I'm pretty sure this is a scam, but...

[KlondikeGeoff]

@FormerMarineGuy

Hey, I could use one of those. If I send you a check for $2000, can you send me a check back for a grand and I will let you keep the rest?

Sounds good to me, but remember, the elephant comes COD.

[kidsyndrome]

I just got a scam email the other day from a guy who works for a bank in some other country. Says his customer had tons of money in an account and died in a plane crash (even posted a link to the bbc article!) and wants me to help him get the money out.

I replied asking him for details and he’s actually emailed me back with them. I haven’t really read it over yet.

My question is this:

How can I have some fun with this guy? Or should I go ahead and report him to someone, and who would that be?

[Aceospades]

http://www.419eater.com/index.htm

this site will teach you how to have fun with scammers

[iamthewalrus_3]

@kidsyndrome

I just got a scam email the other day from a guy who works for a bank in some other country. Says his customer had tons of money in an account and died in a plane crash (even posted a link to the bbc article!) and wants me to help him get the money out.

I replied asking him for details and he’s actually emailed me back with them. I haven’t really read it over yet.

My question is this:

How can I have some fun with this guy? Or should I go ahead and report him to someone, and who would that be?

You can report it to whoever you want, but it’s very unlikely anything will come of it.

I’d be cautious about playing with this guy if you’re unprepared. Is there any way they could get actual information about you from your email address? These people are criminals, and, from what I read, are more and more becoming organized. The Nigerian mafia are probably not the kind of outfit you’d like to be pissed at you.

If you want to play around, set up an anonymous email address and spread it around. I’m sure the guys at 419eater would be happy to provide some pointers.

[A.R.Cane]

@KlondikeGeoff

I posted a For Sale ad on craigslist, and got the email below. I’m pretty sure this is a scam, but it’s different than the usual cashier’s check scams. What’s the deal with the USPS?

It sounds as though I’d get the money order, be able to cash it and wait to ship until am sure it’s legit, yes? Oh yeah, she’s offering $81 over my asking price, which is probably the real tip off.

I was about to delete it, but hate to lose a sale if it is the real thing. Any chance it is?

Here’s the message:

Thanks for the response about your posted item.
I really need this item and I am willing to offer you $430 plus the packaging materials.
I am also going to make my payment by United State Postal Money Order, Powered by United state Postal Service because it’s safe and secure for both of us.
I should have come to see this item but you can attach the pictures of the item for me to see because it’s very weird to buy what you haven’t see with your eyes.
Therefore I will require you to send your (NAME AND ADDRESS) so that I can proceed with the payment and for the shipment I will handle that with my FedEx account… You dont need to bother yourself with the shipping and insurance.

This is how {USPS} works :

Once payment is made, both the buyer and seller will be notified by {US Postal Service} via email that the transaction has been processed and approved. After this approval confirmation, {US Postal Service} will then mail out your money order directly to your address within 3-5 business days which will arrive by speedpost.
As for the shipping of the item, it will be done through my
FedEx account, so you don’t have to pay for any shipping charges after shipment has been made. In other for me to complete this transaction through {USPS} , all i need from you is your full name,address and telephone number that you will use in receiving the approval notification confirming the payment.
Thanks and God Bless while I await your response.

You might consider calling the USPS Inspectors office and see if they’re interested in pursuing this. It’s pretty foolish of the scammers to state that they are going to use a USPS Money Order.

[Mangetout]

@kidsyndrome

How can I have some fun with this guy?

Just correspond with him, but pretend to be charmingly innocent, or bipolar, or fanatically religious, or something. the goal is to try to get him to email you a picture of himself doing something stupid or holding up a sign with a double meaning.

[kidsyndrome]

@Mangetout

Just correspond with him, but pretend to be charmingly innocent, or bipolar, or fanatically religious, or something. the goal is to try to get him to email you a picture of himself doing something stupid or holding up a sign with a double meaning.

You guys are great… a day after replying that I was interested I got another email from someone dying of esophagaul(sp?) cancer. I mentioned in my reply that it was really crazy lucky of him to have contacted ME out of all the people in america… like winning the lottery, only even LESS likely!

[Ludovic]

@KlondikeGeoff

Sounds good to me, but remember, the elephant comes COD.

Mmmmm, elephant with cod.

[FormerMarineGuy]

@A.R. Cane

You might consider calling the USPS Inspectors office and see if they’re interested in pursuing this. It’s pretty foolish of the scammers to state that they are going to use a USPS Money Order.

The USPS site states to do this, but only if you received a fake money order and/or you are a victim (meaning you actually fell for this scam). But KlondikeGeoff is not a victim and I personally think he should sell everything he has on Craigslist and divy up the money amongst those who responded to this thread.

[psifreak]

@KlondikeGeoff

…Thanks and God Bless while I await your response.

Personally, I believe that when someone tries to bring God into the deal to try and make them look rightous, it spells out scam.