If
you place an ad, you most likely or WILL receive an E-mail from someone
(usually
from out of the United States) who
claims to be interested in the item(s) you are trying to sell. They will offer to send you a money order or check
for more money
than that item you are trying to
sell. They will tell you to send them a money order for the
balance. BEWARE! This is a scam!
The original check
they will send you will not be good and by the time it clears and you
find out, you may have already sent them the "change" in a
money order. Do not fall for this scam! Remember! If the offer sounds too good - it
probably is!
There are quite a few of
these "scammers" out there. Some of our visitors
have reported receiving telephone calls and many of our visitors have
forwarded the E-mails they have received - which we have
copied and pasted below to show you examples. In each case, though - the
"interested party" claims to be out of the country.
Why would anyone pay to have an item shipped when the shipping would
cost way more than the item is probably worth? Please use common
sense when trying to sell your item! Don't fall for a scam! And don't ever, ever make a deal with someone who wants
you to send them "change" or the "difference" in a
money order. If it sounds too good to be true - it is!
We suggest just deleting any mail that
sounds "fishy." However, if you feel the need to
"do something" you could report the E-mail to the scammer's ISP (Internet Service Provider.) For example, if the
mail is from "scammer at yahoo.com," report the mail to Yahoo.
Most ISP's have a policy forbidding junk mail and scam attempts. If you
report the mail (send it with the message headers) - then that person will be in
violation of his/her terms of agreement and will have their E-mail account
closed.
We have copied and pasted below
some of the E-mails that our classified ad customers have received so our
readers will know what to expect.
I don't know if you have any way of removing adds, but I just wanted to
let you know that the add titled "Dynamite Belle" in the Pet
classifieds is a scam. I was unaware of these "puppie
scams" until I got a fishy email back from this seller and I
started reading into things. I copy and pasted the email I
received at the bottom of this email. Hope it helps.
I am very happy that you her interested in my
pup..Her name is Belle a female teacup yorkie...She is still very much
available for new home.She is 10 weeks old,She is AKC registered and her
shots are given up to date,She love playing with kids and other
animal.All her papers will accompany her with one year health guarantee,
But right now i am in africa on a Christain mission with my wife and we
have her right here with us,And i hope you are also a good christian
that will take very good care of our baby.we are going to ship her to
you via Express pets delivery on next day delivery after shippment
through a shipping agent, I am leaving her for free $350 for her
shipping and Handling fee you will be making payment via western
union.if you are interested in having her, i want you to get back to me
with your full name,address phone number including the nearest airport
to you.Please if you know that you are not going to take very good care
of my baby do not reply me becuase i am only giving her out becuase we
dont have time to take care of her again due to the mission work before
us here. Await your response..
Thanks and God Bless you
~~~~~
November 2005 - One of our
classified advertisers played along with a "scammer" and this
is the letter she got. She was selling an item that cost only
$40. Look at all the trouble this scammer was willing to go
through for a $40 item!:
Hi,
The reason I am sending you this email is to make final reconfirmation and also to let you know that payment will be by certified USPS (United States Postal Servce) Money Order. In view of this I need you to email me any information that may be required to send the Money Order, as I do not want to send the Money Order to a wrong location lest they gets into the wrong hands.
Regarding the shipping, I have a company that takes care of the pick up of my consignments for me and ship to my destination anywhere in the U.S.A, you do not worry about shipping, the company will send down a representative to arrange the sales documentation and the pick up from your end for onward transfer to my destination.
I also want to alert you on the fact that you will be recieving an overdraft Money Order,which will cover the money for the pickup (pickup and shipping to the final destination) as well as the money to be paid to the company that will take care of the pickup and the documentation with you. So please, as soon as you receive the Money Order, go and cash them immediately, deduct the money that accrues to you, and send the balance to the Head Office of the company that handles the shipment in Canada via the nearest Western Union agent in your area. Deduct the Western Union charges from the balance and send the remaining to Canada immediately.
The Money Orders will be in your name to make it easier for you to receive payment, deduct your money and send the balance via Western Union as regards my earlier direction, please reconfirm your details one more time.
I will give you the details of the company that you will send the balance of the money to in Canada once I get a reply and agreement that you will send the money to Canada via Western Union money trnasfer immediately you cash the Money Order.
