Does this sound "scammy?" Part II

[49erinnc]

Nutshell: I listed an engagement ring on Craigslist for $2800 (value of $6,600). I just got the following email from someone:

Hello,i am interested on your item posted if still available plese get
back to me am i am paying you through money order by usps with they
will deliver to you at your address so if you want to sell to me all i
need is your address were you want your money to come to and i will andle
the shippment with a fedEx service with you are not bill for so get
back to me.thanks and i will offer you |$ 3000

Email addy domain is "@doramail.com" and it's showing that it belongs to a guy with a "normal" first/last name.

Just seems shady to me for some reason (the bad grammar and offer of $200 over my listing price) and this is a good bit of money we're talking about here. Does anyone get a bad vibe or have any suggestions on how to handle this before I'm screwed over? Thanks.

 

[Axoliien]

anytime someone offers more than you ask should be a red flag.

 

[quakefiend420]

scam

 

[FP]

scam x 42

 

[MattCo]

Yup, hello fake money order. I would go through the steps and get them to send the money order and an address. Hand it over to the police and see what they do.

 

[So]

SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

scam, and you are an idiot for even having to ask.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: So
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.

 

[FoBoT]

for that high price of an item, you should meet in person and get cash

 

[franksta]

I'd be hesitant about that one if I were you.

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: So
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.
SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.

:thumbsup:

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: franksta
I'd be hesitant about that one if I were you.

hesitant is the understatement of the year. IMO, if they have horrible grammar, its a scam!

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
scam, and you are an idiot for even having to ask.

Well, I'm just really eager to sell this after holding on to it for so long (sentimental reasons). This was the first bite I had on the ad so the excitement of possibly selling it clouded my common sense for a moment.

I think the biggest giveaway is just someone willing to buy an expensive ring without even seeing it first or having it appraised. If I were the potential buyer, I'd ask the seller to meet me at a reputable jewelry store to have it appraised before I agreed to buy it.

I sent him an email asking for a phone number considering the value of the goods. I'm guessing I won't hear back. Just out of curiosity, how can you send a fake money order? Wouldn't I be able to take it to a bank to cash/deposit/verify it and it come up invalid? Not like I'd ship out the ring until I at least did that much.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: 49erinnc

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
scam, and you are an idiot for even having to ask.

Well, I'm just really eager to sell this after holding on to it for so long (sentimental reasons). This was the first bite I had on the ad so the excitement of possibly selling it clouded my common sense for a moment.

I think the biggest giveaway is just someone willing to buy an expensive ring without even seeing it first or having it appraised. If I were the potential buyer, I'd ask the seller to meet me at a reputable jewelry store to have it appraised before I agreed to buy it.

I sent him an email asking for a phone number considering the value of the goods. I'm guessing I won't hear back. Just out of curiosity, how can you send a fake money order? Wouldn't I be able to take it to a bank to cash/deposit/verify it and it come up invalid? Not like I'd ship out the ring until I at least did that much.

dont even bother contacting him anymore, just delete emails.

he'll send you a counterfeit money order which you will then in turn get screwed from once the post office finds out it's fake.

 

[kranky]

The money order will be fake, but the scammer is hoping you deposit it and immediately arrange for shipment of the ring. Then, when the money order has worked its way through the system and it's determined to be a fake, you have (1) no ring, and (2) no money. They will take back the money once they find out the MO is fraudulent.

If it's indeed a USPS money order, I think only the Post Office can definitively rule whether it's genuine. If you take it to a bank, they may accept it, but the risk is still on you. There are cases where the USPS has taken FOUR MONTHS to return a fake MO to the bank that cashed it. And the bank has to go after the customer.

 

[kranky]

dreaded DP.

 

[iversonyin]

Nigeria again? Buy a fake ring and try him out. Send him the real one once you get the money in your bank

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
for that high price of an item, you should meet in person and get cash

2800 in cash?

 

[dainthomas]

If you have to ask...

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Nigeria again? Buy a fake ring and try him out. Send him the real one once you get the money in your bank

cracker jack ring ftw

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: swtethan

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Nigeria again? Buy a fake ring and try him out. Send him the real one once you get the money in your bank

cracker jack ring ftw

paper ring

 

[wetcat007]

pppp..ppp...powerbook!!!! always get money upfront anyways send him a plastic ring from a crackerjack box or something lol

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: wetcat007
pppp..ppp...powerbook!!!! always get money upfront anyways send him a plastic ring from a crackerjack box or something lol

:thumbsup:

 

[49erinnc]

Okay, I'm either too hard up to get this ring sold or I'm just really bad at recognizing scammers. Probably a combo of both. Anyway, I got another email today for the same ring. Below is the original email, my reply and then a reply back from him. Seems less scammy than yesterday's but still seems shady. Thoughts?

Initial email:

Hello seller,

I saw your advert in craigslist. And I am interested in buying the item. I will like to know if you accept bank transfer. And I can only transfer to the bank account stated below.

1. H.S.B.C BANK
2. BARCLAYS BANK
3. WELLSFARGO BANK
4. CHASE BANK

If this is acceptable by you kindly mail me with your contact details such as:

1. Phone #
2. Contact Address
3. Picture of the item

Hope to hear from you soon

Thanks
Bayon Wilson

N B: Please genuine seller only. If you are a scammer, please keep off.

My reply:

Hi,

The ring is still available but I've already had somoeone try to scam me this week so please excuse my
skepticism with your email.

I'd have to know for certain this is a legitimate
offer before I proceed any further.

His reply:

Hello

Thanks for the mail. I am also afraid of some seller's cos they are also scammer's. I don't want a situation whereby i will transfer the money and i will not hear from them again. I am legit as you said and the deal will also be legit. I will also like you to provide me with the informations i ask from you.

Hope to hear from you soon

thanks
bayon

 

[49erinnc]

On 2nd thought, the new offer seems to be just as scammy as the first one. What the hell is with our society? I really detest dishonest people and hope they all burn in hell.