Wedding dress and couch scams

I am selling my wedding dress on Craigslist and it must be a "hot item" because I received emails from 5 scammers about it.

Here are the correspondences from the first scammer:

From:  [email protected]

I CAME ACROSS YOUR  Wedding dress AND I WOULD LOVE TO BUY?,<3 

I replied with pictures and received the following response:

From: [email protected] (no that's not a typo, the email address really changed)

Thanks for the reply , i just moved into a new apartment with my sister and i am really interested in buying the Wedding Dress for my sister because her Wedding Dress  is coming up soon , but the only means i can pay you now is via a certified bank check or money orders, so i would need your name and address and phone number so i can send the payment over to you as soon as possible ......i am sorry for the stress ...........i  lived in California , i just got a job in Utah  as a security agent and am just getting the new house fixed .........thanks <3

I knew this was a scammer or computer because she referred to a wedding day as a "wedding dress," which was also the subject of the message, so I did not reply.



Here's what the second scammer had to say. I fell for this scam, but them realized it was a scam before it was too late.

From: [email protected]

-- 
Just saw ur ad on craigslist. I really like this dress,its good looking. Could I possibly get more pics of it?

I had already posted 5 pictures of the dress, but replied with more pictures of it and received the following:

Hello Lindsay,
Thanks for your response and the additional pictures. Its quite a lovely dress and i would love to buy it, has the dress is beautiful and gorgeous. 
Also i want you to know this is my first time of buying off craigslist.com
I really want to come see it and try it on but i cannot as i am out of town due to work and preparation for my wedding. I think i have seen enough pictures so far, so i would love to buy it off from you as i will be relying on your judgment. 
   My method of payment would be through a Certified Check since am not around and can not remit cash from here as this is coming impromptu.  Please let me know the final asking price so i can make arrangements
as i will handle the shipment myself and i will be sending my mover down to pick up the dress at your place.
 Kindly provide me with your full name and mailing address to which the Certified check  would be sent so we can complete this up real quick as the wedding is just around the corner.
** I also want to inform you that there will be an excess amount of funds which you will forward to my mover (for shipment purposes)**.
 I await your response.
Thank You,
Ashley.

Still not realizing this was a scam, I stupidly replied with my name and address and received the following response:

Hello Lindsay,
    Thanks for your quick reply, your payment should be ready for the mail once it is gotten from the bank, as soon as its mailed, I will inform you about this, so that you are aware of when to expect it, normally it should take just about 1 to 2 working days to reach your place so that the mover can come over for the pick up after payment is cashed so that what he does is to have the item examined and picked up.  So I will need you to hold the Item on my behalf for at most a week or thereabout for payment to arrive, please I will like if you kindly inform me as soon as you get the payment so that I can have my mover ready for the pick up.  I will be looking forward to your reply, once again thank you. 
Regards,
Ashley.

I received the following response several days later:

Hello Lindsay,
   According to UPS Courier Service, I am made to believe the check was delivered to you today at 9:57 AM on the Mat.  
I want you to go ahead with cashing the check,Take it to your bank and cash it into your bank account.  Deduct the cost of the dress and have the excess funds sent to my mover.  My mover will use the funds as the shipping funds in coming for the pickup at your location.  So these are your next steps for now....
1.  Have the check cashed out at your bank.
2.  Deduct the $300 for the dress and Take the remaining $2050.00 to the nearest Western Union agent around you.  You should find one agent at Walmart.
3. Send the $2050.00 to my mover, Jennifer Willis, at Western Union, You can deduct the Western Union sending fees from the $2050.00.  Send it to...
    JENNIFER WILLIS
Bronx,  NY 10457
4. Write me an email with the ''MTCN Number'' and the total amount sent with the senders full name and address
  I am counting on your honesty and trustworthiness to have this transaction well taken care of today.  
    My mover, Jennifer Willis will be on her way to your location for the pickup upon recieving the funds at Western Union today.  The earlier you email the details to me, the faster and earlier she comes for the pickup.   
      I await the Western Union transfer details in your next response.
My Warmest Regards,
Ashley.

P.S
You can deduct an extra $50 for the stress and your run around  to and from Western Union.

A "check" was actually delivered to me, but I had already realized it was a scam, so I didn't respond. 

