Sorry to hear that...nice catch!
Glad you followed up on your "Spidey-sense" that something was wrong.
Glad you followed up on your "Spidey-sense" that something was wrong.
My first private gun sale that went bad.
- Thread starter Farmer17
- Start date
DWalt
Member
I think I have seen about every scam going, as I have sold a lot on Craigslist. People who respond to my listings with long and flowery messages and sad stories are always suspect. So are ones who want to pay with Western Union, and those who want to send you a check for more than the price, and want the excess refunded to them (I have always wondered why they think anyone would fall for that line). For the most part, I will deal on only a cash transaction and F-to-F. No money orders, personal checks, credit cards, cashier's checks, etc. I have read that even postal money orders are being counterfeited, so you cannot be sure that even they are legitimate.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
In retirement with no money I'm no longer in position to engage in gun deals. But I never bought or sold a gun privately except face to face, cash only. If I came into some money that would still be my policy.
I have a nasty suspicious mind.
I have a nasty suspicious mind.
mrrick
Member
I've bought, sold and traded several guns with S&W forum members and never had a problem. Of course just followed a few simple procedures. Check out feedback on them.
Look at some of their threads and posts to get a feel for who they are.
First time, wait for funds to clear, I only take USPS money order.
Now, with previous buyers, I'll even send the gun before I get the check.
So far, never had a problem, except for those that say "they'll take it" and then back out with a story that their "friend" had one just like it for less money. No big deal, but why don't they just say, "hey, sorry, but I changed my mind" instead of some obvious BS story.
Rant over.
Look at some of their threads and posts to get a feel for who they are.
First time, wait for funds to clear, I only take USPS money order.
Now, with previous buyers, I'll even send the gun before I get the check.
So far, never had a problem, except for those that say "they'll take it" and then back out with a story that their "friend" had one just like it for less money. No big deal, but why don't they just say, "hey, sorry, but I changed my mind" instead of some obvious BS story.
Rant over.
ANY paper check can be counter fitted. Some are poor copies and some are very well done. This includes USPS money orders, Western Union, cashiers checks, travelers checks etc..............
No matter what the payment type is, wait for it to clear unless you know the person.
No matter what the payment type is, wait for it to clear unless you know the person.
twodog max
Member
Abut a year back I was selling a Glock on Gunbroker. Guy contacted me via the gunbroker system asking questions about the Glock. Then wanted to know if I might trade. He claimed to have P&R Model 27 he would trade in near new condition. Proceeds to tell me he is from my home state and can we do a FTF deal. I told him sure but the Glock still had to go through my dealer. Last I heard out of him. When he wanted to trade even a P&R Model 27 for a Glock I knew he was a total phony but wanted to see how far he would push it. You got to be careful these days.
OP
My stepson recently sold a Sony PlayStation for $300 to a guy who answered his craigslist ad. He was a clean-cut young guy driving a fairly nice Nissan Altima and he handed him a bank envelope sleeve with 3 $100 bills in it. My stepson took the money and started to drive off and as he was driving away he took the bills out of the bank sleeve and noticed on the bills it said "not legal tender" on the bottom. He called the FBI and they couldn't basically do anything and I told him he just learned an expensive lesson.
italiansport
Member
I got scammed by a guy from Canada for $900 several years ago on a purchase ,not a gun, I had made from him on Ebay. Ebay didn't do anything about it but I subsequently found out I was one of several who had been scammed. We contacted the Canadian Police and, believe it or not, they got right on it found the scammer and informed him that unless he made full restitution he was immediately going to jail. It took a few months be eventually we all got our money back.
I'm posting this to show that even on an international bad deal getting restitution is possible.
On the other hand; I've sold to members of this forum and these deals have all gone without a hitch.
Jim
I'm posting this to show that even on an international bad deal getting restitution is possible.
On the other hand; I've sold to members of this forum and these deals have all gone without a hitch.
Jim
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Renegade19
Member
I used to buy and sell bike frames as a hobby. The scammers at that time would offer to buy a frame for a hugely inflated price and say they would have their shipper pick it up from me. They would send you a certified cashier's check and all you had to do was wire a smaller amount of cash to them via Western Union and keep the extra amount for your trouble. How could that be a bad deal for a seller?
Of course the checks were fake and they had no intention of picking up the frame, all they wanted was the cash you would send them via WU and you were out the cash.
The frame I was selling was probably around $450, but when I immediately recognized the guy was a scammer (spelling, country he was in, story, etc.) I decided to have a bit of fun with him via email.
