefer using western union services.am sorry if this really caused you some problems but i will appreciate it, if doing this way...Kindly just make sure the money was sent to them in a minutes money transfer and immediately they received it they will come for the pickup same day. My shipping company prefer to be paid via money gram or western union since they have no time to take a check to bank due to their nature of jobs since they will be shipped from one state to another. This is the reason the check has not been paid directly to them. But above am really sorry for any incovienience this may caused you.
Thank you.

Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING….. Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

I don't understand the process at all... it doesn't make sense, and doesn't sound legitimate to me. I'm not going to give a laptop to some strange shipping company, and I'm not going to be held responsible if it doesn't get to you, and you've given me a large amount of money that I don't understand what to do with. There was no problem why you couldn't have given the moving company the money yourself, sent me the $600, and made it a simple process. I don't have the time to make errands for you. I will ship the laptop on my own, deduct the shipping costs from the money that you gave me, and send it back via money order. If that's not okay with you, I'll just issue you the full refund and I'll sell else where. Sorry, but I'm not messing with this western union and shipper stuff. This whole thing sounds very shady....

Subject: Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING..... Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
From: Brandy
Date: May 13, 2011 5:31:18 AM EDT
To: peter paul

Let me know when you want to send the Money order out and i will give
you the name and the address where you will send it to.make sure you
used next day delivery when you want to send it out. Thanks

Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING….. Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

Do you want a full refund of the $2900?

Re: PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR THIS MORNING….. Macbook (2008 Model) - $600 (Bear) Date: 2011-05-02, 7:11PM EDT Reply to: sale-3xvyj-2358947711@craigslist.org
Brandy to peter paul

http://www.scamdex.com/scam-database/P/scam-email-00901.php

I checked my account this morning to find that the check did not clear seeing as the account was closed.

Nice job sending a fake/counterfeit check. DO NOT CONTACT ME ANYMORE. You will not be receiving any laptops. money orders, or refunds. You're a scam artist, have attempted to fraud me, and have wasted your time. This was very shady, and not everybody is going to fall for this act of fraud. You're not too swift. Find better things to do rather than scamming people out of their money. :)

I have been playing along with a lady who has offered me 2000 for an item I had advertised for 600 dollars.
I am not sure if I should keep playing along to try to get enough information out of the person to hand over to the police or even if they would care.
I feel bad for the people who actually think this a legit.

Something should be able to be done about this type of scam!!

we got scammed! almost, thankgod we didn't go through with it just lost $20 to the bank, My daughter was selling a saddle this guy asked if the saddle was still for sale she said yes he said he was moving and a currior will be picking up the saddle sent the check western union, of course a over payment to the currior too. Wanted us to get check cashed right away, was insistant that the check be cashed immediatly and I send the rest western union. Don't these people realize that they hurt hard working individuals financially and emotionaly, now I have to tell my daughter that she was scammed and I have to cover her bank account with the $20 fee, I called the place the check was out of and they asked for the check number and blew it off lightly as too its not there problem sorry the check has your head liner on it and the water mark you probably should keep your checks under lock and key better, I think we have way to many dishonest people in this world!!!

My friend just finished shipping out a P.A. System and about $1300 via western union after he believed the check cleared at his bank...I tried to talk him out of it, and I almost guarantee he will be getting a call from the bank in a few days...Craigslist of course eliminates all legal liability for themselves by posting a tinnnyyyy little warning in the corner or each page...Hah

Thank you to Brandy who posted the emails from a Peter Paul who tried to scam her of a laptop. He is trying to scam me and I googled his name and email details and found her post here immediately. Thank you for saving me the trouble of wondering if he was for real. What a scum!

His email uses the exact same wording. How stupid these criminals are. Needless to say I won't be responding to him. Thank you Brandy!!!

His name is Peter Paul and his email address is joelex01@gmail.com
Here is what he emailed me:

Thanks for responding, I'm ok with the price. I would like to send payment asap. Please let me know if a CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER is ok. After my Money Order clears. my shipper will come and pick it up at your location. I would have loved to come and take a look but I can't. My shipper will though. If you can get back to me with your details I'll get the check out asap. Need your full name and address, and your telephone number.

This guy "peter Paul" saw my add on craigslist for my horse Cash. he asked "is still available for sale??" and as you all probably know the convo is vary direct for the most part he dont like to give any direct answers to anything execpt what he wants.here is some of the conversation

Hello Good Morning,
>>>> >> > Thanks for the information, i will need your honest and trust to
>>>> >> > end
>>>> >> > up this transaction. I will like to know if i can trust you with
>>>> >> > my
>>>> >> > money,since the payment will be issued out today... please i want
>>>> >> > you
>>>> >> > to remove the item from sales list because I'm going to start
>>>> >> > working
>>>> >> > on your payment and get back to you with the tracking # so that
>>>> >> > you
>>>> >> > will know when to expect it. I have a friend who will manage me a
>>>> >> > low
>>>> >> > price shipping and I assumed that i will include the mover funds
>>>> >> > along
>>>> >> > with your payment. So when you receive the check get your item fee
>>>> >> > and
>>>> >> > the rest goes to the mover guy so that it will be delivered
>>>> >> > directly
>>>> >> > to my house. Let me read from you

> On 5/29/11, Blake Minium wrote:
>>> So I'm not trying to be rude or anything peter paul but if your guy trys
>>> to
>>> come get my horse today I'm going to have to tell him no, I have
>>> received
>>> no
>>> form of payment from you nor have you said anything to me about sending
>>> a
>>> payment like you said earlier in our conversation. I'm going tob have to
>>> assume your no longer interested in purchasing my horse. So saying that
>>> I'm
>>> going to put him back online for sale. If you decided you didn't want
>>> him
>>> no
>>> more I only. Wish you could have been mature and told me. Such is life
>>> though.
>>> God Bless
>>> Blake M.

