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by dpjohansen
Oh! I recently read an article about this same type of thing happening to Ebay customers.. people from overseas would agree to buy things from them, usually things quite expensive, and then say "Suchaperson in your country owes me X amount of money, I'll get him to send you a cheque, you keep your payment, and send me a cheque for the difference".
What was happening then was; They'd get the authentic looking cheque, they'd deposit it, it would appear on their account. They would then send a cheque to the "buyer" for the remainder of the money. Of course, in the meantime, the original cheque turns out to be fraudulant, so the bank takes back the money from your account before it clears. Since not many people check their bank account regularly, instead waiting for their monthly statement, by the time they've realised what's happened, the cheque they sent to the "buyer" has been cashed.
I hope that made sense!
It appears a lot of people on Ebay have been taken in by it, and of course lost substantial amounts of money in the process. But thankfully you weren't. And it's always good to warn people about these things, so writing about your experience I think is a good idea.
Cheers!
David
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May 21 '05
5:06 pm PDT
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Thank you David! (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
That is the exact scenario of this attempted scam. The person was hoping I'd fall for it!
Be careful!
~gael
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May 21 '05
5:11 pm PDT
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Yep (Reply to this comment)
by phungus
I work for a very large bank and this is one things we warn our customers about.
Because of crap like this, I NEVER deal with anyone outside of the U.S. Cars and jewelry are the two biggest things this happens with, and people fall for it all the time.
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May 21 '05
6:03 pm PDT
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Re: Yep (Reply to this comment)
by Birdfeather
This is a common scam going on in the parrot world. I get emails all the time wanting me to do the same and their shipping agent will handle the shipping. Well you have to have a permit to ship a parrot to a foreign country, they just ignore that little detail. The check is fraud, you end up in the whole because you sent money from your account and in come cases they end up with the merchandise also and you have no clue where to find the guilty party.
When it's too good to be true it is usally a scam! Glad you caught on :)
Karen
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May 21 '05
6:10 pm PDT
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Re: Yep (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Thanks William. I can see how people would fall for it, especially with a smaller item that they really want to sell. With my car though, it was different I think, which is what tipped me off that it could be a hoax.
~gael
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May 21 '05
10:46 pm PDT
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Thanks Karen... (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
....you know, it was a learning experience. I had no idea how conniving and creative these people can be. I have warned my family and that's why I wanted to put it out here too...so that others can see how easily it could happen to them too!
Let the Buyer Beware...and the seller too!
~gael
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May 21 '05
10:59 pm PDT
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! (Reply to this comment)
by jankp
Interesting story. Glad your scam alert nose was working. I have been exchanging unpleasant emails with onlinesuperstore.com. Don't buy from them. They sent me the wrong thing in a package using old Christmas stamps and say I ordered wrong when a friend was with me and they had a note on shipping order that the product package and name has changed. They are the same thing. Ha! MSM and Chitosan are very different.
Jan
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May 22 '05
1:12 am PDT
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Good rule of thumb for the Internet (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
If someone wants you to give them money when you're trying to sell something, don't do it!
Glad you figured it out in time!
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May 22 '05
5:10 am PDT
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Re: ! (Reply to this comment)
by ifif1938
I had a similar thing happen on E-bay with an item I was selling, though much smaller in scope, but something about the offer also didn't sound Kosher ..I did a little investigation of my own and was really glad I did...You are so right about being so careful in all your internet dealings
Thanks for sharing your experience with us
Barbara
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May 22 '05
7:46 am PDT
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I am happy.... (Reply to this comment)
by romasuave
you came to your senses and realized this was fishy, in my review I mention some big time scams going on. I was almost taken for my fridge, they promised me a cashier's check and of course I didn't go for it. Craigslist has a disclaimer not to accept any email promising cashier's checks because they are so abundant. As the saying goes, buyer beware...
Good for you, good review.....
Roman
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May 22 '05
9:51 am PDT
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YIKES! (Reply to this comment)
by Candice923
I am a PowerSeller on eBay, and I've never heard of this scam. Thanks a lot for this essay... You've saved me from a future scam!!!
Candice
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May 22 '05
11:15 am PDT
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A Vast Industry, Financed with Illicit Funds. (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Some one close to me likes to "play" with these people. They used to be called "grifters," small time swindlers. But today, they are floated by drug, prostitution, intelligence, and terrorist money. The deal is always that you are supposed to get a nice sum of money -- but you have to put up yours first.
Whe-e-e, Gail!
The other morning a man identifying himself as "a United States Customs Agent" called up, promising to delivering a carton containing $285,000 within two hours. All the person close to me had to do was produce a cheque, or a credit card payment, for only $9500. What could be fairer?
This was laughable from several points, but there must be the occasional fish who bites, making the expense of boiler rooms and elaborate "official" letters worth it.
Nowadays, if I don't know who I'm selling something to, I'd just as well take it to the dump.
Glad you were not clipped, Gail.
