is this a scam? | FerrariChat

is this a scam?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Webby, Mar 20, 2009.

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  1. Webby

    Webby F1 Veteran

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    I listed my laptop on Craigslist. Exchange went like this:

    ================================================================================
    "Her":
    Is the item you advertised on craigslist still up for sale? Please email me back. Am very interested in buying.
    ================================================================================
    Me:
    Yes it is, you are the first to email! I go to Notre Dame. If you want, you can come take a look at it Saturday, after noon. Then it will take me a couple days to copy all of my files off of it, and you can take it by Monday or Tuesday. Will you be paying cash/check, and do you want just the laptop, or the mouse as well? Thanks
    ================================================================================
    Her:
    Thanks for your reply. The HP laptop and mouse is for my son who is currently spending time with his father (my dear husband) that works at US Embassy in West Africa. I will love it mailed to them. I will be paying you through paypal. It is %100 secured and easy to sign up via www.paypal.com incase you don’t have one. I will be paying you a total of $900 to cover both your cost price and shipping to West Africa. Please get back to me and let me know.
    ================================================================================

    I listed it for $700, $725 with the mouse. Seems reeeeally fishy to me but it's not like any other scam I've seen. The link to paypal actually was a link to paypal and not a phishing website. Could I take her payment, make sure it's deposited to my bank account first, and then ship?
     
    Webby, Mar 20, 2009
    #1
  2. AustinMartin

    AustinMartin F1 Veteran

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    Take the payment wait till you have the money then ship. Does seem really fishy, but that solution kind seems fool proof.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2009
    AustinMartin, Mar 20, 2009
    #2
  3. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    Sounds like a scam to me. Craigslist is infested with people who surf for victims. Anytime the person wants to overpay, pay with Western Union, or ship out of the country it most likely is bogus. Just my .02, but I would delete the email and wait for a legitimate buyer.
     
    badges2, Mar 20, 2009
    #3
  4. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    :rolleyes:

    Skip it. The buyer can pay via PayPal then dispute the transaction once they have your computer.
     
    Etcetera, Mar 20, 2009
    #4
  5. Webby

    Webby F1 Veteran

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    Thanks guys, I will stay away.
     
    Webby, Mar 20, 2009
    #5
  6. Skyler

    Skyler Formula 3

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    Definately a scam. Search the internet, happened a million times before!
     
    Skyler, Mar 20, 2009
    #6
  7. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Run Forest Run!!
     
    dm_n_stuff, Mar 20, 2009
    #7
  8. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    badges2, Mar 20, 2009
    #8
  9. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

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    Scam! I had the same contact myself. Apparently this "son who spends time with his father" in West Africa is in need of thousands of laptops..............
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2009
    wingfeather, Mar 20, 2009
    #9
  10. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    You know you could have a LOT of fun with this.....
     
    DrStranglove, Mar 20, 2009
    #10
  11. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    It certainly has the trademark of a scam, ask for a money order and tell her that the money order will be at the bank for a couple of weeks, until they check it out. She may try to pressure you into sending it sooner because they "need" it soon but that will be a tactic to get something for nothing.

    I say keep looking for a local buyer. Computers are everywhere and having to look outside your country is odd, looking across an ocean for a used one is down right weird.
     
    62 250 GTO, Mar 20, 2009
    #11
  12. Carsleuth

    Carsleuth F1 Rookie

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    :):):)
     
    Carsleuth, Mar 20, 2009
    #12
  13. Fan512bbi

    Fan512bbi Two Time F1 World Champ BANNED

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    What the Doc says, this is a common scam, me and the Doc are members of 419 eaters and i see this scam on a daily basis, have some fun with them i say :)
     
    Fan512bbi, Mar 20, 2009
    #13
  14. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Simple answer:yes

    Not so simple answer: Live and Learn :D
     
    agup48, Mar 20, 2009
    #14

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