Once the money is received by the agent in Canada, the shipping agent will contact you immediately to arrange the documentation as well as the pick up immediately. So in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for final issuance of the USPS Money Order to you:
(1) Full Name
(2) Mailing address, no p.o.box please
(3) Your direct telephone numbers
(4) Acceptance of my offer
Once you get back to me with all the above, the Money Order will be issued out immediately and it will be sent to you.
Hope to hear from you immediately.
Regards,
N.B.: I will pay you extra $50 to reserve this for me.
Good Day,
i'm enquiring about the Blue Ball Perfect Mason Jars,i saw
advertised on Can you please let me know if it is still for sale and i
will also like to know the present condition,the last asking
price,also i will like to view the pics if available and i will like
to inform you that payment
will be by check,so kindly get back to me asap.thanks
Best Regard.
Lekan. Yahoo!
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The ButlerWebs' advertiser played along and
answered the "scammer." Here is what he got back:
Am glad to hear from you,and am sertisfy with
the condition,pics and price of the jars and i wll need up to 10
qty,but i dont want you to worry about the shipping,i have a private
shipping agent who nomally handle my goods any where in the state.so i
want you to forward me your name,address and phone number which i will
forward to a client of mine who is oweing me some amount of money in
our last transaction to mail out a check to you on my behalf,and
immediately you recieve the check you will take to your bank for the
clearance and after the clearence of the check you deduct the jars
money from the payment and have the remaining money send out through
western union money transfer to my private shipping agent in their
office,so that they can come down to your location for the picking up
of the jars,because i will be out of the town for a personal issue and
i dont want any delay immediately you recieve the check.i will be
happy to hear from your quickest reply.
Best Regards.
Lekan.
~~~~~
Received from a classified
ad advertiser October 22, 2005: (We removed the exact item and E-mail
address to protect our advertiser.)
----- Original Message -----
From: matte andre E-mail: andre_matte009@yahoo.com (HA! We did NOT spam-block his email address - hope he gets
bombed!)
To: (name removed to protect our advertiser)
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2005 9:33 AM
Subject: method of payment and address
Hello....
thanks for your reply i want you to know that i am okay with the price and that of the conditon, also the price is okay by me but i have told you that i have my own shipping i dont want you to worry about the shipping i will like you to give me your info address so i can contact my cliet to issue you a cashier check of $20,000 for the payment and > shiping,so as soon as u got the check just quickly get it cash and
deduct ur own money and send the remaining balance to my shipper so > that he can use that for the neccessary arrangment of his coming for
the pivk up of the item,so i will like you to provide ur address were > u want the check should be send to you,so that u can received the > check quickly and also i will like to have ur phone number because a
far as the transaction goes on i will still like to discuss futher
with you on phone,so if u are agree with this my item and if u are
interested in selling the for me,so let me have the address so that i
can start working on the payment.thanks get back to me as soon as u
received my email with your futher information.........thanks
Best Regards
~~~~~
----- Original Message -----
From: matte andre E-mail: andre_matte009@yahoo.com (HA! We did NOT spam-block his email address - hope he gets
bombed!)
To: (name removed to protect our advertiser)
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 10:04 PM
Subject: (removed to protect our advertiser)
Hello, I saw your advert over the web and am much interested inbuying it. I live in canada,I will be responsible for the shippment down to my location, so please kindly write me back with your last offering price.I will also need some of its recent pics,and will like to know its present condition .I am Looking forward to your soonest reply.
MY REGARDS...............YADIRE
~~~~~
Received from a classified
ad advertiser June 5, 2004: (We removed the exact item and E-mail
address to protect our advertiser.)
From: abbex autos (located in BENJINI
CHINA)
Sent: 6/5/2004 9:31:06 AM
To: our advertiser
Subject: auto purchase
Gooday Sir,
This is to acknowlegde the receipt of your advert.Presently I have
a client that is interested in purchasing your auto,I will be
glad if you could let me know what your last offer to sell is. I will get
in touch with you for more details about it, through my email for further
briefing.
You can let me have a picture of it if there is any as that will be very
nice of you. I also would want to know if you are the real owner of it.
Kindly response as soon as possible
Best Regards,
ABBEX .
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From:
fernando corey Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:01PM To: (name removed) Subject: Enquiry..........AKC (rest removed)
Hello,
My Name is Fernando and I am on a vacation in west Africa,I came across
your classified ad and I am really interested in purchasing the ITEM you
put up for sale as a birthday presents for somone precious to me. Please
fill me on the present condition of the pups and also let me know
the rock bottom price at which you wish to sell and the pictures if any,
i hope you accept certified cashier's check? I look foward to hearing
from you and also look forward to doing buisness with you.
