Is Craigslist + ALERT PAY a scam?

[hevnsnt]

I am selling a computer on Craigslist.. Sure I got a ton of scammers contacting me, but then I got this one.. I would like your all opinion

first message:
Greetings...Could you let me know the condition of this unit of yours and if it is still available..get back to me as soon as you can
Regards

reply:
The entire computer is 100% brandnew. Most of it is still in the box. I bought it and then I realized that I couldnt afford it at the time. Are you local?

Second Message:
Hello, thanks for your quick response...I will like to make the quick payment of this item of yours through ALERT PAY Online.....So all i will be needing for the payment to proceed is your full name,address and phone number...So i will offer you $670 so that you can remove the posting as soon as possible...Also i will like you to know that once my payment is approved byALERT PAY i will like to pick up the item with my personal fedexaccount...Get back to me as soon as you get this message so that i can order ALERT PAY to proceed with the payment....Thanks in anticipation....
Regards..

Reply
Hey XXXXX where will the computer need to be shipped to?

Third Message:
chicago IL

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I had never heard of Alert Pay before.. I did some searching online and I cant find any information saying it would be a scam.. What do you think?

 

[DAGTA]

Scam. The first message gives it away. That is one of the standard 'openings' by scammers.

 

[hevnsnt]

That is what I thought at first.. But then shipping it using THEIR Fedex account number, to an address in Chicago?

seems pretty traceable

 

[esun]

Seems suspicious to me. I mean, who the hell capitalizes "ALERT PAY" every time they write it? "Thanks in anticipation"? Nobody says that. "I will like to make the quick payment"? Either he's a complete idiot or a scammer or both.

 

[hevnsnt]

any other opinions?

 

[NanoStuff]

Either this is his first time on the interweb or he's trying to make some really easy money.

 

[FoBoT]

sounds totally like any other scam

i'll pay $X (no negotiations to talk you down)
i'll arrange all the shipping, so easy for you!

i vote SCAM!

 

[Injury]

If someone wants to buy your stuff, do it on your terms. If you are so desperate for a sale that you'll do anything it takes, you're going to get screwed.

As far as the fedex thing, it's not hard for someone to open an account under a false ID then close it once the package is on its way.

SCAM.

 

[RedArmy]

Have you asked him why you couldnt just use PayPal or set up an Ebay auction and he could just buy it now, as long as you both knew when the auction was up. I think this is a scam, at least try and take safe routes with people either through your credit card on PayPal or some other service.

 

[hevnsnt]

Well I have my answer:
me: Sounds good. I am just not familiar with Alert Pay, and Craigslist is full of scammers. Could you tell me a little more how this deal would work?

Him: ALERTPAY WILL PROCESS YOUR PAYMENT WITH YOUR FULL NAME ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER AND A PAYMENT NOTIFICATION EMAIL WILL BE SENT TO YOU AND THEN WHEN ITEM IS BEING SHIPPED ..AND THEY VERIFY YOU GIVING THEM THE FEDEX TRACKING NUMBER ..YOUR CASH WILL BE DELIEVERED TO YOU

me: Can I have your home phone number so we can discuss this over the phone?

him: MY PHONE IS BEING DISCONNECTED SORRY ABOUT THAT ..BUT I CAN CALL YOU IF YOU WANT

 

[acemcmac]

give him a number for a scam reporting hotline

 

[hevnsnt]

I sent this back:
No need, sounds like you are on the up and up..

Ok.. Sounds great.

Here is my information:

Bill Hakcer
1411 W. 119th St.
Kansas City, KS 64135
913-784-5444

When should I be expecting payment? I will also need your fedex acct number

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
I sent this back:
No need, sounds like you are on the up and up..

Ok.. Sounds great.

Here is my information:

Bill Hakcer
1411 W. 119th St.
Kansas City, KS 64135
913-784-5444

When should I be expecting payment? I will also need your fedex acct number

what are you going to do, send a bunch of bricks? and an I-hacked tshirt? lol

by the way, alertpay is registered on Quebec's BBB

 

[hevnsnt]

No, I am going to get his IP from his "ALERTPAY" email, and his FedEx account number and send him to the authorities.

 

[AnyMal]

p-p-p-p-powerbook

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
No, I am going to get his IP from his "ALERTPAY" email, and his FedEx account number and send him to the authorities.

Still would be fun to ship him a box of bricks or maybe even a bag of manure in a computer box.

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
No, I am going to get his IP from his "ALERTPAY" email, and his FedEx account number and send him to the authorities.

how are you going to get his ip? wont you only have the ip of the SMTP server he's using?

 

[hevnsnt]

Originally posted by: Zee

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
No, I am going to get his IP from his "ALERTPAY" email, and his FedEx account number and send him to the authorities.

how are you going to get his ip? wont you only have the ip of the SMTP server he's using?

Well, that depends on how stupid he is. I just thought I would put the hook out there.. If he takes it great, if not, then I have more time to do something else.

 

[Suture]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
p-p-p-p-powerbook

Bahahahahaha. A classic story.

 

[49erinnc]

I'm having flashbacks to when I was trying to sell a piece of fine jewelry on Craigs. The constant themes seem to be poor grammar and someone offering to take care of the shipping via FedEx.

I enjoyed Craigslist early on but lately, it has become a haven for scammers and spammers. The only thing worth selling/buying on there are small, inexpensive items. If you're trying to sell/buy anything of serious value, good luck finding an honest deal.

 

[hevnsnt]

So who lives in Chicago?

Got the address he wants it shipped to

 

[daveymark]

I'm in Chicago. What's the address?

 

[mrchan]

First message + offering more than you asked for = scam.

 

[thescreensavers]

send him briks and see whaat happens screw him lol

 

[AStar617]

hevnsnt, you run far too intelligent a website to fall for this obvious SCAM. :roll: