Scam Alert

[cpknives]

Don't know if this is where this goes but am sure the mods can find an appropriate place.

Not sure how long this one has been going on, but it is rather annoying, and wouldn't want any one getting burned

This is an email I received today after have several inquiries on a couple of knives.

I got an inquiry on 2 knives within the last 12 hours, and it didn't seem kosher, but sent the prices and where to send the money, and I just got this message back:

hello,
Thanks for your mail, since the cost of your (knife)is $281 i just contacted my client about the cost of your (knife) and it present condition and he said there is no problem about that.So my client said he will be issuing you a certified cashier check of $2500 while you wire to my Shipping company $2119 through western union and you deduct the cost of your (knife)$281 . and keep the remaining $100 which my client said you should take for the terms of transaction and agreement between you and my client.So i will like you to send me your full contact information to where my client will be sending you the Certified Cashier check like this:
name.........
full address.............
city...............
state.............
country..........
zipcode............
cell/office/home phone number.......................
I will look forward to the requested information as soon as
possible so that the check can be sent out to you immediately and !
do get back with the pics of the (knife) ,So that my client will
be able to see what he his paying for? Get back to me immediately.
Looking forward to your respond,
Best Regards.

This joker's email address is smithfree145@yahoo.com

This is sooo obviously a scam designed to part you with your hard earned cash. Beware!

Peace

Paul Vandine

 

[Bob W]

Oldest trick around. Their check will be a fake, you'll be out the knife plus $2119.

-Bob

 

[USAFSP]

Just happened to my friend Ed. He was contacted by some guy in England, who offered him $17,000 for his Mustang on Autotrader.com He sent a $25,000 cashiers check and told him to ship the car and to send back the remaining money after the $17,000 price for the car and the shipping costs. Lucky for him the bank caught it in time and stopped him from doing anything. He didn't loose out on anything, but his time. The bad thing is the said they couldn't do anything about it because it was from overseas.

 

[Ryan8]

One thing you should always do is cash a cashier's check or money order before shipping merchandise when receiving payment in any circumstances. Fake and stolen ones are definitely a real problem.

This sort of thing has also been known to happen to Ebay sellers. Someone wins their auction with a stolen account, sends a fake payment, seller ships, and the seller gets screwed.

 

[bigjim]

419 scam...

Go to 419eaters.com for some VERY FUNNY reads about this stuff.

it is really fun to bait these scammers.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

This is the most pathetic version of this scam that I have ever seen. Usually a somewhat plausible reason is geiven for why the scam artist is sending more money than is required to purchase the item. Why would someone send a certified cheque for $2500.00 when it is just as easy to have one made for $281.00? The amazing thing is that there are quite a few people that have fallen for cons similar to this one.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Beware: The scam works because after you deposit the check your bank will show the money in your account; if you ask your bank they will tell you the check cleared -- then a week later they will tell you it was a forgery and you're the one who has to make good. Do not believe any oral statement from a bank employee. If it ain't in writing it don't mean a thing.

 

[rmolk]

Never heard it done for such a small amount, comparatively. All the ones I have seen have to do with high dollars for Cars, horses, etc. What a shame if it starts to rear its ugly head on such a safe place as this.
Regards,
Rich

 

[Cougar Allen]

I guess everybody who trades in expensive stuff like Swiss watches is wise to the scam now, so they're reduced to trying for smaller less wary targets. I've seen several reports of that lately.