I’ve been trying to sell my MacBook on Craigslist and Kijiji and had an inquiry. After searching for the obviously Nigerian-style phrases in the second message, I sure wasn’t going to wait around to find out how you can get scammed by PayPal.
(Messages posted in reverse order for your reading pleasure. I’m posting this to hopefully keyword Google with this alias.)
> From: Katty weatherly <katty.weatherly01@gmail.com>
> To: sale-742868246@craigslist.org
> Sent: Sunday, July 6, 2008 12:54:06 PM
> Subject: DO YOU STILL HAVE IT AVAILABLE F:S 13.3″ MacBook – white, 2GHz, 2GB
> RAM, 80GB – $1000 (Waterloo – near UW/Laurier)
>
> ** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
> ** Avoid:Â wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
> ** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
> ** More Info:Â http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
>
> DO YOU STILL HAVE IT AVAILABLE F:S
>
>
> ——————————————————————
> this message was remailed to you via: sale-742868246@craigslist.org
> ——————————————————————
—
On 7/7/08, Jake Billo
wrote:
> Yes, the MacBook is still available for sale.
>
> Thanks,
> Jake
—
From: Katty Weatherly
To: Jake Billo
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2008 4:43:07 AM
Subject: Re: DO YOU STILL HAVE IT AVAILABLE F:S 13.3″ MacBook – white, 2GHz, 2GB RAM, 80GB – $1000 (Waterloo – near UW/Laurier)Thanks for the reply, the price is okay by me I will add $100.00 USD
for the shipping cost….making $1100.and i am ready to purchase from
you immediately which am buying this item to someone else,the payment
will be made via paypal cos is very secure and fast way to receive
money online and i don’t want you to look for any other buyer.i would
have love to come down for the pickup.But am not chanced to do that
now but am satisfy with your description of the item .I will like to
read from you concerning this moving arrangement before processing
and sending the payment out to you. i will like you to give me your
paypal account email id or send me an invoice for me to send your
payment.i will expect your mail.asap
Thanks in advance.
Hope to hear from you………………
Katty…………
—
Quit trying to scam people.
http://www.computerforum.com/124259-paypal-scam.html
I suppose you’re located in Italy for a conference as well?
http://www.netlinkaccess.com/Cost-Accounting/25790.htm
Die in a fire.
Regards,
Jake
Gmail’s FAQ doesn’t even give a way to try and get the account pulled, only to report phishing through my own Gmail account. The full message headers are useless and only claim that the original message was sent through HTTP. I’ve reported the account using this page, which I found in the support forums.
{ 145 } Comments
Sadly, about 96% of people are just too stupid to see through that.
I can see how easily someone wanting to part with their item could get suckered in, though. I’d have gone through with it just to see how PayPal dealt with it (and hopefully shut down a scammer’s account) but I’ve heard they generally nuke your account too for being involved in a scam. Didn’t want to risk that.
Damnit Jake you missed out on a golden deal right there
Just received an email from her vis-a-vis an article I have on Craigslist and the response I got back was almost identical to yours.
Yeah, I figured posting this would seed Google with the keywords for her name and email address. Looks like it’s working! If it helps even one other person from getting ripped off, it’ll be worth sharing the experience.
how you guys doing, I have a watch on sale on kijij and I just recieved two emails in one day which is ironic because my item has been on for quite awhile now and the only two emails I get are from two different email addresses and they both are quite similar, thought something was fishy so I decided to go and look for if ts possible to be scammed through paypal, as thats what the payment was going to be controlled by. AM I ever glad I found this.. Check this out.
Again I havent had a hit from this for along time, AND the only two I get are very similar and ironically to yours as well. I thank you for posting this, honestly I cant even explain.. And your so right, people get to carried away with someone having interest in their item they just seem to trust somebody they dont know and get lured in..
From: thomassmth670@yahoo.com
Hi,
I am interested in purchasing this item, i will like you get back to me with
the present condition of this product and the
cost plus international shipping of the item,’Cos i will like to ship to my wife. if its in a good condition you can go ahead and remove the ad from the site becos i will pay for it.
i will like to let you know that i will be making my paying via paypal , so do get back to
me with the final cost and international shipment cost also send me your paypal id or send a payment request
to thomassmth670@gmail.com
Cheers,
Tom.
——————————————————————
From: willde23@gmail.com
Good morning
My eye cut your item listed for sale and i will like you get back to me with the
the condition of the and the final cost plus international shipping of the item,
i will like to let you know that i will be paying via paypal , so do get back to
me with the final cost and also send me your paypal id or send a payment request
to willde23@gmail.com.
Thanks
————–
These people are fucking dumb, please excuse me!
I must ad they cant spell, they got the international part right, they are just low lifes, they are just immature kids, and again low life adults that need a job, or a life.
this was my response..
From: Helter
Sent: August 30, 2008 3:46:44 AM
To: thomassmth670@yahoo.com
Its perfect condition, and actually I cant give you that information because I dont have any, I will love to take YOUR money through mail, so once I get your CASH, I will give you the watch that you most likely are trying to scam me for
have a great day Fucker!
Way to go Trevor. Apparently it gets really impossible to sell high end electronics on eBay now because of all the scams, so I assume people are targetting Craigslist next.
hey thanks a lot for the notice! i got the same exact one
thanks a lot for this. I got the same message after posting to sell a camera in kijiji.
FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKK U ALLLLLL IT A LIE THEY PAY IS YOU PEOPPEL THAT TAKE THE MONEY AWAY…
u MORON
i jus got ripped off by that same email adress and google it and this came back I have police and ic3.gov working on it go there and report this because Im not stopping to get mine
Hello,
Sorry for the delay,i am hoping to buy your camera for my Cousin who traveled with the parents to West Africa for some HIV/AIDS Campaign, i will like it to be delivered to him cos I am currently out of town for my sister’s wedding. I will be adding an extra $80 for expenses and shipment fees and i will be making the payment through paypal. If you have a paypal account, send paypal money request to my paypal email address marythmp1@gmail.com so that i can make payment immediately and if you don’t have, go to paypal website http://www.paypal.com and sign up, its free. Hoping to hear from you soon,
thanks.
Mary
Thank You…You guys saved me a lot of hassle.
LOL guys i just put my samsung blackjack phone for sale on kijiji and i got an email from that scammer Katty Weatherly lol
“DO YOU STILL HAVE THIS ITEM AVAILABLE F:S”
Thanks for the reply,the price is okay by me I will add 100.00 USD for
the shipping cost..making 260$.and i am ready to have it purchase from
you immediately which am buying this item to someone else ,the
payment will be made via paypal cos is very secure and fast way to
receive money online and i don’t want you to look for any other
buyer.i would have love to come down for the pickup.But am not
chanced to do that now im starting new job this week but am satisfy
with your description of the item .I will like to read from you
concerning this moving arrangement before processing and sending the
payment out to you. i will like you to give me your paypal account
email id or send me an invoice for me to send your payment.i will
expect your mail.asap
Thanks in advance.
Hope to hear from you……………
and my answer is
my paypal account is gofuckurself@noscammers.com
lol
I just sent them that e-mail address. lol – Thanks
Hello seller,
I just got on now and found that you have responded to my request, thanks for your understanding and trust. I will process the payment and i will email you as soon as i am through with the payment..Please i want the item shipped as soon as you received a confirmation from pay pal that i have made the payment.
——————–
Hello ,
Am glad to inform you that I am through with the payment,I have
added enough fund with the shipping cost.I hope you would have
received the confirmation mail from PayPal if that is the case, kindly
made the shipment immediately to my fiance in abroad of the confirm
address given to you by PayPal and send the tracking number to the
PayPal customer care..
Here is the shipping address below:
Name:Ebenezer Aluko Eleyin,
Address:No3 Amubikan street Ade-Oyo road,ring road
City:Ibadan,
State:Oyo State,
Country :Nigeria
Zip Code:23402.
Thanks:I trust in you
God Bless…
Best Regards
Note : I want you to ship the item Express Mail Service.(USPS)
Only!!!! because is very
fast,secure and cheap.
Charles Daniels” <charles.daniels2@gmail.com
——————————–
Unbelievable!!! Is this faggot serious?
My response ————-
What do you guys do with all the shit? Sell it in markets there? What would you get for a psp? 40 dollars? I bet 40 sounds about right. I know it’s got to be a lot of money in your country. Americas didn’t become so wealthy by being complete morons. Even our poor are very fortunate. It’s sad to see that crime is a means of survival in your country and I hope you all the best.
I tried to sell my Xbox 360 and got the same thing. Right before that I had a guy who wanted to trade me a barely used 9mm handgun though, so I don’t know which is worse.
Hello,
I would have loved to come for the inspection but I'll be leaving for England for a training in a week time.The item is for my son's birthday gift who traveled to spend sometime with his DAD where he works in Unicef in west Africa.I'll have to add some extra for you to send it to him as soon as possible.I'll be paying you through payko money order as soon as you make your decision i will pay you $890 for the item and shipment fee; it's secure and protects two parties in a transaction.
Get back with the following information
for me to make payment fast
Full Name:
Full Contact Address:
Tel Number:All this information should be provided correctly
please to avoid wrong payment. I will forward my Husband
residential address to you for shipping as soon as the
payment reaches you.
I will be very grateful to hear from you soon.
Best Regard,
I'm getting slammed by scammers thru Clist, where can I send this info to stop these people. And why can't they spell?
Hi, GMAIL/PAYPAL Scam: what happened to your account?
I think I fell for it and sent this person interested in buying my bag a payment request. Now what??
Sally: If you receive a payment through PayPal, reject/return it and email the person to let them know you're not interested in selling to them. If it's a real scam they won't respond.
Thank you Jake. He/she hasn't sent payment yet but I'll do that when I get it.
These spammers/scammers just do not stop. Third message for the day:
From: bill.muray40000@gmail.com
Subject: 2nd Gen Apple iPod Touch 32gb Brand New Sealed – $350 (Upper East Side)
Date: December 16, 2008 8:09:13 AM EST
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
–
–
Do you still have item available for sale?
Got this today from Craigslist.
Thanks
Thanks for the quick response… Am satisfied with the price
and condition of the item. I will like to make an outright purchase of
the item, so i will like to proceed in instructing my bank to issue
out a certified check to you and upon the confirmation and clearance
of payment my shipper will come for the pick-up at your location. So
get back to me with your full name, address, zip code and phone
number… so that payment can be mail out asap. let me read from you
today.
Thanks
I hope you do not mind my continuous updates with emails I receive from these scammers. I wish to place the email addresses and email messages on this post with the hopes that a seller will search for the person either by name or email address and come across this information. I received a fourth email message for the day, and for laughs and giggles, I decided to responded to it. The email follows below (in order of receipt)
From: pan.rainbow@hotmail.com
Subject: 2nd Gen Apple iPod Touch 32gb Brand New Sealed – $350 (Upper East Side)
Date: December 16, 2008 10:18:01 AM EST
On Dec 16, 2008, at 10:18 AM, pan Rainbow wrote:
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
Hello Dear
i wanna know if your item is still for sale
Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.
My Response:
To: pan.rainbow@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: 2nd Gen Apple iPod Touch 32gb Brand New Sealed – $350 (Upper East Side)
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:20:32 -0500
Hi,
Thanks for your interest in the iPod Touch! It is still for sale.
Best,
Adam
Her response:
Hello,
I am very grateful to hear back from you.I am a University Senior lecturer residing in Texas.The ( 2nd Gen Apple iPod Touch 32gb ) is for my son's birthday present,due to his brilliant performance,he was currently transfered from Us to West Africa with his team on a research on Human development under world Health Organization.
I'll be paying you through paypal.I will forward my son's residential address to you for shipping as soon as the payment reaches you.send me your paypal email so that i will do the payment.
NB: I will be paying you $500 for both the cost price and shipping fee.Please get back to me so that i will proceed with the payment.
Best Regards,
No problem, Adam – the more light these scammers get the less likely they'll hit somebody. I absolutely loathe them and I can't believe Gmail still continues to harbor their accounts.