Best regards,
Fernando
Hello,
l am interested in the the purchase of your pet for $500.i'll be ready for the purchase if the deal
can be sealed.Payment will be by a certified Cashier's Cheque.i'll arrange for the pick-up myself.
lf you are okay with the arrangement send me your contact information,Name to be written on cheque,address
city,state,zip code,country and phone number,So i could forward it to a client owning me to make payment on my behalf
Regards
harper stewart
This E-mail was sent to one of our
advertisers for a dog they were offering FREE to a good home!
----- Original Message -----
From: "candice tramell" <c_tramell01@fastermail.com>
To: <removed to protect advertiser>
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 7:22 PM
Subject: 3-year-old male Lab/Boxer mix
>
> Hello,
> l am interested in the the purchase of your
3-year-old male Lab/Boxer
mix for $.i'll be ready for the purchase if the deal
> can be sealed.Payment will be by a certified
> Cashier's Cheque.i'll arrange for the pick-up myself.
> lf you are okay with the arrangement send me your contact
> information,Name to be written on cheque,address
> city,state,zip code,country and phone number,So i could
> forward it to a client owning me to make payment on my behalf
> Regards
> CANDICE TRAMELL
> --
> _______________________________________________
> Get your free email from http://fastermail.com
>
> Powered by Outblaze
>
This was received by a
classified ad customer on 4/15/04 - 10 minutes
after the ad was posted!
> My name is FESTUS Spencer,i
am interested in buying
> your _____ you posted for sale.do let me
> know if this still
> avalible.i based in west U.A.E and don't worry about
> the shipment,i
> will take care of thet i have a shipping company which
> will take care of
> the shipment just let me know if you accept
> casheir's cheque for the
> payment.i look forward to hear from you as soon as
> possible if still
> for sale.i moved by your price which you placed for
> sale.i hope to hear
> from you as soon as possible.
> Regards,
> "fes ado" <mradoni@fastermail.com>
I have an interested client in your Copper Wire selling for
$300. My client is based in the uk, pls mail back if still for sale and can handle an oversea
client.Dan...
This was also received in
March 2004:
From: David Enrique devpet@europe.com
To: (removed to protect customer)
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 9:46 AM
Subject: Copper wire needed.
Hi,
My name is David Petterson, i reside in Holland and i have big enterprise in which i buy and resell Copper wires.i saw your advert in which you offer to sell a Copper wire for $300(USD) and i will like to have it at that price.
payment will be made through a certified cheque by my client who reside's in the
United States as a result of a cancelled order of $1,860.00 i placed
with him some weeks back and this amount can only be issued on a
single cheque being a refund payment.i know the amount is more than the
amount of the Copper wire . The cheque will be sent to you after we
migth have reach an agreement, by my client, then you will deduct the
amount for the Copper wire and $100 for the runing around and for wiring back the differences via western union money transfer to my shipping
agent who will come and pick up of the Copper wire at your residence with my sh ipper,once the rest of the money is wired to my shipper . the funds you wired to him will be taking care of shipping cost and other documents that will back it up...
confirm this and mail me back with your name and address as it will appear on the cheque.including your phone please make it
faster.
thanks and regards to your family
David Petterson.
--
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This was also received in
March 2004:
thanks for your mail..
My client has finally accepted your price,he hopes the engine is
serviced and oil changed too .He cant wait to see the car parked in his garage.However,My client made out a certified cashiers check of($11000) before he travelled to japan on a business trip,for a previous car and its shipment charges etc,but it was unfortunately sold.The amount on the check he deposited for the car is bigger than what should be paid to you now, so the check is now meant for the total expenses which includes the purchase of your car,the pick up of the car from its present location and the shipping charges/other necessary shipping arrangements. However he has instructed us to carry on with this transaction. So you're required to deduct the cost of your car ($5000)and send the balance of($6000) to my shipper via western union money transfer to enable him offsett shipping charges/arrangements.once the transaction is concluded,My agent will be coming for the pick up of the car from its present location, on an open vehicle and then drive to a pre paid shipper for shipment,and also conclude other necessary shipping arrangements.so you dont have to bother yourself about the pick up and shipping arrangements,while title papers and other necessary documets will be sent by you via fedex courier to my customer.
