There is NO WAY this is legit

Thunderscreech · #1 08-09-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xianglao0@gmail.com

Hello,

I appreciate your response to my inquiry. Am interested in buyingyour musical instrument. I would have loved to come, check it out myself but I just got married and am presently on honeymoon to Hawaii with my husband.
I would love some surprise inclusions in his music studio on our return.

Please do withdraw the ad from craigslist as I wouldn't mind
adding $50 for you to take it down, so that I can be assured that the item is held for me. I should believe it is in good condition as stated in the ad.
I will be making the payment via a Certified Check, which my secretary will mail across to you.

I'll be picking the item from you with the aid of a mover. My Mover will be coming to pick it from you once the Certified Check has been cashed. Please I will need both your full name and physical address
along with your phone number to issue out the payment.

Best Wishes,
Lao

What can I do to ensure my prolonged amusement with this?

SoonerMatt · #2 08-09-2009, 01:38 PM

I've gotten the same email before. I also tried messing with the sender, but once you respond you don't hear anything else from them.

Thunderscreech · #3 08-09-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

I've gotten the same email before. I also tried messing with the sender, but once you respond you don't hear anything else from them.

Blast!

just like those people, too...

username n/a · #4 08-09-2009, 02:02 PM

I don't know, dude. It seems pretty legit.

bui · #5 08-09-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

I've gotten the same email before. I also tried messing with the sender, but once you respond you don't hear anything else from them.

Yeah, this...I sent some clever, sarcastic response to mess with them, and got nothing back.

**Eric Perry** · #6 08-09-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username n/a

I don't know, dude. It seems pretty legit.

Nyarlathotep · #7 08-09-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username n/a

I don't know, dude. It seems pretty legit.

Wow. Just.... Wow

PLEASE tell me you're NOT SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly, im not sure how you could get scammed by this. Just don't give out the item till you have the cheque and have cashed it.

Unless im just THINKING, which I often do. Im guessing that later you're supposed to give em the item and they say the "cheque is in the mail", but that's just STUPID.

i hate username · #8 08-09-2009, 02:31 PM

Dont see how they would get anything off you if it is a scam,could always try it just dont hand anything over till you have the cash. If it is a scam its just annoying more than actually dangerous. /maybe its someone trying to bring down craigslist by getting people to take down all there posts

Thunderscreech · #9 08-09-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username n/a

I don't know, dude. It seems pretty legit.

I'll give you the check, and you can get bank-account raped. and then I will laugh.

username n/a · #10 08-09-2009, 04:12 PM

Dude, my bank account has about $12 in it.

Thunderscreech · #11 08-09-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username n/a

Dude, my bank account has about $12 in it.

so? You'll get a check for 150.

from a nice Asian lady, no doubt.

kanonfodr · #12 08-09-2009, 05:51 PM

Lol, I would use that ploy to rip you off, bro. Once I had your address it would be too easy to case the place one night and do the job the next. The hardest part of thievery is figuring out who was something worth stealing.

Just can that message and wait for someone real to respond.

Peace,
Greg

bongomania · #13 08-09-2009, 07:53 PM

Just for anyone who has been living under a rock for the last five years or so, and for those who have not read the big bold RED "don't get scammed" link on most of Craigslist's FS pages, the deal is that even if you cash the check, the bank will eventually figure out that it was a bogus check, and they will hold you responsible for returning the money to them; they will fine you for passing a bad check; and they will report you to the police for passing a bad check.

So don't imagine for even a second that you are home free if you manage to cash their check.

joegeezer · #14 08-09-2009, 08:25 PM

I've gotten that one too.

sonic assassin · #15 08-10-2009, 01:43 AM

ive gotten a variation of the some one about a hundred times. i started putting up disclaimers in my ads, giving specific instructions on what to put in the subject line or the email will be deleted immediately. it worked, too.

cassanova · #16 08-10-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

Once I had your address it would be too easy to case the place one night and do the job the next. The hardest part of thievery is figuring out who was something worth stealing.

Just can that message and wait for someone real to respond.

Peace,
Greg

That's exactly what I thought once she said she'd have a mover or someone like that come pick the item up and then asked for the address.

Personally, I'd tell her we'll meet in a public place and make the transaction.

AJ Brown · #17 08-10-2009, 08:19 AM

First sign on these is the broken English. It's like they run what they want to say through an online translator or something.

jojobean39 · #18 08-10-2009, 08:28 AM

Check the IP address from the email (although if that email he is using is gmail, you won't be able to tell). I would bet a lung that the email originates from West Africa. I'll take it a step further and say Lagos, Nigeria. Ask for a phone number. You'll probably get a +234 country code or maybe a +44 if you are lucky. That just means this guy was clever enough to reroute his cell.

Also, I'll bet my entire rig that at some point, they request Western Union or Moneygram. This is exactly how it will happen. They will send you a fake cashiers check, that is several hundred or thousand more than your asking price. You take it to your bank and your bank probably WILL cash it. However, in a week or two, they will come back asking for the money that actually wasn't available. Immediately after you cash it the scammer will ask you to send the difference to them via Western Union or Moneygram, keeping 10% for your troubles.

I used to mess with these guys all the time. I got all sorts of amusement out of them- pictures and stuff. You won't believe what I have gotten these guys to do.

jojobean39 · #19 08-10-2009, 08:38 AM

Here is a pic I got from one of the idiots who tried to buy my amp.

I told him he had to take a "security pic" for me.

Nino Valenti · #20 08-10-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderscreech

What can I do to ensure my prolonged amusement with this?

Fake name and an address for Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club.

That'll teach 'em.