Hey–posted a new iPod Touch and got this response from 2 people instantaneously:
From: collinjames02@breakthru.com
Subject: 2nd Gen Apple iPod Touch 32gb Brand New Sealed – $350 (Upper East
Date: December 16, 2008 6:20:03 AM EST
Hello,i saw your item on craigslist and would love to get the item for myself.i stay in MS in United states.i am ready to pay all the shipping charges and would make the payment via paypal…..if the item is still available please kindly get back to me.Thanks
2nd message:
From: charles.daniels2@gmail.com
Subject: 2nd Gen Apple iPod Touch 32gb Brand New Sealed – $350 (Upper East Side) Reply to:
Date: December 16, 2008 6:28:18 AM EST
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
Hey
Is the item is in really good condition please…………please
kindly get back to
me…
————-
Felt it was a scam and did not respond, but posted to share with the public (esp. since I googled Charles Daniels' email address and was led to this site). Why is that email address still active?
Update: email from spammer
So, I decided to send one of the spammers/thieves a note calling them out on the scam. This is what I received in return:
HELLO DEAR
Thax for the good massage but the truth is that , i whent to get my self educated like other’s , you will not understand what is happninig here in Africa , am in university i have no one to call unto for help , no job , i pay my fees by myself through what iam doing , if i stop this i will be out of school, what could life be without education man must survive, just continue praying for me , i know that what am doing is not good but their is no other way of me seeing the four wall of the class room.
have a nice day
Just thought I’d keep it going… Thanks to everyone for these messages. It was easy to find out my suspiscion was correct… they were trying to scam me too! Thanks to all of you.
My potential buyer was Linda Rose. Her original message follows.
“Hello
Thanks for your prompt response.. I am very much satisfied with the
condition and price of the item and I would like to make an immediate
purchase of the item. So i will advice that you withdraw the ad from
the website. Please, i will like to know how you intend to proceed on
this,but i would prefer that I request for PayPal Email Id for an
instant payment and upon the confirmation of payment, You would ship
it to my receiver’s destination.I would really have loved to come for
the viewing of the item but since i am not chanced ,I would prefer you
get it shipped out to the receiver.If you are okay with this, please
do get back to me with the following details so make the payment.
1. Your Full Name:
2. PayPal Email ID:
3. Offer amount for shipping : = ($150.00 USD)
4. Item Name:”
from joyce maxwell
Greeting!!!
Thank you for getting back to me..Am not in State to complete this
transaction with you in person at this moment,Am currently in Germany
for conference meeting .Just get back to me with your PayPal Email ID
for the instant payment and i will include $200.00 USD for the
shipping cost down to my Company Agent who’s is located in oversea as
a BIRTHDAY Gift because she did not come to state for new year
celebration and i will prefer you ship this item to my Company Agent
Via USPS 8-10 Days Global Express International Mail (EMS) so get back
to me,so i can make the Instant Payment Via PayPal to your
account.PayPal Account cos its secure and safe.Get back to me with the
PayPal ID or you send me a pay pal payment request for the
payment.Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards
Hello – thank you so much for all the postings. I’ve also received the same message in response to a watch I’m selling on Craigslist. I will be reporting this but I wanted to post the “Loose Brown” name below:
loose.brown@live.com
Cartier Roadster Two Tone 18kt Gold Steel Ladies Watch Retail $7375- $4800 (Miami)
mailed-bylive.com
Thanks for the response. I would have loved doing this transaction face to face but am currently out of town for a course trip. I will be adding $160 to the shipping and handling of the package to my spouse store abroad (i mean internationally) and i will like it to be shipped via USPS Global Express Mail (EMS). Get back to me with your confirmed Paypal email address for payment.
charles danieles (charles.daniels2@gmail.com) strikes again! He wants to buy some camera equipment from me. Or rather he wants me to give him some camera equipment.
From: This sender is DomainKeys verified “jessicasimpson2004@gmail.com” jessicasimpson2004@gmail.com Add sender to Contacts To:
I’m interested in purchasing this item,
I’m okay with the listed price.
Why did you want to sell the item?
How many do you have available?
How old is the item,?
Does it work perfectly?
Does it have accessories and original box?
Do you have paypal account?
If so get back to me with your paypal email id so i can transfer the
payment to your paypal account within 24 hours of recieving the paypal
email id from you.
Get back to me Immediately..
On 11/28/08, wrote:
>
>
> yes, are you local?
———–
I think ‘JessicaSimpson’ is ‘charlesdanieles’ or his friend because I got this right after his failed attempt. I sold the psp locally, sorry JessicaSimpson in africa, obviously.
Hello everyone, I have received several e-mails similar to all of you from buyers in Africa. I just haven't responded. I am a new paypal user and Kijiji seller. Can anyone explain how the scam works, I mean Paypal is supposed to be secure. So once I send the Paypal invoice request to a buyer's e-mail, how would he or she try to scam me once payment is received by Paypal? Also, how does genuine paypal transactions work out? Thanks for all your advice and posts, I am glad I didn't respond and decided to google some facts.
Yes, same question – how does the scam work? If I get and receive the Paypal payment, can they get it back?
Here’s my scammer’s last email to me.
Hi, many thanks for the mail,i am interested in immediate purchase of the item for my daughter in West Africa (23402) as an Birthday Gift, but i will not be able to pickup the item from your place because i am currently out of the state for a conference meeting in spain and i will add $100 to your money to cover the shipping fee through USPS Global Express Mail Service EMS , the payment will be
made through PayPal because it is fast and secured to send and received money online do get back to me with your PayPal email address now for the instant payment waiting for your urgent reply.
Best Regards..
I believe they tie a fraudulent bank account or credit card to the original PayPal account. Once PayPal finds out that a chargeback has been issued, they’ll pull the funds directly from your account (putting you into the negatives if you’ve already withdrawn the funds. They may even dip into your bank account if it’s been tied to the PayPal account to recover the money.) Keep a negative balance for too long, and expect their fraud department on your case.
In any event, make sure to always keep a tracking number for anything you sell over PayPal.
Thanks, good to know. I’ve sold a few things via FedEx or mail, but I’ve always spoken with the person on the phone first.
It’s great to see these scam emails posted online. They all seem to make light of paying an extra $100 or whatever for shipping – big red flag. You know what they say, if it sounds too good to be true…..
Thanks to everyone who posted here. I am selling my computer on Craigslist and have been receiving the same kinds of emails. I knew what it smelled like, but I didn’t understand how it worked either. Great info!
That being said, what is the safe and secure way that you guys feel is best to sell to someone that is not local? I still want to get rid of my stuff, but I don’t want to be scammed.
Any ideas?
Yeah I recently got something I just thought was a bit too odd
[Message] gabriel s
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
HI
I want you to tell the last price you sell this item.
>Reply
I will take $430 as a last price
> gabriel s
Am overwhelmed hearing that this item is still available and the amount you wanna sell the item to me.Is being long am looking for such item,for a Birthday gift for My Son.I would have love to come and pick it up by myself,but due to the nature of my job that always takes me out of the town.I hope we can do business.Please i will like to pay you through Paypal or Money Order,because they are more safer online transactions and i will be adding extra money for the shipping of the item to My Son in West Africa.Where he is working with a Construction Company.Please i will like you to go now and remove the item from site,and have the item package in other to ship it,because as soon as you provide me with the information for the payment of the item,i will do it immediately so that you will ship it out to enable My Son receive it before his Birthday.
and that’s where I ended the line of correspondence
People look out for THEYCALLMEJACKA@HOTMAIL.COM
THANK YOU!!! Here is some crap funk a guy is trying to con me into. Selling my watch to him throught paypal. He sent emails with bad English saying he was in Germany, BUT I SPEAK GERMAN! So i typed German to him and suddenly his English got better and then he said he was there for business. Next email and his English was bad again. Ok, if you are there on business, WHY IS YOUR ENGLISH SO BAD???? I could see if you were foreign, but your email address is THEYCALLMEJACKA@HOTMAIL.COM. Idiot. Lookout for this guy people.
On Feb 3, 2009, at 11:44 PM, Adam Jacka wrote:
Hello,
Let me know if your items is still available ok.
SO STUPIDLY I SAY YES..THEN I GET THIS…
Many thanks for the quick response, Am not in State to complete this transaction with you in person am in Germany for business trip at this moment,Am purchase this item to my company agent located oversea. so, I will be adding an extra 100.00USD to cover the shipment cost.Making 400.00 USD. Payment will be made Via my PayPal Account cos its secure and safe.Get back to me with the PayPal ID or you send me a paypal payment request for the payment.Hope to hear from you soon.
Regard.
THEN I WROTE…
Isn’t that a little expensive for shipping? Sprechen Sie Deutsche? Wo Sind Sie jetzt?
THEN HE WROTE…
On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 3:52 AM, Adam Jacka wrote:
What is this?
THEN I WROTE…
You said you were in Germany, I fugured you speak German?
THEN HE WROTE
I said am there for business ok..??
SO THEN I DECIDED TO PLAY ALONG AND I SAID…
Where do you want it shipped to? I just don’t want to overcharge you.
10:54 AM (13 hours ago)
SO THEN HE SAID…WITH THE BAD ENGLISH AGAIN…
show details 10:54 PM (1 hour ago) Reply
I have forward the shipping address to paypal for confirmed so paypal will provide it for you but to ship via USPS Global International mail(EMS)is just $40 to $50 so get back to me with your paypal email address to proceed with the payment.
Thanks for posting the PayPal scam info here. You saved my butt.
The nigga do what the nigga do…yo yo yo
Hey,
Is your item still available for sale? Get back to me…
Good to hear that . I’m buying it for a friend as a gift but i would only be able to pay from my paypal account . I’m using paypal because i think that i’m safe with them and i also think is the best mode of payment btw us and am always busy in the Hospital. So, all you need to do now is to send me a paypal money request in order to effect the payment ASAP or if you dont have one, you can visit http://www.paypal.com and probably set up one account and get back to me immediately. .
Regards,
I say the red flags are when they say “item”, “gift”, “busy”, “out of town”, etc
The same thing just happened to me.
Watch out for veronica.george@live.com
Great forum. Has anybody followed this through by giving their paypal account to them? I hope not but what does happen? Do they withdraw funds in your account? Do you think you are paid and it is a mirage and when you do you ship it off? What is the exact scam? Also as I read all these accounts(and it has happened to me twice this week for the same item)I think we should find out what we are all selling and see if anyone of us wants to buy it….lol. At least we know we can trust each other….right? Now if you all just email me your paypal addresses….lol. Remember crime does pay if you can find the right people to make out the checks. Scammers suck and waste our time they should all rot in hell and be made to give us their paypal addresses.
Hey I just got a reply from someone interested in buying my laptop and it just happens to be the same person who was interested in buying NotMe!’s watch. (Say You….Say Me…. Say I der Business in Germany).
Let me know if your items is still available ok.
Thanks.:
Hello,
Many thanks for the quick response, Am not in State to complete this transaction with you in person am in Germany for business trip at this moment,Am purchase this item to my company agent located oversea. so,I will be adding an extra 200.00USD to cover the shipment cost.Making 600.00USD. Payment will be made Via my PayPal Account cos its secure and safe.Get back to me with the PayPal ID or you send me a paypal payment request for the payment.Hope to hear from you soon.
Regard.
I replied to this in confidence because:
I had just come off several paypal transactions that were initiated by the buyer and everything had gone smooth. For this reason I at first replying, didn’t think of a problem. Then I thought why the hell would someone in Germany pay an extra $200. for my laptop when they could buy a better one right there where they are for even a little less. Then I knew. I googled the email address and found this forum. I am happy I know now not to take any of this seriously. Thank you for your postings
Is your item list still available for sale?
I have been seeing these emails for a couple of years in response to ads that I post on various selling sites. They almost always seem to have a gmail email account.
because of the generic nature of the email and the frequency I decided to just setup a filter to automatically delete these emails. whenever something does slip through I just delete the email.
