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Funny Craigslist Encounter

Anyone who falls for this on craigslist or ebay deserves it. It's so obvious, a buddy of mine received a crazy amount for his guitar once from a guy (like a check for $3,000) and he was debating on cashing it and sending half back. Sometimes I want to smack people
 
auero said:
Anyone who falls for this on craigslist or ebay deserves it. It's so obvious, a buddy of mine received a crazy amount for his guitar once from a guy (like a check for $3,000) and he was debating on cashing it and sending half back. Sometimes I want to smack people
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well... there are first time people who don't know better, they need to be taught properly..so not everyone deserves it
 
We were receiving the most annoying unsolicited phone scam for extended car warranty. I decided to chew up some of their time for about 15 minutes of questioning - sounding very worried about the car and equally vulnerable.

They were shut down by the FTC a week or so later - a better approach than cursing them.
 
yea, usually happens to me when Im selling an iPhone on ebay, though your guy was really trying to follow through. I had my scammer figured out when he sent me a totally bunk paypal invoice: wasnt address my first name, fonts and layout were totally amatuer and there was a notice at the bottom that said "WARNING: Paypal will release the funds as soon as we have confirmation of shipment."

basically, scammers suck, but its sad theres people out there who get screwed over all the time.
 
Should've sent him a P-P-P-Powerbook!

Alarm bells always ring when someone is unusually keen to buy something, especially overseas.
I get it all the time "What's your buy it now price and can you ship to {some other part of the world}? plz plz plz?"
Should just ask "why are you so desperate to get this one in particular?" - probably shut em up!
 
Apple Corps said:
We were receiving the most annoying unsolicited phone scam for extended car warranty. I decided to chew up some of their time for about 15 minutes of questioning - sounding very worried about the car and equally vulnerable.

They were shut down by the FTC a week or so later - a better approach than cursing them.
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LOL... I have done that to a telemarketer they called and I spent 30 min asking questions and then at the end I was " no thanks!"
 
the same guy tried to scam me last year and did the same thing. Nigeria is well known for its scamming and it is recommended to not do business with them online. o and btw its my first post new to the forum:)
 
xamon said:
the same guy tried to scam me last year and did the same thing. Nigeria is well known for its scamming and it is recommended to not do business with them online. o and btw its my first post new to the forum:)
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they are getting everyone.. Welcome to Macrumors!
 
If anyone is looking for some of the funniest reading on the internet - you need to read about the semi-professionals who scam the scammers back - check out http://419eater.com/ -- in the letters archive - the harry potter one I especially enjoyed.
 
atacinus said:
If anyone is looking for some of the funniest reading on the internet - you need to read about the semi-professionals who scam the scammers back - check out http://419eater.com/ -- in the letters archive - the harry potter one I especially enjoyed.
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That was quite possibly the funniest and at the same the most pathetic thing i ever read! :p
 
I saw a special on MSNBC about a year ago about these scammers. Thousands of Americans (stupid ones) are scammed every year by these African scammers. MSNBC mailed a package to one of these scammers, hopped on a plane and were there when it arrived. The man who picked up the package said he was "just the messenger." Upon further investigation, they discovered there are major warehouse operations going on there, and the local law enforcement says they only have the funding to deal with local issues and maintaining peace. The larger governments are underfunded but say they "will look into the matter," but they don't. Most of the merchandise is too expensive or too technically advanced to sell locally, so it gets shipped off to another warehouse, where it will be put back on eBay and sold for cash. Everyone along the supply chain (hundreds of people, much like a drug cartel, or mafia, for example) gets their cut of the proceeds. Because Americans would never hop on a plane and go out into some remote village in Africa to confront a large group of people involved in this scam, violence is never an issue. It is a peaceful operation; the local police do not bother them. (plus the income helps the local economy). In the end, MSNBC concluded there isn't really anything we can do if the governments in Africa aren't going to do anything (because they are underfunded), so as Americans we need to USE OUR BRAINS. (you might be able to find the video on Youtube)

I have sold a few things on Craigslist and I have received several (about ten) broken English replies like you received. I just delete them. I don't even bother. Contacting real buyers that live within 15 minutes of my house or office keeps me plenty busy.
 
This joker sent me another email today to follow up my last response to him:

"
why are you talking like this you really find it so hard to believe your fellow americans,right? well am so disappointed in you i must confess,well hope you get a good buyer for your goods.good luck.chris
"

I laughed for a good 10 minutes after reading this, hope you guys enjoy :)
 
Hey we are keeping Nigeria from fading away completely if not for the scams it would have went under long ago. the only growth industry.
 
Just put my wife's first gen on craigslist, and got an almost identical scam as the OPs within minutes. Here's the email:

I'm interested in buying this item for my son
as a gift for his birthday and he is currently out of town for a
project as it's his first time traveling out of town.Since we're not
going to be together this year,I thought I should be getting him
something nice. I will be paying you for this transaction via my
PayPal account, kindly get back to me with your PayPal email address
as for me to transfer the money ASAP I would have made this
transaction locally while I personally send it to him but am but am
presently out of town, I will add an extra $100.00 to cover the
shipping&handling charges I will appreciate it a lot if you can kindly
help me wrap the package very well so that it will get to him as a
mode of a gift. Please be honest with me I will be waiting to read
from you soon.

Regards.
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I just replied back, "Sorry, I don't deal with scammers."
 
johnqh said:
Why didn't you just ship him a piece of rock?
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funny story me and a friend were selling a computer on craigslist. a nigerian wanted to buy it. actually gave us money to ship it. sent him a empty tower fully of cow dung :rolleyes:.
 
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