Well, I've been trying to sell my 49er season tickets on craigslist of late and I got a response the same day. Chap asked the cost (already on the ad) and I didn't hear anything from him for a couple of days.
Then I got this:
Thanks for the mail response. I am okay with the price of the 49er season tickets ($1,284) A client of mine is owing me some funds in United State ($5,000), I will instruct him to issue a check for you and as soon as you cash the check.
You will deduct the cost of the 49er season tickets ($1,284) and the remaining balance will be Send to My Shipper via Western Union Money Transfer for immediate Shipping Arrangment of the 49er season tickets from your location.
Do get back to me If this is okay by you with your information (Full Name, Contact Address, Phone Number), so that i can forward it to my Client to issue the cheque for you ASAP. Hope to hear from you soonest.God Bless
This is a very old scam which we first saw on EBay a few years ago. Generally perpetrated by someone outside the US. Some small percentage of poor, misguided types actually fall for this, send out their goods, and never receive payment.
The lure is of course that they are "trusting" you with more money than the goods are worth. Of course, their cheques aren't good, but it takes a little while for the bank to process and by then you're SOL.
I told him he was hallucinating and to never contact me again.
I do feel bad for the people who get taken in by this scam.. it happens all the time.
Posted by artandscience at July 19, 2006 07:18 AM