The 7 Biggest Craigslist Scams
Online shopping lovers beware: Craigslist is not always a bastion of wondrous deals and titanic savings. Internet con-artists have found a way to make a quick buck almost everywhere you might exchange information online, and Craigslist is no exception. Lying, cheating, and downright theft occurs on the site with surprising regularity. It is our hope that the harrowing stories and cautionary warnings told below will help you to be more discerning and careful in your travels on Craigslist and the rest of the Internet.
Free Furniture
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In March of 2008, Fox News reported on a Craigslist hoax that cost one man almost everything he owned. In Jacksonville, Oregon, scammers posted prank ads on the website claiming that the person who lived at Robert Salisbury’s residence had to leave town suddenly, and that everything in his house was free for the taking. The problem is that Salisbury had no idea of any such ad and was not certainly not planning on moving anywhere. On his drive home he spotted a truck passing him loaded down with stuff from his house and garage.
Surprised, Salisbury pulled them over to discover just what was going on. “I informed them I was the owner, but they refused to give the stuff back,” Salisbury said. “They showed me the Craigslist printout and told me they had the right to do what they did.” As he arrived home, Salisbury was greeted by 30 people ransacking his home, barn and garage, taking everything and anything they wanted. Eventually the police arrived on scene to break up the party, but by then too many people had already made their getaway.
Cheap Rental Homes
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Washington newspaper TheOlympian recently reported on a serious real estate scam going around Craigslist that could cost unsuspecting shoppers thousands of dollars. Creative scammers, usually located overseas in remote areas that U.S. law cannot affect, find ads elsewhere on the Internet for properties for sale by real estate agencies. They then copy the pictures, address and description of the property and list it on Craigslist for well below market value.
You might think you are getting an amazing deal from a desperate seller, but instead you’re only being ripped off. Buyers who fall for the hoax send the purchase price (or at least a deposit) to the seller’s bank account and then desperately wait for contracts or deeds that will never come. The seller promptly disappears with the money and moves right along to the next deal.
“Sometimes they’re just asking for an application fee, but then they get 50 applicants and they’ve got their money,” the article reports. “Others ask for a full deposit fee to hold the rental.”
Cell Phone Trickery
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Earlier this year, a new scam began cropping up on Craigslist, this time attacking sellers. Popular shopping blog TheConsumerist reports that sellers of various items may be contacted by a seemingly interested buyer who claims they’re too busy to talk at the moment, but nonetheless want to buy what you’re selling. Instead of just asking for your phone number, they claim to use some kind of web service that stores information and request that you to visit their site and enter your phone number. This is so that they can call you later, or so they say.
Of course, for the gullible few who visit the strange URL and enter in their phone number, a buyer’s phone call is the last thing they receive. Instead, the website beings charging the cell phone owner a phantom fee of $9.95/month, with no apparent way to contact the offending business. For an example of the sort of email you should be on the lookout for, check out this one copied straight from Craigslist on TheConsumerist.
Used Cars For Less
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While Craigslist can certainly be a prime place to find used cars for sale, buyers must be careful of the occasional vehicle fraud that could rob them of hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars. Skilled con artists list vehicles for sale for jaw dropping discounts to lure unsuspecting buyers who may think they’re getting the deal of a lifetime. It may not always be the same car, but the price will always be far, far less than market value.
Idaho news website IdahoStatesman reports on a specific incidence of this scam wherein a woman listed a three year old SUV for less than $3,000. Right away some red flags should be going up in most shoppers heads, but in order to investigate the scammer’s sales funnel, the paper replied to the ad with a few questions regarding the vehicle and why it is listed for so little money. The con artist’s reply, which can be read here, attempts to justify the low price with an emotional divorce story and then asks for payment through their own secure channel.
IdahoStatesman reminds us that no one, grieving a divorce or not, would ever take such a massive loss on a car. Anyone unfortunate enough to fall for it will part with their $3,000 and never hear from the seller again.
Give-Aways From the Troops
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The Illinois National Guard has recently released a statement alerting Craigslist shoppers to be the lookout for the latest wave of scams, this time involving the troops. The hoax advertisements claim that soldiers are trying to get rid of big items before they are deployed overseas. Cars, televisions, computers, and more have been advertised in this fashion for unbelievably low prices, leaving many of us to wonder why soliders would want to come home from duty without any of these items.
Nevertheless, the uniqueness of the story has at least a tinge of believability to it, luring some right into the con artist’s trap. In the end its another “take the money and run” tale in which you pay the supposed soldier for his great collection of stuff, only to wind up out of money and unable to contact the seller ever again.
The giveaway for this scam is that all of the sellers claim to be soldiers from a specific Illinois National Guard unit. MyStateLine.com reports that the National Guard and the FBI are currently trying to track down the scammers and bring them to justice.
Phishing For eBay
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In March of this year, JSOnline reported on a widespread Craigslist scam that cost many people their eBay login and possibly all of the money in their PayPal or online bank accounts. Scammers start by listing fake products for sale on Craigslist, and when an interested buyer bites, the seller tells them they’d rather make the transaction on eBay. The scammer then sends the buyer a fake eBay website that steals the login information the user types in.
The scam artist uses this login information to list more fraudulent products for sale from the victims account. By spreading their scam out across so many innocent people’s accounts, it becomes nearly impossible to locate the actual con man. JSOnline comments that “Many customers use the same password for their eBay and PayPal – and even online banking accounts – leaving consumers even more vulnerable to theft… This is so multifaceted, this isn’t just one scam, this is 15 scams.”
