Overseas Craigslisters

[iSaint]

While considering a new laptop purchase, I peruse the local Craigslist ads as a curiosity. I have emailed two sellers that have seemingly legitimate deals. However, one responded that he was back in Italy, and the other said she was now in Manchester, England. The second one sent pics. Of course, both have 'the solution' as far as payment and shipping.

I've heard of Nigerian scandals, but Italy and England? Is this another level of scamming?

 

[Airforcekid]

I have gotten both as well they seem too cheap dont want to use paypal etc. Only buy in person on craigslist!

 

[old-wiz]

there are other threads about this kind of scam. If you google something like "I am now in manchester england" you get lots of hits. A search via Mroogle will also pick up a long thread on it. One even said she had to sell a 1 year old macbook pro because it was bought in the US which means it only works on 110 volt, so she can't use it in England. Also the specs were impossible - a machine that was never made.

It's nothing but a scam.

here's one example:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/694601/

 

[clyde2801]

Do you think the nigerians would say they're in Nigeria?

 

[GGJstudios]

Buying Online - Is This Company Legitimate?:
Craigslist suggested precautions and scam warning flags:

If the seller is not in your local area then it is a scam. There is no reason for someone to advertise on a local Craigslist from outside of that locality.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams:

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

 

[hellfire88]

100% scam (I get those almost daily). Only meet face-to-face for Craigslist deal and even face-to-face, make sure to meet in a very public area as I've heard of people meeting in some sketchy places getting jumped and robbed for their money or items.

 

[iSaint]

Thanks for confirming what I believed. Amazing what people will do for a buck.

 

[Consultant]

Scam.

If you use the European sites, they'll say they are in the US.