I always wanted what kind of scam was behind it. perhaps they are just harvesting email addresses to sell to other spammers? there must be some automatic script that emails spammers to setup email accounts quickly on gmail.
I would suggest proceeding with caution, don’t engage with these scammers and just delete the email. until google figures out a way for us to report and remove these types of emails just setup a auto filter to send these emails to trash.
Hahaha, Ive got an eye for scammers, never been scammed cus my gut instincts are too strong. I’ve pasted this person who was interested in my craigslist ad for a phone that he has emailed me about in the past 20 min. He wanted me to give him my paypal account address so he could wire me money and for me to send this phone out via postal service, wtf. I told him I only do cash transactions and as you can see in his email he got a bit offended: Loser. His first email is below, then my response, then his etc (who starts out an email with “IN FACT” his English is so bad.
MR. so called JOHN OWEN> In fact i want you n to know that i am very serious in buying your item so i will like to know if you still have the original box and hope it is in good working condition and i will like to know if it can be presented has a gift so since i will not be able to do the cash payment for the item so the payment will be made via PayPal online account and it is very secure ok so i will be paying you the total of $300 including the shipping to the destination via USPS (GLOBAL EXPRESS MAIL INTERNATIONAL) EMS 5-8DAYS of delivery so kindly send me your PayPal email account for the instant payment into your account
ME> Sorry I only do cash transactions here in Vegas.
JOHN OWEN> Why?? is it because of the scam online now…i want you to know that i am a legit buyer and also PayPal verified member so you have nothing to fear about and also that is why i said i will send out the payment first before you ship the item,so get back to me with your PayPal account ID for the payment,waiting
for your reply..
ME> Ok. I will not be able to do a transaction until I arrive back intown around 2 weeks time. You do know it has a scuff on the phone and some slight wear because it was used for two months, it is in good condition for yourself but dont u think for a gift it should be flawless?
JOHN OWEN> there is no problem with that crashes on the body ok since it is in good working condition so just get back to me with your PayPal email account for the payment………..but why cant you send me your paypal email address for the payment so i can make the payment tommorow morning and you can get it shipped
ME> Because I am in a different country LOL.
JOHN OWEN> ok so once you have the phone with you kindly let me know cos i am interested in it
ME> OK, Will do! By the way, I still only do cash transactions.
AFTER THIS EMAIL, HE NEVER WROTE BACK! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW. After I posted that, he just emailed me right now and is STILL pressuring me? What a DICK. His email:
i am very sorry i can do the cash payment for now due to some reason ok so i will want you to send me your paypal email account for the payment
I wrote back:
No need to be sorry. I just cannot sell you the phone. It seems you did not comprehend my last message, do you not understand English? I ONLY DO CASH TRANSACTIONS.
Have a good day.
Im waiting now if he has the nerve to respond again.
Oh and he did, his message as follows:
fuck off.
SO I responded:
HAHAHHAHAHA, UR A PIECE OF WORTHLESS SHIT. GO SCAM SOMEBODY ELSE YOU MOTHERFUCKER.
his email is johnowen2000@gmail.com
be careful!@ i even deactivated my PayPal account after i read that they have the authority to take money OUT OF YOUR ACCOUNT WITHOUT PERMISSION OR LETTING YOU KNOW. So someone with your PayPal account number could even make fake crap up! DO IT! Mine was attached to a bank account, NOT ANYMORE! Those ass-hats!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, I have an old account attached to it that I closed already from Canada (I have moved to the states). Look at this idiot who just messaged me:
——————————————————————————–
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:03:45 -0700
Subject: Re: *WHITE* Sony Ericsson W850i – Great condition!!! – $200 (The Strip)
From: scofield.bryce346@gmail.com
To: me
Thanks for your reply and am glad to know that it is still for sale.However i have few questions on the products you are selling.
1,I would like to know the reason you are selling it..?
2,What is the current condition of the item..?
3,What is your firm price, though am okay with the listing price..? 4,Do you have the original box and the receipt for it ..?
5,Would you please allow me to pay through paypal even though i will add an extra dollars to cover the shipping because am currently not local at the moment,Am out of town to visit my sick grandma and i would like to purchase it from you on behalf of my friend whose who needs something to keep busy with and i think this is the best thing i could buy her because she has been a good friend to me.If you do not have a PayPal account, you can do so by going to http://www.PayPal.com and set up your account it is free,easy and guarantee transaction safety.Once you send me your paypal email account, I will send you the payment for your item as well as $100 USD to covers hipping via USPS EXPRESS MAIL INTL.I would be glad if my request is favorably considered.Thanks
My response:
NO, Sorry. I ONLY do CASH transactions with locals here in VEGAS area. GO SCAM SOMEBODY ELSE.
——————————————————————————–
It’s the same Hotmail®. If by “same” you mean up to 70% faster. Get your
WOW these people are so f-ing stupid! I really hate the ones who write with the ‘fake accent’ thing. Then you call them on it and suddenly their English is great.
“Much thanks, grandmother is ill and we are out of states…”
RETARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll tell you something else, those jerks who try to scam us make it really hard for the poor innocent folk who actually want to buy our stuff. I put this poor (unbeknownst to me) pregnant lady through the ringer asking if she had cash, etc., because her English was bad, etc. and she turned out to be the sweetest thing! Dang scammers!
I just got 4 emails today for the sale of my computer on craigslist. So glad that I googled before I sold. When I replied back that I was weary of scams the emails stopped.
I’m new to this whole thing. Thanks for your blog page.
Here are 2 of the emails I got:
———————————
Thanks for the prompt and swift reply to my email, l am still
interested in purchasing the item from you and I would like to proceed with
payment cause I am buying this item for my CEO, l am not currently at home for
now travel for business trip, so I wouldn’t be
able to pay via cash or cashier check so My form of payment would be via(Alert
Pay) or PAYPAL to facilitate the transaction, please proceed and log to Alert
pay at (www.alert pay.com) or http://www.paypal.com and read how Alert pay or Paypal
work. Its safer and secured way of paying. To proceed with the payment, you will
probably need to setup with Alert Pay or PayPal as member So, after you sign up
with Alert Pay or PayPal, for the payment to commence all i need is your Full
Name and Your Email address which you used to register with alert pay to order
for your payment with Alert Pay or PayPal. Once the payment been approved, you
will receive a confirmation notice via your email from Alert Pay or Paypal for
you to be sure that i have paid for the item, the item will be ship Via Express
Mail Service(EMS) of USPS and also I will add extra $150 will to your asking
price to cover the shipping and insurance cost. Please proceed to delete the
postage from craigslist web. And email me the information to send your money.
I look forward to read your response.
—————————–
I’m interested in the immediate purchase of this item i will be paying
you a sum of $850i will want to complete the transaction in a very
timely manner and i will like you to ship out the item through via
USPS EXPRESS MAIL SERVICES(EMS SPEEDPOST)if you can do this,email me
with your paypal id so that i can proceed with payment right away.let
me quickly say that i will be sending this unit to my son in WEST
AFRICA ,he need this item urgent for his birthday gift, i will be
happy if u can email me back now.
trying to sell my blackberry on craigslist. got the following email from a “john bassy”:
Hello,
i am really interested in buying this item but I am not in state for now I’m in UK for a conference meeting…Am buying this item for my grandson located oversea….I will add $100.00 for the shipping cost…..Making $250….I will make the payment through my PayPal account cos is very secure and easy to receive money…..Kindly send me your PayPal email so that i can send the payment… Hope i will read from u again here soon..
Thanks.
fucktards. this is the second time someone has tried to scam me on craigslist. the first one was for an apartment – they want you to moneygram the deposit and they’ll send you the keys via a “third party” overseas shipper. they even tried to claim they were in africa on a religious mission and wrote, “we make sure place is clean for u to live we very happy to live there but are missionaries out state. u are trusty person so we like to rent to you.” please.
thanks for this page.
I followed through with the transaction long enough to get these almost official looking replies to my email account. The return email address is what tipped me off. Please beware of these folks, they are crooks.
You have an Instant Payment of $400.00 USD by Mary Evans (maryevan2@yahoo.com) For Your Craigslist Item.
Item Number Item Title Quantity Price Subtotal
Not Provided Sony Ericsson TM506 cell phones with Blue Tooth headsets 2 $250.00 $250.00
Postage & Packing via (USPS Global Express Mail Service (EMS):
(includes any seller packing fees)
$150.00
PayPal Insurance : —
Total: $400.00
Important Note : The funds has been deducted from the Buyer’s PayPal Account and will be credited into your account (xxxxxxxx@roadrunner.com) immediately after the Shipment is Verified .Get back to us with the shipment verification (Tracking number or Shipping Receipt) of the postage and the money will be credited into your PayPal account. Mail the Shipment Verification (Shipping Receipt or Tracking number) to our Customer Protection Department at (shipment_verifier@mail2consultant.com) for instant verification.
Due to the fact that PayPal processes thousands of orders daily, PayPal recommends you contacting the Customer Support Representative that has been assigned to this particular order directly. This ensures speedy verification of shipment as well as prompt transfer of the funds to your account. Send all your question regarding this transaction to
(shipment_verifier@mail2consultant.com)
________________________________________
Delivery Information
Address:
Ibrahim Seyi
No 12 Bateye street off imalefalafia rd oke-ado
Ibadan
Oyo
23402
Nigeria.
Address Status:
Confirmed
________________________________________
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAYMENT WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE “PENDING” TAB IN YOUR ACCOUNT UNTIL YOU SEND THE SHIPPING REFERENCE NUMBER TO US.
This is due to new policies at PayPal to protect both the buyer and the seller in the face of the growing number of fraudulent activities perpetrated via the internet. Your payment is intact. You are encouraged to complete this transaction.
*******Followed by this email:
Protect Yourself From Fake Emails
PayPal is your partner against fraudulent emails.
Learn how to identify and avoid fraudulent—or spoof—emails and websites in PayPal’s Identity Theft Protection Resource area.
Dear xxxxxxxxxxxx,
This message is originated from PayPal company.We have received an order from our client Mary Evans regarding the payment made to your PayPal account. The payment has been successfully made but due to security reason we have to receive the shipment tracking number before the next 24 hours for the processing of your order.
This a new measure we are taking to protect both our sellers and buyers against fraudulent customers.Once you have shipped the item send us the shipment tracking number for verification after the number has verify your account will be credited instantly.
This PayPal® payment has been deducted from the buyer’s account and has been “APPROVED ” but will not be credited to your account until the shipment reference/tracking number is sent to us for shipment verification so as to secure both the buyer and the seller.Below are the necessary information requested before your account will be credited. Send tracking number to us or email us through this mail shipment_verifier@mail2consultant.com
* *PLEASE NOTE**
Once shipment has been verified and the tracking number sent to us, You will receive a “CONFIRMATION Email” from PayPal® informing you that the Money has been credited.
Thank you for using PayPal !
The PayPal Team
Also the return email address looks official as it says: service@paypal.com
But if you examine the address is says on behalf from darienlux@gmail.com
See below:
darienlux@gmail.com; on behalf of; service@paypal.com [shipment_verifier@mail2consultant.com]
I’m glad i’m not stupid enough to fall for these people!!!!
HIM:Hello.
Is this item still available for sale,and is its in good condition?If yes pls kindly get back to me asap.
Sent from my iPhone
me:Yes. Basically brand new. I activated it yesterday
him:Thanks for getting back to me, i want you to know that i am so serious in buying your craigslist item , and i will not be able to come for the pickup ,I will be glad if you can be so nice to help me ship it down to my daughter for a Birth Day Gift , So i am ready to pay you $620 USD for the item cost including the shipping cost , and i will prefer paying you via paypal , cos it is very fast and secure ,so do get back to me with your paypal email for the instant payment or you sign up for a paypal personal account . Thanks
Me:I am not comfortable selling the item un-locally on craigs list. If you are interested in buying this, you can go through my ebay account. I have it listed there, you can purchase it there for 575.00 with free shipping with the buy it now feature. I have included the link below. Thank you for your interest.