Alex -- Macresarf1
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May 22 '05
12:42 pm PDT
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Re: ! (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Appreciate your heads up, Jan! I am going to be very wary in the future, that's for sure!
~gael
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May 23 '05
9:47 am PDT
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Re: Good rule of thumb for the Internet (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
So true, Grace! I think you really have to be on your toes these days and be overly suspicious, which is a shame, isn't it?
~gael
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May 23 '05
9:51 am PDT
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Re: Re: ! (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Glad you came out ok, Barbara. I can see how it could happen to anyone. You are anxious to sell your item, so you might jump on it without really investigating and then you're in trouble!
~gael
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May 23 '05
9:52 am PDT
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Hey, Gael (Reply to this comment)
by Granniemose
Your EP friends owe you a thank you for exposing this site. You have probably saved a lot of people from having a similar experience.
When it comes to money, it is hard to know who to trust any more. There are always some sleezeball out to get you, regardless of who they hurt.
in 2003 - right before Christmas - someone was able to access Jude's account through Pay master, and wiped out our savings. That was the year our Christmas dinner consisted of hot dogs, about all that was left in the freezer. In fairness, Pay Master did find the culprit and our money was returned lster - but we had a few weeks of strict poverty and anxiety.
Virginia
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May 23 '05
10:12 am PDT
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Glad (Reply to this comment)
by Suzer
they didn't get a chance to take advantage of you.
Sounds a little like the Nigerian scam that has been around for years, and is now floating around the email circuit.
Suz
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May 23 '05
3:55 pm PDT
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Re: I am happy.... (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Sounds like this is a pretty common occurrence, Roman. Many people are expressing similar situations. Sure hope these reviews help people fight the evil doers out there!
~gael
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May 23 '05
3:55 pm PDT
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Re: YIKES! (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
I just hope this saves a lot of people, Candace! There are more and more sophisticated scams out there every day...this is just one of the types, I guess.
~gael
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May 23 '05
4:12 pm PDT
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When I recently put a relatively expensive (Reply to this comment)
by Horswispr
guitar up for sale on Craig's List, I received two legitimate inquiries, and about five bogus ones, including one from a fella in LA with what appeared to be a legitimate website ("his" company) to back him up. I hope the authorities have the time and resources to "sting" some of these guys, but new scams are always emerging. I'm glad you didn't get burned.
Best,
Horse
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May 23 '05
9:08 pm PDT
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Re: Re: YIKES! (Reply to this comment)
by ginzo
Nice post Gael. Thanks for the info !!!
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May 24 '05
9:54 am PDT
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Re: When I recently put a relatively expensive (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Thanks to you, Horse, I found out about this scam just in time! The scammers out there are getting more and more conniving and creative!
~gael
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May 24 '05
7:58 pm PDT
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WOW.... (Reply to this comment)
by royalcrowncola
thanks for the information...this is a fairly sophisticated scam, isn't it? Sure a lot better than than the old "Nigerian" scam. They all have one consistent connecting theme: They play on your own greed for money. Thank you for ignoring the opportunity for greed and exposing the scam...well done!
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Jun 02 '05
4:10 am PDT
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Re: WOW.... (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Thanks RC...glad I wasn't the only one who had never heard of a scam like this one.
~gael
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Jun 12 '05
11:09 am PDT
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Thank you for bringing this to light. (Reply to this comment)
by remnjava
I've heard of several people being sent checks, with the sender wanting money back. BEWARE! There was also a similar documentary about the Nigerian money laundering scheme this past week. I can't think of the correct name now, but how they cheated people and were VERY difficult to catch.
I've glad something smelled fishy and you didn't fall for the scam.
Carol
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Jun 13 '05
3:54 pm PDT
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DOH! (Reply to this comment)
by LisaDo
Now I know what you meant in your comment left on my review.
http://www.epinions.com/content_186021023364
We have almost the same story!! I'm glad that you didn't get taken! I guess the saying is correct. If something looks to good to be true.... :(
Great review!
Lisa
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Jun 22 '05
3:53 am PDT
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BTW (Reply to this comment)
by LisaDo
I wanted to add that I added the link to this review in the comments section and the review section of my QChex review.
Lisa
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Jun 22 '05
3:56 am PDT
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Re: BTW (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Thanks much, Lisa...I'm doing the same with a link to your review. Very scary, eh?
~gael
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Jun 23 '05
9:26 am PDT
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This is a well known scam.... (Reply to this comment)
by watchdr_2000
Fortunately you didn't fall for this scam, well known on the internet as the *Nigerian* scam.
Here's a site that will tell you all that you need to know, Gary.
http://www.419eater.com/
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Jun 26 '05
3:55 pm PDT
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Re: This is a well known scam.... (Reply to this comment)
by gaelkm
Thanks Gary - I took a look at the website you provided. I had heard of the "Nigerian" scam, but this one somehow was different. Guess we just have to be on our toes these days!
~gael
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Jun 27 '05
8:48 pm PDT
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