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.
Contents:
Comments
Anonymous (not verified)
I HATE SCAMS
Wed, 2007/12/05 - 13:18Dear Seller,
I just view the sales of your car at craigs web today,I will like to know the present working conditions and also last asking price,I also hope you have the Title in your name.Are you the bonafide owner of the car.I am sorry about this questions above this is due to scams on internet.I will await your email with answers to question asked before we can move forward on this transaction as i will like to purchase the car from you as soon as possible.Once the questions are okay by me.As i need to protect myself and family.
Thanks
The next e-mail said...
How are you today?i am happy to read your email concerning the sale of your vehicle,i am intrested in it and willing to purchase it as soon as possible and also to let you know that i try your number but not responding that is the reason why i decided to email you back.I will handle the shipment myself via my company shippers,They will come for pick up when you must have gotten your cash at hand from the bank.They will prepare all shipment papers and also bill of sales.The vehicle will also be insured by my company shippers.
This is due to the fact that my mode of payment will be Via Bank Check As there are too many scams on internet with bogus account.Once you are satisfy with my mode of payment you can proceed to delete the advert of the car,So email me your name and address and also phone number with valid email address to recieved the check.As soon as the check is recieved to your address proceed to cash the check,I will wait for your bank to clear the check andverify it before we proceed with shipment.I will await your email today if this is Okay by you.
Then I said...
Thank you for your interest... I am not sure why the call didnt come in I have my phone on me if you would like to try again. Please feel free to call me. Thank you.
Could you give me your name and number so I can contact you about the sale?. Thank you.
Then he said..
Thanks for your respond to me over this transaction and my name is Tommy am ready to purchase the item from you as soon as possible for my uncle and am currently on a business trip and can't answer my phone at home but just for records here is my phone number 503-665-3195 i will not be able to answer because i am on the trip and i dont have answering machine! Please get back to me with your full name and address again so i can send the check to you one this done you can proceed to your bank to verify and cashed so that you can have your fund in hand before we proceed with the shipment...
My name is Tommy and address is 2796 Cibola Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92626..
Thanks....
If it wasnt for the fact that I had two saying the same thing 1- pay w/check 2)out of town 3)shipping company
4)didnt try to call me at all
EVERY ONE PLEASE BEWARE!!!
Melissa (not verified)
CAR
Fri, 2007/12/07 - 21:41Sounds 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.
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Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 12:47:17 -0800
From: melissaghartman@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: 93 nissan Altama OOPS SORRY - $950
To: austinej_u02@hotmail.com
HI yes the car is still for sale. it is in good condition and it runs GREAT needs interior work and a little tlc
Autine Jane wrote:
** 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
How are you is this posted ad of yours still up for sale?If yes please email me.ASAP and with the condition.
Thanks
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Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
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this message was remailed to you via: sale-499992125@craigslist.org
Anonymous (not verified)
Another SCAM on this Number 503-665-3195
Mon, 2007/12/10 - 13:03We got as far as getting the check and decided to google the phone number 503-665-3195 and came to this site. Wow, i'm glad i caught this in time. Thank you to all of you making these postings.
We got the same basic story from this guy wants to buy our car. says that he is concern about internet scam, but yet he is the scammer. he says he's on a business trip, give this phone #, but can't answer it because he is away on this trip. THere is no answering machine and can never talk to the guy on the phone. Goes by the name of Tommy Ray. He writes:
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: Tommy Ray
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:33:59 -0700
Subject: CHECK SENT...
Good Day,
I have mailed the check to your home address with sum of $3000.You will deduct $1500 plus $100 for the western union charges making $1600 and send the excess fund of $1400 to the shipping company that will come for pick up at your door.They will prepare all document as regards shipment like bill of sales and insurance papers.They will also sign over the title to my name.You will have to deposit the check for fund at your bank.It will clear within two days.Once the check clears we can proceed with shipment arrangement.Kindly delete the advert from craigs and email me when my check arrives at your door.Delete the advert immediately...
Thanks
---------------------------------------------------------------
So you deposit the check he wants to western union the money to the shipping company.
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: Tommy Ray
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 05:28:52 -0700
Subject: SEASON GREETING TO YOU...
Thanks for your respond to me and the name of the shipping company is INTERNATIONAL DEPENDABLE AUTOS SHIPPING COMPANY..And also to let you know that the check that i sent to you is the sum of $3000 to cover the shipment of the vehicle so that once your bank clear my check you will deduct your fund $1500 plus $100 for the western union charges making $1600 and send the remaining excess fund $1400 to the shipping company through western union so that they can prepare all the shipment paper before they come for the pick up of the vehicle......
Please you are to send the remaining excess fund to the shipper through western union NOT money order so that they can come and pick up the vehicle immediately they pick up the money......
I will await for your respond and have a wonderfull weekend...
Thanks
---------------------------------------------------------------
But will not give the Western Union info until the check cleared. Basically he is the shipping company. Our bank would have fronted the money and then we would have sent him the $1400 thru Western Union and by the time the bank figured it out, we would have been out a lot of money. Ugh, we are selling this car to make some money not to be more in-debt. Thank God we caught this before it was too late.
Needless to say once i found these postings i emailed him back and told him NO DEAL! Don't worry people, Karma is being sent back to him 3 times fold this time. He messed with the wrong person this time.
Anonymous (not verified)
Another scammer to be aware of (read emails bottom to top)!
