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Learn to spot Scammers in the Classifieds section!

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#1 Charlie Hein

Charlie Hein

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  • Posts: 12,727
  • Joined: 02 Nov 2003
  • Loc: near Caldwell, Texas

Posted 13 March 2012 - 11:46 AM

Hello folks! Today I received another email in the admin mailbox telling the story of how they have been scammed by someone. I really hate to hear this, but at the end of the day it is up to you to be aware of the common sorts of scams that people run so that you can avoid falling for them. We have posted several descriptions of common scamming tactics, but up until now we have not gathered them up in one place. Going forward I'm going to try to catch new versions of these when they are reported and either copy them here or provide a link to the message or thread so that you can more easily arm yourselves against these thieves.

Here are some links to posts and some quotes from admin emails on common scamming tactics and advice on how to avoid being scammed - as you read these you'll begin to see that a lot of the tactics have a common theme...

Scams in Classifieds

Scams in CN Classifieds.

Beware of scammers on CN Classifieds

Anti-scammer tool...

Reporting possible scams


[quote]I was just about to make the payments when I had a little problem with
the Picking-Up Agent of the eyepieces ,Has i explained to you earlier that
I am currently on sea and I am buying the eyepieces for my dad,I tried to
book a Pick-up with my shipping agent,But they asked me to Pay first
before they can made the Booking, and they only Accept Western Union
Money Transfer for thier payment's and they don't accept PayPal or
bank Transfer and I tried to send the Money Online but i could not and
I am on sea and there is no way i can find a Western Union Agent to
make the transfer to my Pick-up agent,So i wanted to ask if it was
okay for me to include my Pick-up agent's fees in the payment's I am
about to send through PayPal,my pick up agent charged is $210 plus
Insurance and some other document for the pick-up,please can i include
their money in the payments I want to send then after i have made the
payments you will help me forward the $210 to my pick up agent through
Western Union Money Transfer,this I would have done myself and not
bother you but for the fact that I am currently on sea, so after I
have made the payments you will help me send $210 to my pick up agent
through western union money transfer,I just wanted to seek your
consent before going ahead with the payments,I will more than
appreciate if you mail me back, and I will be made the payments
shortly......Awaiting your response soonest

PS:the shipping company's Head quarters is in England and any pick up
fees to be paid is sent to their head quarters by the payee, so the
money for pick up will be sent to their head quarters in England
through western union money transfer(this can be done from any post
office) or you can do it online at www.westernunion.com

Regards. [/quote]

[quote]Contact's username: ***************
Contact's profile: ***************

My name is ************* i am from elkhart indiana ,I saw your advert placed on the internet and i will like to make purchase of the item i am making the purchase for my client because i am out of state for a business trip

but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask some question as
follow.


1.What is the condition of the item?


2. Do you accept a check or money order as a mode of payment?

3. What is the final asking price ?


4.Will you let our shipping company to come to your house for the pick up of the item because the shipping cost will be added to the payment that will be mail out to you .

5.if you are okay with the terms so kindly send me NAME,ADDRESS,CITY,STATE,POSTCODE TEL # to mail out the payment.
.


Regards.
*******,[/quote]

[quote]> Contact's username: ***************
> Contact's profile: ***************
>
> I am using this medium to notify you of my interest in purchasing your item which i will like to ask some few question
>
>
>
> still available for sale ?
>
> What is the asking price ?
>
> What is the condition?
>
> Has this involved in any damage before?
>
> do i need to repair?
>
>
>
> I would like to pay using PayPal,After payments has been made i will arrange for pick up of the item as soon as possible,will you let my pick-up agent to come to you house for the pick up? Because i don't want you to worry yourself about the shipment.
>
> Regards [/quote]

[quote]Contact's username: ***************
Contact's profile: ***************

Hi Mate,
In reference to your on-line placed advert. I will like to know if this
item is still up for sale and if its condition still remain as described in
the advert and what is the final price asking ??? Finally,I will like to pay
via PayPal... and I have a pickup agent that will be coming for the pickup
in your location. So kindly get back to me with your direct Pay Pal email
address and phone number to my email address at (***************)
so that i can contact you towards completion of this transaction.


