Genuine banking details given

I have given my IBAN/BIC along with my address and phone number to a potential buyer of a watch I'm selling. I'm now pretty sure that he is a scammer. Do I have any reason to be worried?

The scam seems to be this:

http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t= ... &rid=46379

Welcome to Scamwarners folkilsk.

I advise you to immediately contact your bank - note Scamwarners advice;

If you have given the scammer your bank account, credit card or other financial details, tell your bank, card company or other provider immediately, and ask them to change your accounts and card numbers.

If you have any questions or concerns - please post, a support team member will be happy to advise you.

Welcome to Scamwarners.
You're right to be cautious, but I can't say if this is a scam on he basis of what you've told us. Can you quote the email you received?
There are a lot of scammers out there, but also a lot of genuine people.
I don't agree with the advice given in the link you quoted. If a scammer has access to a phished bank account, he can make a wire transfer from it. Which will be reversed when the account-holder notices.

Welcome to Scamwarners.
You're right to be cautious, but I can't say if this is a scam on he basis of what you've told us. Can you quote the email you received?
There are a lot of scammers out there, but also a lot of genuine people.
I don't agree with the advice given in the link you quoted. If a scammer has access to a phished bank account, he can make a wire transfer from it. Which will be reversed when the account-holder notices.

I posted a sales ad on a well known Swedish trading site. I received an email (from [email protected], Alex Almkvist being a typical Swedish name) telling me he wanted to buy my watch. I replied in Swedish giving him the details for the transaction. He asked for the details in English, telling me he was Austrian and that he wanted my IBAN details. By now, I was concerned enough to ask Google if that is sensitive information. From what I could gather, it's not. His story was still not yet unlikely enough for me to cancel the deal. I gave him my details.
He then replied:

I have made the payment and an extra shiping fee has been added..I would have send it to my daughter friend in west africa celebrating her birthday but i do not have time to do that my self because i will be on a business trip.I will appreciate it if you can help me to do that by shiping it to her following address:

Name: Balogun Tosin
Address: No18,Adeoye Street,Omowest
City: Osogbo
State: Osun State
Country : Nigeria
Zip Code : 234035

Ship the product through posten and i will be waiting for your reply immediately that is done.thanks for helping out of this...

So, obvious scam, right.

I replied:

I will not send outside EU. Furthermore, given countless warnings of
scams originating from Nigeria I am now very wary. I will make
absolutely sure that the payment has cleared before shipping to an
address within EU. I will allow this to take as long as it takes.

Thank you for your patience

I am not really worried that he or they will make withdraws from my account. I've asked my bank if this is possible and according to them it's not. I am however a bit worried that the information could be used in some other way.

Changing my account would mean a lot of hassle and I am reluctant to do so unless absolutely sure it necessary.

Well done folkilsk on recognising the scam. Your posting here will also alert and save others from this scammer. Thank You.

Note this advice here;

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/sys/1265731699.html

Including this;

Thanks for getting back to me, i want you to know that i am so serious in buying your craigslist item ,But 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 $350 for the item cost including the shipping cost

And here; http://www.usgyms.net/attemptedfraud.htm

I agree it's a scam. "Shiping", "daughter friend" (whatever that is), and the erratic use of upper case letters. Typical West African phrasing.
And h doesn't mention the word "watch" Only "it", and "product". It means he doesn't have to change the wording for each email.
As your bank doesn't seem that concerned, I wouldn't worry too much. The scammer's after a free watch, not the contents of your bank account.

I have transferred a deposit to a bank account belonging to this 'company' and havn't heard from them. I was looking to rent a place for a few days in London. Is this a scam:

http://www.london-cityhomes.com/

I assume the bank trnasfer will also carry my account details. What should I do?

Welcome to Scamwarners alaashahine.

Yes it is a definite scam.

This thread here may help you http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2403

My advice is as follows;

Cease all communications with the scammer immediately. Delete any emails unopened and hang up if the scammer calls you.

Report the scam to your local police.

If you have given the scammer your bank account or other financial details, tell your bank and ask them to change your accounts.

If you are in any doubt about your safety, report your concerns to your local police, who will be able to advise you.

Please post here any questions or concerns - a support team member will be glad to advise you.

Thanks for this. Do you think I have a chance in getting the money back by having the bank refund it? My bank cofirmed the deposit has been made but the man who contacted me from the web site said he got nothing and wants me to send the depsoit by western union, which i won't do of course. I was under the impression that not just anyone can open a bank account in London, especially if it is registred in the name of something like L.C Apartments.

alaashahine.

Under no circumstance send any money by any method to this scammer.

Another support team member may have better advice regarding banking regulations.

Contact your bank and explain what has happened - ask them what your options are concerning the money sent.

Also contact and inform your local police.

Give them both this site address or print out and show them your mails and any paperwork concerning this scam.

Hi alaashahine, Am I reading what you wrote correctly? You already transferred the money from your bank account into an account that is set up under the name L.C. Apartments? If so, you should contact your local police department right away and give them the bank account details. You could also PM the bank account details to a Mod here. We have a person who specializes in investigating bank accounts used in fraud.

Also contact your bank right away and see if you can get the transaction reversed. It would probably be best of you went to your local bank in person with copies of the emails and the bank account details.

Obviously do not send them any money via Western Union. The scammers are probably claiming that they did not receive the money in hopes that you will send them more.

Hi folkilsk,

Even though your bank didn't seem concerned, you should also be aware of the potential for identity theft. I think you should close the account or get the number changed even though it is a hassle. The scammers could use that information to apply for credit cards in your name. Your bank probably has a fraud department that you could talk to.