Him:I AM SORRY I CANNOT GO THROUGH EBAY OK.Since i’n currently out of the United State,i will suggest i use PayPal because its easier and reliable and also,it is recommended by the government if one want to do a safe transaction online..Let me know your opinion ASAP.Thanks
Me:no thank you, I know people out of the u.s. can use ebay, you would still pay with paypal, and craigs list does not recommend doing this type of transaction due to fraud. Thanks for your interest, but I will just sell it legitimately on ebay.
Haven’t heard back since. Pretty funny. They get you thinking its real becuase of paypal, but if they have paypal, they could buy it off ebay!
man o man this is a daily thing for these folks …i got a good one to post since i sat here and spent the time reading everyone else’s….I posted my laptop on craigslist ofcourse and here is what i got..
Hi,
I’m Daniel Collins from Naples Park, Florida. It’s my pleasure to realize that this your advertised item fits my exact search, firstly let me confirm if this above item is available for shipment overseas because i am willing to buy this item as a gift for my friend who currently work with the American Airline outside the United States. I will offer you $550.00 USD including cost of freight to my friend’s address and i will prefer initiating payment via PayPal, so email me asap to know if my offer is accepted.
You can provide me your PayPal account email to effect an immediate payment..
You can also email me at lopzygeoman@hotmail.com
Thanks.
Then i say
sure that would be fine. Where would i be shipping the item .. and what is a number i can contact you directly. to avoid being scammed by anyone on craisglist
he replys again different email
Daniel Collins
reply-to daniel_collinss@yahoo.co.uk
dateThu, Mar 12, 2009 at 12:05 PM
subjectRe: IBM Lenova Thinkpad 60 fully loaded – $400 (obo)
hide details 12:05 PM (2 hours ago) Reply
I’m sorry i’m presently out of State, but i want this item to have
been shipped and received by my friend before my arrival back to state, so i’ll really appreciate if you can do anything to get the item shipped there, i am ready to be responsible for the Tax and shipping cost.
Please do get back to me with your PayPal name and email address so that i can proceed with the payment.
Thanks.
then i reply
kron ik to daniel_collinss
show details 12:30 PM (2 hours ago) Reply
you have multiple email address’s . it strikes me a little odd…what is your paypal email an i will request the money from you. can you also attach some sort of phone contact as well
then he replys just as the site here says they would
my PayPal account email address is daniel_collinss@yahoo.co.uk as soon as i receive the PayPal Money Request i will effect the payment immediately
AT THIS POINT I LOOKED INTO IT AN FOUND THIS WEBSITE NOT SUR EIF I CAN GET SCAMMED BY A MONEY REQUEST ON PAYPAL…SO THANKS ALOT EVERYONE ON THIS SITE FOR BUYER AN SELLER PROTECTION THAT YOU JUST CANT GET FROM PAYPAL !!!
Hahaha I just got some too.
I was trying to sell my laptop for around $600 and someone offered me $1000.
Pathetic…
From:
Hello mate i will like to buy this item and am going to offer you $1,000.00 USD including the shipping cost to abroad and am going to pay you Via PayPal hope to get back to me with your PayPal email address so that immediate payment can be made for the item hope to get back to me soon.
My reply was: Send me $3000 then i’ll do it. How about 10,000?
Seriously I got so many it’s started to piss me off everytime I try to sell something on craigslist.
from: “ainamks1 mikeso”
I really appreciate the quick reply. I am buying this item for a son
of mine schooling overseas and i will be adding $100 for the shipping
and handling.I would have made this transaction locally but am
presently out of town so get back to me with your PayPal email address
for me to remit the funds ASAP and once payment is being received from
paypal you can be able to ship this item i am doing this very fast
because i have promised my son that the item will be there soonest get
back tome immediately as for us to transact very fast.
Hope to read from you soon.
also here
from: “Sandra Wilson”
Hello
How was the present condition of this item? paypal is my payment method so i will like you to send me the item condition and paypal payment request invoice to sanwilsan@yahoo.co.uk for instant payment
Waiting to read back from you
Sandra
one more already.
from “johnson cole”
Hello…I saw your item posted on craigslist,
i hope it’s in good condition?I am willing to pay the said amount for the item,
i want to bring to your attention that i won’t be able to pick up the item,
just because of my work schedules as i am out of the state.I am presently in Georgia on an official trip representing my company(Coscharis Motor’s).I am buying this item as a gift for my colleague who just left for abroad.I will add $100 for the shipping and insurance fee and payment via PayPal for a safe and secure transaction.So kindly get back to me with your PayPal email address so that i can send the payment for the item to you ASAP..
Thanks and Stay Blessed…..
I love how their English is bad in all the exact same ways, too. My fave is the one from the guy who wrote “hey mate” (as if hes in England or Australia) and then botches his English!!!! How dumb are these people?
i had same experience with 10 emails from different Marys with overseas relatives. Same Nigeria address. No fone # because she is “deaf and dump”
Any idea HOW giving them a paypal info “(which is merely an email address) allows them to scam you?
Curious how it works
There are several different ways that you can get ripped off going through these transactions.
The first, and most obvious, is for them to send out fraudulent “payment request” emails. These may look like they’re official PayPal money transfer requests, but as noted in one of the messages above, the return address is something like “shipment_verifier@mail2consultant.com” – not an official PayPal message. If you directly access https://www.paypal.com/ in your browser, you won’t see a pending payment.
If the email looks legitimate, it still may contain a phishing domain (something like paypal-payment-verifier-secure.1ab2c3.com) that will request your PayPal credentials. The site will be mocked up to look exactly like PayPal itself. Putting your login and password into these fields will give them unfettered access to your real account. ALWAYS make sure you visit PayPal directly and never click one of the links in an email.
There have also been some cases where a legitimate payment is sent, and then PayPal finds out the original seller has a stolen account. At this point, they can and will remove funds from your account or attached funding source, like your bank account. Even if you remove all attachments, keeping a negative balance in your account will trigger their collections team on the case and you’ll be banned from using the service in the future. I’ve heard of people who have also had their accounts closed for participating in obviously fraudulent transactions.
Summary:
1. Before conducting Internet transactions, make sure it’s not “too good to be true.” $150 for shipping is not realistic. Nobody sane offers to pay that much, and it’s a psychological trick to get you into feeling greedy. Also beware of “West Africa” and similar foreign countries. Try to make deals within the same continent!
2. When selling using PayPal, never follow email links. Always go directly to https://www.paypal.com/ in your web browser. If you’ve recently had virus problems (popups while not actively surfing, AntiVirus XP 2009, other trojans) consider using a “known good” computer or getting your operating system reinstalled. Using a Ubuntu “live CD” is good practice if you’re at all wary about security problems.
3. When buying using PayPal, use a credit card as your funding source if at all possible. I was nearly burned on a cell phone transaction from HowardForums – the guy didn’t actually have the merchandise he was offering. He didn’t provide a tracking number and after a few weeks I was able to call Visa and initiate a chargeback. This is infinitely better than PayPal’s own dispute process if you use your bank account or existing balance as a funding source.
Hope this helps!
I was trying to sell my digital camera on craigslist and I got 2 scammers today one from scofield.bryce346@gmail.com, thank goodness for your blog because when I searched I found out what a scammer this moron was and then he/she had the nerve to call me a crack head. Yeah right! These people even have believable emails sent to you from paypal making you think you have money in your account!!! What losers! Thanks for having this space for reference you saved me time and money.
I totaly Got scammed today. sold my Comp on Craigslist and ainamks1@gmail.com emailed me. I sent the package today he wanted me to send it 3 day mail but I thought he was a dick head so I sent it 8 day. I am hoping to stop the package and get it in the morning.
here is what he said to me.
I really appreciate the quick reply. I am buying this item for a son
of mine schooling overseas and i will be adding $100 for the shipping
and handling.I would have made this transaction locally but am
presently out of town so get back to me with your PayPal email address
for me to remit the funds ASAP and once payment is being received from
paypal you can be able to ship this item i am doing this very fast
because i have promised my son that the item will be there soonest get
back tome immediately as for us to transact very fast.
Hope to read from you soon.
Hey be nice here. I AM deaf, but I’m no scammed and I have to tell people when I’m meeting them that I’m deaf, but that they can text me at my phone number. I lost my hearing last September. I hope people don’t think I’m full of crap because I am actally selling stuff on craigslist to pay for my outrageous medical bills!!
I meant I’m no scammer !!!!
I also wanted to mention, I have used PayPal for other services that have been safe. But after reading all these scams I worried about someone hacking into my PayPal site without me even knowing. You know how PP keeps your data saved right? And you access it with your email to buy something and you pick the account the funds should home from, etc…? I got scared that this could be done anytime and worried that a vendor could rip me off say, 30 days after I paid them, maybe saying I returned it or ordered another so they tell PayPal to take more money and like you wrote- PP will side with the disputer. Long story I know, but what I did to take out risk is I use a card once for a transaction and afterwards I immediately choose “edit” and change the numbers so they won’t work . Or I delete the card so that every time I go in there I have to re-enter it again. I know from experience that they debit or credit only the current card on file not the one used previously (supposedly to protect you) so that may or may not actually even work, but I feel safer. I mean what if someone guesses your password?
I posted a PSP on craigslist and got like 12 responses from people asking me to buy the system right away.
Every single person wanted to buy the system with paypal!
TOTAL SCAM!
TOTAL SCAM!
Each person had a very similar sob story about buying the PSP for a sick child in africa, or a friend overseas, or a student in another country.
Do not fall for this scam!
omg same for me i just listed my psp package thing on craigslist and got 3 emails like in 10 minutes….they were similar and knew it was a scam after entering the address on google. i had to change my ad to “only will sell to people on the island.” STUPID SCAMMERS….the person claims to be camille goerge, timothy obode and mcgeorge kenith. people watch out!
Alright people. Enough! You are missing a GOLDEN opportunity to play with these scumbags. I too have received messages from these a-holes and have decided to make each of them my own personal nigerian pen pal. I keep sending messages back telling them how much I value their friendship. I keep changing the address they send telling them that the post office is angry at me. My goal is to keep one of these scumbags on the line for a month.
I can just imagine them salivating thinking they have an American sucker who is going to give them something for nothing. I keep asking for photos and reassurance of their desire to have me as a new pen pal (which is very close to pay pal. I keep telling them that I cannot set up a new account at http://www.penpal.com.)
When I finally get bored or they have completely lost their temper with me, I tell them to fuck off. Even my kids are helping me come up with new ideas to get them to do stuff.
I never tell them how to transmit the STOLEN money to me and I keep delaying NOT sending anything to them. It’s great fun. When I have thoroughly pissed one of them off, I post the entire message stream on Craigslist for all of the would-be suckers to realize that anyone who is willing to pay twice what you posted is a lying thief.
Now. Go have fun with these scumbags.
It’s real easy to tell because while the name in the e-mail will be from paypal, the e-mail address it’s sent from will not be. The sad thing is that it’s happened to me with 9 or 10 different items (luckily i sniffed it out the first time upon checking my paypal account). After the first 3 or 4 times, I outright told them after the first inquiry that ‘if this is the typical nigerian kijiji scam, better stop now because i”m well aware of it”. The moron still tried to continue scamming me!
The dumbest was when I put my 51 inch TV on kijiji (obviously for pickup) and the moron asked me to ship it. I cant even pick the damn thing up let alone put it in a box!
I am so glad I went to this web site! I love the response email that alan left! Priceless and for them to actually think it is an actuall email to respond to was even more priceless. Here is the first one I got for placing my laptop on craigslist. What I would like to know is why can we not just start keeping the money from the scammers?
Thanks for your reply,i am a very busy man thats why, can you ship to
Africa for me to my son as a birthday gift,he is on a missionary trip
there for our church and needs it urgently,i want you to pls help me
with this,i would have loved to pick this up myself and send to him
but i am not in the city and do not have time to go to the post
office.. i’ll pay you with paypal since it secures both buyer and
seller, and you can confirm payment from your account before you ship?
and be sure of getting your money… is it possible?i will pay you for
all extra charges and also for shipment to make sure you get your
exact amount for the sale.i am willing to give you an extra $40 for
any stress caused.