Several days later, I received the following email:

Hello Lindsay,
    How are you, just wondering why you've not responded with the Western Union details, because i need an update on the transaction as my mover is ready to do the pickup of the dress, also i will be returning home soon and will so much appreciate it if the dress is delivered before my arrival. Really appreciate what you are doing for me.
Regards,
Ashley.

I still did not respond and received the following email several days later:

I Know for sure with no doubt that the check payment was delivered to you via UPS Courier on Friday.   I need to know if you've already cashed and sent the excess funds via Western Union to my mover, Jennifer Willis
    She promised to be at your location immediately after she receives the funds.   The only delay holding her from coming for the pick up is the moving funds
So I require the following details from you today........
1. The MTCN # on the western union receipt.
2. Sender 's name and address used in sending the money
3. Actual amount sent.
4. A scan copy of the receipt.
Many Thanks.
Ashley.

P.S
Your Tracking Information  
Status: DELIVERED
Last Scan: 12/23/2011 9:57:00 AM DELIVERED VISTA, CA US
VISTA, CA US
Delivered To: VISTA, CA US
Delivery Date: Friday, December 23, 2011
Delivery Time: 9:57 AM
Delivery Location: MAT/FRONT
Carrier: UPS
Service: PRIORITY MAIL
UPS Tracking Number: J2130588157



Here's the email from the third scammer:

From: [email protected]

Can I see better pics plz

I already had FIVE pictures of the dress posted in the add so I did not reply.



Here are my correspondences with the fourth scammer:

From: [email protected]

Hi,is your posted gown still available or you already sold it.
Please let me know soon as you can.
Thank you.

I replied and received the following:

Sounds good.
 I would have loved to see it soonest, but am far away from home as being very busy with work and other important obligations as am among US Army assigned to Iraq and I will be coming home for my wedding .Do I need to dry-clean or steam? I know you may not like to hold till end of next month  when am back can you? What can I do? Advice

Kelly

I replied with the following:

The dress does not need to be dry cleaned or steamed. I will hold the dress till the end of next month if you promise to let me know if you get another dress or change your mind before then. I'll remove the posting from Craigslist so others do not email me about it.

"Kelly" said:

Thanks, I do understand your message, as I know that you cannot hold it without payment, but I want everything to be set before my arrival, now that am away will only order your cash and will wait until the check clear at your bank before we discuss shipment.
A bank check is often treated as cash in many banks because it is drawn upon my account and funds are withdrawn immediately .Also I will add $50 for shipment and you will help me to send it to my mum's in Newport as I will be flying there directly , I got a little time for preparation. Once I received your payment information, I will order your cash before the weekend and the  payment should get to you within 2 to 3 business days via USPS service.


Reading from you soon
Kelly
N B:
I will need your name as you want it on the check and mailing address

After reading the above message, I had an inkling this was a scam so I replied with the following:

Kelly,

What I said in my message is that I WILL hold the dress without payment.  Two people have already tried to scam me by buying the dress with a phony check, so I will only accept cash.  I'd rather hold the dress until the end of January and get cash for it.

Lindsay

I never heard back from "Kelly."


Here are the correspondences that took place with the fifth scammer:

I received a text message from the following number: (111) 004-0602

The text said:
me_jones777: I got your sale posted at craiglist is the (Wedding Gown and Veil)still for sale?email me back at [email protected], if Paypal is accepted.

I STUPIDLY emailed this person back because I didn't think about PayPal scams and I received the following response:

I so much appreciate your reply back to my email..what's the final asking price of the item? So I can make you an offer? I'm an honest and straight person and always want to be treat the same way, Please are you sure of the item condition? this is only what can make me worried, cause I will not be able to come over and look at it, I'm an Oceanographer and I am buying this item for my daughter in oversea, i am at sea right now,and I can only pay through Pay-pal and you can put the Pay-pal charges on me because as at present, I don't have access to my bank account online,but i have it attached to my Pay-pal account,and That's why am using Pay-pal payment to pay you, all i will need is your pay-pal email address to make the payments i have a pick up agent that will be coming for the pick up, after payments has been sorted and will also handle the paper works. Where is the exact location for the pick up? So that I can contact the pick up agent with
your location to know how much it will cost me for the pick up, the pick up agent still have some other stuffs to pick up for me, I will be looking forward to hear back from you Asap. 
Best Regard

After realizing this was a scam, I did not reply.



