Another scam via Craigslist: offering more than asking price

I am not sure if this is scam, but sounds like it could be. I gave my name, address and #. What kind if scam are they trying to pull?

Hi,
I'm glad to know it's still available. I'm presently on a vacation but I can ask my assistant to prepare and mail out your payment. And I am sure you will receive it in the next 2 - 5 business days. I'm even willing to add $30 extra for you to keep it in my favour and also for the delay. Money Order is the means I will pay you with. If this is acceptable by you, Send me your info i.e your full name and address(not a P.O.Box) where the payment will be sent to and also a reachable Phone number. I will also make arrangement for pick-up which will be after you must have received and cashed the money order.
Awaiting your info
Thanks.

Awaiting your info

ARNOLD DAVIES (arnolddavies004@gmail.com)

I am selling a vehicle and received this email:

Dear Seller,
I am interested in the immediate purchase of your item and
will be make payment via cashier check/money order, my private
shipping company will handle the shipping, but before payment will be
made i need to be sure of who i am dealing with if you are going to be
honest and sincere throughout the transaction. A certified cashiers
check is cash-able the same day,there is going to be an excess fund on
the check ,the excess fund is meant for the private shipping company
who will come to your place for pick up of the item, so shipping is
not a problem,will you be able to transfer the excess fund to the
shipping company the same day you receive the check?. check would be
sent to you so when you get payment you can easily cash it at any
cashing point near you or deposit in your bank. You'll be sending
excess fund to my shipper , which would be meant for shipping
arrangement.if you agree, signify your interest by forwarding to me
your Final Asking Price, Full Name & Contact Address and Tel #. I
await your response soonest.
Best and kind regards,

-----------------------------
I replied acting like I was not suspicious, and asked them to call me and we can work out the details. This is what they sent me in return:

Hi
Thanks for your reply and I agreed to pay the amount you want as
price any additional money for the shipping and handling. Here will go
i am using this opportunity to inform you that the amount that will be
on the Payment will more than your item fees.I don"t really know the
exact amount that will be.Because it will be issue by my client.and
the reason of the over payment is that.the amount on the check will be
sing.And it is more than your item fees.so once you receive it.you
must deduct your item fees and western union the balance money to my
client shipping company .the item is going to Africa also the shipping
and west er n union address will come with the payment.
There will be no problem about the shipment.I want you to responsible
for it.also make sure you deduct your item fees and western union any
additional money on the Payment once you receive it.and email me your
Name And Address which you want the payment to be mail to and your
phone# asap today.
Below are the questions i have for you.

1)is the item in good condition?

2)is any western union location where you to send the balance money around you?

3)can you make sure you get the payment cash at your bank the same day
you receive it?

4)can you allow my client shipping company for the pick up and
complete the transaction the day you receive the A check is cash
able?

If yes too all my questions.kindly email me back asap today so that
the A check is cashable can be send
asap,

Thanks,

It would be great if there was a way to somehow scam the scammer, Somehow track them, Somehow find out some of there information and then give them a taste. Maybe somehow tell them that you are sending the money but it will be coming C.O.D. only to end up with nothing! Just to get em, if only for a few dollars, would be sweet justice. Sorry I guess I'm just sick of getting these bogus emails.

Just got a reply on Craigslist to use DHL for payment and delivery.
They posted a very believable link to DHL website, compleate with clickable links to navigate site.
But when it came to payment, they wanted western union or money order!
THat's what threw up a red flag!
I called DHL and they said it's absolutely a scam, happens all the time!
Beware!

Hello Seller, I am interested in the immediate purchase of your Item and I will be responsible for the shipment of the item from your location using my Shipping Company. However, the payment for your Item shall be in form of Certified US Cashier's Check.Therefore If you are satisfy with this reliable, acceptable and best method of payment, kindly get back to me with the name you will like the check to be issue out to, the address you want me to send the payment to, to this email address (danwilly777@gmail.com ) as well as your cell and home number. I await your fast reply so as for payment issuance. Regards, NB: Confirm with the name of the Item you have in for sales and the working condition of the item and the final asking price also attach some picture of the item if available.. to this email address ( danwilly777@gmail.com )

Here's the email I received. I almost fell for it. I just emailed him and told him I don't want his counterfeit money order:

Thanks for the response.I am willing to pay your asking price.I will pay by a money order as its the only way i can pay you at the moment.I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you.I dont mind adding an extra $20 so you can keep it in my favor.I would have loved to come take a look at it but i am presently out of town,send me some pictures.Reply with your name,phone # and
mailing address where payment will be sent.I will let you know how i intend to pick it up.Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me.

Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.

After 1 day the ad on Craigslist is gone....

Here is my reply to Ben:
Subject: Driver Needed For My Grandma in auckland
To: benanderson_ben@yahoo.com
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2008, 9:56 AM

Hi Ben,

It was nice to find your post. Having been a visitor to both islands in the 80's, it would be a honor to take care of your Grandma's driving needs. I live in ...

I can accommodate your grandmother also in San Diego, and LA area, as I have friends or family I can stay with. I have a new ... I have a ... license .... I have no criminal history and have cleard several police agency background checks.... I can be dressed professionally or casually as needed.

What time frame are you looking at for her trip? Is there a set itinerary? How would the compensation process be handled?

I look forward to your reply. I hope you have a good weekend.

Best regards,

ME
_____________________ His Response _________________________

Hello,
Thanks for your response and I am glad to read from you as regard the
driving job and also for accepting the offer.
i have contacted my grandma concerning the pick up and for other purposes
which she might need you for,and she told me its okay by her.
I believe you are fit for this position in as much as you will prove
yourself as a reliable and good person.
Her arrival period should be second/third week of october.
I will have my car available and I am offering you $550 per
week and i can pay you more than that depending on your way of character
with her.And you will make your self available 3 times in a week to her
schedule for 2 hours each day.
Therefore I will instruct my client in the USA to send you a certified
Check which will come as an overdraft,the remaining funds will be used for
my grandma expenses,accommodation and co. you will have to send the
remaining funds to the agent that is helping her to arrange for her
traveling down to the states through Western Union Money Transfer.I will
give you the information on how to send the remaining fund to the agent
processing her traveling.
Get back to me with the following details of yours:
your full names,address,location,postal code and phone number.
If you are okay with the offer,kindly get back to me fast so that the pay
Check could be forwarded to you as soon as possible.
I will appreciate your quick response.
Thanks and please get back to me asap.
Regards,

Ben.
-----------------------------------------
My first clue is doesn't anything about the needs (what city, etc). Second, the lack of good english, (something that is also common on online dating sites where thsy say they are from a US city, but only in Nigeria on business, there is writing is worse). Third the term overdraft didn't sit well. Forth, will pay more to cover all her expenses, etc and then WU the leftover to his client in the US. Lastly, it doesn't all jive and I have heard of cashiers checks being deposited, and bouncing after the goods have been sent on e-bay.

So I will play this through:
I've asked that all transactions being handled via WU and that we meet over Skype to see if this a good fit. I'll let you know how it goes :> )