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
Anonymous (not verified)
I to googled the phone # on this guy
Wed, 2008/12/03 - 02:26He to is contacting me I will attch:Start at bottom
I feel uncomfortable ,you buying a car unseen? Also I am not fimilar with your method of paymemt but would take a pay pal payment
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From: darrell elmer
To: beachlessaunt@yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 1:07:34 AM
Subject: The 1995 Crysler Concorde - $1500 (Cincinnati)
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 or a money order.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 drawn on .(Bank Of America).Electronic Cashier checks is fast and secure.You will probably need a business check paper to print and cash or deposit the check today.The business check paper is sold for $10 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.i could have call you to explain all this to you but am hard of hearing so read more about Echeck via www.q-check.com
Thanks.
Darrell Elmer
Rock Springs, WY
Fax (337) 680-4010
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Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 13:27:51 -0800
From: beachlessaunt@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: 1995 Crysler Concorde - $1500 (Cincinnati)
To: darrelmer16@live.com
Yes the car is still available
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From: darrell elmer
To: sale-940649067@craigslist.org
Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 12:13:54 AM
Subject: 1995 Crysler Concorde - $1500 (Cincinnati)
** 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,
I just want to know if this item still available for sales,if it is please get back to me as soon as possible.
Thanks.
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this message was remailed to you via: sale-940649067@craigslist.org
Anonymous (not verified)
Scammer boy Darrell Elmer
Fri, 2008/12/05 - 09:48Darrell Elmer sounds harmless enough doesn't it? Well, all you have to do is read his poorly translated English to know he's likely overseas in Nigeria. What he would want with a snowmobile is beyond me. :) What he really wanted was to scam us with the stupid fake check for too much money scam--except he wanted us to print the check ourselves too! It gave me a good laugh. Here's what he sent us:
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 or a money order.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 drawn on .(Bank Of America).Electronic Cashier checks is fast and secure.You will probably need a business check paper to print and cash or deposit the check today.The business check paper is sold for $10 at any stationery store,staples or at your local office supply outlet.I will add the cost of supplies to your asking20price 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.i could have call you to explain all this to you but am hard of hearing so read more about Echeck via www.q-check.com
Thanks.
Darrell Elmer
Rock Springs, WY
Fax (337) 680-4010
Anonymous (not verified)
DARRELL ELMER THE SCAMMER STRIKES AGAIN
Mon, 2009/01/05 - 17:53We have a car on sale on Craigslist also & rec'd an email that Darrell Elmer wanted to buy it. Here is the email we rec'd from him: "Sounds Good,
I am okay with the price and condition and my mode of payment will be via Bank Certified Check which will be drawn on Bank Of America,Do not worry about the shipment fees i will handle the shipment via my private shipping company,they will prepare all shipment document and it will also be insured by them after the check has been verify and clear at your bank,the check will be mail via Fedex or DHL 2nd day delivery in which i will need your full name and address to mail out the check to you today,once you received the check you can proceed to your bank and have the check deposited into your account, i will wait for your bank to verify and clear the check before we proceed with the shipping,if this is okay by you, you can proceed to take off the advert on craigslist because i don't want any other interruption by another buyer,so get back to me with your full name and address to mail out the check to you today.
Thanks
Darrell Elmer
Rock Springs, WY"
I had emailed him back (bcuz we thot it sounded fishy that someone would buy a car, sight unseen, from another state & be willing to pay shipping fees that would more than total the car's cost & told him, "I had typed in your name in Whitepages.com & there wasn't a listing for darrell elmer from Rock Springs, WY. Which shipping company are you referring to that you would be using? Before we send our information to you for your check to be sent, we are having our local connections check this for legitimacy, since this would be a "step of faith" on our part. Please do not take offense to this procedure we are doing there are just too many scams out in the world today & we need to be sure before we can proceed with our part." May daughter told me to go to google.com & type in the name & see what came up....lo & behold all these many alias (more than likely) he uses! I wonder how many ppl fall prey to idiots like these? People ought to be ashamed of themselves to prey on others like this!! And he even claimed to be a christian in one of the scams i read ~~ no wonder Christians get bad raps these days!!!!!! THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR STORIES ~~ IT HELPED US NOT TO FALL PREY TO THIS SCHEME!!!!
Anonymous (not verified)
Craigslist check scam
Fri, 2008/12/05 - 17:02This is what I was sent in reply to interest in a $1,000 lawyers bookcase I have for sale by a known scammer:
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 1:50 PM
Ok,
Am really interested to purchase your item, the easiest way for me to pay is through Electronic Cashier's Check which is (E-Check) e-check was draw from my Bank (Bank Of America) I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank. Here is what you need for the check: You will probably need to buy versa 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 versa business check paper. I will email you the check and you will have it printed, then you will have to proceed to your bank and get it deposited. I will wait for your bank to verify that the check clear before we proceed with shipment. As my Bank Operator informed me that the check will clear at your bank immediately. Which is Confirms to All American Banking Association rules and standards this is to stop C.O.D.
Let me know if this helps
Christopher Cogswell
4350 Settlement Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80925.
thanks.
G-Man (not verified)
Same Scammer
Mon, 2008/12/29 - 21:48Here's mine from a couple days ago. Look familiar?