Apparently our Macy's goose down-filled couch was another "hot item" because I received the following scam email:

From: [email protected]

Hello, do you still have this for sale?kindly get back to me ASAP

I replied and then received the following email:

Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it and just to let you know; I'm okay with the condition, the price and I'm ready for the purchase plus I'm willing to add an extra $20 so as to have it reserved in my favor. I would have really loved to come for the inspection but I would be embarking on a 6 weeks radiotherapy treatment tomorrow morning.Moreso,I am actually getting for my God Daughter as a suprise for her loving kindness but more pictures will be deeply appreciated. My mode of payment will be by Check and it will be send via courier service which will be delivered to you soon. I'll be responsible for the pick-up,besides the movers/pick up money will be included with your payment so as to avoid delay and to enable movers to schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up at your location after the check is been cashed as I have other properties to be moved alongside yours. Kindly get back to me with your full name, mailing address and phone number so as to make out the payment to you ASAP. 

Kind Regards

I did not reply.

Welcome to Scamwarners, Won'tfallforit!
I'm glad that you didn't! (fall for it!)
Thanks for posting all these emails! The info that you posted could save many potential victims using google.

Counterfeit Money Orders
The latest scam to hit American consumers involves counterfeit financial instruments. It's costing victims millions of dollars each month. Counterfeit checks and money orders — including postal money orders — are used in the scam, which often starts with what appears to be an innocent contact via an Internet chatroom or by email.

Con artists posing as students, tourists, and overseas military personnel ask for help in cashing checks and money orders, or target people looking for love or companionship, in order to exploit their vulnerability. Online auctioneers are also at risk. Scammers buy goods or services on the Web and offer payment by check or money order — often in excess of the actual value of the goods or services.
In most cases, con artists ship the check or money order and ask the victim to cash it, keep a portion as a "gift," and wire back the rest, usually to an overseas address.

Bank customers are responsible for the checks they deposit, and victims must repay the bank for bad checks. Federal law requires banks to make the funds you deposit available quickly, but it's important for consumers to know that, just because you can withdraw the money, it doesn't mean the check is good. Banks often release funds from a cashier's check or money order before it clears.
Why are there so many victims?
Con artists have found a means of exploiting the charitable nature of Americans. This confidence scam plays to our core values as a society, which often blinds our judgment in dealing with the real issue. Additionally, the Internet brings this scam into our home, where we feel most secure and are more vulnerable.
There are also "non-victims." Anyone who agrees to cash the instruments on behalf of a foreign citizen and keep a portion for themselves are not victims, they are accomplices.
Why Postal Money Orders?
Americans trust the U.S. Postal Service and the security provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Consumers often believe, incorrectly, that postal money orders and cashier's checks are "good" if they're cashed by a bank and are not subject to recourse. This is not true.
Postal Money Order Security Features
Similar to U.S. currency, postal money orders are designed with colored inks, watermarks, and security threads. Become familiar with the security features of genuine postal money orders:
· Watermarks of Benjamin Franklin, visible when held to the light, run through the white oval on the left front side of the money order. Watermarks are also visible from the reverse side.
· A dark security thread runs from top to bottom to the right of the Franklin watermarks. When held to the light, the thread reveals the microprinted letters "USPS" alternating right-side up and upside down throughout the thread. The letters are not visible if not held to the light.

Additional features you should be aware of:
· Warning instructions are printed on the reverse of postal money orders.
· Denominations are displayed in two locations, on the front, with no discoloration around the dollar amounts (discoloration may indicate alteration).
· Maximum value of $1,000 on domestic/$700 on international postal money orders.
Where the Counterfeits Come From
Most counterfeits originate overseas. They're produced by an off-set printing process, which creates a document with an authentic appearance. However, fraudsters can't replicate the security features of genuine postal money orders.
For additional information and resources on fraudulent money orders, call the Money Order Fraud Hot Line, run by the Inspection Service's Criminal Investigative Support Center, at (800) 372-8347.

The Following is TEXT from a SCAMMER - see the poor English and the way the dates for the wedding is written...

WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE AND PURCHASE SCAM

Subject -Roger Jacob - Ad Run on CL & Ebay Classifieds
Text came from 971-248-0524

The SCAM is always the same theme. What changes are phone numbers and names of "Movers" "Agents" -

START HERE -

Still ur dress for sale?

