dannyaa

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Hey I know this completely OT... well it IS about computers... but anyway I know this forum gets the most views and I thought this might be interesting... and helpful to me! :)

I posted on craig's list, if you've heard of it, kinda like an ebay meets classifieds type deal but free. Mostly local, but you can search for stuff from anywhere. So I decided to try out posting a custom built computer with a little markup, since i love building comps and if I can make some money at it, why not.

So I get this email from someone with a .uk address (which of course you can make that email address without being in the UK). And he wants to buy the system... but I'm very wary of scam stuff, and actually very confused by what he is suggesting. Maybe I am being over cautious and this is perfectly legit and a good deal for me... or it could definetly be a scam. Here's the 3 emails we've sent, let me know what you think:

------------------------------------------

TO ME, from HIM:

> Hello,
> I saw your advert and it fits what i have been searching for,I'm highly
> interested in buying it,what is the current condition and your last offering
> price,please get back to me asap In term of shipping don't bother yourself,
> I have an international shipping agent that take good care of my goods he'll
> be coming to your location for the pickup.
> Regard..

------------------------------------------

Hello Steve,

Current condition is brand new, never used. I just posted this last
night, and you are the first to email. The price however stands at $1350.

The computer will be ready for your agent to pickup during the week of
May 8th, probably Wednesday the 11th or Tuesday evening the 10th.

Please explain your shipping agent situation in detail. He can pick
up, so long as you cover all shipping fees and he brings, in person,
cash or a cashier's check upon pickup. Absolutely no electronic
transfers.

- Dan

------------------------------------------

Everything sounds well,I must commend that the Game Machine is in good condition and am okay with it want you to keep other buyer's off.Concerning Payment will be made via a money order of $4000 by a client of mine in the state an amount oweing, so she said it can only be issued on a money order and it can be cashed at any local outlets in your area.All i need from you is your full name and addres s including phone number so i can fax it to my client. Pickup arrangement will be made by my shipper, so as soon as you recieve payment you will deduct your actual amount and extra $120 for wiring the rest of the funs to my shipper via western union money transfer who will be at your location for the pick up.and $100 for your runing around confirm this and get back to me with neccessary details I await your response.
REGARDS.
TOTAL FUND TO DEDUCT
YOUR FUND====$1350
EXTRA FUND===$100
WIRE FUND===$120
TOTAL======$1570
THE REMAINING FUND TO WIRE TO MY SHIPPER WILL BE $2430.
i await your information so my client can issue the check with your name.
full name
poster address
zip code
phone number.

------------------------------------------

Can anyone decipher his bad english (is this just an act... forgive my geography, but what non-english speaking countries are in the UK?); and can someone explain what exactly he is proposing. Does this reak of scam...?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Dannyaa on 04/27/05 12:30 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Sounds dodgy as f u c k. Avoid - do things on your terms - recieve pay, then send via a 3rd party courier.

Never do it any other way, else your just asking to be ripped off.

______________
Welcome to my Shed of Pleasure
 
Beware of this one. You will wind up being out $5000. The Money order might clear your bank,(They will take it for deposit) but will be returned,and then deducted from your account.
Money orders are the near perfect scam.

I aint signing nothing!!!
 

slvr_phoenix

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Dec 31, 2007
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As much as I dislike the notion of non-banks handling bank-like accounts (no FDIC, etc.) I have to say, go with PayPal or something to ensure funds before delivery. (Just be sure to transfer those funds to a <i>real</i> bank account immediately.)

<A HREF="http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=050421" target="_new">You ever get the feeling that the universe is a vast, impersonal emptiness that exists only to hurt you?</A>
@ 186K -> 200,000 miles or bust!
 

slvr_phoenix

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Dec 31, 2007
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Beware of this one. You will wind up being out $5000. The Money order might clear your bank,(They will take it for deposit) but will be returned,and then deducted from your account.
Money orders are the near perfect scam.
Could you explain this further? AFAIK money orders are paid for up front so what you're talking about shouldn't be possible. (Unlike a personal cheque, which sounds like what you are describing.)