Hope to read from you soon.
It is free to register and takes just few minutes to sign up at http://www.paypal.com
trencute03@gmail.com was the address it was using
this is the second response I got.
sorry for the late response?
I really appreciate your mail in quick response
can i have the payment made now ?
send me your pay pal account id
I will include extra ($100 usd)to your money
Cover the shipping through (Usps Paority Mail),
So kindly get back to me asap.
johnpeter0782@gmail.com
It makes me angry that the normal person trying to post on craigslist and sell a legit item is getting scammed
Did an email search, and these both generated out of California. I still will not do any transaction other than locally and cash. I have a son in California, cant wait for another response to I can have them pay my son in cash! NOT
Same thing happend to me. The email was sent from Camille Goerge.
same thing happened to me.
posted aid on craiglist and this person replied back pan.rainbow@hotmail.com :
Hi
Thanks for your mail back.I want you to understand me, because i love your car, am not in your area, at the moment for proper chack of your car,i stay in Beverly Hills and at this moment am in Haiti for vacation party with my wife, but i will be glad to hear that you will sell your car to me,the car is for my son who secure admission into collage
I will make the payment for you through Money Order or Pay Pal account, as soon I hear from you; it’s secure and protects two parties in a transaction. Let me hear from You asap, with the following information for me to make payment fast through Money Order.
Full Name:
Full Contact Address
Tel Number
Social security Number or Passport, both will be ok.
All this information should be provided correctly please to avoid wrong payment.
I will pay you {$16000 }for the car , but you will help me send the remaining {$4000 } to my brother who is in london for business and he run out of money,his number is {+447024013593} but the fact is that i can’t send money to him from Haiti due to security reasons.
I will be very grateful to hear from you soon.
I posted my dining table on craigslist and with 3hrs i had four emails one of them is listed below i would appreciate if anyone can give me some advice on how to deal with this i am trying to raise and save money to buy a car and really cannot afford to be scammed right now.
Re: Modern Glass Top Dining Table with four Chairs – $750 (Hyattsville, Maryland)?
From: Allen Hudson (harvestofpeace1@googlemail.com)
Sent: Mon 4/13/09 7:18 PM
To: Candace Stuffle (cstuffle@live.com)
Hello, Thanks for the swift reply. I am still interested in buying, I amsatisfied with the conditions and because i read through the AD and iwill like you to know that, am highly interested in buying this itemsfor my Daughter-in-law..I will make my payments with a bank certifiedcheck..I will be responsible for the pick up when check clears. Pleaseget back to me with the following informations so that the payment canbe endorsed: Name to be on the check.Address to mail the payment to.(NOT P.O BOX)Phone number both land and mobile. After the information is been supplied,I will give you an update onthe payment..I will be highly grateful if you can withdraw the AD fromcraigslist and make me your favorite buyer. Thanks You
LMAO! I decided to see how far "Kelvin" would go wit this. Same exact address. Only different name. Unfuckinbelievable. Glad I had enough sense to check it out
Wow, I just Googled No3 Amubikan street Ade-Oyo (shipping address of potential buyer) and got this thread. I still don't understand how they can rip you off using PayPal but I'm not going to find out. Thanks to everyone who posted on this site.
New Email Address to Add to this…..
fromSharon Lee <linder4_u2@yahoo.com>
reply-tolinder4_u2@yahoo.com
tosale-eqss6-1143637762@craigslist.org
dateWed, Apr 29, 2009 at 5:26 PM
subjectCanon PowerShot G1 – $150 (santa cruz)
mailed-bycraigslist.org
hide details Apr 29 (1 day ago)
Reply
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
Do you still have this item for sale?
and then…
Thanks for the reply, i will be buying and i am okay with the price
and the description of the item. I'm Currently out of the State and
won't be available for pick up. I actually want to buy the item as a
Birthday gift for my son oversea of the confirmed address that will be
sent to you by PayPal. My mode of payment will be cash through PayPal
in US dollars and i will be adding the sum of $50.00 to the cost of your
item to cover the shipping and handling expenses to him through
through (USPS) International Mail service (EMS). I want you to send
to me your PayPal email id, so that immediate payment can be done, and
if you are new to PayPal, you can easily log on to
http://www.paypal.com/us and set up an account with them with either
your Bank account Information or your Credit/Debit Card details and
its simple and easier, just in few secs; you get your account
activated. PayPal is very secure and reliable.
Get back to me with your PayPal email ID if you are still interested.
Thanks.
Just want to write out the name and email address for future Googler's
Sharon Lee
with an email address of (linder4_u2@yahoo.com) is total scammer!
Thank you for posting this, I too received a strange email regarding a Craigslist posting I listed. The email is very similar to the one you received. Here it is;
From: jennifer092008@live.com
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 13:00:45 -0400
i am located in united states,well am okay with the price…i want to bring this to your notice that i cannot pick up the item or pay by cash cos am not in state…am buying this item for my colleague he need it for an important purpose..i will be responsible for the shipping cost via FedEx Overnight by adding $100 to the cost i will be glad if you can get back to me with your paypal email account,so that i can make the payment for this item .
Thanks and get back to me as soon as possible
——————————————————————————–
I thought this email was strange right off the bat, and I know that these scammers like to use common names like Jennifer Smith. It also seemed odd that a person with a name like Jennifer Smith would sound as if they are struggling to speak the English language. Again, thank you for these postings. Has anyone figured out how the scam works?
> Hi Mate,
>> My name is Christophe Magerie a Doctor in United State Located at
>> Texas. i want to buy this item as a gift for my Wife,s sister who
>> is currently working on her project in Africa.
>> I want you to use Canada Post or Fedex Express Mail Service For Delivery.
>> due
>> to the matter of urgency as i want the package to get there very
>> fast and reliable.I'll offer you $500.00 CAD for the item plus the
>> shipping fees. this my paypal email address
>> (christophe.magerie@gmail.com) send me your paypal money request for
>> the payment and
>> your full name.
>> Thanks
I was so excited at gettng more money that I almost didn't care…
Then when paypal made me send a shipping number before I could get my money?
I don't think so….
Thanks!
got one too for a car hes a "rev" lol timothy santos <rev.timothy.santos00@gmail.com>
* CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
–
Hello Good day,
pls i want to know if the above item you have posted on craigslist is
still available for sale, if yes kindly let me know its present
condition, because i am intrested in buying bye and stay blessed.
rev.timothy
Thanks for the swift reply.I Am satisfied with the condition and price of
the item and am ready for its purchase.I'll be paying you with a
certified Bank Check and the payment will be issue out to you Via Ups
Courier service I'll be responsible for the pick-up,while you hold on
my behalf. Once you receive this, my mover's will come for the pick up
at your place.I will be needing the following information to issue out
the payment……
1.Your full name
2.Your mailing address(Physical)….Not P.O.box
3.Your phone number
** Please note that the payment will be overnight to your address and
it will be delivered within 3 days.I will also wait for the check to
clear before i have my mover come for the pick up
Awaiting Your Mail.
my comment: sorry nothing but cash transfer…. thanks
dateThu, Jun 11, 2009 at 12:35 PM
subjectRe: 1992 Cavalier $500 OBO – $500 (chester)
mailed-bygmail.com
signed-bygmail.com
hide details 12:35 PM (1 hour ago)
Reply
Follow up message
okay do you want the money to be sent to your bank account or your pay
pal account pls get back to me with the information you want the money
to be wired to asap…bye.
my response:
subjectRe: 1992 Cavalier $500 OBO – $500 (chester)
mailed-byemail.vccs.edu
hide details 12:50 PM (52 minutes ago)
Reply
Follow up message
I dont know how we will do that… my fiance is really weary of anything but person to person… just last week we were sent fake money grams… with the same proposition as you. How far would you be moving the car… it makes us wonder is buying the car worth it when you have to have mover move it?
timothy santos
to me
show details 12:51 PM (51 minutes ago)
Reply
Follow up message
Okay what what method of payment do you want now for the car.
ARE YOU STUPID OR SOMETHING WHAT DONT U UNDERSTAND
Buyer: Do you still have this item for sale?
Me: Yes i do!
Buyer:Thanks for the reply, i will be buying and i am okay with the price
and the description of the item. I'm Currently out of the State and
won't be available for pick up. I actually want to buy the item as a
Birthday gift for my son oversea of the confirmed address that will be
sent to you by PayPal. My mode of payment will be cash through PayPal
in US dollars and i will be adding the sum of $70 to the cost of your
item to cover the shipping and handling expenses to him through
through (USPS) International Mail service (EMS). I want you to send
to me your PayPal email id, so that immediate payment can be done, and
if you are new to PayPal, you can easily log on to
http://www.paypal.com/us and set up an account with them with either
your Bank account Information or your Credit/Debit Card details and
its simple and easier, just in few secs; you get your account
activated. PayPal is very secure and reliable.
Get back to with your PayPal email ID if you are still interested.
Thanks.
Me: I'll have to ask my dad. Where would you like me to ship it?
Buyer:Here is the shipping address below:
Name:Monday Ibukun
Address:No3 Amubikan street Ade-Oyo ring road
City:Ibadan,
State:Oyo State,
Country :Nigeria
Zip Code:23402..
Phone Number:+2347038876005
God Bless…
Best Regards
I didn't know it was a scam untill my dad told me. but really?
Mine and Johns adress is the same adress ..? weird.
reTard
I almost got scammed by one of these fuckers selling my iPhone on ebay a few months ago. I shipped the phone at about 10 am the morning after getting my “payment.” When I got back to my dorm I did some research and realized it was a scam. I ran down to the post office at about noon and had the guy get my package for me. He was really cool about it and refunded my shipping money, but it was a really close call! They were about to put it on the truck to be shipped.
Fast forward to today, and some asshole tried to scam me again for something I was selling on craigslist using the email address trencute03@gmail.com …so look out. I sent him back a bitchy email, and I don’t expect a response, but it would be pretty funny to fuck with him for a while.
What I really want to know is where the hell are the nigerian police? Are there just a ton of scammers that all live in Nigeria or are these fake mailing addresses that people are sending stuff to? Like is it rerouted back to some U.S. address or something. Either way its fucked up and something should be done about it.
Just happened to me. I am going to mess with him for a few days.
Thank for the prompt response my secretary will process and mail a
certified draft to cover the cost as am completely satisfied with it.I
will need the details of whom & where to mail the payment
1.Name to be on the check
2.Home address
3.Mobile # preferably
Please note ‘United Parcel Service’ do not deliver to P.O.Box
addresses and i will not be mailing a draft to one.My mover will be
coming over for the pick up right only after the payment as been
delivered.Kindly delete the posting as am totally committed to buying
from you to save cost,..Here is my relay phone # is (210) 209-8524 am
deaf and will receive your phone messages via email ,
regards
On 7/20/09, Jeremy Douglass wrote:
> Yes I have the equipment still.
>
> — On Sun, 7/19/09, Larry Moore wrote:
>
> From: Larry Moore
> Subject: Hockey Equipment Full Set – $200 (Augusta)
> To: sale-4kfjh-1278457134@craigslist.org
> Date: Sunday, July 19, 2009, 11:09 PM
>
> ** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
> ** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
> ** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
> ** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
>
>
>
>
>
> –
> Do you still have the posted item??????
>
>
>
> this message was remailed to you via: sale-4kfjh-1278457134@craigslist.org
>
>
>
Thanks for this post. A friend sent it to me after hearing my CraigsList issues. Same here with a Craigslist AD for a Handicapped Mobility Lift Chair. This SCUM Stops at Nothing. Her emails to me first/although I got another one first with a phone #. As soon as I called that Jerk ALMOST giving him my address, I got 2 more emails from different Qmail addresses for purchase. FRAUD~FRAUD~FRAUD. My response is below their emails. I fixed them GOOD. I will NEVER GET an email from them AGAIN. At least NOT from this ad:
email via CraigsList from “mynameismilla17@gmail.com”/
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
–
is it still available for sale as i am interested
——————————————————————
this message was remailed to you via: sale-essrw-1285224988@craigslist.org
——————————————————————
I STUPIDLY Replied that the item was available. She then sent me following email with a Different Reply address. I will show BOTH here;
“mynameismilla@gmail.com
Reply To: rixmill@gmail.com“!