Hello, How are you doing? what is the size of the wedding dress and its last asking price? cos am still interested. Roger

(1/3)I lived in your cityi just got a job in CA as a security agent and am just getting for my daughter's wedding. So right now am not in the city but i am

(2/3)interested in buying the dress cos she love it and the price is okay..i will be paying you the exact amount of the dress and $30 extra for you to hold

(3/3)it for sell fit to me. i will pay via postal money orders i want you consider selling the dress to me., Please let me know if its accepted


(1/2)As soon as you get the money order cashed and you have your money ,pick up will be done immediately by shipper.. So send me the Name and address where the
(2/2)payment should be sent to so what name should be on the payment and address which i am going to send it


(1/3) Thanks for the mail back and for the address well i will like you to take the wedding dress from the classified site ok, i will inform you as soon as the

(2/3)payment is on its way ok .I will be sending your payment along side with the shipper payment.You deduct yours and send the rest to them for the picking of

(3/3)the derss thanks


(1/2)OK no problem you will be receiving the payment by FRIDAY so there is nothing to worry about,i will also give you the tracking number of the payment as

(2/2)soon as it is mailed out to you <3


(1/2)I will be sending the shippers information along with the check and I will also email you the tracking number for the check, I will be sending you. Thanks

(2/2)for the response send me your email address.
Thank you for your patience. I will make sure that you get the money order unfailing by Thursday . Thanks<3
OK thank you,God bless you i will send the payment to you as soon as possible, bye for now


April 20, 2012 from Subject’s New Number 971-248-0524

1/2) ok.i have mailed it and i just called them and they told me its 1 to 2 days delivery,so be expecting it tomorrow.thank you,i want you to get back to me as

(2/2)soon as you get the payment
payment will be delivered to you on Thursday morning.thank you and GOD bless.please keep the dress for me

Deana will be coming to pick it up at your place.this is her info NAME Deana Louise Sanders Address 18 Main St City: Winters State: CA Zip Code :95694
thanks - the dress okay


(1/2) 1) get the money cashed 2) deduct your money for the wedding dress 3) deduct $55 for your running around and effort 4) decuct western union charges and

(2/2)come and pick it up


(1/2)They have other agent around that will meet with you - but the name giving to you is the manager's name to send the excess funds .MRS Deana Louise

(2/2)Sanders is the name of the person coming to pick up. please check his ID CARD with this name before giving him the dress
OK so you have it with you now?
YES

(2/3)The money you are sending is the shipper's fee to pick and ship the item to my location... hope to hear back from you NAME Deana Louise Sanders Address 18


(1/2)Good morning my friend GOD bless you the payment for the wedding dress will be delivered to you,via FedEx.com courier service and here is the

(2/2)tracking number (J2433874910) i want you to check your mail and get back to me asap after you deduct your money for the dress and the 45 am giving you,you are sending the rest to them through the western union western union would be better so they can pick up as soon as possible. ok i will

(1/3)my friend GOD bless You will be receiving payment package of money orders in amount of $1799. i hope you know what to do after taking the Money Order to

(2/3)the bank ? you will be deducting the money for the (Wedding Dress ) and $55 for your running around and also you will be deducting the western union

(3/3)charges(Money in a minutes) and then you will be sending the remaining balance to the shipping agent you wil be receivng the payment tomorrow, I hope you

(1/3)Good morning ATTN: === HOW TO FILL THE MONEY ORDERS The Money Orders have 2 sections: The 1st section {writes pay to}.....in this space you are to fill in

(2/3)your full names and address.The 2nd section {writes from}......in this space you are to fill in this name and address: (Name: Roger jacob/ 1720 Patterson

(3/3)Rd Griffin, Ga 30223)
yes to NAME Deana Louise Sanders
NAME Deana Louise Sanders Address 18 Main St City: Winters State: CA Zip Code :95694


(1/3)ATTN: === HOW TO FILL THE MONEY ORDERS The Money Orders have 2 sections: The 1st section {writes pay to}.....in this space you are to fill in your full

(2/3)names and address.The 2nd section {writes from}......in this space you are to fill in this name and address: (Name: Roger jacob/ 1720 Patterson Rd Griffin,

(3/3)Ga 30223)

Your Tracking Information ups.com J7503892812 ---Out For Delivery now
ups.com J637289091- ok

(1/2) we are still waiting for the western union details from you.please get it done today so they can come for the pick up tomorrow.thanks


(1/3)do you have the money order cashed. (2) deduct the money for the wedding dress( 3 )deduct the 45 that am giving you( 4 )go to walmart and send the remaning

(2/3)money to deana. (6 )they have a lot of things to pick up for me from different places. (7) after you have sent the money via western union you will get

(3/3)back to me with the western union details. (8 )deana will come over to your place to pick up the dress


(1/2)send the western union so that they can come for the pick up they need the money to come money first before pick up OK go to the western union and send the

(2/2)money to denan to the


(1/2)OK thanks,so have you changed the western union info to Deana's name.you don't have to stress yourself the dress can be picked up at your place. Deana will

(2/2)come and pick it up


(1/3)The Shipper is going to pick up the dress at your location and you have to the money to the shipper cos with out it they wont come and pick up the items.

