I recently listed a car for sale on craigslist and other local classified ad services.This is one reply I got, which is clearly an attempt at scamming:
From: Dave Smith <goldenwum12@yahoo.com>Subject: [The title of the classified ad for the car]Hello,I just viewed your car posting on craigslist and i have interest on it i will like to know the present condition and two more pictures of the car before i proceed with the transaction.Thanks
Problem is, the scammer is not very smart. I did not posted pictures to begin with, so there are no more pictures. So, I sent this reply:
From: meTo: Dave Smith <goldenwum12@yahoo.com>Pictures attached.
I intentionally did not attach any pictures. A genuine buyer would have noticed this of course. Instead, the scammer proceeded with the next step, revealing his true intent:
From Dave Smith <goldenwum12@yahoo.com>To: meHello,Thanks for your reply i got all your information about the car and am ok with it, i will be making your payment today i need your full name and address to make your payment today through electronic check i will handle the shipment myself.All what you need about the mode of payment is to get a Blank check paper and magnetic versa ink to print the check, the check will be sent to your email and you get it printed from it. You can get this materials from the following stores.1. Office Depot2. Office Max3. Staples Store 4. Stationery Store5. Compusa.When you get this materials you can print the check out and immediately after the printing you can then get the check cashed at your Bank or any bank of america branch around you I will wait for you to confirm and clear the check.The payment will be in excess as i will want you to contact my shipper with the excess fund for shipping the car after you must have confirmed and cashed the check.i will wait for your bank to clear the check so you can deduct your own money and send the excess fund to the shipper via Western Union Money Transfer so as to cover the cost of shipping the car from your place to it's destination. I will add extra 100$ for the purchasing of check paper and magnetic versa ink.For more information about the mode of payment you can check the website www.qchex.com and know more about it .Dont worry i will handle the shipping myself with my shipper. you can IM on this ID goldenwum10@yahoo.com or call me on 9145954296 for more information.Thanks and God Bless
This is a classic scam where a fake cheque is sent to the victim for more than the amount owed, and the difference is to be wired to the scammer.
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Comments
Patrick (not verified)
Barie Bongo is another identity
Wed, 2011/07/06 - 15:03Just to keep you up to date, his new emails are autobongo16@gmail.com and autobongo04@gmail.com, I guess he figured I wouldn't notice the change. I do have one question, because I think he is operating locally. Is everyone who received these emails from the Seattle area (or at least the Craigslist "Seattle Area" meaning Western Washington)? If so, there may be a good chance of actually catching him. Normally these types of scams operate with many people, under many aliases, on a national or international level. If this is one guy (or a few guys), operating under only a few, very similar aliases, and just in Washington State, we might be able to catch the arrogant prick while he is still small. So please reply to this and let me know, because I want to take action.
Just FYI, here is the email he sent me:
Hello.
I'm interested and ready to purchase it asap. I'll add additional $150 to your asking price. I would have loved to come and see it before actual purchase but i cannot due to my work which puts me in a very tight time frame. I will like to pay you via Certified Check. The check will be sent to your E-mail address. All you really need is a Business Check Paper to print the Check from your E-mail.
I'm in no rush with you till funds has been cleared in your bank or anything. The Business Check Paper is sold at Staples, Walmart, Office Max or at any Stationery Store at cost of $20. I'll instruct a Moving Co Agent to come for pick up when check has been cleared. Kindly proceed to purchase the Business Check Paper at any Stationery Store. I will await your name with valid e-mail for the Check.
Thanks.
Barry Johnson
Mindirella (not verified)
Barry Wood Scammer
Wed, 2011/08/17 - 11:32I'm in the Seattle area and he contacted me from this address: Barry Johnson denrico02@aol.com via craigslist.org
He said to reply to: Reply to: barry4rwood@aol.com
Barry Wood
Deputy Welfare Officer.
35631.110 West College Street
Bob (not verified)
he sent this to me but im in
Thu, 2012/06/28 - 16:11he sent this to me but im in PA
Anonymous (not verified)
Barie Bongo just offered to
Tue, 2012/07/10 - 08:58Barie Bongo just offered to buy my fish tank! I'm waiting for the scam to come...
Anonymous (not verified)
scam
Sun, 2011/07/17 - 15:11Got an email from him too in regards to craigslist posting in the Chicago area. The email was sent using autobongo16@gmail.com.
Hello.
I'm happy it's still available!
I would have loved to come and see it before actual purchase, but i cannot due to my work which puts me in a very tight time frame. I perfectly understand the present condition as started in the Ad. I will like to proceed with payment via Bank Check. I'm in no rush with you till funds has been cleared in your bank or anything. I'll handle the pick up when payment has been cleared. Kindly e-mail me back with your Name: Address: City: State: Code :Phone Number. The payment should get to you within 2 to 3 business days via USPS. Please withdraw the advert from CL to avoid interruption.
Thanks
Barry Johnson.
Anonymous (not verified)
Reply
Mon, 2011/07/18 - 11:14We got the exact same email from a Craigslist posting in Chicago. I thought it sounded fishy from the get go. This just confirms it. We are still waiting to receive our "check" in the mail.
Anonymous (not verified)
mkmatthew36@gmail.com SCAMMER
Sat, 2011/07/23 - 05:51matthew kertz, just wanted to let everyone know about yet another lowlife scammer on CL, same bs as usual, wants to send extra money for the "item" lool i just love that, they are too lazy to even include what item they are buying, name address etc etc,
Anonymous (not verified)
Barie Bongo tried to scam me too!
Mon, 2011/07/25 - 03:26WOW! I got the same email as some of you. Luckily, I listened to my husband and did not give this guy any of my information. We need to find a way to catch this guy. Any suggestions???
Auri (not verified)
BARRY BONGO
Thu, 2011/12/01 - 01:07This guy tried to scam me also , sent me a check for diagnostic equipment , after asked for remainder of money sent to shipper good thing i didnt as check cleared bank and next day my account got closed by loss prevention department thanks TCF for fast acting. I knew that there is possibility its a scam thats why didn't sent money back , also dude gave ,me his number i called him and told him to buy some Vaseline as his ass gonna hurt in prison , so he started threatening me told me he knows my address and he will send people to kill me , and now he calls me every day on the phone , he is very weird and unstable person as it sounded on the phone , also thick Somalian or African accent , will go to police tomorrow as this guy has to be stopped as FBI got to get him . His phone number is (904) 410-5797.
Anonymous (not verified)
Im trying to sell a ring on
Tue, 2011/07/26 - 13:54Im trying to sell a ring on CL and this barry wood denrico02@aol.com contacted me with hope of buying the ring. When I replied this is what he sent
Okay,
I am still willing to purchase the jewelry from you cause i need a present gift to my colleague for their forthcoming wedding ceremony which is around the corner, i will get you pay via paypal faster and secure payment for not to delaying the transaction, log to www.paypal.com and sign up with personal account, you can send me paypal invoice payment request or your paypal name and email address to send the money. Pleas include your last asking price, I will add $50 to cover EMS EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE OF USPS POST OFFICE. Await to hear from you with paypal info
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