Most people who use craigslist have great stories to tell about their
experiences with buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords and such, but we
also receive occasional reports of scams and fraud. We've found that one
of the best ways to avoid this problem is to keep all transactions local
-- whenever possible, don't do business with anyone who is not in your
local area.
Use caution and common sense when dealing with any financial
transaction:
DEAL ONLY WITH LOCALS! Most non-local inquiries on Craig list
are scams.
NEVER wire funds to a distant person, via Western Union or
any other carrier
Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service such as
BidPay or Square trade
NEVER give out personal financial information (checking
account number, SSN, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
trust your instincts, and always remember that the most important
rule -- caveat emptor -- BUYER BEWARE --
applies to any transaction on Craig list where money is involved.
If you think you have been scammed, contact the non-emergency number
for your local police department -- they may be able to offer advice
about your options.
If you suspect that an item posted for sale on Craig list may be
part of a scam, please email the details to "abuse@craigslist.org".
Be sure to include the URL (or eight-digit post ID number) in your
message.
Recognizing scams
Most scams meet involve one or more of the following:
inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
proposed transaction includes a cashier's check, postal money
order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Square trade,
etc.)
inability or refusal to meet face-to-face
Types of Scams
1. Someone claims that craigslist will
guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, OR claims
that craigslist will handle or provide protection for a payment
These claims are fraudulent, as Craig list does not have any
role in any transaction.
Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears
to come from Craig list, offering a guarantee, certifying a
seller, providing payment services -- all such emails are fakes!
2. distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake)
cashier's
check
you receive an email (examples below) offering to buy your item,
or rent your apartment, sight unseen.
cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for
an apartment, or for just about anything else of value.
value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer
offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance
via money transfer service
banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU
RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal
prosecution in some cases!
scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business
associate owing buyer money, etc)
3. Someone requests payment via Western Union or Money Gram:
Often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before
he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired
money, it is GONE.
Scam "bait" items include laptops, plasma TVs, cell
phones, tickets - but could be almost anything
common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine,
Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
deal often seems too good to be true
4. distant person offers to send you a cashier's
check and then have you wire money:
this is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check
is FAKE
sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not
scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on
the fake check
deal often seems too good to be true
5. distant person suggests use of an online
escrow service.
most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
for more info, do a Google search on "fake escrow" or
"escrow fraud"
if you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a
legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com
6. distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which
he will ship goods
My name is Mr James Bitty ,i am a
citizen of France and i base in there with my family.I saw
your advert while browsing today on the internet and i am
interested in buying the( Dogs }
for it.i will like to view a pic for proper confirmation.My
means of payment is a or CERTIFIED CHECK that is
100% valuable .mail me as soon as possible so we can proceed
with the payment and shipping.Meanwhy my shipping agent will take
care of the shipping arrangement without giving you any stress
Secondly pls i will like to inform you that my mode of
payment is CERTIFIED CHECK which is confirm CERTIFIED CHECK
from United State of American
Thirdly pls i will like inform you once more time i have a
good reliable shipper that take good care of my shippment around
the world.......................
Regards
Mr James Bitty
I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr.and Mrs.Nelson D,
Martins. My father was a highly reputable business magnet who
operated in the capital city of Ivory
coast during his days.
It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France
during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th September
2004. Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected
to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled
with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died
when I was just 6yrs old, and since then my father took me so
special.
Before his death on September 2004, he called me and informed
me that he has the sum of Eight Million, Four
Hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$8,400,000.00)in a
security company here in abidjanl. He further told me that he
deposited the money in my name, and also gave me all the
necessary but legal documents to this fund with the bank.
I am just 21 years old and a university undergraduate and
really don't know what to do. Now I want an account overseas
where I can transfer this funds and after the transaction I
will come and reside permanently in your country till such a
time that it will be convinient for me to return back home if
I so desire. This is because I have suffered a lot of
set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory
coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow
to my life. I also want to invest the fund under your care
because I am ignorant of business world.
I will also want you To make arrangement for me to come over
to your country in order to further my university education
and to secure a residential permit for me in your country.
Moreover sir, l am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum
as compensation for your assistance in the transfer of this
deposit to your country. Furthermore, you can indicate your
option towards assisting me as l believed that this project
would be concluded within seven days you signify interest to
assist me by contacting the bank.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this
regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.
Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question
will be good for you after the money is in your account?
Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible.
