Possible Scam... Too good to be true?

[Flatline]

I am in the middle of selling a phone right now and i put an ad on CL for $300 for it. It's a modest price considering what it goes for. I got an Email yesterday asking about it. I put pictures up on the ad but the lady asked about seeing pictures. I asked her to call or text me because im really strapped for cash and could use this ASAP. Well waiting all day yesterday for a call or Email or something, i get one this morning at 330am.

Thanks for you reply,i am located in Remsenburg city in NY
but currently out of state ,i really need to buy this and send to my
twin brother outside the state as a gift .I have been
trying to buy this on ebay but its so very stressful buying on ebay.
I will offer you $400 for the item and $150 for shipping so
as to close the auction as soon as possible.I will be paying
through PAYPAL
because i have a verified account with paypal.So kindly get
back with your paypal email address so i can make payment into your
paypal account.Get back to me if my approval is granted.I would like
to see the pictures please.

On 9/29/09, Marcus Deangelis <flatline1121@yahoo.com> wrote:
> yes it's available at the moment. I have a few inquiries though. I updated
> the ad with pictures, but the overall condition is a 9.5/10. It has one
> small nick in the chrome trim. i tried to snap a photo of it but the camera
> didn't pick it up.
>
> Text me if your interested in it. 727-271-6970
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: mary james <marytrevobel5@gmail.com>
> To: sale-nhwq5-1397781807@craigslist.org
> Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 12:34:42 PM
> Subject: FS/FT Blackberry Bold Unlocked - $300 (Port Richey) Date:
> 2009-09-29, 9:30AM EDT Reply to: sale-nhwq5-1397781807@craigslist.org
>

>
> is this item still available for sale. how about is condition,
>
>
>
>
> Sent From My Verizon Blackberry

$550 can get you one new with a buy it now on Ebay. And this seemed a bit eager to me. I was only asking $300 and shipping, even overnight couldn't be $150. This is kinda too good to be true in my head. Thats a months rent for me.

Does this sound fishy to anyone else? Could anyone research into this person for me as well? maybe get some background to see if this Email is commonly used for scams.

[Brandoncb7]

If she sent it to your paypal wouldn't you have the money before you sent the phone? I've never used paypal.

[Flatline]

If she sent it to your paypal wouldn't you have the money before you sent the phone? I've never used paypal.

I have used it but not to sell very much. I would have the money, but i would need to give paypal a tracking number before they release it i believe. and if the buyer says they never received it them i don't get my money. At least not until after a huge investigation of everything. and that takes time i don't have.

unless im wrong which i may be. Anyone care to give insight?

[crusto2k3]

I am in the middle of selling a phone right now and i put an ad on CL for $300 for it. It's a modest price considering what it goes for. I got an Email yesterday asking about it. I put pictures up on the ad but the lady asked about seeing pictures. I asked her to call or text me because im really strapped for cash and could use this ASAP. Well waiting all day yesterday for a call or Email or something, i get one this morning at 330am.




$550 can get you one new with a buy it now on Ebay. And this seemed a bit eager to me. I was only asking $300 and shipping, even overnight couldn't be $150. This is kinda too good to be true in my head. Thats a months rent for me.

Does this sound fishy to anyone else? Could anyone research into this person for me as well? maybe get some background to see if this Email is commonly used for scams.

Scam bro. Next thing you know, paypal is gonna any suspend any funds sent by this guy to you. I'd have him send you a money order first. Then make sure it's good by calling the phone number on it when you get it. Or have him send you cash...certified

Oh, go look in the CL ads in his area and see if there's phones like yours in his area. This will tell you alot. Why would someone go cross country to get something he could just go pick up?

from craigslist:

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

[Flatline]

Scam bro. Next thing you know, paypal is gonna any suspend any funds sent by this guy to you. I'd have him send you a money order first. Then make sure it's good by calling the phone number on it when you get it. Or have him send you cash...certified

Oh, go look in the CL ads in his area and see if there's phones like yours in his area. This will tell you alot. Why would someone go cross country to get something he could just go pick up?

from craigslist:

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

thought so. now i want to fuck with them.....

[CB7_91/DX]

gmail= scam

[crusto2k3]

thought so. now i want to fuck with them.....

lol...do it! I bet it's a little tempting considering the first of the month is right around the corner...and the prospect of $$ sounds good.

I googled the name in the email...nothing comes up...which is strange too.


And since when is ebay stressful? You don't even have to get dressed to go shopping there

[[sLow]CB]

bro. i just had the same thing happen to me.

i was selling my car for 2000. they wrote me an email like yours and said they will send me a check for 5000. wanted me to cash it and give 3000 back to the car transported that was gona pick it up. wtf. why wouldnt i just keep that 3000.??.. but it would be fake money that later hurts me as the scammer or fraud.

[mj213]

haha. Any email with the word 'kindly' in it, is a scam. They try to use etiquette but they don't realize that NOBODY in America says that word anymore, unless they say "kindly remove your foot from my ass". Hehe.

[crusto2k3]

bro. i just had the same thing happen to me.

i was selling my car for 2000. they wrote me an email like yours and said they will send me a check for 5000. wanted me to cash it and give 3000 back to the car transported that was gona pick it up. wtf. why wouldnt i just keep that 3000.??.. but it would be fake money that later hurts me as the scammer or fraud.

My friend has a body shop in SD and they are getting calls from people out of state saying they need their car towed to cali for repair and that towing will be paid by CC and all this crazy circumstances...hahaha, oh and they call on this service where an operator types in everything you say...it's really weird.

[crusto2k3]

Oh dude, and she never called...have you seen the rates from Africa...it's probably like $5 a minute

[visualpoet]

It's a scam, and I'm surprised you haven't heard of it before. Notice that they say "the item" not "the phone". I usually get a couple everytime I have something on CL. Toy with them, have some fun.

[Flatline]

It's a scam, and I'm surprised you haven't heard of it before. Notice that they say "the item" not "the phone". I usually get a couple everytime I have something on CL. Toy with them, have some fun.

I have heard of these things before. Luckily i have or i might have jumped on it.

[crusto2k3]

You should jack them hahahaha

just have em send the money and just see what happens.

[ExplodingCake]

Obvious scam at first sentence.