Why can't our government do something about this, or at least Craigs List should blanket s ome major warning signs on the latest scams. (maybe they do?)
Thanks for your post!
G-Man
I’m selling a guitar. Here’s what I received from Joe Scott …
Hello,
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 Versal Business Check paper, at any store below in your area,
(1) Shopping Mall
(2) Stationery Store
(3) Office Depot
(4)Office max
(5)WalMart
(6)Staples
For $20.Once you purchase the Versal Business Check paper.I will email you the check and you will have it printed.then proceed to your bank and cash or deposite it.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.Which is Conforms to All American Banking Association rules and standards this is to stop C.O.D.The item will be pickup by my private shipping company,so you don't have to worry about the shipment.
Please Email me back and let me know if this helps
Next from Joe Scott …after telling him I preferred the security of PayPal…
Hello,
I have been screwed by paypal once, so my lawyer advised me to only make payment online via electronic check.
The electronic check is new technology and is very legit and fast, this is a Verified and Certified electronic Bank check for online transaction. If you are still willing to sell this item for me, proceed to purchase the Versal business check paper, for you to receive the payment ASAP.
Rebecca (not verified)
Electric Wheel Chair
Tue, 2008/12/16 - 08:22I posted a Electric Wheel Chair for 500 dollars for my grandmother. and I received the following email from a Bob Edwards: ** 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
Am willing to purchase your item,hope it is still available for sell?
Best Regards
Bob Edwards
6355 germantown rd.
middletown, oh 45042
I sent him a reply letting him know the following item is still avaliable and he sent me another email stating this:
Great to hear from you,i willing to purchase this item for my Grammer, and don't worry about the shipment,the item will be pick up by Private shipping company,The easiest way for me to pay for your item is though Electronic Company Bank Check, draw from my Bank (Bank of America Wells Fargo and Other Banks) and all what you need for the E-check is to buy Versal Business Check Paper a cost of $10 at any store below.
(1) Staples
(2) WalMart
(3) Office max
(4) Office Depot
(5) Shopping Mall
(6) Stationery Store
You can also order it online at (www.formsandchecks.com). Once you purchase the business check paper. The echeck will be send online immediately to your email box, for you to have it printed. then proceed to your bank and cash or deposite the check. I will wait for your bank to verify and clear the E-check before we proceed.
Bob Edwards
6355 germantown rd.
middletown, oh 45042
Now. before I sent him a response on his first email I did a reverse address search on the address that he gave me and it comes up to be Towne East Auto
6355 Germantown Rd
Middletown, OH 45042-1374
(513) 423-6200
Company: Towne East Auto
Anonymous (not verified)
Thanks a Ton for this
Wed, 2009/02/11 - 12:16Thanks a Ton for this website. I'm happy I wasn't duped by this obvious scam!
Anonymous (not verified)
I got this email also!
Mon, 2009/04/20 - 09:48Ok,
Am really interested to purchase your item, the easiest way for me to pay is through Electronic Cashier's Check which is (E-Check) e-check was draw from my Bank (Bank of America Wells Fargo or Commerce Bank and Other Banks) I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank. Here is what you need for the check: You will probably need to buy versa Business Check Paper, at any store below in your area,
(1) Staples
(2) Amazon
(3) WalMart
(4) Office max
(5) Sam's Club
(6) Office Depot
(7) Shopping Mall
(8) G7 productivity
(9) Stationery Store
(10) Local Office Supply Stores
For $10. Once you purchase the versa business check paper. I will email you the check and you will have it printed, then you will have to proceed to your bank and get it deposited. I will wait for your bank to verify that the check clear before we proceed with shipment. As my Bank Operator informed me that the check will clear at your bank immediately. Which is Confirms to All American Banking Association rules and standards this is to stop C.O.D.
Let me know if this helps
Bob Edwards
6355 germantown rd.
middletown, oh 45042
Anonymous (not verified)
I thought it sounded bad so I
Fri, 2008/12/19 - 07:09I thought it sounded bad so I googled his name and read all the information above. This is what Christopher Cogs sent to me.
Am really interested to purchase your item, the easiest way for me to pay is through Electronic Cashier's Check which is (E-Check) e-check was draw from my Bank (Bank Of America) I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank. Here is what you need for the check: You will probably need to buy versa 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 versa business check paper. I will email you the check and you will have it printed, then you will have to proceed to your bank and get it deposited. I will wait for your bank to verify that the check clear before we proceed with shipment. As my Bank Operator informed me that the check will clear at your bank immediately. Which is Confirms to All American Banking Association rules and standards this is to stop C.O.D.
Anonymous (not verified)
Am really interested to
Fri, 2008/12/19 - 07:10Am really interested to purchase your item, the easiest way for me to pay is through Electronic Cashier's Check which is (E-Check) e-check was draw from my Bank (Bank Of America) I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank. Here is what you need for the check: You will probably need to buy versa 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 versa business check paper. I will email you the check and you will have it printed, then you will have to proceed to your bank and get it deposited. I will wait for your bank to verify that the check clear before we proceed with shipment. As my Bank Operator informed me that the check will clear at your bank immediately. Which is Confirms to All American Banking Association rules and standards this is to stop C.O.D.
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