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 CODEI 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.
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Comments
Anonymous (not verified)
some one has just tried to
Tue, 2008/08/12 - 06:53some one has just tried to scam me going by the alias stuntman1965 and again as a gmail account .i was selling an item for a 100 pounds and they were going to send me 3000!! that made the alarm bells ring coz y would u send 3000 for something thats costing u 100!!! luckily i rang the people dealing with my add and they told me it was a scam!! arseholes!!!
Anonymous (not verified)
Same scam from Harry Lucas
Fri, 2008/08/15 - 09:36I just had someone try to pull the same stunt on me. I was selling an item for $750. Wanted to give me $800 to remove it from Craigslist. Then the check he sent was accidently for too much money. The check was for $1900. So I should cash it, keep $100 extra for my troubles & moneygram transfer him the difference. Who was i to send it to?
Mouhamadou Diouf in the Bronx. So I googled the name & found this. UPS has the package somewhere. I have a feeling they figured out whats going on too. My email came from a harrylucas888@gmail.com. He wanted everything to be a rush. Sorry "harry". I'm not that stupid.
Anonymous (not verified)
Harry Lucas and others Timi Akeem
Sun, 2009/01/11 - 16:27I received the same scam as you but he is using harrylucas84@gmail.com and I just received another email the same as his:
Thanks for your prompt response and sorry for the late response, I will love to make an instant purchase on this please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist.I don't mind adding an extra $50 dollars for you to take the advert down from criagslist so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the item.I will also like you to know that i will be paying with certified check,and i will wait for the check clear before sending my shipper to come for the pick up,You don't need to bother your self with the shipment OK,I will take care of that cause buying and selling is what i do for living.So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check such as:
1.Your full name.
2.Your mailing address including zip code.
3.Your phone number.
Once again ,I will like you to know that you will not be responsible for shipping.I will have my mover come over as soon as you have cashed the check.
Thanks
Timi.
The email address they are using is timiakeem01@gmail.com
Anonymous (not verified)
scam with Harry Lucas
Tue, 2009/03/10 - 19:45Hi, I got the same scam....
at first, seemingly legit...but then it fall apart.
Watch out, don't waste your time!
Anonymous (not verified)
scam with Harry Lucas
Thu, 2009/03/19 - 00:02Same Idea, but I told him to keep his check.
He sent it anyways, and when I never responded, I got this...
This is just awful! some poor person is going to get really scared...what a creep!
"Hello,it has been a while i still have not heard from you after you have received and deposited the check...i am very annoyed with you cus this is a very important issue and i explained vividly the the mess i am in due to my secretary's negligence yet you put up a non-challant attitude towards it.i just hope you are not trying to scam me of my money and if you are trying to do so then I PROMISE YOU THAT I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND MAKE SURE YOU NEVER SIT ON YOUR ASS AGAIN.I HAVE YOUR DATA AND WILL TRACK YOU DOWN BY ALL MEANS BUT IF YOU ARE NOT then i would appreciate it if you get back to me and let me know what is happening.thank you and have a lovely day."
Harry.
Anonymous (not verified)
Timi Akeem
Thu, 2010/10/21 - 00:58Lol.. I posted 2 listings on craigslist about 30min ago. And got a reply from both listings from Timi Akeem asking if the items are still for sell.
I was curious as to see if I could find out who he was by googling his name and found this. Regardless of whether or not he actually does the 2000 dollar check, I still wouldn't have done it because I wouldn't waste my time with that crap, but I'm glad I found this first... When he responds, he'll have a nasty reply.
He was using the gmail email: timiakeem01@gmail.com.
Anonymous (not verified)
that timi person sent me one
Sun, 2009/09/27 - 03:15that timi person sent me one of those emails although the first one said it was from a "Mark Benson" watch out for these names its bad news
Anonymous (not verified)
SCAM
Wed, 2009/11/18 - 23:35Watch out for a man named Charles Hill. I had a dining room table listed for 150 and he sent me a check for 1788.00. The check was clearly not legit and it was from a Wachovia Bank so please be careful...people are so ****ing stupid!!!!
Anonymous (not verified)
Donny Troy tried it to!
Mon, 2008/08/18 - 18:39Same here. Posted on craigslist. After two emails I started getting suspecious I knew better than to accept a ups check and cash it at my bank. Story was he was unable to call due to being deaf (red flags began) but was glad to sell it so gave the benefit of the doubt. Then two thousand more dollars were sent than requested.(flags) I informed them I would only cash it at their bank and if not they needed to send a money order. Didn't say anything about being in a different country or state, but asked me to cash their check and then money gram remainder to his mover Mouhamadou Diouf in NY only six states away(red bs flags) Doesn't have to be as simple as watch out for people in another country the states also. Good luck all in your future posts, and scammers beware carma's a b****!
Anonymous (not verified)
Someone named Wesley
Tue, 2008/08/19 - 10:05Someone named Wesley Chestnut is trying a similar scam on craigslist. Don't fall for it.
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