Current Craigslist Scam

"bdchv jdhdg" <[email protected]
first- "Hello,I saw your item placed on the CL for sale.I hope it is still available
Thanks "

the reply to this message appears to have been from "Ray Woodley" <[email protected]
"Hello, i appreciate your quick response on this sales i am very much satisfied with the condition and i want you to know that my term of payment is by certified check drawn from us bank and i have my own shipper that will come for the pick up of the item upon your confirmation of receiving and cash the check, and again to let you know that you don't need another buyer for the item so do withdraw the advert from CL and get back to me with the following information to have the check mail out to asap.
1.....full name to write on the check
2.....full physical address to mail the check to please not P.O BOX
3.....Home & Cell Phone to contact you
kindly get back to me asap, Regards"

To which I responded-
"I'm sure you're aware of the high risk of fraud associated with accepting payments via check or money order. Unfortunately there are a few unscrupulous thieves that ruin it for honest, hardworking people like you and me. If you have any questions about why I won't accept payment other than cash, please read the following provided by Craigslist-

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

Please feel free to send your check to your shipper, they can cash the check and bring cash with them.

Thanks for your interest."

No additional correspondance.

I answered a CL ad for a roommate situation. 2-br apartment. I sent him $400 for the first week's rent. It was nearly one week before he removed his ad from CL.

But that weekend I did meet him at the apartment, where I gave him the last month's rent. He appoligized for having boxes stored in my new bedroom but said that he would clear them out soon. I moved in on Monday evening and slept on his couch for four nights. I was told not to contact the rental office, to let him take care of that.

I rented some bedroom furniture and kept trying to make arrangements with my roommate to have it delivered. He never cooperated or moved the boxes.

The next weekend I returned home for the weekend. When I returned to the apartment on Sunday evening, my roommate had disappeared. He took all of the furniture. He let behind the boxes, some winter jackets, all of the kitchen dishes and microwave. He also left behind all of his business papers.

These was no way that I could afford a 2-br apartment. When I contacted the rental office I was told that he was three months behind in the rent. He had not added me as a roommate. The police told me that it was a civil, not a criminal matter. I cannot take him to small claims court because I don't know where he lives.

For over two months now he has emailed me, promising to meet me or pay me. He never has.

Hi all, new to the site as it popped up after I googled the guy's phone number that came up in my CL reply and it brought me here! Thanks for the posts, here's what I received:

"Great to hear from you again. I'm ok with the asking price, but I will not be able to come and look at it, because am out of town right now. I will like to make payment asap but it will be made through Certified Check and you don’t have to worry about the shipment; because the item will be pickup by my private shipping company. I know there are lots of dirty pool online, therefore I would absolutely wait for the check to clear at your bank before we set up with the shipment plan. So if you are interested in selling this item to me, provide me the payee name and contact address, with your phone number, not PO Box, for me to mail the check to you.

Regards,

James Moore
Atlanta, GA 30312
229-471-4070 (Sorry disconnected)"

I kinda want to ask him to paypal me the money but I don't want to go through the hassle.

-Jope

I'm glad you were able to avoid being scammed.

He is counting on the fact that most people think that a check has "cleared" when the bank allows you to take out the cash.

It wouldn't matter if you asked him to pay by paypal--he has no intention of sending any money. He would either give an excuse as to why he couldn't use paypal, or if he also runs paypal scams, he would follow up with a fake paypal email, then try to pull the exact same scam ("paying" too much, and having you wire the "extra" money to the "shipper.") Unless it is jewelry or small electronics, he doesn't actually want your item. All he wants is the cash.

Thought I would revive this old thread in the event anyone has experienced the phishing issue I recently ran into. I have received two types of emails as a result of simply answering short craigslist inquries about the availability of my item. One is the classic personal information request scam that has been discussed throughout this thred.

The second is a rash of emails for pornography sites. Here are a few:

Sup, is your thing still available? I don't usually do this but you sounded sizzling hot in your list and I'm drawn into you. I live close by and up for anything. My only worry is that you might be a bot as CL is full of them. So if you're indeed real, can we chat on my profile page? It's the safest way and super discreet. I'll message you as soon as I see you sign in!

Only you'll be able to view my pics and cell # on there so if you enjoy what you see, get hold of me. People say I'm pretty good looking but you can be the judge. Sorry to annoy you...life is too short so I had to give this a try. I think you'll be impressed, see you!

www legithomos37d .com

-Sent via my iPhone

Is your product still offered? Umm...this may seem unusual but you seem to be sizzling hot in your post. How about we hang out during the week? I'm not a weirdo, just feeling alone. If you're curious, talk to me on my confidential dating profile (it's like facebook for adults), no fee to join! My photos and my cell # are all on there. After you log on, Im gonna to mail you a private message so you'll know it's me. There are too many liars on here so if you're real, call me and become acquaintances and maybe more? You never know! O.k, I won't annoy you again!

www inunison59dx .com

-Sent via my iPhone

We live near to each other so why not meet up for beer occasionally? I do see this is for sales but I could not back away, you seem captivating. Could we chitchat right away, I have used this site prior and it's incredibly good - I was hoping we could hook up there and familiarize each other much better! I have already added discreet pix for you, all you have to do is sign-up (don't fret, there's no cost). I will message you as soon as I see you log on. I promise you will NOT be let down!

www articlesjj .org

-Sent via my iPad

Any advice on how one can get off these mailing lists?

Below is a reply from a scammer that I received....

Thanks for the swift response, just to let you know that am okay with the condition and price of the item, am ready for its purchase and am willing to add an extra $50 to the asking price to secure the purchase as am really interested in the purchase my form of payment will be by sending you Check via USPS express mail delivery.

I'll be responsible for the pick-up and the pick up money will be included in your payment to avoid delay and to enable pick up company to schedule an appropriate time for he pick-up at your location after check has been cashed and fully cleared your bank,as i have other properties to be moved alongside with yours.

I would have really love to come for the viewing and pay in person by cash but due to my work frame that might not be possible i work in the mining industry and have a one week off and 3 weeks none stop to work in the mine this was why i incurred the service of a pick up agent,so if if you have the pics that might be an option .Please do get back to me with your full name and address including your cell and land number to facilitate the mailing of the payment.

Many Thanks .
Garry

Welcome to ScamWarners, please provide the email address you received this message from. Often people search using an email address.