Immedaitely I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my
Picture and also inform you more details involved in this
matter.
Kind Regards,
Miss Caroline Martins.
#########
Hello ,
Thanks for your mail back concerning the inquiry mail I sent to you.
The price, condition also the pics I viewed is okay by me .And my client
confirm there is no problem about the price($975 ) ,my client do pays with
a {USA}cashier check, he has agreed to mail out as bank cashiers check of
$3500. to you on my behalf to cover the shipment fees. About the shipment,
that we be taken care by my me & my personal assistant, my personal assistant
will be using his shipper to do the quick processing of the shipping of
the(1987 Toyota Celica) to my client.
So all you are to do after you will received the check in your mail,
Just take out your sale amount and refer the remaining money to my shipper
immediately through the western union or the money gram outlet so to get the
money fast and start the fast arrangement for the pickup of the
(1987 Toyota Celica). Since you are the original owner of this item, and I
am buying the item directly from you I will like you to write your full name
to be on the check, with the mailing address which my client will be using
to issued out the check to you. I do wish to trust you by referring the rest
balance back to my shipper and also your fast doing to this transaction.
I will like to hear from you if this is okay by you and you are ready to
process ,if you already to sale your item and promise referring the rest
balance to my shipper immediately you received the check so can start the
quick arrangement for the pickup. Any body that want to buy this item
this item just tell them that it as been sold. I will like to complete
this transaction before the new year. I be at my computer waiting to see
your epky to my payment method mailed.
THANKS AND MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR DETAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
##########
> Thanks for getting back to me, I will be
>purchasing the motorbike Like I said earlier I am based in the
>netherlands(holland).there won't be any probs about the shipment, after
>payment ,the pick up will be made at your place. I have made arrangements
>with the prepaid shipping company. As regards payment, this is what I am
>going to do; I have a client in ENGLAND who is owing me 5800POUNDS I would
>instruct him to make out a money order/certified check to you in that
>amount and as soon as it clears your bank. you can now deduct your money
>from it and send me my balance, I will using use part of the money to pay
>for the shipping and other expenses .you will then send my balance by via
>western union money transfer. Although the value of the check is more than
>the asking price but I think I should be able to trust you with my
>balance. The reason why I am doing this is that it would take a check
>sent from over here in HOLLAND 21days to clear over there, whereas a check
>sent from the US would clear tops within 48hrs. So I would like you to
>deduct the western union charges from my balance. So if my terms are
>acceptable to you, I would like you to give me your full name, address and
>phone number so that I can instruct my client to make out the check to
>you. Pls get back to me as soon as you get this mail so that we can
>round things up in a timely fashion. I will be trusting in this business
>transaction.
###########
> Good day
> I am an auto dealer based in TAIWAN, I am interested in buying your
> ( 1989 Jetta GL 4 door )I will like to know if you would accept
> acetified cashier check for the payment of their also need to
> know the price and your full name and address including your
> phone is also needed in which payment will be sent to . I have a
> shipping company who takes cares of my shipment .So don't bother
> about the shipment's will also like to know if is still in good
> condition and
> shape. urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the (
> 1989 Jetta GL 4 door )
> REGARD
#############
> Thanks for your mail, Since the cost of your bike is $800 I just contacted
my client about the cost of your bike and it present condition and he said
there is no problem about that. So my client said he will be issuing you a
Certified Check of $4000 while you wire 3000 to me through Western Union
Money Transfer and you deduct the cost of your bike $800 and keep the
remaining $200 which my client said you should take for the terms of
Transaction and Agreement between you and my client. So I will like you to
send me your full contact information to where my client will be sending you
> the Certified Check like this:
> name.........
> full address.............
> city...............
> state.............
> country..........
> zip code............
> cell/office/home phone number.......................
> I will look forward to the requested information as soon as possible so
that the check can be sent out to you immediately And do get back to me
with the Pics of the bike so than! t my client will be Able to see What he
is paying off. Get back to me immediately. Looking towards your
> respond,
> Best Regards.
###########
Good day
i am an auto dealer based in TAIWAN, I am interested in buying your
( Comic book collection - 500 comics )I will like to know if you
would accept acetified cashier check for the payment of their also
need to know the price and your full name and address including your phone
is also needed in which payment will be sent to . I have a shipping
company who takes cares of my shipment .So don't bother about the
shipment's will also like to know if is still in good condition
and shape. urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the
(Comic book collection - 500 comics )
REGARD
