slushi123

Hey Guys,

I am selling this camera on Craigslist which is a basically a FREE posting site to buy and sell goods that . On the site they say be aware of scams etc all the way at the bottom. However the one I received for the item im selling seems pretty legit but need some advice on how to act cautious going forward and see if you guys think its a scam or not? The buyer says they will submit funds electronically plus pay for shipping, so in my mind Im thinking this is GREAT --- if I received the funds successfully electroncially since I am verified merchant it should be OK right? --I can send the goods out after I get the money so it seems safe but want to make sure with you guys and see what you think? Let me know what you think and how I need to be careful if necessary.


Thanks for your reply back to me.

Please am sorry for my late response to get back to you in time, well i am a medical Doctor and a University Lecturer, And right now am Currently out of the State for a medical Conference held in UK. I actually wanna buy the ( DSR-250 Camera + Battery ) for my Son who works at the United States Information Service (USIS) in West Africa, and he currently got transfered as an International Consultant. He also laments that life over there is very boring though he is gradually adapting to the new Environment. I have a very tight schedule due to my kind of job as a Medical Doctor, So i want you to Assist me ship it to him over there after Payment of your Stuff. And am also buying it because of his Birthday that Comes in a short time.

I will be paying you via paypal because i am a verified paypal member and if you've got an account with them or you can sign up with one if you don't have an account with paypal through paypal , or better still we can transact through Revolution Money Exchange if you have an account with them also, or you can still sign up for an account through revolutionmoneyexchange if you don't have an account with them, it saves and also protects individuals in a transaction.
I will give you my Son's address to you for shipping as soon as the payment has made. I will be very grateful to hear from you soonest to know your mode of payment so i will do the payment immediately.

Warm regards,
Dr.Moon.

Grancey

Reads fishy to me.

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PonyPotato

Real buyers never tell you their life story in their first email to you. They'll ask you specific questions about the item, price, and where to pick it up.

Craigslist is for local postings, never sell to someone internationally (or even long-distance) from it. Cash only, and local exchange.

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cj2112

Yes, this is a scam. I don't know exactly what the scam is, but somebody claiming to be in the UK and asking you to ship something to Africa is ALWAYS a scam.

PonyPotato

The scam will be that the buyer will overpay with a money order, then ask the seller to pay the shipper for him and send the overpaid amount back. The seller can lose money if he sends money/pays the shipper, AND can get arrested for bank fraud for depositing a fake money order or check.

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Martian

Since he's paying through paypal, this won't be a money order scam, but it's still a scam.

This one is called a Reverse Scam. Basically, the buyer gets you to ship the item, then reverses the payment by claiming either the item was never received or that it was damaged.

If you ship certified with a tracking number you might be able to avoid it, but personally I'd just walk away. It's possible this guy is honest, but from where I'm sitting it doesn't look particularly likely.

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Xerxys

Scam. When selling merchandise, you
A) Advertise
B) Ask buyer to come look at item at predetermined location.
C) Exchange item for cash on spot.

This way you do not loose money.

yournamehere

Craigslist is for local sales. That's why there are so many local sites. Why in the world would this U.K. doctor (who sounds like English is not his first language) pick your camera to buy for his son in Africa?

E-mail him this reply:
"Whenever you're ready to come over with cash, e-mail me and I'll give you the address. If, of course, this fits your tight schedule, due to your kind of job as a Medical Doctor."

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LoganSnake

Anything to do with Africa is a scam as a rule of thumb.

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settie

If he's too busy to take time to ship out a present to his son, why does he have so much time to scan and search Craigslist for a present? And, if he's a doctor, why not spend that big wad of cash he makes each year on a brand new one?

Scam.

Jinn

Yea, that's the biggest tip off for me lately..

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dippin

Actually, because the shipment would go to an address other than the one on file at paypal, even shipping certified with a tracking number wouldn't help. If you ship to an address other than the one file at paypal, in their eyes its like you never shipped the item.

drag0nmanes

Seen this type of thing happen a lot with my friend who works at a place that ships a lot of product. Unless it's a known customer, shipping to anywhere but the address on a CC tends to be a scam.

Lindy

"I actually wanna buy.." is not the kind of grammar and vocabulary that a "medical Doctor and a University Lecturer" (or any other well educated adult, for that matter) would use in a written communication.
Just adds to the smell of scam. As others have pointed out, Craigslist is intended to help facilitate local sales, not be a three legged stool with each leg in a different country.

Lindy

Mister Coaster

Although the jury has already reached a verdict - I also say this is a scam.

Sidenote: It would appear we have at least figured out how to write a believable scam letter by blowing holes in this obvious fake.

Bottom line on Craigslist - cash & carry only!

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Cynthetiq

I once had someone send me something like this. I followed their little ploy all the way to the point that they FedEx'd me a check. It was totally bogus, and then when I said I had to wait for it to clear, they got all mad and said they contacted the FBI.

I still have the check.... pretty funny.

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Merlocke

seriously? run, don't walk.

Or.. if you're up for a little fun...
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MSD

When selling on Craigslist, meet in a public place and only accept cash unless it's a big item like a car, then go to their bank with them to get a bank check. There is literally no reason for a legitimate buyer to refuse these terms.