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 just got one yesterday. Keep sharing the scammer info.
Thu, 2009/02/12 - 11:21Good,
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 memorepictures of this item.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 pr oceed 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
Regard's
Smith, R
470 Apple Valley Rd
Sevierville, TN 37862
Anonymous (not verified)
I got this a few days ago but he got mixed up on his emails
Sat, 2009/02/14 - 07:23Sounds great! you will have to send the excess fund to the shipper for them to come for the pickup at your place. You will have to send the excess fund to the shipper through MoneyGram Money Transfer to the shipping company C.E.O
Here is the information for you to send the money gram to the shipper
Timothy Harris
7611 87th Ave NE
Marysville, WA 98270
You will have to deduct the MoneyGram Sender's fee from the shipper's fund. And when you get the money sent, get back to me with the MoneyGram Money Transfer 8 Digit Reference # and also the location of where to pickup the Wheels.
Thanks.
________________________________________
Ok, 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 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 As sociation 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. Get back to me with your full name and address.
Regards.
Tim Johnson
20617 31st Dr SE
Bothell, WA 98012
________________________________________
The electronic check was attached to this email. This is the instruction how to Print the check. To view and print this check, you must have InstiCheck Viewer installed on your computer. So please fellow the steps to download the InstiCheck Viewer.. (1) Download the latest version of InstiCheck Viewer by click this link (http://www.jutawantani.com/modules/insticheckviewer.zip) download the InstiCheck Viewer and run it on your system. (2) Download the electronic check that was attachment to this email. 3. Open the InstiCheck Viewer you run on your Computer and follow this Step.. A. Click on Open on the InstiCheck Viewer B. Select the check electronic check you downloaded,the one that was was attatched to this email C. Click on Settings and set the Print Module to (IC_Print_Std_3_Up) and Click on Save D. Click on File on the InstiCheck Viewer, Scroll down and click Print setup, click on E-mail and fill it with SMTP servers = mail.bluebottle.com. Senders Email address = p_kendig@msn.com and click on save E. click go to Print and then click on printer setting, to setup your printing. Finally Click on OK after you might have inserted the check paper into the Printer. When you have the check printed then carefully cut out the Real check at the top.
The last are the instruction he will send you. I called SUNTRUST and they will cash the check becuase it is correct. They will ask for your ID and when it comes up bad three or four days later they will contact you fort the money. I did have the checks already so I am out only time but how do you catch this guy.No help from banks or local authorities.
Anonymous (not verified)
similar email
Wed, 2009/03/04 - 21:49Here is another email from the same person. Not sure, but seems like a scam. The email doesn't sound like a Tim Johnson, no offense, but sounds like someone with broken english.
Subject: RE: ok 1947 Dodge 4 Door Sedan - $1500 (Owasso/Tulsa)
I will takecare of the Shipment my self, In which the Shipper will be coming to make the pickup at your side as soon as you must have gotten the check, Email me the Information for me to send the check to you. Thanks.
Tim Johnson
20617 31st Dr SE
Bothell, WA 98012
Anonymous (not verified)
Wedding dress i was selling , Check Fraud Scam
Mon, 2009/02/16 - 20:41Hello
Great to hear from you,I will like to buy it for my friend before is Wedding ceremony , will want you to provide me more pictures of this item.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 and all what you need for the E-check is to buy Versal Business Check Paper a cost of $20 at any store below.
(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
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 Echeck before we proceed.Please Email me back and let me know if this helps
thanks
Anonymous (not verified)
Chris Crathbun....new name same old scam....
Mon, 2009/02/16 - 23:44I am so glad i found this site... i was seriously considering it... but something just seemed....not right...my email was practiaclly word for word with all the others on this site... The big jerk... i think i'll mess with him for awhile and make him think i am going to go through with it..lol
and the moral of this story is.....
IF IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...IT PROBABLY IS!!!
here's what he sent me.....
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 VersaCheck 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.
Chris Crathbun
14821 se marianSt
Milwaukie Or 97267
(575)694-7172
Anonymous (not verified)
scam I just got one also
Sun, 2009/02/22 - 19:14Thanks for notifying me that it is still available. 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 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 As sociation 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. Get back to me with your full name and address.
Regards.
Tim Johnson
20617 31st Dr SE
Bothell, WA 98012
michelle (not verified)
Another Chris Ratburn scam
Fri, 2009/02/27 - 15:09This is the 2nd email we received from the scammer, his name and address are all over the internet.
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 VersaCheck 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
Chris Rathbun
14821 se marianSt
Milwaukie Or 97267
(575)694-7172
Mike C. (not verified)
Car scam
Mon, 2009/03/02 - 20:21Sounds Good and verbatum just like another one I just read. The sender was Darrell Elmer from Deming, NM
I want to purchase the item today and pay you via Electronic Cashier Check drawn from my Bank account it is a real cashiers check after you print it. The check will be sent to you immediately via email all you need to do is purchase a Business check paper at any Office depot or stationary store to print the check on and immediately when you print the check proceed to your Bank to deposit or Cash it,the Business check paper cost $20 only but i will offer you $50 to purchase the Business check paper to print the check.The item will be picked up from you by my Company shipper so you don't have to worry about shipment of the item also I will wait for you to confirm and clear the check before the shipper come to pickup the item from you actually I should have handled this myself but i am not available to do that now i am currently away for my Company seminar that is why i want you to do this and i will pay you $50 to purchase the Business check paper to print the check.This is the fastest and best method of payment because it is instant once you purchase Business check paper all this process of printing and cashing of the E-check can be done within 2 hours.
Thanks
Anonymous (not verified)
Ok, Am really interested to
Tue, 2009/03/03 - 13:50Ok,
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
yea i dont c how if he waits till check clears its a scam..unless later on he askes me to pay for shipping with his money
Anonymous (not verified)
"erik harris" <erik_harris08@hotmail.com>
Tue, 2009/03/03 - 18:20I got this one recently...
Dear Seller,
Do you still have this item for sale?Let me know asap.
Thanks
So I responded and got this back...
Sounds Good
I want to purchase the item today and pay you via Electronic Cashier Checkdrawn from my Bank account it is a real cashiers check after youprint it. The check will be sent to you immediately via email all you need to dois purchase a Business check paper at any Office depot or stationary store toprint the check on and immediately when you print the check proceed to your Bankto deposit or Cash it,the Business check paper cost $20 only but i will offeryou $50 to purchase the Business check paper to print the check.The item will bepicked up from you by my Company shipper so you don't have to worry aboutshipment of the item also I will wait for you to confirm and clear the checkbefore the shipper come to pickup the item from you actually I should havehandled this myself but i am not available to do that now i am currently awayfor my Company seminar that is why i want you to do this and i will pay you $50to purchase the Business check paper to print the check.This is the fastest and best method of paymentbecause it is instant once you purchase Business check paper all this process ofprinting and cashing of the E-check can be done within 2 hours.
Thanks
So this one is still going around under a new assumed identity. The bad grammar really is a nice touch though...LOL
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