How much more can I string this scammer along

cirrrocco

Golden Member
Sep 7, 2004
1,952
78
91
I was bored at work the last couple of days and this scammer tries to 'purchase' the phone from me. so I thought I would play along for a bit.

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+13233643067: Okay i have no problem with the price, but i am making this purchase for a friend in west Africa i will be happy if you can help me mail it to him,will pay you $650 plus the shipping fee, do you have a pay pal account so i can pay the money now .. i hope to read back from you very soon! Thanks.... 11:32 AM

Me: Ok. It is going to $32 to ship to west africa. which country is it? 12:21 PM

+13233643067: Al-right..Kindly get back to me with your paypal email address so that i can transfer the money asap... 4:03 PM

Me: email address is XXXYYY@yahoo.com 4:08 PM

Me: Send me a txt as soon as you send me the payment. thnx 4:10 PM

+13233643067: Alright i will make the transfer now and they will sent you a notification email to your paypal email address that you will ship out the item and send the tracking number to them so that they can credit you account asap okay so can i go on with the transfer now please let me know okay. 4:33 PM

+13233643067: Hey , I've successfully sent out the payment of $650.00 USD from my PayPal account (hannjames161@gmail.com) to your PayPal account (XXXYYY@yahoo.com) and the funds has been deducted from my account.Here's Recipient's Name and Delivery Address in Africa below. Bolaji johnson 47 Ogunmuyiwa Str, Ijesha-Surulere Lagos-23401 ...please keep me post if you have receive the confirmation from paypal...God Bless 4:44 PM

+13233643067: let me know if you have receive a notification email from paypal in your paypal email address regarding my payment.. 4:54 PM

Me: wierd.. I logged into my paypal acct and do not see any funds 5:16 PM

+13233643067: you are require to ship out the item and mail the tracking number to PayPal as instructed in the notification sent to you by replying the mails you got from them! so there can credited your payment asap.....there is absolutely nothing to worry about cos the money in question have already been deducted from my account and pending to be credited into your account 5:21 PM

+13233643067: are you the one using a other phone number to text me 5:36 PM

+13233643067: so let me know when are you going to get the package shipped.. 5:57 PM

Me: I called paypal and they said there is no amount in my account. I went into paypal account and called them from there? Are you sure the money was sent 10:34 PM

+13233643067: Yes..am real sure and also the paypal you call was deference then my paypal if you go through the notification you receive you will get my paypal number ther3e and also you can call them and ask about my payment so let me know what is going on.... 4:16 AM


+13233643067: Hello..What is going on about the package... 8:13 AM

Me: Not sure how the number I called from paypal was different. It was from paypals website. 9:32 AM

Me: I called the number from your email.. I checked and it was not paypals number 9:32 AM


+13233643067: not the one in were i am here so you can call my paypal agent you receive in the notification so that you can confirm... 9:33 AM

Me: if the paypal agent is not from paypal.. then how can I be sure that the money is secure. see I am trying to believe you and want to send the package 9:36 AM


Me: But you see until I see at least the shipping amt in my actual paypal acct I am not comfortable shipping. 9:36 AM

Me: if i told u, my agent was holding my money and will send the item to you, that too internationally , will you be comfortable shipping? tell me u are a business man. 9:37 AM


+13233643067: yes....and also am okay with that so let me know if you are on your way to post office now.. 9:39 AM

Me: As i mentioned before, I am not very comfortable shipping without seeing at least 30 dollars in my paypal account.I would love to see 30 dollars in my account 9:53 AM

Me: The item is $450 so even without seeing the shipping amt I am kinda not sure if I need to send or not 9:53 AM

+13233643067: What nonsense is this excuse me!!! am a honest business Man, i cant cheat anyone over a Text! ill never do that till i die! i hate all this accusation! i should be the one to worry cos the money in question have already been deducted from my acct with know prompt shipment from you!! pls i want you to be completely honest with me!!! 2:50 PM

