Selling on Craigslist - Dealing with Scammers

[hauntedmyst]

From time to time, I sell stuff on Craigslist. With nearly every item, you get a scammer. Sometimes I scam the scammer for fun. Here is one I've been stringing along for a few days. The below is the email sting
______________________________________________________________________________________
Him: is it still available for sale
Me: yes it is!
Him:

Hello,
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 my form of payment will be by sending you Check via Ups 1/2days 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 the pick-up at your

location after check has been cashed,as i have other properties to be moved alongside with yours.
I would have really love to come for the viewing but due to my work frame that might not be possible,but if you have the pics,might want to have a good look. Please do get back to me with your full name and address including your cell and land number so i can make out payment. if you're, i will implore you to take off the ads on craigslist and considerwe have a deal on. please let me know.you can call or drop a message on 206-3501-273
Regards

Dr.walrus
Me:

Hi Walrus
I will consider it sold! But to hold it, I will need you to send me the money via Western Union. Please send it to:
Sphinx Terlicker

1060 West Addison Street

Chicago, Illinois 60613

Office phone: 800-588-2300
Since the item is large, please send extra money for shipment. I will look for your $500 money order! As I am a very honest person, I will deduct my money and return any extra to you via money order.
Sphinx
(fyi, The address I provided is to Wrigley Field where the Cubs play and the phone number if for Empire Carpets.)
Him: Okay. Will notify you asap. Thanks for your honesty
Him: He sent me the UPS tracking information
Him:

Hello,
Thanks for the honesty towards this transaction so far. Well, the overpayment is meant to cover the cost of shipment for the item alongside my other properties including tax and insurance plus the movers fee, and the movers information below.
Warren Bennett

384 Pebble Beach Drive

Crescent City

CA 95531
Do let me know your schedule for the week regarding pickup as I have some other properties to be moved alongside with your item. Please do act accordingly as agreed after deducting your money for the item, make the rest fund available to the movers via western union Money Transfer at any of their outlet around you and get back to me with the transfer details below (as it appears on the receipt) so i can contact the movers for the pick-up at your location ....
Deduct the western union money transfer charges from my fund,also deduct $50 for your self (meant for any hassle or run around).

Sender's name and address (as it appears on the western union receipt) Money

Transfer Control number Actual amount sent.

Hope i can trust you with the overpayment? Your Honesty and transparency will be appreciated .
Thanks for your patience and understanding
Me:

Greeting and great flatulation! Praise Allah for men such as yourself. What did you have delivered? I am expecting a Western Union money transfer from you. Please let me know your name, the Transfer Control number and your phone. As soon as I have picked up the money from Western Union, I wll contact Warren Babbit to pick up your items. Your honesty and graciousness is a gift to all!

Thanks!

Spinx Terlicker
Him:

I can only issued a certified check for the payment of the item. Deposit it in the bank or go to any cashing point, deduct the amount of the item purchased and sending fee and have the remaining sent to my mover so that the pick up can be made. thanks.

Dr.Walrus
Me:

Hi Dr. Walrus,

I will cash the check and leave the remaining amount in the box. The mover can take his payment from the box. Tell your mover to arrive any time.

Sphinx
Him:

Hello Sphinx,

please we had a deal that you would wire the money to the movers as soon as the check has been cleared, i don't understand what you mean by keeping the money in the box for the mover why don't you just send the money to the movers information via western union has we initially agreed i love to work by trust and that's why i embarked on the transaction in the first place. Can you please explain what you mean by keeping the money in the box..please notify me when the funds has been sent to the movers have a wonderful day..With the western union MTCN..

Regards

Dr. Walrus
Me:

Hi Walrus,

We never had any such deal that I would send the money. For someone who likes to work on trust, you are a filthy, filthy liar! One who no doubt locks himself in the closet and masturbates to geriatric porn! Filthy. The item is in the box which contains the item. When you ship things, you generally put it in a box unless it is too big to put in a box. Your movers may come by any time this week. Since the movers will be coming by to pick up the item, they can also get that money at that time. There is no need to send the money since your movers will be here anyways. If they aren't here by Friday, the box goes in the trash.

Sphinx Terlicker
Him:

Please can I know what is happening. I have done my part in this transaction. Its now your turn to deduct the initial amount of the item purchased and you don't want to. I will forward this case to the police. Do you want to scam, or can't you follow simple instruction. I can't cheat you because am highly paid and a man of integrity. Just send my remaining funds so that the mover can come for the pick up. Please I await to hear from me before I report to the authorities.
Me:

What is happening is your box is out on the porch waiting for your movers to move it. Please have them come over and take the box and their money. If that doesn't work for you, then by all means, lets bring the police in! We can sit down and talk through the situation with them. You have my address, I wait your movers or a visit from you. Since you are a highly paid man, I am sure a visit to Chicago will be no problem for you.