Please Confirm this and provide name,address and
phone number for check payment to be delivered to you via
fedex courier
thank you
henry
Hello,
I am Kirk,am based in Holland and have a branch is in United State of America township with long years of experience and arrays of clients across the state. We specialise in purchase of any goods for our customers here in Asia,Africa,North-America,and Europe,and we get paid in commission,after payment has been confirmed by the seller to the buyer.As present we have a customer interested in purchasing your goods mentioned above for the sum of $300 [CLIENT'S NEGOTIATION],and we will arrange for the pick up of the goods mentioned once payment is confirmed cleared by you.We do remit payment direct to your bank account or a means cashier check drawn from the bank will be sent to you by my client in the state. Please acknowledge the offer and we will inform the buyer of your confirmation of acceptance to sell and
have the funds remitted to you as soon as possible. Our office is located in Holland,as stated above you can email the sale department director through this address back.
If it is Ok by you please do reply as soon as possible.And also we do have a private shippers company who will come for the pickup in your destination being provided by you and also their branch is their in the state.
Thanks,
Kirk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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I saw your advertisement for the sales of your Goods, I am interested in buying. However, your urgent reply is needed so as to hasten the Transaction if my offer sound nice.
Also kindly provide the condition and price of the Goods if it will arouse my interest to patronise you.
Here's an E-mail we received from an
advertiser about one of the "scam" E-mails they received in
January 2004:
Some guy named James @ Jamesautoworld@fsmail.net
is trying to rip people off. He mistakenly E-mailed me about
something that I wasn't trying to sell - just a service I was
advertising - and then E-mailed me again about my pet I was giving
away free. He said he wanted me to take a bank check for 2,002 dollars and send her and the rest of the money to him in
London. I remember a similar scam on the news. He wouldn't answer when I asked him if he was a breeder or what he wanted her for!! I just thought everyone should know what's going on in case he tries to get there beloved pets too!
And here's a copy of an E-mail that
Rich & Linda received in December 2003:
From: Dr Ruben Agas
To: ButlerWebs Collectibles
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: INTERESTED
Dear friend,
Thanks for your response to my mail. Well I dont reside in the states
actually , and I am into international purchase of items. I still interested in the one, so tell me the cost. I will be informing you on
the issue that I can make payments immediately to you through a client
of mine in the US who is indebted to me to please send over to you a
cashier's check of $5,000usd. I know this is more than the price of the
item, but please you will be doing me a favour by sending the balance
sum to my shipper who is in the UK as to enable him meet you up in the
states and also ship my purchased items from your country to me .If thisis okay by you ,kindly send over your detailed informations as to enable
my client get to you for paytments.
Your name
Your ressidential address
Your contact telephone number
I await your swsift response and nice having a good business dealing
with you.
Regards,
Dr.Ruben
Note the frequent misspellings and improper English and grammar.
Plus, who in their right mind would send a check for $5,000 for an item
that was being sold for $15?????
Here's an example of
the letter you may receive:
From: burns alex
Subject: Kodak Home Picture Studio PPM200 Printer by Lexmark
GOODDAY ,
I AM WILLING TO BUYING YOUR SAID Kodak Home Picture Studio PPM200 Printer by Lexmark AND ALSO BE MAKING MY PAYMENT SOON THROUGH MY CLIENT THAT RESIDES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IS OWING ME SOME AMOUNT OF MONEY, WILL BE SHIPPING IT OUT OF STATES AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING CHARGES AND HANDLING AND ANY COST IT MAY INCUR.HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON,ALSO WILL LIKE TO KNOW THE LEAST OFFER AND PRESENT CONDITION OF IT AS AT NOW,AND I WILL LIKE TO KNOW THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES YOU ARE LOCATED.I AM LOCATED IN ATHENS TX.
ALEX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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So...if you get an E-mail like this, do
NOT think you have sold your item. Delete the mail.
6/5/03: We received the following E-mail from a
visitor who placed a classified ad on ButlerWebs:
"Here is another mail from a guy in West Africa. This has to be the same outfit which is mentioned in your warning. Let me know if there is some law enforcement agency which you have contacted about this....Did anyone really fall for this trick? Plus this guy must be a real moron, there is no "republic of Africa" it's a freaking continent."
And here's the letter they received:
Hello,
My name is Ralph Benrick, I'm a reputable business man here in West Africa.