+13233643067: and also i have already transfer the sum of $50 has additional payment so what did want me to do ? 3:54 PM

Me: Yes . I know you transferred, but I want your agent to make sure he does not hold the shipping charge of 30. I want that amount to reflect in my account before I can send the phone. I hope you understand what you need to do. 4:31 PM

+13233643067: you are require to ship out the item and mail the tracking number to PayPal as instructed in the notification and the additional payment sent to you by replying the mails you got from them! so there can credited your payment asap.....there is absolutely nothing to worry about cos the money in question have already been deducted from my account and pending to be credited into your account 4:45 PM

Me: I understand, but I want to make sure the shipping is sent to me as a sign of good faith. Let me do this. I am going to use this consignment service where they hold the item until you release the funds. Then they will ship the item to you. It only costs 2 dollars and I will take care of that. so we are both safe

+13233643067: i will advice you to go through the email they sent to you and read the message they send to you so that will can know what next? 4:58 PM

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I want to waste his time and his handlers time as well and see if I can ultimately get him to pay me 30 bucks to my paypal account. do yo think that's possible?
 

Railgun

Golden Member
Mar 27, 2010
1,289
2
81
Give him a bs tracking number and claim it`s tracking. If you can string him along long enough, say it was signed for, you still don`t have the money, and you just so happen to be making a trip to that region and will come looking for him.
 
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Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
Hell send him a real tracking number for a real package that you really mailed him, thats for a box full of dogshit.
 

KeypoX

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2003
3,655
0
71
I tried the same thing but the scammer didnt keep communicating that long.

I would keep going, if you can get the $30 I would ship him something really nasty.
 

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
Hell send him a real tracking number for a real package that you really mailed him, thats for a box full of dogshit.
This sans the poop. "Anything liquid, perishable, hazards....lithium batteries or perfume.":p
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,862
17,405
136
I had a similar exchange a long time ago from a phone I won in a contest. Some guy from Spain kept demanding that I sell to him and there are ebay laws that require it. I thought it was real funny.
 

styrafoam

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2002
2,684
0
0
I think it's time to start trying to get pics of him holding a cardboard sign stating that he truly sent the money. A business man would not hesitate to provide this simple form of proof.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
I had a similar exchange a long time ago from a phone I won in a contest. Some guy from Spain kept demanding that I sell to him and there are ebay laws that require it. I thought it was real funny.

You telling me there aren't really ebay laws???
 

skillyho

Golden Member
Nov 6, 2005
1,337
0
76
I've always wanted to do this but never tried. I hope you get $30 from him and send him some feces.
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,862
17,405
136
I think it's time to start trying to get pics of him holding a cardboard sign stating that he truly sent the money. A business man would not hesitate to provide this simple form of proof.

Good one.....have him draw a picture of Sponge box Square Pants on the bottom to verify its accuracy.
 

basslover1

Golden Member
Aug 4, 2004
1,921
0
76
I always wondered how those types of craigslist scams work and now I know.

They try and make you ship the package first claiming "the transfer is pending you shipping the item."

I get about two of those for every item I list on craigslist.
 

akahoovy

Golden Member
May 1, 2011
1,336
1
0
Give him a bs tracking number and claim it`s tracking. If you can string him along long enough, say it was signed for, you still don`t have the money, and you just so happen to be making a trip to that region and will come looking for him.

That would be a good one, hehe.
 

aldamon

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2000
3,280
0
76
I want to waste his time and his handlers time as well and see if I can ultimately get him to pay me 30 bucks to my paypal account. do yo think that's possible?

From what I've read on other sites about scamming these crooks back, yes. Keep at it!
 

Rudee

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
11,218
2
76
Anytime I see a potential buyer say the words "God Bless", I know without a doubt it's a scammer.
 

WaTaGuMp

Lifer
May 10, 2001
21,207
2,506
126
Gmail must be the preferred email of scammers, always seems to be what they use. Not to mention the incredible proper use of the English language.