Email said: ” Thanks for the prompt response. I have instructed my
account officer to mail (overnight) a certified
check, while you hold this item for me. Let me know
when you receive the check and I will have my mover
will come pick up at your place. Please forward me
the following info so I can issue your check . . .
1.Your full name
2.Your mailing address(Physical as Ups does not deliver to P.O.Box}
3.Your phone number.
** Please note that I will overnight the payment,and
you should receive it tomorrow. I appreciate you
holding this for me. Please delete the posting as I
am definitely buying it from you and it would be sad
for me to have the payment in the mail only to be
informed of the its sale also am deaf and will like to be contacted via email.** ”
MY RESPONSE to SCUMBAG:
“Did YOU fucking GET IT? In the event YOU did NOT receive on your REPLY email ADDRESS: We accept NO Checks of ANY KIND. Your SCAM is UP. This is a CASH ONLY Sale. Do NOT contact us again. You have been reported to the Proper Authorities. This is a Monitored Government email address.”
Haven’t heard from SCUMBAG since. The email addys are different from the ones I read on this site. I googled them, & nothing shows for them. Either they deleted since getting my email OR they are NEW scam emails.
2 things to do when you are looking for a scam.
1/ If they don’t mention the item in their email to you…..scam
2/ If you respond request a meeting. If they have some excuse not to meet, Scam.
Flags should be raised immediately at the first part. IF THEY DON”T MENTION YOUR ITEM IN THE EMAIL IT IS A SCAM.
So is there a way to accept or modify their offer in some way as to protect yourself and SCAM them back? Course, I guess you become the scammer then but then if you just ignore them or tell them to FO then they just go hunt an easier victim. But F**K them over a few times and it should stall or halt them from using that particular scheme.
I’m always suspicious of anyone who does not say by name what it is they are interested in when responding to my kijiji ad (only calling it an item). more so when they offer huge clods of money for shipping (6 times actual cost) and then request my paypal address when i tell them to hit buy it now on ebay, or see me in person with cash.
here is my latest scammer trying to hit me for a $1200 ring i’m selling:
”
SCAMMER: **From: dbanjkomo@gmail.com
its this item still up for sale “**
ME – **yes**
SCAMMER – **Hello How are you doing hope you are having a nice time ,I would like to let you know that i am really interested in buying your item listed for sale, i am buying it for my cousin who lives Overseas that really
needs it .I am adding 300 Dollars for the shipment I remember the last
time i sent him such an item Via Canadapost Air mail delivery that was
the amount i added for the shipment.My form of Payment is PayPal
please get back to me with your PayPal email or you send me a PayPal
Payment request so i can proceed with the Payment as soon as
possible…
Thank…. **
ME – **this item is available for sale on ebay, and if you really want it, then buy it there, item # 110421829711.
I can see you send these emails to many people – at least take the time to call ‘the item’ by its name. In addition, Canada Post does not allow insurance for jewelry up to full value, so anybody with a brain does NOT ship jewelry using Canada Post, only via courier. And it doesn’t cost $300 bucks, your attempt to bribe does not work.
Your ‘overseas cousin’ I am sure receives many “items” from you, and you try tell people you want to pay with paypal. Paypal is not safe from scammers like you, because you can use credit cards based in foreign countries that will charge back in 3-4 weeks.
Not everybody is an idiot, and I am not.
Buzz off. **
SCAMMER- **ok i will do the payment through ebay then send me your ebay paypal email thank am not a scammers ok and do not call me a scammers
(remark by me*guess he can’t read or follow instructions..)**
ME – **i sent the ebay item number to you in my message.go to ebay and enter that item number in ’search’. you will see it there. it is item 110421829711. i do not sell things over the internet unless it is through ebay, or face to face with cash. That way it filters out scammers.**
SCAMMER-**ok should i do the payment through ebay paypal then send me your ebaypaypal emailso that i do the payment now through ebay ok
tnanks….**
ME(and apparently the scammer STILL doesn’ get that he must buy THROUGH ebay or in person with cash)
**go to ebay and hit ‘Buy It Now’.it will go through ebay checkout. that is the only way, i will not send my paypal address.
thankyou.**
the BIG think to remember is that even THROUGH paypal you can be scammed because the scammer is overseas, and has a false/stolen credit card, and it takes 3-4 weeks for the banks here to finish with all the overseas banking transactions and then finally discover the CC is no good – then YOUR account is charged back, the same way a cheque that bounces would.
That is how even sending a LEGIIMATE ypal invoice, or receiving money in paypal can still screw you.
DO NOT DEAL OVERSEAS, unless and only through ebay, and even then not to nigeria, italy. most EU is fine and trustworthy but there are still scammers. if your radar goes off, listen to it.
oh – you could also tell them to send you a postage-paid box lol.
That’s what I’d like to do is somehow complete the transaction that’s going to jack you up a little but don’t ship their item but ship them something heavy like a washing machine or car tires, that will cost them dearly to get from customs just to find out they were screwed. They couldn’t make a claim from a fraudulent CC without getting busted and they’re out the money to receive the thing.
Hi everyone… Sooo I googled Strange Emails on Craigslist and THANKFULLY this website came up. I’m selling my computer on Craigslist and I’ve been getting weird e-mails about it, that I felt weird about in the first place. I kind of fell for the first one and actually gave them my paypal email, so what is going to go on now? Heres the emails I’ve been getting..
FROM — Sandra Klose
In regards to your response I’ll like to buy this item,actually i
supposed to come and check the item but im currently not in States
right now so i wont be able to come over…im buying it this item for
my overseas partner as a compensation gift so I’ll like to know the
current condition of the item! I offer $600 for the item and payment
will we handled via paypal also i’ll include $200 for the shipping
via USPS Air Mail Priority. so you can get back to me with your
paypal email address so that i can proceed with the payment at once.
Reply Asap.
————————
FROM —- Sandra Klose
Thank you very much for getting back to me,im so sorry i can proceed
with the payment right now cos i had an emergency so first thing
monday morning i’ll make the payment and get back to you.
N.B.
I want you to delete the posting from craigslist since we have
reached an agreement.
REGARDS.
—————————-
FROM — Sandra Klose
dont worry its a promise i’ll buy it and even i can add extra $50….
let me know thanks..
——————————-
WHAT THE F*#$!?!?!?
Heres more…
FROM — Jim Harris
I am interested in buying your item and sending to my Grandson
that recently traveled to abroad (Nigeria) for a research
program.Also,I will pay you $650 for the payment including
shipping of this item. This item is to be shipped directly from
you to Grandson address at abroad via Usps Express Mail Service (EMS) .My mode of payment is
PayPal.Kindly close the auction and get back to me with your
payment details so i can make the payment asap.Thanks
———————-
FROM —- thomas cook
thanks for the reply…..am a marine engineer and am presently on the sea doing my job and will want you to realise the fact that am having a problem with my pick up agent ok…….$100 will be added for the shipping cost……and i want you to be aware that the only source of payment i can do for now is PayPal because am not here with my credit cards ok..,so send me your PayPal account so that i can do the payment instantly…..you will ship this item to my son in UNITED-KINGDOM .the address is below…hope to read back from you soonest…ASAP
BENEDICT JOSH
no 29 wigan house,warwick
grove upper clapton
london E5 9JF
&& They all asked before they wrote these if the item was still for sale. And I’ve done gotten 4 more emails asking if it’s for sale so I’m pretty sure that it’s going to be scam emails. Big props to the person who started this little listing because it made me open my eyes. Everyone be careful!!
what is sad is that every second day i get a reply to this thread in my inbox – it means that so many more people are getting scam emails, in order to be googling and coming (thank goodness) to this thread.
Remember YOU CAN BE SCAMMED THROUGH LEGITIMATE PAYPAL INVOICES – paypal is only as reliable as the credit card or bank account at the other end of the transaction -
and NIGERIA? that is the bottomless pit of lawlessness, where nothing is retrievable and justice is never done because they have the worst legal system, and about as much respect for law as a somalian pirate. Send NOTHING there. Period.
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me..All you have to do now is just get back to me with your PayPal Email address for the instant payment and i will include $150 for the shipping cost down to my daughter schooling oversea as a Birthday Gift which she would be celebrating Soonest. I would have love to meet you up Somewhere in town to receive the item by myself but am also out of town.and i will prefer you shipping this item to my daughter Via USPS Express Mail Service(EMS) So kindly get back to me now with your PayPal email account So that i can transfer the Full funds into your account.
“Patience is not waiting, it’s how you act while you’re waiting” or “Age doesn’t always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone” or “Always remember that you’re unique, just like everybody else” or “Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has two of them and they stink most of the time.”
Yeah I just got that for trying to sell my MacBook too :-/
Tough stuff.
After sending an invoice to whom I thought may be a legite buyer, (as I have had more than my fair share of scammers like 90% of the ones that people have posted here….and I always either ignore them or tell them to take a long walk off a short pier) Anyways, this one seemed okay and they wanted an item shipped to Columbus, Ohio. I then received a notification that they had made an instant payment from an address that looked a bit like PayPal, but didn’t look quite the same and as professional and this made me very suspicious. I use eBay and PayPal all the time so I would know that this seemed odd. I then receive this follow up message in another faux e-mail trying to look and act like it’s PayPal. I mean c’mon just writing things like ‘you will know this is legite because the buyers full name is included’….DO YOU THINK I AM RETARDED? Also, on the end of the first confirmation of funds – instant payment received notification was this whole write-up (which PayPal DOES NOT SEND!!!!) about how I needed to ship the item, send the tracking number first then the funds would be put in my PayPal account, despite it already saying I’d received them….WTF!!! THIS WORLD HAS TOO MANY COMPLETELY MESSED UP PEOPLE!!
CONFIRMATION FOLLOW UP e-Mail received:
This a confirmation email of a payment of $1,275.00 CAD received from “Richard Brass”, what is required from in other for your account to be credited is the items tracking reference number, this number will be given to you at the courier office after you might have sent the item to the bearer, this is part of our new policy and a security measure in other to protect both the buyer and the seller, also to verify if the item was really bought from you we have sent you a confirmation email earlier on to inform you that the payment is legal and has been confirmed, also to guide you against fraudulent acts.
We have included the buyer’s full name and amount paid for you to know this message was really sent from PayPal. We advise that you make sure the item is sent out as soon as possible and request for a tracking number at the courier office after you might have send out the item, then you can email us the number by replying directly to this message after it might have been given to you at the courier office so as to credit your account without delay.
After we receive the number from you for security verification, your account will be credited at once, Our system has witness new upgrades, Please don’t be surprised if you see us forwarding you to new customer attendants, its due to the amount of fraud going on involving our name which we are trying all our best to limit and put a stop to. As soon as we receive the requested information from you, your account will be credited.
Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department
PayPal Email ID PP305
P.S. This person had been posing as a “RICHARD BRASS” and I think I have to cancel my PayPal invoice request because obviously they were too stupid to realize that I would check my ACTUAL LEGITIMATE PayPal account and see that the funds were NOT there!
BEWARE!!!!!!!!
Also, just wanted to add that this d***** bag inquired about my add through Kijiji, not the ever popular Craig’s List. He also did not have the typical Nigerian scammer response and shipping address etc…Instead this one is trying to pose as a regular Joe down in Columbus, Ohio, but then sent me a shipping address under a random women’s name… These bastards only wish they lived in a 1st world country such as Canada & The US (for instance) They need to get lives!!!
I just replied to this “RICHARD BRASS” Scammers’ persistence and his latest e-mail stating: “I SENT THE PAYMENT” after I had accused him of sending a FAKE PAYPAL INSTANT PAYMENT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION to my e-mail. This was my response:
HAHAHAHA!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!! You did NOT make the payment…You are attempting to scam someone who has received too many fraudulent e-mails from losers, such as yourself, trying to pull a lame fast one over on some easily susceptible victim…I am NOT THAT PERSON!
