Sigh. Nothing but scammers on CL and FB marketplace

[Aharami]

I put up a Sigma lens for sale on CL and Facebook marketplace. All of the inquiries so far have been from scammers. Two wanted me to send to Africa, when I replied back saying no, one replied back with

but i will pay for the ship...........

Then a third one just contacted me

Hello, I'm sheong xiang from Kingston city, Ontario in Canada. I just came across your advert and I think I’m highly interested in purchasing your (Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 lens for Canon) which you offer for sale. due to the fact that its been a long time have been searching for it, Please Kindly get back to me as soon as possible with the necessary answers to the question in mind, Are you the first owner? What is it present condition, your final asking price? And I will also like you to send me Pictures to enable me view what I intend to purchase and to also inform you that my form of payment is through a Cashier's Check or a USPS Money Order .. I await your urgent response so that we can proceed further.Do write me through sheongxiang at gmaildotcom as i don't come here too often

Best Regards
sheong xiang

Finally I got an interested party who seemed legit, until I got her final email

Hi
Thanks for the response.I am willing to pay your asking price.I will pay by money order as its the only way i can pay you at the moment.I will make arrangement for the pick-up after payment have been received by you. I dont mind adding an extra twenty dollars so you can keep it in my favor.Reply with your full name,cell phone number,and address where payment should be sent.Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Regards

Are there no non-scammers left anymore?

 

[highland145]

A free ship? Go for it.

 

[konakid7]

"purchasing your (Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 lens for Canon)" Haha, love it. I wonder how many people fall for these things. The scammers stay in business somehow, if stupid people didn't fall for them we wouldn't have any of this shit.

 

[Aharami]

the last one hasnt asked me send me any extra cash back. so maybe she is legit? How long do money orders take to clear? Im thinking if I hold on to the equipment until the money order clears (doubtful), then I should be ok.

I dunno /shrug

 

[Terzo]

the last one hasnt asked me send me any extra cash back. so maybe she is legit? How long do money orders take to clear? Im thinking if I hold on to the equipment until the money order clears (doubtful), then I should be ok.

I dunno /shrug

Not worth risking it. Number one rule of craigslist is cash in person. Plus, how is money order the only way she can pay? How is she purchasing the money order? I haven't really tried, but I assume if you can purchase a money order you can spend the equivalent amount in cash.

 

[ss284]

The chinese dude seems relatively legit. Just wait for the money order to clear?

 

[nboy22]

The chinese dude seems relatively legit. Just wait for the money order to clear?

No way buddy.. It's a scam

Almost no one in America will use these words, "Would you please kindly," or, "Kindly, ..."

That's a for-sure scam.. I actually look for that in the emails, it's a dead giveaway every single time.

 

[Aharami]

hah yea. chinese dude is definitely a scam.

 

[jtvang125]

All are scams. The money order is fake and they're hoping you'll ship it before it clears.

Every legit buyer I had through CL never wrote like that. That's a dead give away.

 

[Brainonska511]

All are scams. The money order is fake and they're hoping you'll ship it before it clears.

Every legit buyer I had through CL never wrote like that. That's a dead give away.

I know. Seriously, what legitimate person who writes a whole freakin' story when they are responding to a craigslist ad?