Tue, 2007/12/11 - 23:09Well, Mr. Edsel (or whatever your name is). I just discovered that you have sent out similar emails to others as a scam, using the same exact wording. Your name and email address were identified as a scam, so let's just discontinue all communication. I hope you will find another hobby other than trying to scam and take advantage of people! By the way, I will be reporting this to authorities, as well as notifying my lawyer.
-----Original Message-----
From: franklin edsel
Sent: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 3:12 pm
Subject: ok - $2500
Hello,
email me your full name and address with your cell phone number for me to send you the check So don't worry about the shipment, the item will be pick up by Private shipping company.
To: frank_edsel01@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: ok - $2500
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:43:30 -0500
Great! I will hopefully be emailing you tomorrow evening to let you know we're ready to proceed. Once the payment has been received and processed, I will notify the other 3 people who are interested in the bed that it has been sold. How do you want to go about picking the bed up? Are you local?
-----Original Message-----
From: franklin edsel
Sent: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 8:12 pm
Subject: ok - $2500
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
To: frank_edsel01@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Arnold Palmer King-size Pineapple Poster Bed - $2500
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 10:36:03 -0500
Hello!
Yes, the bed is still with me, but I am planning to sell it this week. It is in great condition, there are no nicks or scratches, and there are no missing or broken parts. If you are interested, please let me know as there are others interested as well. The sell will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Thank you.
-----Original Message-----
From: franklin edsel
To: sale-484330064@craigslist.org
Sent: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 2:23 am
Subject: Arnold Palmer King-size Pineapple Poster Bed - $2500
Just checking to see if the item was still with you
Anonymous (not verified)
craigslist scam
Wed, 2007/12/12 - 12:54Oh
i would have love to pay cash but the reason why i am paying youwith check and the reason why it is in excess is that a client of mine is owning me some amount of money and he wants to pay me back with check, dont worry i will handle the shipping myself,I am in no rush to get the vehicle from you until my check has been verify and also cleared so i will need you full name and address including your valid phone number so that the check will be mail out to your and you can get it cashed as soon as possible cos i do buy vehicle to resell,dont worry my shipper will come along with the company personal mechanic to text drive, sign the documents and to make to make all the neccesary arrangement of the vehicle, looking forward to read from you soon.
Regards
Anonymous (not verified)
This sound familiar
Wed, 2007/12/12 - 15:57Thank you for the info. This did not sound right to me so I
did a search and came up with your site. Below is the emails I got today about a boat I was selling. I have taken out my personal info and left his in, in case you wanted to update your list for others.
ok: John Boat - $500
From: Keith Gester (keithgester14@hotmail.com)
Sent: Wed 12/12/07 11:42 AM
To: Katrina
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.
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From: Katrina
To: keithgester14@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: John Boat - $500
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:29:01 -0500
I sent my phone number. instead of calling me i
received the above.
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From: keithgester14@hotmail.com
To: sale-504119671@craigslist.org
Subject: John Boat - $500
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:50:14 -0800
** 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,
Hello is this item still available for sales? If yes please email me with your phone number!
Thanks
Anonymous (not verified)
Keith Gester is a douchebag
Wed, 2007/12/26 - 14:05Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:02:26 -0800 (PST)
From: <@yahoo.com> View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: ok: Authentic Luella Bartley Baby Giselle handbag purse - $499
To: "Keith Gester"
Can you add an extra $20,000 for the trouble I'm going
to have to deal with when I find out I've been
scammed? I will take a three party out of state
check, kthxbai!
--- Keith Gester wrote:
>
> Sounds Great I am happy to have received a response
> from you, I would love to buy the item for my
> friend as soon as possible .....so therefore i will
> like to proceed to the payment before the holiday
> kicks in, my mode of payment will be via Bank
> Certified Cashiers Check drawn from a Global account
> of Bank Of America and when the check has cleared
> we can proceed with the shipment of the item via EMS
> of USPS so kindly email me with your full name and
> address so the check can be mailed and i will add an
> extra amount of $100 for the shipment and also for
> accepting my mode of payment and selling this to
> me!and please get back to me with the last asking
> price. Thanks Merry Xmas
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:18:23 -0800 (PST)
From: <@yahoo.com> View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: Authentic Luella Bartley Baby Giselle handbag purse - $499
To: "Keith Gester"
Yes, it is. What would you like to know?
--- Keith Gester wrote:
> ** 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 wanted to know if this posted item on craigs is
> still available for sales? If yes please get back to
> me with your phone number so i can give you a call.
> Thanks
>
Anonymous (not verified)
I got scammed in exactly the
Thu, 2007/12/13 - 13:42I got scammed in exactly the same way, and when I called them on it they threatened me with the FBI, saying that since they have my home address the FBI would be picking me up if I didn't wire the excess money. I told them that the check didn't clear, and since it was over $2000 it was a felony :)
Cat eyes (not verified)
Did the check actually clear
Mon, 2008/02/11 - 17:40Did the check actually clear and you kept the money ?
Shay (not verified)
I got one from Brad Vermillion
Sat, 2007/12/15 - 13:31I recently posted an item on craigslist as well, and received emails that look EXACTLY like the ones listed here.
I'm glad I decided to check out his name on google first. All I did was type in "Brad Vermillion" and "scam" and up popped this site. He uses the address of 1261 Sandalwood Lane, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
When I received his emails, it just sounded too fishy, so I checked to see what came up on his name. It's sad that there are actually people out there who fall for their games.
So watch out for that one too.
Shay
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