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 got one like this about a
Wed, 2009/05/20 - 10:19I got one like this about a horse...
Anonymous (not verified)
I had the same exact email
Sat, 2009/05/30 - 18:02I had the same exact email sent to me along with a versacheck for 3000 when my item was only 1600. I was instructed to take the remainder and wire it to cover the shipping cost. Took the check to the bank, and they checked it out for me and said it was a fake. This guy got me for 20 for the cost of the checks and another 20 for the gas it took me driving all over to find the dang things. The same address 1018 Sam Road St Martinville, LA was used but the name was Ben Sutton. These people should be ashamed of themselves for trying to scam hard working individuals out of their money. I bet his mother is so proud of him. I hope he gets whats coming to him.
Anonymous (not verified)
Scam
Sun, 2009/06/07 - 17:17same as above i got two dinerent names David Mills Then Din Williams
googled the addresse 1018 Sam Rd St Martinsville Lousiana 70582 found lots of scams
Anonymous (not verified)
Continued Fraud on Craigslist from Same Scammer - Sellers Beware
Sun, 2009/04/19 - 15:35Received almost the exact same message. When he said that he would send $1000 over the selling price to cover "shipping for this item plus 3 others in the state," I smelled a rat. I just didn't respond further. But I like the idea of giving him the name/number of the FBI!!
Hello,
Sounds good, i would like to purchase it from you as soon as possible. (I am intrested and ready to buy it now) . will want you to provide me more pictures of this item.The easiest way for me to pay is probably E-Check from my Bank.I know there are a lot of scams so I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through atyoubank 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
Best Regards
Scott, Joe
1215 Winnebago St
Corpus Christi, TX 78401-1868
Anonymous (not verified)
I just got one my self with
Tue, 2009/04/21 - 10:49I just got one my self with the same letter
Sounds Good
I am okay with the conditon & price. my mode of payment will be via Certified Check Drawn on Bank Of America,you will probably need a VersaCheck Paper (Business Size) or a Business Check Paper to print and cash or deposit the check today, the freequickwire.com is sold for $15 at any stationery store,office depot or at your local office supply outlet.i will wait for your bank to verify and clear the check before we proceed with the shipping which i will hire my private shipping company to come for the pickup after the check has been cleared at your bank so do not worry about the shipment fee,I will need your name and address to send the E-check, you can read more on how it works at www.freequickwire.com.
samword
1083 Sleepy Hollow Ln
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(575)694-7172
i'm glad i found this website...thanks for the postings
very helpful
Anonymous (not verified)
another craigs list scammer
Sun, 2009/05/03 - 14:55I have a car listed on Craigs List and this is an email I recieved. From:
Daniela Jones
Sound's Good,
I am interested to purchase it from you asap,I will arrange the pick-up when you must have gotten your cash at hand.The easiest way for me to pay is through (Electronic-Check).E-Check is simply a check delivery service that endorse and guarantee check delivery through E-mail that can be printed with the use of Business Check Paper.I have no problem with you waiting for the Check to go through in your bank or anything.
You will probably need to purchase a Business Check Paper for printing of the check,it's sold for ($20) at any Stationery store's,Office Depot/Max or Staples.I will re-reimburse you for the cost of supplies to your asking price.Currently,I can't get around to mail a check.Kindly purchase the Business Check Paper then email me your name and address with valid email address for the E-Check Payment with steps to print it immediately.You can delete the advert from the web if this helps.Here's my number 609-543-2286.
I will await your response asap.
Thanks and God Bless.
truck driver (not verified)
craigslist scam..wow !!!
Sun, 2009/05/10 - 09:12Thank you guys for posting your stories . i was very worried about the same situation. you guys saved me from a lot of trouble..
Here is my letter that i recieved :Sounds Good
I am okay with the condition & price. my mode of payment will be via Certified Check Drawn on Bank Of America, you will probably need a Versa Check Paper (Business Size #1000) to print and cash or deposit the check today, the Versa Check Paper or Business Check Paper is sold for $15 at any stationery store, office depot or at your local office supply outlet.
I will wait for your bank to verify and clear the check before we proceed with the shipping which i will hire my private shipping company to come for the pickup after the check has been cleared at your bank so do not worry about the shipment fee, I will need your name and address to send the E-check, you can read more on how it works at : www.iversacheck.com
Thanks and Best Regards.
Sue Morris
Anonymous (not verified)
Me Too!
Wed, 2009/05/13 - 17:42Thanks so much, I was very confused by this e-mail, and wonder3d why someone in LA would want my car.
Here is the Letter I received:
Sounds Good
Am okay with the price & condition. my mode of payment will be via certified check drawn on my Bank, don't worry about the shipment-fees, I will arrange for a pickup. the check we be delivered to you online www.iversacheck.com. Only a VersaCheck paper(business size) is required to receive & cash the check which you can easily get from any of this stores (staples, stationary stores, office depot, walmart) cost $10. you will cash the check and have your cash at hand before i arrange for it to be picked up. kindly provide me your full name & contact address which the check will be payable-to.
Ben Sutton
1018 sam road.
St martinville, LA. 70582
Fax (337) 680-4275
mag (not verified)
Different Handle, Same Content, Same Scammer! BEWARE!
Thu, 2009/05/14 - 11:20The guy is still out there (May 14, 2009), now calling himself as Robert Hanes. A simple Googling of "his" information lands me to this site. BEWARE!
I am also reporting this guy to Craigslist. Where he originally responded to my ad to Craigslist San Francisco.
Thanks all of you for all of your posts.
This is the content of his response to my ad:
----------
Thanks for your quick response,I just view the item again and its okay by me and will like to proceed with the payment.I will be more than happy to issue a certified cashiers check to you today via ovenight delivery and i will need your Name,address,city,state and zip code(No p.o.box please) and PHONE NUMBER to write the cashiers check out.And concerning the shipping i will handle the shipping via my shipping company so all i need to do now is to send you a cashiers check of excess fund to cover the cost of purchase and the shipping cost so you can deduct your money and send the excess to my shipping who is currently in bay area for the pick at your residence after the cashiers check must have clears your account to my house.Please kindly proceed and delete your advert on craigslist if this is okay by you .....
Am happy doing business with you.
Robert Hanes
21 red cliff village lane,
upper black eddy,Pa, 18972
(575)694-7172
gosh darnet!!! (not verified)
scam
Fri, 2009/05/22 - 16:58i recently posted my 94 ford mustang gt on craigs list. that car is my baby, but im having a baby so i need a more family orientated car. the very next day after posting i got 4 intrests. not jut 1 but 4!!!! i was very excited. that is unit i read one and it seemed kinda wierd, but i ran with it. then i read the second one...it said the same exact thing as the first!!! i was crushed. so i opened the third yet again to have my hopes shattered! and the fourth said he was interested in my ITEM i had for sale! if he was really truley interested, he would have known it was a CAR! oh well just goes to show you...cant trust the internet these days. i found your post very helpfull because instead of just wondering if it was a scam, now i know for sure. thank you so much
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