An old fool scammed, warning

[g.corey74]

Hi Cheapskate,
**** happens. Thanks for your kind words for me.

 

[g.corey74]

Hi Groovy,
Thanks for your input. The info didn't fit what we have but I flaged it for reference.

 

[g.corey74]

Cheapskate,
Thanks for a good story and a laugh. You tried.

 

[g.corey74]

Hi mad,
Interesting story.

 

[ket-tek]

You don't need an ID when retrieving money from Western Union. You only need a MNU(?) code (a "secret" code given to the shipper who then provides it to the recipient). Recipient has to give two pieces of the transaction ID to the Western Union clerk (e.g. - the MNU code and last name of the shipper, etc.).

I dunno? the times I collected money sent to me via WU they required me to show an id, and they asked the full name of the person that sent the money, as well as the secret code.

I've collected money via WU a few times for my ebay auctions as some people wanted to pay that way. But I would never buy anything via a WU transaction that's for sure, so I've never sent money WU.

I do know anyone that wants you to send money via WU for an item or service or whatever, that you do not know personally and setup together directly, is a scam.

 

[g.corey74]

Hi swharris,
Thanks for your info. I have posted earlier about these replies and it's no problem. Your comments stated the purpose of the forum with a twist. The idea has possibilities
but might be difficult to get willing participants. I flagged the link for reference. I'll follow up with any results but I don't expect much to be found.

 

[kams1973]

I want to thank the OP for having the courage to start this thread. As a result of what I learned reading this thread, I was able to instantly recognize a scam on a travel trailer deal my wife was trying to work out.

 

[g.corey74]

Hi formek,
Thanks for your input. You hit on the simplest solution. We acted too fast and lost that advantage.

 

[g.corey74]

Hi osao,
Thanks for your input. Sorry I can't keep up with responding in order to keep things in sink. I agree with most of what you say. If you are as wise as you sound then you have read my post #69.

 

[hp246]

Could have been a lot worse. We just had a young man killed here in Michigan over a Craigslist deal gone bad. It was over a $75 cell phone.

 

[g.corey74]

drmarkr, ("now who's the bigot")
Is this an open pole?

 

[g.corey74]

Hi Hollowellreid,
Thanks for sharing your story. You did good. I briefly checked the link. Did the guy serve time? Question: At the
time would you have taken $500 in exchange for the guy going free?

 

[g.corey74]

Hi osao,
Thanks for the story. You lost a lot more than I did. I can't imagine how bad you felt or what you had to go through. Ten years ago you probably didn't have the support of a forum like this. I thought your comment about moving on was right on the mark. It's exactly what I want to do but I'd like to respect the support I have had from so many posts. The thread grew so fast since Monday I couldn't properly respond with timely answers. I'll do my best then
move on. Did you pick up on Harry Potter from other posts or did you Google A.S.?

 

[g.corey74]

Hi e-tek,
Thanks, and for your comments. I would never have guessed I would be a victim of a scam. I'm too suspicious by nature. We jumped too fast and **** happened.

 

[danski0224]

Email Scam

I received an email from my internet provider... or, at least it appeared to be.

It looked very spiffy and official, and stated that my credit card was nearing expiration.

Clue #1: Most legit businesses will not send you an email asking to update CC info through a link.

Clue#2: There was a spelling error in the text.

Clue #3: While hovering over the "update" link, the displayed address was not where I would need to go.

It would be very easy for most people to miss/ignore/dismiss the clues and provide the CC number.

Scams come in all shapes these days. Pay attention.

 

[shoot summ]

Here's a Bobcat S130 in my area for $2877....

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/tid/2224315475.html

 

[p_mori7]

g.corey74: PM sent.

 

[Hollowellreid]

Hi Hollowellreid,
Thanks for sharing your story. You did good. I briefly checked the link. Did the guy serve time? Question: At the
time would you have taken $500 in exchange for the guy going free?

That is a good question. Things kind of went unresolved. I have followed up a couple of times with the police department but need to try again. I have not had any updates on the case for almost a year... Probably a lost cause now.

I don't think I would have taken the $500. In the overall scheme of things $$500 isn't much and it would be well worth it to see this slimeball serve some time and get what he had coming. There were ~12 people that he scammed on this deal, probably took between $15,000-$25,000 overall.

I like to think that people are generally good and it is surprising that there are people out here like this still.

Sorry for what happened, but I'd file it under "expensive mistake you will never make again" I know I'll be more careful in the future! Thats how we learn, right?

 

[g.corey74]

shoot summ

Were you aware the site is flagged for removal?

 

[g.corey74]

Hollowellreid

I would agree with your choice. A hard thing to lose the money but worse to think he may have gotten away with
the deed. You are right about using the mistake to be more careful. I can move on feeling the forum has helped others to be cautious.

 

[shoot summ]

shoot summ

Were you aware the site is flagged for removal?

Yes, the scammer keeps posting the same bobcat over and over in the "tickets" section of CL.

I actually have a scammer that I am playing with right now. Had a 2004 Land Rover HSE on CL for $5400. It's in "Billings, MT" and the seller is just a few days from deploying to Afghanistan.

He wants to handle the transaction through "EBAY", and has sent me an invoice for 1/2 of the funds to be sent through Western Union.

I've sent the emails to EBAY and Western Union already, any other ideas how I can mess with this scammer?

 

[seagravedriver]

Try the ebola monkey man site for some ideas. I do not know, but he may have some links for ideas. I would consider saying you are in the area and are going to come by. Maybe you can get close and freak him with ip address stuff. Google it and keep us posted!

 

[rickycobra]

Not an easy thread to post. I and my son bought a Bobcat
on Craigslist last Friday. It was our first experience using Craigslist. There were some warning flags but we figured we were covered with the buyer/seller protection. After emails from the seller we went to my bank to use their connections with Western Union and sent half payment, $2800, as instructed. Later we received an email from Anthony Goldstein(first flag)@msn.com that he couldn't start shipment until paid in full. So we are screwed. I am not one to trust anyone on such dealings but how can Craigslist, Western Union and the bank be unaware of violations? How can people do business with Craigslist and not be scammed? If anyone out there has any experiences or info that would help me or other potential fools I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks

Don't ever use western union in a Craigslist Transaction.

 

[CUSTOMMANCAVES.COM]

Don't ever use western union in a Craigslist Transaction.

Really? Why not?

 

[g.corey74]

Custom,
Because it might be going to a friend of Harry Potter.

 

[g.corey74]

shoot summ.

Yea, I could bid up the 5400 and we could see how long we could keep him in the country.