<A HREF="http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=050421" target="_new">You ever get the feeling that the universe is a vast, impersonal emptiness that exists only to hurt you?</A>
@ 186K -> 200,000 miles or bust!
 

slvr_phoenix

Splendid
Dec 31, 2007
6,223
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Sounds dodgy as f u c k. Avoid - do things on your terms - recieve pay, then send via a 3rd party courier.

Never do it any other way, else your just asking to be ripped off.
You can't argue with logic like that.

Whether it's a scam or not, no one is forcing you to do it. Just stick to what you're comfortable with. If you don't like their suggestion, then don't do it.

<A HREF="http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=050421" target="_new">You ever get the feeling that the universe is a vast, impersonal emptiness that exists only to hurt you?</A>
@ 186K -> 200,000 miles or bust!
 

slvr_phoenix

Splendid
Dec 31, 2007
6,223
1
25,780
I think what concerns me the most is "<font color=red>THE REMAINING FUND TO WIRE TO MY SHIPPER WILL BE $2430.</font color=red>" 1) Why would anyone pay a shipper $2430 to ship a single PC? 2) Why wouldn't he be directly paying the shipper himself? I can't think of a single <i>good</i> reason for this part of the deal. (But I can think of <i>plenty</i> of bad ones.)

<A HREF="http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=050421" target="_new">You ever get the feeling that the universe is a vast, impersonal emptiness that exists only to hurt you?</A>
@ 186K -> 200,000 miles or bust!
 

dannyaa

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Yeah it seemed fishy to me too. I did some googling... Check out this website:

http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/fakecheck.htm


MY REPLY:

Hi Steve,

It is interesting how you are willing to pay so much for a computer
overseas and have it shipped to you. Of course, you're not really
overseas, so that makes more sense, and of course, you won't really be
paying anything, so that's a pretty sweet deal afterall!

Hey I found this incredible coincidence... what a fluke, you should
check it out it makes for pretty good reading!!
http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/fakecheck.htm

Don't take me for a fool.

Have a nice day.

Dan


-----------------------------------------------

Well I sent that late last night and now thought maybe it would have been best to let him mail the fake check so I could report him... hmm, oh well. Any other steps I should take?



P4c 3.2Ghz @ 800MHz Northwood / ABIT AI7 / 1GB Corsair XMS-Pro CL2 Pc3200 / 160GB Seagate SATA 7200rpm 8mb cache / BFG-Tech Nvidia GeForce 6800GT 256mb / Antec Sonata case w/Antec TruePower 380W PSU
 
Scammers should be more security conscious! :lol:

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>
 

lonelypauly

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I got the exact same email yesterday. 100% Bogus, Don't even respond to crap like that. They don't know your email address unless you respond, then if you piss them off who knows how many porn mailing lists they will sign your email to.
 
Never got an email - just commenting on Ned's ability to get the dudes IP address.

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by rugger on 04/27/05 04:23 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 

dannyaa

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Jan 1, 2001
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good point. I didn't use the anonymous-email feature, but I did use one of my handful of "extra" accounts. I've had the gmail beta for a while and snagged up all the SN's I wanted by emailing invites to myself... Hopefully he won't ruin this one on me, but if he does, oh well.



P4c 3.2Ghz @ 800MHz Northwood / ABIT AI7 / 1GB Corsair XMS-Pro CL2 Pc3200 / 160GB Seagate SATA 7200rpm 8mb cache / BFG-Tech Nvidia GeForce 6800GT 256mb / Antec Sonata case w/Antec TruePower 380W PSU
 
Hello

I am a 16 year old Swedish girl. I have long blonde hair and enormous melons. Recently I received payment in the form of a US money order from my late father's will, but I need to travel to the US to cash it. The problem is that I cannot afford the cost of the airline ticket.

If you can send me $500, I can travel to the US and cash the money order, and then I will pay for $750 for your trouble. I will also provide you with noisy, dripping fellatio and possibly a soapy tit wank.

Please send me the money straight away and I will fly to you as soon as possible. Please hurry, the thought of you is making me moist.

Best wishes

Stinka V. Jina.

:eek: I'm the good time that was had by all :eek: