Craigslist classified for used car: Cheque fraud scam

I actually got the same email from "Brandon Collins". I Googled "Brandon Collins Eugene Oregon", and I got the following results.

Phonebook results for brandon collins eugene oregon Brandon Collins (541) 343-3769 952 W Broadway, Eugene, OR 97402 Map

The name and address are actually legit, but...I also got a legitimate phone number. Surely this scammer simply stole a name, and address he found online right??? This can't actually be the guy...right?? I called his number, and got an answering machine. But the name, address, and above number((541) 343-3769 ) are legit. Called directory assistance...legit. Either this is a moron working under his real name, or the real Brandon is building a horrible reputation, unbeknownst to him.

Ok,

As a matter of fact am really interested to purchase your item and am ready to buy it now. The easiest way for me to pay is probably Electrnonic Cashier's check which is E-Check
draw from my Bank(Bank Of America) I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank or anything.. Read more about itfrom http://www.InstiCheck.com...here is a thing from the E-Check: You will probably need to buy Business Check Paper 3 in 1 or
Versa Check, at Shopping Mall,Stationery Store,Office Depot or Office max. And it cost $20. Once you purchase the business check paper. I will email you the check and you will
have it printed. then proceed to your bank and cash the check. I will wait for your bank to verify and clear the Echeck before we proceed with shipment. As my Bank Operator informed me that it will clear immediately at your bank. Which is Conforms to All American Banking Association
rules and standards this is to stop C.O.D.
Let me know if this helps
Bill Jack
111 Lack land Ave
Burlington, NJ 08854
503 665 3195

From:
To: nnbill45@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: 8' Billiard table - $2500
Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:12:42 -0700
Yes we do, please call the phone number listed on the add.

----- Original Message -----
From: bill jack
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 2:33 PM
To: sale-476028350@craigslist.org
Subject: 8' Billiard table - $2500

** 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,
Do you still have this item for sale?
Thanks

Contacted me about a bedroom set, asking if it was still available. I wrote them back with:
Hi, yes, it is still available. If you have any questions or want to make arrangements to purchase, feel free to call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx or email back.

I then get back:

Sounds good, i would like to purchase it from you as soon as possible. (I am intrested and ready to buy it now) The easiest way for me to pay is probably E-Check from my Bank(Bank Of America).I know there are a lot of scams so I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank or anything.here is a thing from the E-Check: You will probably need to buy Business Check Paper, at any store below in your area,

(1) Shopping Mall
(2) Stationery Store
(3) Office Depot
(4)Office max

For $20.Once you purchase the business check paper.I will email you the check and you will have it printed.then proceed to your bank and cash the check.I will wait for your bank to verify and clear the Echeck before we proceed with shipment.As my Bank Operator informed me that it will clear immidiately at your bank as it was from my global account with Bank Of America.Which is Conforms to All American Banking Association rules and standards this is to stop C.O.D.

Please Email me back and let me know if this helps

Best Regards

Obviously going WTF to an e-check, when they have to pick up the item, I write them back asking, 'Where are you located at?' I get back this:

I won't be able to come look at it,due to the nature of my profession, and there short notice traveling jobs, I had to leave town and will be back in a week so i'll forward your details to my client to make the payment payable to you in order not to delay. Can i have your contact info with phone number to proceed with payment.Here is my address and my phone number.

Brad Vermillion
1261 Sandalwood Ln
Crystal Lake,IL 60014
503-665-3195

Keep in mind, they wrote: 'Can i have your contact info with phone number to proceed with payment.'

I sent them my phone # in the first reply.
These scammers really need to get a clue.

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 work with an auditing firm and will not have time to mail a check.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.Electronic Cashier checks is fast and secure.You will probarbly need a business check paper or Versa Check #3000 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 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.

Collins Brandon
952 W Broadway
Eugene, OR 97402

--- This is sad. I bet there are several people out there that fall for this. I hope they find this
man and stop him. You would think that he would google the "name" to see that his scam is noticed-

I got this email today from a posting for a rug on Craigslist...

Sounds Good.
I want to purchase the item today and pay you via Electronic Cashier Check drawn from my Bank of America account it is a real cashiers check after you print it. The check will be sent to you immediately via email all you need to do is purchase a Business check paper at any Office depot or stationary store to print the check on and immediately when you print the check proceed to your Bank to deposit or Cash it,the Business check paper cost $20 only but i will offer you $50 to purchase the Business check paper to print the check.The item will be picked up from you by my Company shipper so you don't have to worry about shipment of the item also I will wait for you to confirm and clear the check before the shipper come to pickup the item from you actually I should have handled this myself but i am not available to do that now i am currently away for my Company seminar that is why i want you to do this and i will pay you $50 to purchase the Business check paper to print the check.This is the fastest and best method of payment because it is instant once you purchase Business check paper all this process of printing and cashing of the E-check can be done within 2 hours.
Thanks
Fran Karen
503-665-3195

The emailing portion of InstiCheck has been shut down due to these losers scamming people. Hope this helps clear up some of the problems on craigslist and elsewhere.

-derek

Hello...

Similar scam:
First email after posting on craiglist:

I am willing to purchase your furnitures,Do you still have them available for sale? Get back to me asap....
Linda

Second email:

Thanks for getting back, I need you to fix up an appointments for the inspection of the furniture , although am busy for now but I will send my Cousin down to your address for the inspection and pickup of the furniture after payments, but before then i need to get things clear with you regarding the payments, I will be paying through Electronic Cashier Check drawn from Bank of America account.

E-check are been used all over the state, it's a very fast and secure means of payments, it is a real cashiers check after you print it.

The check will be sent to you immediately via email all you need to do is purchase a Business check paper at any Office depot or stationery store to print the check, the check paper cost $20 only but i will offer you $50 to purchase the Business check paper to print the check. once you print the check take it to your Bank to deposit or Cash it, for more security, My Cousin will come for the pickup of the furniture only after your bank might have Approved the funds into your accounts, if you are interested in my offer, you get the check paper and send me a valid email address, your name, phone number and address to be on the check, and i will get back to you soonest.
Linda

I did counter with an email saying I only accept check or money order, but after reading previous comments, I will just stop communications and report the scam to FTC. I hope this helps someone else identify this scam. It looks like they've moved on to a female name.