Craigs List Scam
I am trying to sell some furnitiure on Craigs List. I listed the items on Monday. yesterday I got a response from an interested party. His first response sounded legit. He just wanted to know if it was still for sale. Last night he sent another e-mail this one a bit more suspicious. I had some free time so I composed an answer. I don’t think he will respond but if he does I will let you know.
Suspicious E-mail from Micheal Smith
I got all information i needed about it, since you can assure me the goodness of it, i will be purchasing it Like i said earlier, with additional $200 of your asking price. I wish i could visit you to take a look at it but due to my present Business engagement, i will not be able to come over there to look at it or offer you cash in person, and we have a private shipping company that will handle everything after you have your money in hand. As there are too many scams on internet as regards buying and selling with large bogus account, we need to protect our self, that is why our mode of payment will be via electronic cashier check. Echeck is simple, secured, legal, fast and it is setup to eliminate the stress of putting check in mail for days. You can read more on how i-versa check works at www.iversacheck.com and also to let you know more about its legitimacy. you must received cash from your bank before the shipping company will come to pick it up. All what you just need to do is to get a business versacheck paper and versaink, cost of $51.97. Once you have this, i will send the electronic check to your email for printing. You can then print and proceed to clear and cash the check at your bank. The cost of procuring the check paper and ink will be added to the bottom price. you can get business versa check paper and versa ink, at office depot, officemax, staples or any stationary store wal-mart shopping moll around. I will be waiting to read from you soon. get back to me as soon as you get the check paper and ink. you are not the only one i asked from, and first come first serve, buy the material today, to make it faster.
Thanks God bless you.
My Response
Your offer of an additional $200 is very generous. However, if you cannot pay cash I will have to raise the price to $2,500. The following is an itemized breakdown of the charges:
$650 Furniture
$200 Additonal- you offered so I will gladly accept
$750 Fuel/Transportation Charge- the closest Office Depot is 7.5 miles away, 15 miles roundtrip. I estimate that the fuel charge and wear and tear on the car would work out to $50 per mile.
$400 Meals- driving makes me hungry and I will need to eat after driving to Office Depot
$250 Snacks- driving makes me thirsty and it is hot out so I will need to stop in to a 7-11 and grab a Slurpee and some Corn Nuts
$250 Incidental Fees- my wife doesn’t understand business like we do and it will be very hard to explain this business transaction to her. It is easier to give her $250 and tell her to shut up and go shopping. $250 should be enough to buy her silence.
Please let me know if these terms are acceptable.
Thank You and God Bless
Posted in tech | 
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
We just got the same e-mail from the same person, Michael Smith. I too thought that it was a scam, but now I’m convinced of it. (Although I have to admit, I was almost persuaded to turn over my $51.97 by his near-flawless mastery of the English language). I sent a reply to him, although mine wasn’t nearly as clever as yours. At any rate, I also will post again to let you know whether I get a reply to my response.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Here is a link to more about this scam and what happens when someone follows through with this guy’s request.
http://www.electrolund.com/2007/08/more-craigslist-scam-baiting
June 29th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I just received an e-mail so almost exact to this one tonight. Only the name was different, but the wroding almost exact. Regarding the sale of my Wedding Gown. I said sorry I could not receive such payment as I have no printer.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:38 am
Apparently Michael Smith works with Ralph Wilde because we have been negotiating with us to run the same scam for some furniture on CraigsList… we have requested the “check” to be sent, but he continues to ask for more and more info. So I have been playing it straight to get some more insight into the scam.
The next step seems to involve sending you extra money to pay the shipper when they come to pickup the merchandise.
best of luck to everyone… seller beware
July 5th, 2008 at 9:18 am
HERE WAS MY RESPONSE FROM MR.WILDE:
I got all information i needed about it, since you can assure me the goodness of it, i will be purchasing it Like i said earlier, with additional $200 of your asking price. I wish i could visit you to take a look at it but due to doctor prescription about the nature of my health, i will be making your payment today through i will not be able to come over there to look at it or offer you cash in person, but i have a private shipper who will handle that, i will be making your payment today through electronic cashier check. Echeck is simple, secured, legal, fast and it is setup to eliminate the stress of putting check in mail for days. You can read more on how i-versa check works at www.iversacheck.com and also to let you know more about its legitimacy. You must received cash from your bank before the shipping company will come to pick it up. All what you just need to do is to get a business versacheck paper and versaink, cost of $21.37. Once you have this, i will send the electronic check to your email for printing. You can then print and proceed to clear and cash the check at your bank.
BUT, HE ALSO ADDED: This involves a lot of trust and sincerity so if you are not trustworthy please do not bother to email me. You can also call me 206 338-3031. Thanks God bless you.
THANKS FOR THE POST, AS I TOO WAS ALMOST GOING TO DO THIS. THANKS !!!
July 5th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I guess there’s a new saying: “SELLER BEWARE” !!!