Sphinx Terlicker
Him:

Hello

Please I need you to send the funds to the movers so they cann comeover to your Place for pickup, am a very busy man ans I would have love to come to your place But let's just get through this deal like matured and responsible men We need not argue over the issue, you have the money send the funds
Me:

Greetings and great flatulance!

You are correct. We are being ridiculous over this issue. Since you are a highly paid business man and I am supporter of the arts, today I decided to pool your extra funds together with some of my own and make a donation to the Chicago Home and Foundation for Aging Mimes. These funds allow aging mimes a place to rest where the walls aren't imaginary and there is an actual roof over their heads. No longer will the elderly mimes have to pretend they have shelter!!! Because if the generous size of the contribution, they will have a plaque placed on the entry way wall that says "In Recognition of the generous donation by Walrus Carson and Sphinx Terlicker." I assumed given your highly paid nature, you'd be happy to contribute. Please pay your movers to come and retrieve the items or send me additional funds to forward to them.

Sphinx
Him:

So what is the solution to the problem at hand
Me:

What kind of a Dr. are you? I hope no ones life is in your hands since you don't read very well. The solution was already described. Just pay your shippers and have them come and pick up this crap. Really, I can't have this carnival winning crap cluttering up the estate any more. You have 2 days for the movers to arrive. After that, I will donate the rest of your money to the Mimes

Sphinx

 

[wallbright]

Lol well you are more ballsy than I. I would just have said forget about it but you got to egg him on lol. Did he actually send you a check?
On a positive note though I have only experienced positive experiences through Craigslist. I always meet in person in a public place and deal with cash.

 

[hauntedmyst]

They always send a check. Its always fake but they always send one.

 

[wallbright]

No return address? Or is it over seas?

 

[juni]

I wonder how many actually do fall for this. People are gullible.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/cashier.asp

 

[excav8tor]

I am still laughing at the name 'Sphinx Terlicker' and the address at Wrigley Field is very reminiscent of what Jake Elwood did in 'The Blues Brothers'. Nice one!!!
With those two bits of information, I would have steered well clear of you.....lol
I occasionally like to play with scammers too. It takes a little thought, and the results are not always apparent. Don't you just wish you were a fly on the wall when he opened those emails.
I often use the tack that I am a Romany and I have put a curse on him and his family. I don't know why, but strangely at that point I don't get anymore contact.

 

[fred]

Yes, it can be good sport to turn the tables on these guys...

It's a bit more investment of my time than I wish to commit,

so I abstain.

 

[1robryan]

Dr. Walrus (LOL) is at it again. Thanks for taking time to post your threads. I am having a similar experience and am waiting on my check from UPS. What did you do with the check he sent you?

 

[hobie1dog]

Hilarious stuff there, thanks for sharing it with us. You always have a great sense of humor and are a valuable asset to the forum. :D

 

[patiobum]

I had a friend that had a boat listed in Craigs list and received an email offering the same scam, double payment, deduct sale costs and send back money.
We had a good laugh over it.
When I receive an email from Nigria telling me that I had a uncle that left me millions of dollars, I usually reply with a few questions as to the legality of their birth certificate and their parents neglect to marry.

 

[bubbadreier]

I buy and sell on Craigslist at least one a week usually more, and I deal with scammers pretty much the same way. I string them along for has long as I can, I have never actually been sent a check before!

 

[searock]

The "refund the overpayment to me" scam is an oldie but a goodie. There is always someone out there who has not hear about it. It's a favorite of the Nigerian con artists.
When someone responds to your ad but never mentions the item your selling by it's actual name, but just as "the item" or something similar, that can be a red flag. They are just using a standard email they send out by the thousands. Note if the email is really personally sent to you about your item.
I'm always suspicious when someone signs their emails as doctor. It may be legit, but often it's an effort to impress. They are trying to create an image of authority and respecibility.
I too have won several lotterys and been give the "opportunity" to share in million dollar estates. When they tell me they need some money to pay legal fees or some other costs I sometimes tell them I want to do it but they need to send me some money so I can pay fees to free up my money. Usually I just egnore such emails but once in a while I feel like having some fun wasting their time. Of course, it's a waste of my time too... but can be amusing. It's too bad these crooks can't be shut down.

 

[romeowood]

You are correct. We are being ridiculous over this issue. Since you are a highly paid business man and I am supporter of the arts, today I decided to pool your extra funds together with some of my own and make a donation to the Chicago Home and Foundation for Aging Mimes. These funds allow aging mimes a place to rest where the walls aren't imaginary and there is an actual roof over their heads.

Oh dear, I may have wet myself laughing....

Have you seen thescambaiter.com ? They've got the jump on you by a few years. My buddy Regis (last name withheld) from Atlanta was one of the original crew--and he actually got one of the Nigerian baiters to send him money, haha. You can still find the thread on the site.

 

[hauntedmyst]

I haven't seen that site! Thanks for mentioning it!

 

[juni]

I got a message that I won the British Tobacco Mega Jackpot lottery. I wonder if I can get the winnings in Irish Flake or Dunhill tobaccos. :D