This is long, but I thought he would stop! This started with an ad I posted offering the Tommasini SLX Super Prestige for sale. Ended up with me offering my air hardened Silly Putty, then my Pasta and Cheese bike
=======================
HIM
Hello,
I saw ur ad placed on the net and a contemporary of mine recommended it to me.I will like to know if the above item is available,the last price and if possible with pics to know the present condition.I would like to solicit your total sincerity and honesty in this transaction.Payment will be made by a US Certified cheque and shippment would be at my cost because i have a private shipper so shipping should not be a problem,I stay in Southport in the Uk.Happy New Year
Sincerely urs,
Benita Brian
=========================
ME
$5000
====================
HIM
Goodday,
Thanks for your response.I wld be waiting for the pics if any.I am happy to hear back from you.I more than willing to buy the Tommasini SLX Super Prestige frame,so tht my shipper can ship everyother thing with it i bought initially from a garage sale .Its good to know that the Tommasini SLX Super Prestige frame is available.Payment would be made which will include shipping,insurance cover papers and everyother necessary things for shippment at my own cost. My Partner (a multi business man and philantropist) who is an American residing in the Italy and would be leaving for South America very soon,he has agreed to send you a US certified cheque of $9,500 .You are to contact my private shipper for payment same day you receive the cheque.The contact of the shipper i will mail to you when you receive payment.You deduct your payment,and send the excess funds to my shipper via western union. My shipper'll handle the shipping of the Tommasini SLX Super Prestige frame and some other items which i bought from a garage sale auction and are ready for shippment,he deals with Quicktime, fast delivery. I'll be compensating you with $250,for your efforts and the western union charges.The shipper will be coming to your location for the pickup immediately the payment is been confirmed. Pls send your full data,so that you'll recieve the cheque very soon.The following data would be needed for the cheque to be sent to u asap.NAME...,PHYSICAL ADDRESS...,PHONE NUMBERS...Pls reply today and have a wonderful day.Happy New Year
Best Regards
Benita Brian
===============================
ME
Sorry, it sold to a fellow from England who has a friend from Uganda who is working the hurricane disaster relief in Louisiana who is sending a cashier's check for $12,500 and will pick up the bike in a month or so.
I am wiring back via Western Union only $3,500 to England and I get to keep $9,000 for the Tommasini because it is so rare and they want it so bad!
=============================
HIM
Hello Friend,
Wht if i bid higher to pay u $10,000 for the Tommasini and hv the cheque sent to u on or before next weekend cos i need it too badly...Pls respond.
Benita
============================
ME
Benita,
As the honorable person and man of your word I am sure you must be, I am certain you understand I would not want to go back on my word with the previous buyer. However, I do have a rare one-of-a-kind racing bike made of air hardened Silly Putty that I would sell for the $10,000 price.
====================
HIM
I like and fully understand ur stands and wld hold on.I wld really like to go into business with u cos of this gesture u hv displayed,its shows how nice u are as a man.I wld buy ur racing bike and wld like to make a payment of $15,000 which wld include payment of shipping of the racing bike and all other item i hv with the shipper.I wld also go further to offer u an extra $250 for westernunion charges to wire the balance of $5000 back to my shipper who's contact details i wld send to u when payment is sent to u.The shipper will come to ur location for the pick when payment is made.I wld like to hear back from u with the payment details which will include name,address and contact phone number to which payment can be issued and sent to u.Will be waiting to hear back from u soon.
Benita
===================
ME
Benita,
I am so sorry! I left out a zero in the price for the collector's edition Silly Putty bike. It is $100,000, which would make your cost $95,000 if I wired back $5,000 to you. Please let me know ASAP as there are many, many bike item collectors clamoring for this oh-so-rare item!
==========================
HIM
Is $95,000 ur last price?if so let me so we can proceed with the payment asap. Benita
======================
ME
Benita,
You sound like a man who knows his bikes! What would your maximum offer be?
===================
HIM
Wht is ur own last price for the bike,and i wld start from there
Benita
==================
ME
Benita,
You are not going to believe this! The fellow said he sent me a $250,000 cashiers check and all I have to do is send him $10,000 by Western Union. I don't even have to ship the bike! He is going to have a friend pick it up for him on February 30, so I get to keep it another six weeks to look at it and remember it before it will be gone. I can't believe my luck on this sale!
===================
HIM
Does this mean i lost out on the bid/sale for the bike?pls reply
====================
ME
Benita,
The only bike I have left, and it is even more rare then the air hardened Silly Putty one I just sold, is an Italian model made entirely of different colored and shaped pastas and cheeses. I rode it in the Tour de France last year when Lance Armstrong won his record 7th Tour de France. Perhaps you remember the story about me riding it or saw the pictures of me riding the red, green, and white pasta bike on the news? I hope so. I would sell it for $300,000, but would not be willing to send via Western Union a payment to you of more than $15,000 because I really hate to sell it.
======================
HIM
Hello,
Does tht mean ur selling?and if so,pls let me know the last price so i can issue u payment and we can proceed.
Benita
====================
ME
I would take $350,000 for the Pasta and Cheese bike, which would allow me to make $300,000 on it.
===================
HIM
Hello Frank,
I wld really like to go into business with u cos of this gesture u hv displayed,its shows how nice u are as a man.I wld buy ur Pasta and Cheese bike and wld like to make a payment of $400,000 which wld include payment of shipping of the racing bike and all other item i hv with the shipper.I wld also go further to offer u an extra $2000 for westernunion charges to wire the balance of $48,000 back to my shipper who's contact details i wld send to u when payment is sent to u.The shipper will come to ur location for the pick when payment is made.I wld like to hear back from u with the payment details which will include name,address and contact phone number to which payment can be issued and sent to u.Will be waiting to hear back from u soon.
Benita
=====================
ME
Benita,
I have tired of this game.
Goodbye.
======================
Classic! Made my day.
Cardboard_killer
Member
For things like that, I recommend meeting in the parking lot of the local police department. I would advise against doing that with a gun exchange, however.
I've bought a couple lemon firearms in person, but never been outright robbed. I did once sell a revolver to a woman and when I met her she mentioned during the exchange that the gun was for her husband. That got me worried that it might considered a straw sale (having looked up the rules afterwords, I don't think it is if the spouse is legally allowed to buy the gun); I asked her if he were legally able to own a firearm, she said yes, it was just a present. I still had qualms but sold it anyway. Even though I think it is legal, I probably shouldn't have sold it without doing the research, just because the penalties are a lot more worrisome than the $200! I wish she had flipping told me before we met and I could have looked up the rules.
They seized banks in Iraq with bushels of US dollars, and sell oil--cash is not something they're lacking.
model70hunter
Member
This is a common scam, it is not just guns. He probably contacts as many people a day as he can.
Computers make perfect forged checks.
I have sold or bought a couple FTF. Out of state I drop them and the sale.
Face to face, in a well lit public area and I would go packing and have an armed friend close by.
P.S. I know the prosecuting attorney in Bowling Green, she is bereft of many things, moving all of her fingers at once would be one. She mistook a family member for a deadbeat and would not back off until the KY Governour told her to back off. I would not count on her to assist.
Computers make perfect forged checks.
I have sold or bought a couple FTF. Out of state I drop them and the sale.
Face to face, in a well lit public area and I would go packing and have an armed friend close by.
P.S. I know the prosecuting attorney in Bowling Green, she is bereft of many things, moving all of her fingers at once would be one. She mistook a family member for a deadbeat and would not back off until the KY Governour told her to back off. I would not count on her to assist.
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There is a scam aimed at lawyers
You get contacted by a new "client" to help collect on an overseas settlement
You get sent a check for a lot of money drawn on an American bank as the settlement
You deposit the check to your escrow account and cut a check to the "client" less your fee.
Sometime later, it could be weeks, your bank tells you the check was stolen and you are out the money you sent to your "client"
You get contacted by a new "client" to help collect on an overseas settlement
You get sent a check for a lot of money drawn on an American bank as the settlement
You deposit the check to your escrow account and cut a check to the "client" less your fee.
Sometime later, it could be weeks, your bank tells you the check was stolen and you are out the money you sent to your "client"
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Was trying to sell my 07 HD on Craigslist. Everytime I reposted, I would get a message from some a-hole back east that wanted to use Paypal and a "shipper" to pick up the bike.
Luckily I had read about scams on Crigslist. Usually I would respond with a "Nasty-gram". LOL .
Last time I re-stated cash only.
You know how that turned out.
One time a "motorcycle-selling service" called. Luckily i figured that one out.
Gotta be careful...
Luckily I had read about scams on Crigslist. Usually I would respond with a "Nasty-gram". LOL .
Last time I re-stated cash only.
You know how that turned out.
One time a "motorcycle-selling service" called. Luckily i figured that one out.
Gotta be careful...
Thieves leverage the fact that most people don't know the differences between collected funds, cleared check, and available for withdrawal. You can deposit a cashiers' check and a day or two later the bank may tell you it "cleared" or is available for withdrawal, and weeks (or even months if the money order was foreign) later tell you it was counterfeit and rejected by the bank it was drawn on and debit your account to cover it.
Has My Check Cleared? -
Has My Check Cleared? -
ky wonder
US Veteran
internet scammers are prolific, and you have to stay on guard at all times.
the reason for fed-ex rather than us-postal service is us mail fraud laws
no crime was committed when they sent it through fed ex
sorry for your experience, but there are many valid customers on line
the reason for fed-ex rather than us-postal service is us mail fraud laws
no crime was committed when they sent it through fed ex
sorry for your experience, but there are many valid customers on line
The ratio of scam deals to legit deals on Armslist has got to be at least 50/50 if not greater. Armslist warns plainly that all non-dealer deals should be local-only or expect to get scammed.
It's a huge problem. Legit sellers and buyer are the victims of this out-of-control nonsense. I wish Armslist would do something to improve the situation but they don't seem to be too interested.
It's a huge problem. Legit sellers and buyer are the victims of this out-of-control nonsense. I wish Armslist would do something to improve the situation but they don't seem to be too interested.
Exactly, before I retired, the company for which I worked had a FEDEX account.
A phone call came asking our FEDEX number to ship parts to us.
Stupid office girl gave it out.
Then the bogus charges started happening.
