Please
be aware of a scam has been become widespread in targeting
sellers advertising equipment, automobiles, and other
items. Often this involves buyers from Nigeria, Africa,
Netherlands and even other locations overseas.
Usually
these offenders send email offers to purchase your
equipment or other items at a price much higher than
you had asked, then mail you a worthless Money Order
or Cashier's Check for an even larger amount and ask
you to refund part of the overpayment to another person
they owe money to for some other transaction or service.
Keep
in mind that not all emails you receive will be scams.
However, when someone wants to "overpay"
you, and you have to send them cash, then this is
the sign of a scam.
For
more information please read the IOWA
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PRESS RELEASE on
this very subject.
Please
be warned, that this type of scam is widespread, and
these people are ruthless and manipulative. Don't
be fooled. Also, if it sounds too good to be true,
it probably is.
9
April 2004 Update:
This is the type of email you may receive:
| Dear
Sir,
I
am ********* from the Netherland, I will like
to purchase the above subject item if its available
for pick up. Payment shall be through an American
Cashier Check.
Therefore,
kindly supply the following information for
the payment purpose:
1.Its
present condition with Picture
2. Cost without shipping
3. Name to make the check payable to
4. Address to mail it to with phone number
Thanks
for your co-operation, while awaiting your response.
Regards,
***********
|
12
April 2004 Update:
This is the type of response you may receive:
****
Note that the sender indicates that the cheque will
be more than the cost and that the excess funds will
be returned to "shipping agent"... this
is the scam, the cheque for $12000 will be forged
and it will be worthless.
Hi
*** *******,
> thanks for the responce the price is ok by
me
> thanks for the mail and the infromation,
> concerning the shipping of the equipment
> ,do not worry about that I have a shipping
agent who takes care of my
shipping, so do not worry about that.
> we will be shipping the equipment to
> holland .
>
> I have a client who is owing me some money
and he will be
> sending the cheque $12000 after the cost
of the equipment ,
> the excess funds on it will besent back to
my shipping agent to enable him
come over to your
> location and as this will be used for shipping
arrangements.if this is ok
by you,
> As soon as i get your full name and address
including your contact number
towhich the cheque will be issued and sent, i
will immediately instruct my
> client to send you the cheque please can
l trust you with the excess
funds? I look
> forward to a trustworthy transaction,
> with you. |
Or
you may receive this response....
***
Notice that the scammer offers much more than the
asking price and he even offers the seller an extra
$800.00 for running around. Irregardless, the cheque
for $15,000 will be worthless.
Hi.
OK, i got the price....i have been waiting to
get one of this and the price is not so bad ($7600),i
just want to get somthing for my Father... I also
do lots of work for a lot of my business associate
across the Globe...I will arrange for payment
by sending your full name and address to my client
in the States whom i recently worked for and will
issue you a cashier's check for an amount of $15000.
I know it is more than the horse price but after
getting the check, I
need you to cash it and deduct cost of the equipment,
then do me a favour of wiring the remaining balance
to my International shipper via western union
money transfer point(filling station) nearest
to you and i will want you to wire the money early
to my secetary so he can use it in making every
neccasary things ready for the equipment,you can
also deduct $800 for running around,which means
you will deduct an amount of $8400
After this is done and he gets the money , he
will then pick it up
from your residence and ship to me.
So, confirm this and send your
full name
address
phone number
and zip code... for mailing the check payment
to you as soon as
possible.
Waiting for your urgent reply,
Kind regards,
Alex |
20
May 04
A new proposal, the same old deal....
***
Notice that the scammer offers a money order, and
offers the sellers price. The seller plans to remain
mainly anonymous behind a "free" email account
and an unamed "private shippping company"
who will be picking up the equipment.
From: Van Smith
<vansmithnl@yahoo.com>
Date: 05/20/04 06:39:18
To: *************
Subject: **** ****** Round Baler Price $4500
Dear Sir,
This is Van Smith from Netherland i want to purchase
this item
from you, let me know if it's available, and it's
present condition
i will like to see it's pic. if it's available
The payment shall be through Money Order, My private
shipping company
will be coming for the pick up upon the payment
is confirm
Also advise the name will be on the payment, mailing
address, cell and
telephone numbers, While awaiting your swift response
Thanks for the cooperation
Regards
Van Smith |
|
