Buyer Scam?

[ben_brown]

I have listed a bass for sale on Craigslist and Ebay. The next day after listing the bass on Craigslist I received an email asking if the bass was still available.
I replied "Yes it is" and gave them my phone number. I received no calls. Today which is 3-4 days later I received this email...

Hello
Thanks for gething back to me, and am okay with the price and the
condition and i will like to make an outright purchase of this
particular item immediately because i noticed that you are seriuos
seller, I anticipate that a cashier check or certified check will be
sent to you via express mail or ups as the mode of payment,concerning
the pick up, i will be responsible for that, where my mover will come
for the pick up at your location upon your confirmation of receiving
the payment and i want you to remove this item from the ad.So i will
send the payment which will inlcude the pick up charges in whcih you
will make payable to the mover immediately you recieve the payment to
aviod the delay .Also i have other packages they will be picking for
me around your location wich i will like the to pick up with your
item, .....would really love to come for the viewing but due to my
work frame and the family issue for the year that might not be
possible... .....and I will like you to provide the information below
so that the payment will be done as soon as possible:-
1...................full name
2..................full home address
3.................zipcode
4.................tel#
As soon as this is provided i will let you know when payment is mailed
out and i will update you on when you will recieve the payment and
give you intructions on what to do....thanks and i hope we handle this
in good faith.
Thanks while waiting to hear from you.


This must be a scam. What do you guys think?

[jps]

No doubt about it, this type of scam is very common.

[mikeylc]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. Sounds too risky.

[antipodean]

Steve,

I don't like the sound of that email at all, irrespective of the dodgy English. The writer reveals nothing about their identity and asks you to lay all your details on the table. If the email is from a non-traceable free account like hotmail, that would add to my suspicions. The pick-up arrangement sounds very strange - the whole "they pay you and then you pay their courier" concept is a bit whacky, to say the least. I imagine that the other items to be picked-up by their courier will be all your worldly goods....

I'd suggest replying to the email, stating that their pick-up arrangements aren't acceptable but you would be prepared to discuss an alternative over the phone. If it's a scam, they'll back out or fail to reply. If it's bona fide, you'll get some kind of sensible response.

[johnallg]

Scam, Steve. All my dealings and buying/selling have been very cordial and includes phone calls, where I find the person genuine. This one stinks. Hell, it reads like all the Lottery winnings emails I get.

[deblase4001]

I have received the exact same response several times when selling things on Craigslist. It's definitely a scam - steer clear. Good luck.

[chefothefuture]

Looks like a Nigerian knock off to me....
Run away!!!!!!

[rickenbrother]

That's an old scam. It's amazing they still attempt that!

[ben_brown]

I thought it was a scam. I just wanted ya'lls take on it....
It was from a gmail address.

[m5yates]

This is where I reply back to the scammer with the name, address and phone number of my local FBI special agent in charge.
Then I insist they call me before I wire them the over-payment refund.

[johnallg]

I thought it was a scam. I just wanted ya'lls take on it....
It was from a gmail address.

All y'all got the scam covered!

[ben_brown]

Yea....the first email was from pat john and I just got another email from frank david and it said...may i know if this item is still avvall?
So evidently it's the same guy. Both are gmail addresses. [email protected] & [email protected]
They can't even make up a decent last name for cryin out loud!

[m5yates]

Here's the lastest email from my craigslist ad ('83 Precision) scammer:

Hello Tom,

I have forwarded your details to my client and i was told that my full payment will be made to you. The payment will be in excess as the amount owed me is more than the amount i needed to pay you,I pleaded with him to pay your exact money but i was told the payment cannot be paid install mentally, He said It will either be delayed till when I'm back or paid to your details in full now. I wouldn't wanna delay things. I need you to assure me now that my payment will be in safe hands. You will cash before i schedule for pick up and you will also send the excess funds (difference on the payment after you have deducted your money) to me as soon as the payment is cleared and cashed. Like i said in my former mail, Payment will be sent to you through UPS next day delivery. Please contact me asap to know your position on this issue. You can delete the posting from craigslist as I'm ready to make purchase immediately if my condition is ok with you.

Regards,
Heller Gredenko

[ben_brown]

Friggin' ingnorant low-lifes

[stevebasshead]

This is where I reply back to the scammer with the name, address and phone number of my local FBI special agent in charge.
Then I insist they call me before I wire them the over-payment refund.