July 13th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Guys Beware of Amanda McKenney, She or he is on the prowl as well. Got into an arguement with my hubby over this one!! LOL!! I just want to sell my furniture:)
I got all information i needed about it, since you can assure me the goodness of it, i will be purchasing it Like i said earlier, with additional $200 of your asking price. I wish i could visit you to take a look at it but due to doctor prescription about the nature of my health, i will be making your payment today through i will not be able to come over there to look at it or offer you cash in person, but i have a private shipper who will handle that, i will be making your payment today through electronic cashier check. Echeck is simple, secured, legal, fast and it is setup to eliminate the stress of putting check in mail for days. You can read more on how i-versa check works at www.iversacheck.com and also to let you know more about its legitimacy. You must received cash from your bank before the shipping company will come to pick it up. All what you just need to do is to get a business versacheck paper and versaink, cost of $21.37. Once you have this, i will send the electronic check to your email for printing. You can then print and proceed to clear and cash the check at your bank. The cost of procuring the check paper and ink will be added to the bottom price. you can get business versa check paper and versa ink, at office depot, officemax, staples or any stationary store wal-mart shopping moll around. I will be waiting to read from you soon. get back to me as soon as you get the check paper and ink. you are not the only one i asked from, and first come first serve, buy the material today, to make it faster. This involves a lot of trust and sincerity so if you are not trustworthy please do not bother to email me. You can also call me 206 338-3031. Thanks God bless you.
Amanda McKenney
6523 Sleek crane,
Reston, Virginia, 20190
July 27th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I received the same email from Ralph HInkson:
I got all information i needed about it, since you can assure me the goodness of it, i will be purchasing it Like i said earlier, with additional $200 of your asking price. I wish i could visit you to take a look at it but due to doctor prescription about the nature of my health, i will be making your payment today through i will not be able to come over there to look at it or offer you cash in person, but i have a private shipper who will handle that, i will be making your payment today through electronic cashier check. Echeck is simple, secured, legal, fast and it is setup to eliminate the stress of putting check in mail for days. You can read more on how i-versa check works at www.iversacheck.com and also to let you know more about its legitimacy. You must received cash from your bank before the shipping company will come to pick it up. All what you just need to do is to get a business versacheck paper and versaink, cost of $21.37. Once you have this, i will send the electronic check to your email for printing. You can then print and proceed to clear and cash the check at your bank. The cost of procuring the check paper and ink will be added to the bottom price. you can get business versa check paper and versa ink, at office depot, officemax, staples or any stationary store wal-mart shopping moll around. I will be waiting to read from you soon. get back to me as soon as you get the check paper and ink. you are not the only one i asked from, and first come first serve, buy the material today, to make it faster. This involves a lot of trust and sincerity so if you are not trust worthy please do not bother to email me. You can also call me 206-338-3031. Thanks God bless you.
6523 Sleek crane,
Reston, Virginia, 20190
July 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
This almost sound legitimate. Versa check is a real service and I have used it on occassion. Paypal is easier. But this nags at the back of mind if its legimate offer or not. Shipping business is what gets you. Any shipping company gets paid upon delivery!! Not before hand.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
This Ralph Hinkson did the same thing to me, but thanks to you all I was able to check up on him before I released any personal information to him.
September 17th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Daniel Stephens (stedan5@live.com) wrote 09/16/08: Hello
Let me know if your item is still available for sell
Thanks
Daniel
Then I responded: Yes it is:-)
He responded:
Sounds good, I would like to purchase it from you as soon as possible. (I am intrested and ready to buy it now) The easiest way for me to pay is probably E-Check from my Bank(Bank Of America). I know there are a lot of scams so I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank or anything. Here is a thing from the E-Check. You will probably need to Purchase Business Check Paper, at any store below in your area,
(1) Shopping Mall
(2) Stationery Store
(3) Office Depot
(4)Office max
For $20 and it will be added to your asking price with an extra offer of $100 for the stress and strain. Once you purchase the business check paper. I will email you the check and you will have it printed. Then proceed to your bank and cash the check. So i will need your your Full Name and Address with a Valid Email Address to send the simple step on how to print the check to your email which you can print and cash within 2 hours after you must have purchased the business check paper. Kindly get the posting deleted if you are ok with my mode of payment. I will await your email. Please Email me back and let me know if this helps Regards.
Best Regard
Daniel Stephens
407 Kenwood Drive
Jacksonville, NC 28540
909-539-9640
Told him Paypal or nothing. He responded:
Sounds good, I would like to purchase it from you as soon as possible. (I am intrested and ready to buy it now) The easiest way for me to pay is probably E-Check from my Bank(Bank Of America). I know there are a lot of scams so I have no problem with you waiting for the E-Check to go through at your bank or anything. Here is a thing from the E-Check. You will probably need to Purchase Business Check Paper, at any store below in your area,
(1) Shopping Mall
(2) Stationery Store
(3) Office Depot
(4)Office max
For $20 and it will be added to your asking price with an extra offer of $100 for the stress and strain. Once you purchase the business check paper. I will email you the check and you will have it printed. Then proceed to your bank and cash the check. So i will need your your Full Name and Address with a Valid Email Address to send the simple step on how to print the check to your email which you can print and cash within 2 hours after you must have purchased the business check paper. Kindly get the posting deleted if you are ok with my mode of payment. I will await your email. Please Email me back and let me know if this helps Regards.
Best Regard
Daniel Stephens
407 Kenwood Drive
Jacksonville, NC 28540
909-539-9640
I responded: SCAM.
He responded: Thanks for your recent respond i really have much interest in item and concerning the payment am very sorry am out of the state for an urgent business trip and i will not be able to pay you in cash or send you a check but i will like top pay you via electronic check all you need to do is to get a check paper as soon as you receive the check print it out and proceed to your bank and deposit it..as soon as the check get clear deduct your asking price and send the remaining excess to my shipping company so that they can come and pick up the item from your step door…….