>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: peter paul
>> Date: Sun, 29 May 2011 15:22:06
>> To: Blake Minium
>> Subject: Re: Horse - $500 (Burrton/Hutchinson)
>>
>> No,i still need the horse and the payment has been issued out already
>> and its was holiday that affect the delivery and i know they will
>> delivered it by Tuesday morning or latest wed morning.So kindly be
>> patients with me okay...
>>
>> Thanks

On 5/29/11, blake_a_minium@hotmail.com wrote:
>> Okay that's fine but I'm sorry you can't have him until I have payment
>> Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

> -----Original Message-----
> From: peter paul
> Date: Sun, 29 May 2011 16:34:08
> To:
> Subject: Re: Horse - $500 (Burrton/Hutchinson)
>
> NO PROBLEM.

On 5/31/11, blake_a_minium@hotmail.com wrote:
> Your check did not come yet.
> Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Hello,
The payment has been issued out to you and it will deliver to you
today via fedex courier services and here is the tracking
number:875629676485 and kindly let me know when you received the
payment so that we can complete the transaction today .i want you to
deduct your money from the payment and get the rest money sent to my
shipping company via western union money transfer minus the western
union charges and get back to me with the western union details
asap.....

SHIPPER INFORMATION TO GET THE MONEY SEND TO:

NAME:=========SHELIEA SIMMONS
ADDRESS:========7018 Blair Road
CITY:============DESERT HOTSPRINGS,
STATE:============CA
ZIPCODE:===========92240
===========================================================
Once the mover's payment has been sent to them mover Via Money Gram
Money Transfer or Western Union Transfer , I'll want you to send me
the information below:

...........Sender Name and Address
...........Receiver"s Name and Address
...........Actual Amount sent After deducting Transfer Charges
............Reference Number or Mtcn number

Also note that all the money gram or Western Union charges should be
deduct from the money you are sending to the Mover Agent,Once this has
been done, I will want you to send me your Map Quest and fix a proper
day for the pick up of the Item so that there will be a proper
arrangement. I will be looking forward to hear from you Soon.

Thanks.

..... Okay so i havent said anything to this guy for a few hours because im at work and this is what he says.

> From: peter paul
> To: blake_a_minium@hotmail.com
> Subject: WHY BIG SILENT?.... Horse - $500 (Burrton/Hutchinson)
> Sent: Jun 1, 2011 6:07 PM
>
> Hello,
> I was wondering why this big silent?...the payment has been delivered
> to you since morning and you never get back to me and let me know you
> have received the payment.
> Pls kindly deduct your money and get the rest send to the shipper via
> western union /money gram and get back to us with the details
> immediately the money has been wired.
> Thanks

On 6/2/11, blake_a_minium@hotmail.com wrote:
> I can't cash this check anywhere today my bank closed at 530 and I tried
> walmart, I tried going to speedy cash and they won't because your bank has
> to verify and they must be closed because no one will answer the phone. I
> have no other options here today we will have to do it tomorrow on my lunch
> break if that will work for you

> ------Original Message------
> From: peter paul
> To: blake_a_minium@hotmail.com
> Subject: Re: WHY BIG SILENT?.... Horse - $500 (Burrton/Hutchinson)
> Sent: Jun 1, 2011 6:36 PM
>
> Hello,
> No problem.i want you to get the check deposited into your bank
> account and deduct the money for the horse and get the rest money sent
> to my shipper via western union money transfer.thanks

On 6/2/11, blake_a_minium@hotmail.com wrote:
> Okay I don't have time to mess with this anymore today my boss let me off an
> extra hour so I could do this, this morning.. My bank will only deposit the
> whole check and if they do its up to a 5 day hold or something like that
> because they are saying this is a possibility this check may not have
> efficient funds. So what do you want me to do about this.

Hello,
No problem you can go ahead and get the check deposited and let me
know when the check will cleared the bank ..thanks.

then this peter paul guy started texting my phone using this number" 92466502 "

i dont know what to do now this money is in my check account... what do i do....?

Your probably wondering how come im putting all this on here... lastnight i was just thinking about this whole situation and how it was just getting to be so frusterating and that how something just wasnt sounding right with this guy. and no matter what i can not get this guy to call me only though email and that short little text he did to my phone which if you google it it actualy is a number from an email so really hes not texting me. so i was talking to my wife about it and she thought it didnt add up ethier. first off the fedex package had no name or phone number on it, the check he sent me was from a bank in Providence Rhode Island is where my bank told me it was from. the label on the fedex envlope said some where in California so my wife actually looked this guy "peter Paul" up on google and this is what we found.

like i said i do not know what to do help me please.

thanks everyone and sorry this is all happening to all of us.
Blake Minium

Be aware of: LAURENCE JACQUELINE asking for deposit for a gorgeous property asking for a deposit to hold the property to send him via western union to 5,OSOLO ST. LAGOS NIGERIA 23401.HE GAVE US AN ADDRESS TO GO TO SEE FROM OUTSIDE A REAL GORGEOUS HOUSE.HE sent me the contract to rent the property to a very low price, and all utilitties included.BIG SCAM!!!!!!

if anyone knows on how to get my money back please let me know. i am a college student and needed money fast. i got scammed. and now i am broke and in debt more than i was before. i dont know what to do. if anyone knows please contact me.