So I posted an ad in the Recycler to sell a camper shell and a bedliner. So far I've recieved two emails which I'm 99% sure are fraud attempts. I'm not planning to sell the shell unless it is a cash or very similar deal. Does anybody have any good ideas on how to string these jerks along? I may not do anything, but I figured at the very least I'll post their emails so that people can know what to look for and not get scammed. (The ad is for a black ranger camper shell for $500)

Email #1: "steve coles" (Sent from a yahoo webmail email account.)

Hello,

I saw your advert on the web and i am intrested in your CAMPER SHELL for RANGER SHORTBED

I am ready to pay you $600

I am based in west africa

I have made arrangements with a shippng company that will be on grond for the pick up at any location of your choice,I will love to see pics before purchase,Kindly get back to me asap if my offer is okay.Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards

Email #2: "kobe smith" (Sent from a lycos webmail email account.)

GOODDAY,
AM KOBE SMITH, I SAW YOUR ADVERT ON THE INTERNET AND I AM HIGHLY INTERESTED IN BUYING OF THAT ITEM,PLEASE IF THE ITEM IS AVAILABLE KINDLY GET BACK TO WITH YOUR LAST OFFERING PRICE, I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU SOONEST.
BEST REGARDS.
URGENT RESPONDS....


If anyone is selling something at about $500 or more online you are likely to recieve fraudulant emails such as these - please be careful.

I think the $100 bedliner ad wasn't a high enough value to be worth the effort to scam.

 

Ok my first response is , why the hell would somebody from South Africa figure that was such a deal after shipping and what not ? But whatever..... But I dont see how this can be misconstrued as a scam? Whats your take on it Blackhawk ?

 

Oh it's a scam alright. It makes NO sense for someone out of the country wanting to but a camper shell and have it shipped. Thats wack! String them along and you'll see the scam, it'll involve cashier check and your bank account I'll bet. Too bad you can't figure out a "reverse scam". [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

BlackHawk,

You have to walk away from that stuff. I get at least 1 attempt like that everyday. These guys are getting bolder and sneakier too. They are looking for any personal information that they can start collecting to eventually steal your ID. The best way to beat these guys is to walk away - now! If you want to string them along, they will get some info from you, then its only a matter of time before they get the rest.

Remember, as soon as you start to deal with international people, all the security of law enforcement and bank verification go out the window. There is a very good reason why these guys do what they do - because so many Americans have been fooled already.

Walk away.

Marky

 

That kind of stuff happens all the time. My friend just advertised his 48' toy hauler and got four e-mails back with people wanting to buy it, etc. They won't talk on the phone, want him to ship it, and a few other details that make it sound suspecious. I pretty much wouldn't send anything till cash in hand and if it is a high dollar item, until you talk to them on the phone. Good luck selling that stuff by the way.

Justin

 

Prozack,

Here are a few of the items that tip this off as to being a scam:

1. Web based email address. Not not everyone that has web based email is a scammer, but every scammer has web based email. (IE: not traceable back to a certain paying customer of an ISP.)

2. He is willing to buy it this minute! There is urgency in the message that they both want it NOW!

3. He is willing to pay MORE than the asking price - when was the last time that happened to you unless there were three guys all trying to get the item?

4. I am SURE they make camper shells in West Africa, and why does he need mine instead of a brand new one from a dealer who will have the ability to ship it much better?

5. He said he already has a shipping company lined up, before I've even told him I'll sell it to him - this is putting the cart before the horse.

6. Poor english - whatever language this guy speaks, english isn't his first language and there are a lot of people in Aftrica who speak better english than we do.

7. The names - both seem somehow generic.

8. Also the Recycler is a VERY local paper - it is published on the internet, but it's circulation is ONLY the greater Los Angeles area - why in the hell are people in Africa looking at a local publication? Virtually all of the deals that go down in the recycler are local things that you pay cash and go pick up, none of this shipping stuff like on eBay.

9. I got zero responses on the bedline which compliments the camper shell - I think the price point of $100 is just too low to be worth a scam.

10. OregonDunePatrol is right - as of now they have an email address and first name only, if I email them back that will provide another piece of the puzzle, which a good snoop can use any bit of info to get a little more info until they can perform identity theft. This is very much like computer hacking, the less info that they can gleam from you the better.

 

Well I have to say you have turned the light back on for me. Your right they are getting better and better at getting your info.... Thanks !!

 

when i was selling my 250r a yearago the guy from southafrica said he would buy it for 500 buck more than i was asking . and have his frind send me a cashiers check for it. when the check showed up . it was for twice as much as he said . with instructions to deposit in my acount and then sent him the balance in a cashiers check off my account. his check was from a bank in sanfran. when i looked at the check it looked good ecept for the routing number didnt match. i called the bank in sf and said this guy has done this over100 time and over 75 people got screwed. because people would ship goods . and loss of money from their own accounts. after i called this guy out on this he got real $hi tty. so if it isnt local and money isnt green i would say no deal

 

......wow........... now THATS what I call a scam !!

 

We have similar scams In the UK usualy from people claiming to be in portugal and similar countries and they all end up the same involving western union money transfers , or bank acount details.
SCUM BAGS that dont have the guts to hold you up in the street