I'm really interested in your ad so much, and My method of payment is a certified cashier's check that is drawn on a US Bank,and or at a near
by cashing store around you.
I'll be looking forward to giving me your last price, so as to transact business with a trustworthy
person, and i hope you are the type of a loyal person. I'll like to know if you do shipping to the republic of
Africa, and if you can't i'll handle it by contacting my shipping agent for the shippment arrangement.
You can send me pics if really available, I'm waiting for your mail today.
Thanks,
Ralph.......
And here's another
one!
Thanks for the mail,as you can see i'm currently in the UK for a
bussiness trip.and i'm really much interested in the ~~~~~~ ,i'll like you to send me some pics and detailed descriptions of the
boat.For the pick up,have arranged for that my shipping agent will come for
the pick up as soon as the payment is settled.
Inorder to proceed with the payment further. i will need you to forward me
your name,address and telephone number in order to forward to my associate in
the U.S. who is oweing me $4,875.80 to issue a cashier's check drawn from a
U.S. Bank in your name once the check clears at your end,deduct cost of the
~~~~~ which you said is $1300.00, and go to any Currency Exchange Unit around you and make sure you do wire the remaining balance of
$3,5755.80 back via "MONEY GRAM TRANSFER" or "WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER"
as this will be used for shipping arrangement ,reason being that it will be
used to cover the expenses of the shippers, freight cost, insurance and
handling/change of title,I hope the title documents is intact.
So at this junction i will advice that you take the advert off the net so that
we can concentrate and have this transaction done smoothly without confusion
from left or right.
So if my offer is okay by you let me have your informations in this manner:
NAME(to be written on the check):
HOME ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
POST CODE:
TELEPHONE #:
That will be written on the cashier's check so as to make payment delivery
ready as soon as possible.
And also tell me if i can count on you for the remaining balance for the
shipping payment/arrangement.
I look forward to trustworthy transaction with you, expecting your mail
soonest.
Thanks and God Bless.
dexter........
N.B. I'll send you the necessary instructions and informations that you will
need to wire the remaining balance via "MONEY GRAM TRANSFER" or "WESTERN UNION
MONEY TRANSFER" as soon as you receive payment.
If you need advice about an Internet or online solicitation,
or you want to report a possible scam,
use the Online Reporting Form or or call the NFIC hotline at 1-800-876-7060 -
See
www.fraud.org
SCAMS Article by Leroy Andre - 1/21/04
Every day, reports of senior citizens, and even younger people who are not so old, are the victims of scams. Almost every day, reports are received by police and other organizations, and publicized over radios, TV's and newspapers, warning the public about those who like to see residents and their money part company. In most cases, those defrauded are ones who don't believe they could be the victims.
"If it sounds too good to be true, then in all probability it is too good to be true," Trooper Tim Bayer, of the Pennsylvania State Police, said as he used video tapes in showing how the slick talkers gain the confidence of unwary citizens. Bayer has been participating in radio programs and other media, including visiting senior centers in warning about scams and safe driving programs during winter months.
At the Bruin Senior Center, Bayer showed tapes in which the targets are shown how much information the scam artists have, how they quickly gain the confidence of those they hope to gain the money the victims need for other purposes, and the procedures they use.
One of the largest tools that those fighting the scams have is the help of victims, who are not afraid to tell others about the scam pulled on them. "The scam artist is well prepared in how to gain information from their victims, how to gain the confidence of those they are working on, in seeking information that they can use in making the victim feel that he or she is only interested in the welfare of the person, and in giving good bargains that must be taken advantage of immediately.
One of the first indications that it is a scam is that the offer is "a once in a lifetime deal, and that it must be taken right now before some one else grabs it, or the price goes up".
Bayer said that his position is not to scare people into believing that even
legitimate offers are scams. "My purpose is to urge you to seek references and talk to people who have had work by the the companies you contact," rather than do business with those who come to the your door uninvited and give you the offer of "a terrific bargain."
Bayer also warned about those who come to your door and make you an offer, keeping you busy away from where others with him are going through your house. "They may tell you that they are checking your home to see what other good deals they can give you, while stealing everything they can carry," he noted.
Many new frauds are developing through e-mail sales and other methods, where what sounds like good offers, turns out to be just that, good offers, with no
merchandise delivered. Identify thefts that leads to many losses can be very costly. Bayer said no personal information should be given to strangers, or credit cards, check books or other vital information be left where it can be seen or taken by others.