(2/3)The money you are sending is the shipper's fee to pick and ship the item to my location... hope to hear back from you NAME Deana Louise Sanders Address

(3/3)18 Main St City: Winters State: CA Zip Code :95694
DELIVERED
Delivered - UPS Tracking Number:J72639210987

(1/2)She will come and pick up the dress okay... Go cash the at your bank payments, deduct yours and send the remaining money to her so she can come and pick up

(2/2)the dress okay
Hello what is going on with the payment??????????????
CALL UPS NOW Your Tracking Information ups.com J9382654162 OK OK OK OK
NOW
have you call them? have you received my money now
ok let me know when you get it.thanks


April 22, 2012 from Subjects Number 971-248-0524

(1/2)Dear my friend we are still waiting for the western union details from you.please get it done today so they can come for the pick up tomorrow.thanks
(2/2)the wedding is 19/9/2012



(1/3)do you have the money order cashed. (2) deduct the money for the wedding dress( 3 )deduct the 55 that am giving you( 4 )go to walmart and send the remaning

(2/3)money to deana. (6 )they have a lot of things to pick up for me from different places. (7) after you have sent the money via western union you will get

(3/3)back to me with the western union details. (8 )deana will come over to your place to pick up the dress


(1/2)send the western union so that they can come for the pick up they need the money to come money first before pick up OK go to the western union and send the

(2/2)money to denan to the


(1/2)OK thanks,so have you changed the western union info to Deana's name.you don't have to stress yourself the dress can be picked up at your place. Deana will

(2/2)come and pick it up


(1/3)The Shipper is going to pick up the dress at your location and you have to the money to the shipper cos with out it they wont come and pick up the items.

(2/3)The money you are sending is the shipper's fee to pick and ship the item to my location... hope to hear back from you NAME Deana Louise Sanders Address

(3/3)18 Main St City: Winters State: CA Zip Code :95694

DELIVERED


(1/2)She will come and pick up the dress okay... Go cash the at your bank payments, deduct yours and send the remaining money to her so she can come and pick up

(2/2)the dress okay
Hello what is going on with the payment??????????????
CALL UPS NOW Your Tracking Information ups.com J7736201988 OK OK OK OK
NOW
have you call them? have you received my money now
ok let me know when you get it.thanks

Email from Subject:


Subject: the money for your wedding dress
From: [email protected]

Hello,
I want to inform you that the check will arrive on today via ups courier service and here is the tracking#(j8376652719) for the check package. Once you receive the check please cashed it at your bank instantly or you will be ask to deposit the check for 24 hours and come back for the cash the next day, and then you can deduct the money for your wedding dress plus extra $55 which is a gift for you and you are to wire the remaining funds to my Mover via Western Union Transfer. This fund will be use in off setting the cost of the shipment that as undertaken for me recently and they will be needing a part of that to come over to your place for the pick up. Below is my mover payment department to wire the remaining balance to via western union transfer...

NAME Deana Louise Sanders
Address 18 Main St City: Winters
State: CA
Zip Code :95694
[email protected] om

Note: that the western union transfer fee should be deducted from the remaining balance.
As soon as you have fund send out via western union transfer, kindly get back to me with the western union transfer details on the transfer receipt as below so that my mover can schedule for the pickup of my wedding dress by tomorrow..

1}.Sender's name and address
2}.MTCN numbers {10 digits}
3}.Amount sent after deducting the transfer fee.
5}.The exact time that you will be available for my mover to come for the pickup of my ref Wedding dress your place by tomorrow.
Please let me know at once if i can trust you to have the excess funds sent to my Mover because i have lots of goods to be picked up for me aside my transaction with you.I will be expecting your email with a confirmation on this issue at once

Thanks.


Don't be a VICTIM