Is this a scam?

[Extelleron]

I've been trying to sell a receiver on my local craigslist and today I have gotten two e-mails, and responded once, to someone who appears to be interested in buying it. It seems fishy to me, though, for several reasons....

First, the person always refers to the receiver as "the item"... never does he say "the receiver", or any other specific name. This makes it seem like these could be generic e-mails.

His English is also not good, in fact it's very bad, as you can see if you read his e-mails.

Third, he talks about a "shipping representative", I don't know what he's talking about here.

I have plenty of experience with Nigeria eBay scams, from trying to sell a laptop on there recently, but I've never sold on craigslist before. Is this guy just looking for my information, or trying to scam me in some way? Or, is he legitimate? As I said I'm not experienced with craigslist but this seems very fishy to me.


Message 1 (Him contacting me)

Hello,
Do you still have the item still available for sale? i'd like to know it's condition with any other information(Price offer )which you might want to tell me , I await your response.
Thank you.

Message 2 (My reply)

Hello,

The receiver is in good condition, there are a few scratches but nothing excessive or highly noticeable. The only thing that is wrong with it, as I said in the auction, is that one of the RCA connectors for the front left channel (DVD) is missing. I've found this to be a comsetic issue only, because sound quality when connecting a DVD/CD player to the DVD input is completely normal. All the other connectors for other inputs are fine.

As for price, I was looking for $250, but as I said, I would be willing to go lower than that, but be reasonable. I'm not looking to sell it for $50.

Thanks for your interest.

Message 3 (His reply, newest message)


hi Robert,

Thanks for the reply,

It's good to know the item is in good condition, am quite satisfied with the condition of the item and price.Am very much interested in buying the item from you at $200 and i would like to make an outright purchase immediately so i will advice that you withdraw the advert from the web, I will be paying with a Certified cashiers check .My shipper representative will be coming over for the pick up as i might not be available for the pick up myself i would have love to come and look it up but presently am not chanced to do that.Your phone number would be appreciated so we discuss better
Please Confirm with this and provide the following details


1. Your full name to be on the Payment.
2. Your postal address.
3. Your phone number both land and mobile.
4. Your postal code.

Thank you.

 

[Ns1]

scam. move on.

 

[thepd7]

yes. and I didn't even read your post.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Definitely a scam.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If you ever have to ask yourself if something's a scam, the answer is yes.

 

[purbeast0]

lmao wow I can't believe you even had to ask ...

no wonder those scammers continue to do this, cause people really fall for it.

who the hell in the real world says "i await your response" ?

 

[imported_Devine]

Before even reading it this is all I gotta say, if its on the internet and you have to ask that question, it normally is.

 

[yoda291]

it's a scam...I'd say forged check.

The first email is spam sent to permutations of the aliases craigslist provides where they wait for someone to hook and respond. Then, they cherry pick larger ticket items that respond...because if you respond to that, you're likely gullible enough to fall for it.

 

[ViviTheMage]

dammit, if you HAVE to ask its a scam.

that has scam written all over it!

 

[James Bond]

How are scammers SO lazy that they don't even put in the real name of the item being sold?

 

[Parasitic]

This certified cashier check sounds good. I will give you double what he pays in the form of a cashier check for the said item in good condition.

I await your response.

 

[randay]

Hi,

Am very interested in buying the item. I will be willing to pay 500 dollars for it. Please immediately drop your pants and bend over. Am happy to be buying the item.

I await your response.

 

[michaels]

I got something similar
"Hello,
Thanks for the mail,I am Ok with the item and i will like to inform you that iam goona send you the payment in cash although i wanted to come for the inspection before but i can not make it anymore just because we are not in the same state.....
I will like you to send your contact address and name to me so i can make the payment via BidPay home delivery this service will come to your home and deliver the cash to you.
I will include 50$ for the shipping fee via USPS/EMS to my friend destination so i want you to get to me with your address now so i can make the payment today
Regards
Rossy"

 

[jdini76]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
lmao wow I can't believe you even had to ask ...

no wonder those scammers continue to do this, cause people really fall for it.

who the hell in the real world says "i await your response" ?

That is exactly the flag that raised for me.

Who talks like that? Scammers do.

 

[zoiks]

Doesn't Craigslist indicate that you deal locally only? This thing reeks of scam.

 

[rivan]

I got a response like this selling a Harley a couple years back. I thought it was fun, however, and strung the guy along. I ended up getting a $14,500 check in the mail, clearly fraudulent to me, but I could see how it might fool a smallish portion of the population.

I've still got it around here, somewhere.

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: rivan
I got a response like this selling a Harley a couple years back. I thought it was fun, however, and strung the guy along. I ended up getting a $14,500 check in the mail, clearly fraudulent to me, but I could see how it might fool a smallish portion of the population.

I've still got it around here, somewhere.

Didn't the scammer complain about not getting the item?

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: rivan
I got a response like this selling a Harley a couple years back. I thought it was fun, however, and strung the guy along. I ended up getting a $14,500 check in the mail, clearly fraudulent to me, but I could see how it might fool a smallish portion of the population.

I've still got it around here, somewhere.

Didn't the scammer complain about not getting the item?

Nope - I never got a response when I asked about how they printed the check. It appeared offset printed, two color, with one perforated edge like might come from a checkbook. Then they used a typewriter to fill in the name & amount. There were lots of things that didn't appear legit, though - the printing wasn't square with the perf/cut, the microprinting (the tiny, tiny writing usually around the edge) was blurry and the 'tilt-the-check-to-see-the-watermark' was just printed in plain ink, not whatever they print those ink. That, and a quick call to Wells Fargo (the check they were trying to forge) confirmed the design was a VERY old, from the 80s.

 

[torpid]

Seems legit to me. Just give the item to the representative and then wait to be paid. Man, people are so paranoid these days.