I have reported you to the authorities, have listed your addresses/scam name to everyone on the internet, so good luck trying to victimize someone else. Most likely you are responding to me from somewhere in…let me guess, West Africa – Nigeria perhaps? Seriously, go and get a REAL JOB & LIFE and stop bothering people with your ridiculous schemes. If you’re going to continue living a shady and crime filled life at least give us some credit and make your stories/fake e-mails/names a little more believable…it’s a joke!! Honestly, I don’t see some dude from Columbus, Ohio responding to my e-mails (all the time) at 3:30am….what is that mid afternoon in Africa?
Besides, wouldn’t you feel better about yourself making an honest living?
Good luck with that.
well done bikinator. Paypal NEVER asks for a shipping confirmation/tracking number prior to allowing payments. the only time they request proof of tracking would be during a dispute process when someone is trying to claim a credit by saying they didn’t receive an item.
Papal SURELY would not go through THAT song and dance letter, complete with incorrect grammar and miss-spellings.
I particularly love the sentence, “then you can email us the number by replying directly to this message after it might have been given to you at the courier office”.
MIGHT have been given? Of course anyone sending *anything* by courier would DEFINITELY be given a track number, that’s what you’re paying for.
Just poor scamming all the way around.
Tempts a person to cough up $20, and courier them a rock that weighs as much as the item being sold.
I wonder, does Nigeria charge customs? LMAO, i must look that up.
oh and they always seem to ask you to take the item off craigs list/kijiji.
is this some scammer honour code? they don’t want to cross another scammer and send payment for the same item?
PLEAZE!
i have been scammed through paypal everything happened just like the other posts above it was in nygeria and they offered 100 extra for shipping and it was my fist time with paypal and like an idiot i tried being nice and sent it there what should i do?
bill:
1)how long since you sent the item?
2)have you spent any of the money that went into your account?
bill – if you just sent the item usps and it has not yet left the country, you may have time to get it back. fill out this form (pdf link) and get it to your post office ASAP it is called *SENDER’S APPLICATION
FOR RECALL OF MAIL** at http://www.usps.com/forms/_pdf/ps1509.pdf
this should give you form ps 1509, which is accessible also via their FORMS section, numerical order if you don’t find it with link.
bill – as you have read, also DO NOT spend any of the money deposited from that person into your paypal account. you will have to pay it back.
best of luck getting your item back if via usps – if via fedex/ups all i can suggest is call them and speak to a person or supervisor asap.
Great comments Teri…LOL! I know exactly what you mean about these scammers being absolute idiots and like I said to them take the time to make your scam a little more plausible if that’s all you do with your life! Honestly, we are not retarded!
Bill – I also forwarded the scam messages and fraudelent PayPal e-mails that the scammer sent me to PayPal’s security centre at spoof@paypal.com and that is exactly what you should do in part to trying to fix this issue with having sent out an item already to a scammer. They will hopefully try to work with you and help you, as long as you forward any offending information and e-mails to their security/spoof/phishing department under that address I mentioned above. They verified that the messages I sent were in fact fraudulent so there is no reason they wouldn’t say the same thing about the person you are dealing with.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
It is good to report any suspicious messages from people trying to use paypal to get your stuff to spoof@paypal.com People need to remember that if the offer appears too good to be true it usually is….especially if you have to ship overseas and crap.
Unfortunately Paypal doesn’t really care once you get scammed. It can even happen within the country I found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_7–e5A1g and it helped me make decisions on mailing stuff. Best way to sift out potential scammers is get some of their personal info, ask to meet, or even a phone number where you can call them and talk. Much harder to scam you if you have info on them and can report them.
Just watch for emails that don’t mention what you are selling, emails that are very general and too good to be true, and especially the broken english. The same person tried twice to get something from me but was lazy and didn’t change the email just the name LMAO. I may of been born at night, just not last night.
Let me know if there is a way to bring these buggers down.
This same guy is trying to scam me he sent me a check for $2500 on a real account but a bogus check. I am stringing this guy along telling him that I sent the money an US address in care of the post master. Sad thing is I TRIED reporting it to the LA county Sherriff’s office the FTC, FBI, Secret Service, nobody wants it!
Steve0 – what does a fake cheque look like? I mean how would we tell that the account is real but the cheque is not? Do you mind describing the differences between real and fake so we can know when we see one? thanks!
(In my business I’ve had people send me cheques and then try to keep money out of their account so I can’t put it through – but I just call the bank and the moment the money is there, I cash it – then they don’t get services ever again.)
I fucking fell for it!! I already sent it out, it was a PSP that I sold to on eBay, is there ANY way that I can somehow recall or stop the shipment?????
mick – actually if you sold it on ebay and the buyer used ebay checkout, you should have ’seller protection’ if you shipped with a tracking number.
however if you sold it outside of ebay (like the person emailed you outside ebay and you invoiced them direct through paypal to avoid ebay fees), then your options may be limited to ;
1)if you sent the PSP via USPS, then fill out the form listed above for USPS, get it to your nearest post office and hope the item is still in the country
2) if you sent fedex/ups contact them directly with your tracking number and ask them to return to sender (don’t know if they do this or if a fee is involved)
best of luck..
if you send a pay request, and they send money, where is the scam? I have a laptop listed and got about 10 of these. I know they are scams, but how is the scam performed. Do they pull the money back out somehow?
sp – if you read back a few posts you will see how the scam works. that is exactly what happens, paypal pulls the money back out, unless you didnt’ take any of it out when you got paid.
Basically it is like this – overseas banking transactions can take several weeks for financial institutions to complete. Paypal basically takes the overseas MasterCard to be as good as north american ones, and fronts the money to you. But it can take up to3-5 weeks for the transaction to go through to that overseas mastercard. If that is a fraudulent card (as many are when dealing africa/nigeria (a country rife with crime) then it bounces the charge back to YOUR account, just like if you cash a bad cheque and it bounces, the money is taken out of YOUR account.
So you may get money, but it is TEMPORARY — you will have to pay your account back, plus the postage you spent, plus you lose your item.
That is the scam.
Sell your item through ebay and you at least have the seller protection. otherwise, be VERY careful who you deal with.
I get their shipping address and send them my shit in a bag.
This i sthe e-mail I recieved……wooow…..they even got a good shipping price….
Thanks for the quick response i really appreciate it ,i am sorry for
the delay response…i will not be able to come for the check up but i
am satisfied with the conditions because i read through the AD and i
also want to have my fate in you that the Car is in good shape as you
have posted.
I am to buying the Car as a birthday gift for my dad,as i am at sea at
the moment because i am a marine engineer and i really want the Car to
be a surprise gift for my dad.
So he is not aware that am buying Him a Car…until the Car delivered
to him , i am sure he will be more than happy when he see it.I
insisted on paypal because i don’t have access to my bank account
online as i don’t have internet banking.
But i can pay from my paypal account, as i have my bank a/c attached
to it…As soon as i got your paypal email address along with your
address details i will work on your payments.
I want you to tell me your final asking amount you will be willing to
sell the car and i will also be including the sum of $1300 along with
the payment for the shipping duties,as soon as you confirm the payment
my shipping agent will come and pick the car up at your location.
Do get back to me with your PayPal account if you are comfortable with
this arrangements.
I will be highly grateful if you can withdraw the AD from Kijiji and
make me your favorite buyer.
I will await you prompt response.
Best Regards.
Mr. kerry Anderson.
first off katarina, what a load of CRAP from mr. anderson.
he has internet access to get paypal and receive emails, and to browse online to see your item in the first place. i can’t imagine using paypal but not using online banking – but that is just me.
then, just for dirt, I’d tell the guy to provide you his son’s full name, address, phone number, so you can call the department of motor vehicles to be sure his son has a valid drivers license and insurance before you think about signing the papers. if he goes for that, then tell him he must have his ’shipping agent’ bring cash and you will meet him with the car at your local police station to complete the sale.
betcha mr anderson will become a ghost…
I think I am the biggest idiot of them all..Ive beem going back and forth with this lady for like 2 weeks now…I feel like the biggest loser in the world for falling so hard. I told my family about me selling the computer and how shes even paying full price blah blah blah..anyway..heres my lengthy emails with Rachael Lawson
Rachael: hello cheyenne
2:15 AM hello are you there?
2:17 AM me: hi
hello?
Rachael: how you doing
2:18 AM me: Im fine thank you, how are you? did you get my email?
Rachael: i just got it now
2:19 AM can you tell me whats all about? i thought you know the money has already been deducted from my account and it will be credited to your paypal account as soon as you ship the laptop
2:21 AM me: yeah I know that, The only problem is that I really CANT send it until I get the money because I have no money to ship it..Im in college so I dont have any means of income which is why im selling it in the first place. Is there anyway you can work with paypal and ask them to credit the money before I send it?
Im not trying to screw you over..I just really cant send it until I get the money
2:26 AM you there?
Rachael: i have email them several times and explain your situation to them but they made it clear to me that the transaction can only be completed if you ship and notify them the shipping details, i want you to understand that paypal won’t return the money back to my account if this transaction is not completed within today and Wednesday, so im urging to kindly find how you can get it ship out today even if you can loan the money from your friends or any of your relatives and you will return it as soon as paypal release the money into your account
im here
2:28 AM me: are you in the usa?
Rachael: nope im currently in the uk
2:29 AM if im in the the state i would have love to bring the cash and inspect what im paying for
me: hold on a second
2:30 AM Rachael: alright
2:33 AM me: im calling paypal right now
2:34 AM Rachael: why?
this won’t solve the problem cause i have try to call them as well
2:35 AM but they let me know the transaction between me and can only be traced via email not through phone calls
i thought they email you about that?
me: Im just uncomfortable sending it somewhere without being paid first..especially to nigeria haha
they did im just being cautious
that computer is all i have
2:36 AM Rachael: you don’t have to think that way at all i understand whats on your mind
and if its me i will do more than this
but i want you to know the money has already beeb deducted from account
me: i understand
2:37 AM Rachael: but waiting for your shipment verification
trust me i won’t do anything to hurt for any reason
me: Im sure it will be fine, tomorrow I am going to regroup..considering its 2am where i am
2:38 AM and Ill talk to paypal, email you for verification, and send it if everything is in order
Rachael: i understand you are thinking maybe if you ship the laptop you are going to get screwed
2:39 AM but that will never happen
me: yeah, yanno..im just being careful..once i talk to paypal and confirm with someone that the money is in fact waiting, then i will send it right away
2:40 AM Rachael: but if you call paypal and the let you know that the transaction can only be traced via email not through phone calls?
2:41 AM me: well, I will find a way to verify the transaction with them tommorow, whether it be with them overe the phone or via email
Rachael: ok that will be great
2:42 AM i also will see what i can do at my end over here
me: okay, keep me posted, and i will for you
2:43 AM Rachael: but is the laptop still in good condition?
me: yes!
Rachael: plus can you send me some pics of it?
me: its my baby, i love it! i just really need the money
2:44 AM i can send you some tomorrow, yeah
Rachael: why can’t you send me some pics now?
2:45 AM me: its 2am…im about to go to bed and the only camera i have is on my mac lol..so i have to borrow someones camera to do that
2:46 AM Rachael: its altight
its nice talking to you
2:47 AM me: you too, talk to you in the AM
Rachael: of cause yes
10 minutes
2:57 AM Rachael: i just email paypal now
2:58 AM im sure they will get back to me as soon as they get my message
me: dude, there is NO WAY i am sending you my macbook. youre just trying to scam me. http://jakebillo.com/apparently-you-can-get-scammed-using-paypal-and-gmail/ read this link. im not an idiot.
2:59 AM fuck off. dont contact me anymore.
Rachael: what?
how the hell will you call me a dude?
what is this all about?
me: just click the link.
3:00 AM Rachael: then?
me: You sent me the EXACT same email as everyone else who has been scammed by you people. im not sending you shit. in fact, Im reporting you. go die in a fire,
Rachael: what
3:02 AM ok what makes you think im among those people on this links????
me: YOU SENT ME THE EXACT SAME FUCKING EMAIL.
Rachael: exact email?
3:03 AM i don’t really understand what’s going on here
me: dude, dont even play fucking stupid. im not sending you shit. get over it. go cry to your mother. i dont care. go fuck yourself.
3:04 AM i need you to know that my money is still with you and even if you think telling me this is going to let you have my money free i bet it with you is not going to happen
I dont want your imaginary money. stop emailing me. Ive reported you to gmail and to paypal. now shut the fuck up and go to walmart and buy your overseas son in ni-fucking-geria his own damn computer you incompetent little shit.
Rachael: but i still don’t why you must be thinking what you see at that is what im trying pull on you
3:37 AM me: oh come the fuck on, admit it!
its so annoying that your even still trying. you know youve been caught..why still try to play me?
youre not getting my computer
so why are you worrying
its over
you have been BUSTED hahaha
Rachael: admit what? you accusing me for what i don’t do
3:38 AM how could you?
me: oh I bet youre heart is broken.
HA
Rachael: my heart is broken for what?
i still don’t understand whats going on
me: god, you are a first class IDIOT.
3:39 AM Rachael: FYI im using the 09 mac book pro
so urs is noting to me
me: HA
then why the fuck do you want mine you little shit
Rachael: just a surprise shit for someone i care for thats all
3:40 AM if you have a yahoo messenger i can show you my iphone 3GS 32gig
me: why would i want to see that?
3:41 AM Rachael: for you not to be thinking im here to scam you for a little $
me: the only thing you are getting shipped is a big bag of my poop.
Rachael: i drive a new porsche so im definitely not what you would call poor
me: did you scam someone out of that too?!
3:42 AM im sure youre not poor! no ones calling you poor!
Rachael: what? can you be so stupid to send someone a car worth $75,000?
me: im calling you a cheat and a dumbass who doesnt know how to scam someone properly
you think a porsche is only 75 grand?
3:43 AM WOOOWWWWW
Rachael: if i want to scam you i will do it in a proper way which you won’t even think of it for once
im just letting you know
3:44 AM me: well try again loser, your just a sad sad sad person whos probably sitting in your bedroom crying because ANOTHER person caught you. fucking dumbass.
and if you dont know what those words mean, google them…they wont scam you out of real definitions i promise
Rachael: funny, i can feed you for the rest of your if you let me
3:45 AM for rest of your life if you let me
me: nope. i dont like bullshit
it doesnt taste good
Rachael: this isn’t bullshit
me: and it gives me gas
3:46 AM Rachael: not at all
me: why dont we do this..why dont you tell me about yourself and ill CONSIDER sending it to you, after all
how old are ypu
you*
3:47 AM Rachael: and you think im that crazy about your laptop hum?
a used white macbook? not brand new like mine?
fuck that
me: what happened to youre accent?
hmmmm
3:48 AM now youre saying fuck?
thats very unlike you rachael, your poor nigerian son would not be proud of you
Rachael: really?
me: yes!
parenting is a big deal nowadays!
3:49 AM you gotta know right from wrong girlfriend!
Rachael: my next generation is not even going to suffer not even for once
i swear
i have this money to burn anytime pal
me: you cant just drop them off in nigeria and send them a computer and expect them to love you just the same
no way!
Rachael: believe me i can change your entire life if you let me
3:50 AM me: thats creepy.
Rachael: you think so?
me: uh yeah
3:51 AM Rachael: im sure you are doubting me but if you get to know you won’t want to loose me for once
me: and what do you have to offer me?
Rachael: a lot but as you can see you really fucked up thinking im here to scam you just for a little crap of yours
3:52 AM me: haha dude you are so fucking stupid!
Rachael: really?
me: i cant wait to post the rest of this on the blog ive been talking about you on, they are going to crack up..
3:53 AM la dee da dee da….youre a fucking LOSERRRR AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Rachael: you know you said something about your laptop that the sound only works on speakers with an aux cord
me: yep
Rachael: you know you are trouble now huh?
3:54 AM me: actually, i think that by verifying that in the description makes me..umm whats that word that you know nothing of…HONEST
OH YEAH
IM HONEST
youre the one in trouble dude dont fucking try to scare me with shit you cant back up
Rachael: yet you will want to sell it for $800? why? cause you are a cheat
me: how fucking old are yo?
3:55 AM gonna go tell mommy?!?! huhh?
i told you exactly what you were buying faggot
or..stealing
actually
Rachael: you are still under your parent so i guess you should save your breath
3:56 AM me: im not speaking out loud…im typing…
i have enough breath,,
what am i…virtually breathing?
hehehehe
3:57 AM Rachael: ok i guess you should save your strength huh? dumb ass
me: nowww youre catching on..at least you can insult me with proper english
3:58 AM good job, i think youre making progress
Rachael: wow
really
me: kazaaam
boom
Rachael: how about this go fuck a camel
me: bang
3:59 AM is that enjoyable? ive heard from friends it is..but im just a little nervous..can you tell me how to do it?
gosh, i really would love to know how tht works
Rachael: you just have to go and try it your self
4:00 AM me: oh please give me advice!
Rachael: advise on what?
me: i need tips from someone with experience on fucking camels
and youre the only one i feel comfortable coming to!
please please please
hahaha yay for fucking with them!
wow cheywnnw, that was quite the string-along wasn’t it? but it shows just how persistent these people are. they deserve to get mind-f***d once in a while too – the time they waste with you is time they’re not spending on scamming someone else.
I’m glad jake billo has kept this site going.
I still follow all these threads – it’s pretty awful to see how many people continue to try scam other folks on a regular basis. Makes selling or buying anything of value online a much more risky proposition.
My personal best luck in these situations has been dealing with my credit card issuer after an attempted scam. A chargeback for “non-received merchandise” doesn’t leave a scarlet letter on your own PayPal account if the scammer can’t prove a tracking number.
Thankyou VERY much, jake. You are providing a real public service by giving people a place to learn about this sort of crime.
How does the scam work if you ship after you’ve received payment into your paypal account?
i know this is a long thread, the question has been answered more than once.
It is like when a cheque bounces – your account goes in the negative. plus in this case you are out your shipping costs, and the item you ’sold’.
Got this for my 2005 Chevy Equinox ($15000)
Hello Rob,
Thanks for the quick response i really appreciate it ,i am sorry for the delay response…i will not be able to come for the check up but i am satisfied with the conditions because i read through the AD and i also want to have my fate in you that the Truck is in good shape as you have posted.
I am buying the Truck as a birthday gift for my dad,and his birthday is coming up very soon,my plans are after i made your payment my shipping agent will come and pick up the Truck at your location.
Please i will need you to send me more pics of the Truck and also get back to me with your final asking amount of the Truck.
I will be highly grateful if you can withdraw the AD from Kijiji and make me your favorite buyer.
I will await you prompt response.
Best Regards.
Mr.Kerry Anderson.
Sure wish I could get the cash without giving up the vehicle ….. lol.
we have to laugh, right? these people… he must have 40 family members holed up in a one room flat, and is going to send one or several for your truck – no doubt either with a rubber cheque, or a few bats and lead pipes to rob you. tell him you’ll meet him at the police station at the front desk so the officers can witness the transaction. and tell him to bring cash – lol.
no, don’t do any of that. tell him you don’t deal with agents or shipping and you’d prefer he didn’t contact you again or you will speak to the authorities.
you’d think they’d come up with a new name.
Had someone named Larry Moore using several gmail addresses, one being katty.weatherly04@gmail.com contact me about a saddle I was selling. He supposedly sent a check and then later notified me that his secretary “accidently” wrote the check for $2000 instead of the agreed upon $500 and would I cash it and send him the difference via money gram! Red flag!! I notified him the the saddle was no longer for sale and i would return the check upon arrival.I guess he/she was tired of getting yelled at by people who are obviously much smarter than him/her with his paypal scam and thought he would try something new. He also said he was deaf so he couldn’t talk to me directly. hmm What a joke. Thank you for your postings. By the way I am sending a report to http://www.ic3.gov on the advise of our local hi-tech crimes dept.
oh wow. Yeah, you cash it, send him the difference and then the cheque goes rubber and your account goes negative – plus you’re out the saddle and the shipping. I’ve sold several english saddles through ebay, and bought my saddles the same way. Gosh, feedback is important and very useful to see their payment history, also to see if they have a history of selling a particular item (with saddles, I look to see if they’ve sold other horse gear, or bought it either from private sellers or known equine stores).
Don’t ever take a cheque outside of ebay. Personally I don’t take anything BUT paypal through ebay, but only because of the SELLER/BUYER protection paypal provides on most auctions there. I also only ship to USA/Canada, and only buy from USA/CANADA/England/Germany where the sellers have sterling feedback.
Well done for you arhorsemom, on getting a red flag in the first place. You were wise to say it was no longer available, and sever any hope of further contact with him.
Stone Ferry
Name:John Alexandra
Address:No11,Bateye St,Lodge Oke Ado
State : Oyo State
City? : Ibadan
Country:Nigeria
Zip code:23402
This helped me from being scammed. Same thing guy offered to buy my pc for sale on Craigslist. Demanded I ship it in order for paypal to release the funds to me. I actually got 3 different ppl that tried that.
Maz, are you advising that th ‘john alexandra’ information is a fraudulent seller? If so, thanks for the tip!
Linda – this is a great site, isn’t it? It’s not mine but I get a smile when I see postings like yours of people saved from getting scammed. I think jake billo keeps a regular watch here too – thanks to him again for giving people this information and a forum for others to find!!
I think i’m being scammed as well. This was the email that i received from a buyer from US for just a wireless router. That itself got me thinking why would a person pay so much for delivery charges for such a common item.
Mr. Steve Cole to sale-mbq7p-158.
show details Feb 10 (1 day ago)
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
I view this beautiful product and i want to buy it for my son ….so i
want you to tell me the cost of the product because my son need it
urgent. so i want you to mail me fast as soon as possible ..
Regards.
Mr. Steve Cole to me
show details 10:01 PM (23 hours ago)
Hello, Thanks for the mail and i will like to tell you that Mr
Steve Cole is my Name from U.S.A and i will like you to go ahead and
calculate the total cost of the item including the shipping cost
through POST OFFICE to my Son Address for is programmed in college and
send me the information below for the transfer to be made fully. i
want you to give me the total cost,and get me back how many product
you have for sale,
Here is the Information Needed For Payment:
Account Holder Name……
Account Number…………
Bank Name…………..
Bank Address…………
Country…………….
your mail…………..
Item Name………….
Total Cost…………….
This is the shipping address:
Name : David Sola
Address: No 8 Ago Ilorin Street Mokola
City: Ibadan
State: Oyo
Get back to me as soon as possible.
Regards.
Oh my, say Buh-bye!
Just the standard Nigerian poor grammar is the biggest tip-off.
Then he calls it a ‘product’ instead of what the item is, a router. That is so he can send out the email multiple times and never have to edit it.
Finally, he could buy a router from China for a normal price and get it to his son more quickly, **IF** he had a legitimate credit card/bank account.
Pry him off, tell him you will not ship offshore.
Good call calvin!
I am selling an El Camino through Craigslist. I just had a guy with 2 names??? want to purchase my car and have it shipped to the UK???? He wanted it paid through PayPal and where Paypal would release his money to me after delivery. Come on buddy . . . that’s a bit of a scam stretch to have that ridiculously heavy car shipped to the UK from Canada! He went by both Mike Tommy and Mike Terry.
Sadly, there is that poor fool somewhere out there that would fall for this and ship that rig out of their own pocket.
The way the paypal works is sellers get paid first, and then they ship.
The way the SCAM works is the seller gets paid first, ships the item, but the buyer is using a bogus credit card that gives the seller money up front, then screws them three weeks later when paypal discovers it’s a crap credit card.
The cleverness of criminals in this world is certainly on the downslide. This guy must be a noob…
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