Regards....*************** [/quote]

[quote]Contact's username: ***************
Contact's profile: ***************

My Name is ***************, I saw your advert that was posted at the cloudynights website, and i am willing to purchase the (Parts, Kits, Make-Overs, Complete Telescopes or Rocker Box Upgrades) posted for sale. So i will like to know the present condition, status and your last selling price offer that you are willing to let it go, moreso how long have you been using it?.[/quote]

[quote]Hi,
I have a mirror posted for sale in the classifieds and have experienced two scams recently.
The emails of the parties are:

***************

In both cases they wanted to issue a check, with extra shipping charges, and have a third party arrange pickup. I would have to forward them the shipping funds to close the deal.
Here is an example from one email:

Hello,
Thanks for the fast response towards this transaction,I'm okay with the asking price and the present conditions of it and i want you to note that i will be paying with paypal and the payment that will be sent to you will include the shipper's fee which mean's you don't have to bother yourself on the shipping and immediately you receive the payment you will deduct your item fee and get the shipping cost wired via western union or money gram to the shipper's information that will be sent to you and if you are okay with this terms kindly get back to me with your Full Name,Address and your contact phone number and your full paypal account email so that the payment can be issued out to you as soon as possible.
Hope to read from you soon...
Regards...

They were obviously scams so I did not "bite". Thought I'd let you know. [/quote]

[quote]Contact's username: ***************

Contact's profile: ***************



Hello, MY name is *************** i am from elkhart indiana presently on a business trip I am in response in immediate purchase of your item... After several consideration over the advert placed on the website.i am making purchase for my client but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask some question as follow. 1.What is the condition of the item? Condition is: "Mint" or "Like New." You or your representative may view the Scope before buying 2. Do you accept a check as a mode of payment? The only payment I can receive is that the money be sent to me via Western Union 3. What is the final asking price you can go at last? As this Telescope and Accessories has just been posted for sale I wil not be able to consider lowering the price for about two months 4. Will you let our shipping company to come to your house for the pick up of the item cos the shipping cost will be added to the check you will receive so we don't want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the item. Of course your shipping company will be allowed to come and pick up the Telescope. I would want you to verify that it was actually your shipping company. 5.if okay You are to send your NAME,ADDRESS, CITY ,STATE,POSTCODE TEL # to mail out the payment. Shawn [/quote]

[quote]Contact's username: ***************
Contact's profile: ***************

Hello,

MY name is *************** i am from elkhart indiana presently on a business trip I am in response in immediate purchase of your item... After several consideration over the advert placed on the website.i am making purchase for my client but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask some question as follow.

1.What is the condition of the item?

2. Do you accept a check as a mode of payment?

3. What is the final asking price you can go at last?

4. Will you let our shipping company to come to your house for the pick up of the item cos the shipping cost will be added to the check you will receive so we don't want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the item.

5.if okay You are to send your NAME,ADDRESS, CITY ,STATE,POSTCODE TEL # to mail out the payment. .

Regards.

*************** [/quote]

[quote]Hello Seller,
My Name is ***************, I saw your advert that was posted at the (Cloudynights) website, and i am willing to purchase the (AP 4" f/8 Starfire) posted for sale on the site,i'm okay with the price and condition.

But i will be leaving the state to CANADA for a speculative purpose. As per payment i will have to instruct my colleague to send you a certified cashiers check or a US money order via ups courier service which will take only 2-3 days to get to you. That is the only means of payment I can offer you now due to my departing schedule. You should not worry about the shipping, i have my shipper that will come down to your house for the pick up as soon as payment is done.

So to make payment out to you, you'll have to email me the:

FULL CONTACT NAME

FULL CONTACT ADDRESS

CITY,STATE & ZIPCODE

PHONE NUMBER #

MOBILE #

FINAL ASKING PRICE FOR THE ITEM

Many Thanks, And Awaiting Your Response [/quote]

[quote]From: ***************
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:25:34 -0800 (PST)


Hello ,

Your payment has been mailed out and you will be receiving it soon so
please do watch out for it.. It was mailed out via a regular mail..
However, I will like to inform you of the shipping arrangement made by my
secretary. She suggested this while I was away yesterday and I felt you
should be informed before the payment gets to your hand. I hope you
understand.
The shipping fee of this item from your resident to its destination was
included with the payment sent to you. As soon as you confirm the receipt
of the payment, deduct your item fee and get the balance (shipping cost)
forwarded to the shipping company that will be coming for the pick-up. The
shipper's information was enclosed with the payment mailed to you. I will
be waiting to read from you in order to be sure you receive this message.
I'll be glad to entertain any further question from you.I want you to
address Timothy with the receipt,meanwhile i will compensating you when you
get the payment ok.
Thanks very much for your understanding.

Best Regards, [/quote]
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