Student Roommates
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Among the many diverse and sometimes strange advertisements posted on Craigslist, college roommate requests might seem to be relatively tame. Unfortunately for some California students, a scam broke out over the website at the beginning of this year involving international students looking for roommates here in the states. California newspaper The California Aggie broke the news of the con, cautioning all students in the area to be wary of requests from international housemates.
Tuong Ha, a UCD student of psychology and neurobiology was one who fell victim to the scam and told the Aggie all about his experience. After posting an ad looking for a roommate on Craigslist, he was contacted by a girl calling herself Sammie and claiming tp be a Malaysian transfer student looking to live in his area. He reports that Sammie sent him a check for $3,500, which was much more than he asked for a security deposit.
Tuong deposited the check into his bank account, and only a couple of days later, Sammie contacted him again requesting that he send her $2,720 back for a plane ticket to the states. He sent her the money and never heard from her again. Several days later his bank contacted him to inform him that the check had bounced, and he had lost the $2,720.
See also: Craigslist reviews
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Thanks for this great little article/post. It was informative and opened my eyes to what’s going on out there. I never really thought of Craigslist as being such haven for scammers, but it looks like it! Now I’ll look at Craigslist posts with a much more magnified lens.
I Hope These Will Help Others:
To My Piano For Sell:
FROM TRAVIS HAMMOND:
Hope this item is still available for sale……..and pls let me know the condition of the item thanks???? Travis
My Response:
My Yamaha is still available and in Excellent Condition. Thank you for your interest and let me know if you would like to see May God Bless You Always.
FROM TRAVIS
Thanks for your prompt response i will love to make an instant purchase,i hope it is in good condition like it stated, i have taken a close look at the advert,and am completely satisfied so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist.I don,t mind adding an extra $85 dollars for you to take the advert down from criagslist, so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the item.I will also like you to know that i will be paying via CERTIFIED CHECK and it will be an over night payment…………. You don,t need to bother your self with the shipment ok,I will take care of that myself…. So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the payment….Not p.o.box Name to be on the check_______________ Home address or office address________ City__________________________________
State_________________________________
Zip Code______________________________
Cell phone #__________________________
**Once again ,I will like you to know that you will not be responsible for shipping of this item . my shipper will move down to your place for the pick up…as soon as the money order clear. hope you assure me in hand of the item… Have a nice day…….
Are they still for sale..and let me know the condition ????????????????////
My Response:
I PROMISE you the my piano is ‘Exactly’ as stated.
Excellent condition. I will appreciate the extra $85.00 to take the ad off Craig’s list at once. Bringing the price to 484.00.
This will be a blessing to children wanting to learn to play music. Thank you!
Again Travis…there is nothing wrong with the piano. I simply need smaller keyboards.
FROM TRAVIS
Hello How are you and how is your day? Hope everything if ok? .Well i will like to tell you that you will receive the payment next week.But, there is something i will like you to do for me. I just got married last week, i leave in New York,but will be relocating to your city as soon as i return from my honeymoon and will be going for my honeymoon in Dubai somewhere in the Asia next week. I might not be around to coordinate the pick up,and i will not want any delay from my side regarding the pick up so ,i will be adding the shipping fund with you money. As soon as you receive the payment,and get payment cashed.Then, I will instruct my shipper to get in contact with you for the pick up schedule time and date. so i will be sending the money to cover the shipment of the item, . You will receive the payment of $2,876 As soon as you have it, i will want you to deduct your money plus $100 for your effort and send the balance to the shipper via western union or money gram at any walmart store around you, the shipper will be pick up some other items for me in your city. I want to buy this item for our my own use as soon as we return from Dubai. I hope i can count on you to do this for me. I will await your response asap, so that we can set the ball rolling
Are they still for sale..and let me know the condition ????????????????////
My Response (BEFORE THE LIGHT BULB CAME ON)
I am happy to go to Wal-Mart . Please, I trust you will send ‘detail information’ about where the remainder of your funds money needs wired. This is a large amount and I want to ‘make very sure’ it gets expedited to the correct person.
Please let me know the exact amount you expect me to deduct.
My Last Message to Travis
1.Most cashier’s check or money orders offered to craigslist sellers are COUNTERFEIT — cashing them can lead to financial ruin 2.Requests that you wire money abroad via Western Union or moneygram for any reason are SCAMS
3.Learn more on our scams page — avoid scammers by dealing locally with buyers you can meet in person!
AND YOU WERE GOING TO DO THIS TO ME? SHAME ON YOU!
And still again from Travis…
I don’t understand what you talking about..also my client has issue out the payment..pls bear with me
Are they still for sale..and let me know the condition ????????????????////
This will be taken to my local police station.
I am sorry to say,(Laughing) Travis Hanmond, the man who tried to scam me (and others) is…well here are HIS words…
” what.Am very disappointment on you..i never believe you can do this to me.after i told you..you shroud never worried about the money.i told you i don’t mine adding you.and extra money..ok..i just got a call from my client that..he has issue the payment out to you..once you have it there let me know..i will let you know what to do with it”
My response…(why do I waste my time? lol)
Are you ‘SERIOUS?” Disappointed in ME?
You were caught in too many lies…will mail overnight, the piano was for ‘your own use’then it was to be received next week and for a client. Who would send a stranger thousands of dollars and ‘trust’ them to send part of it on to pay the shipper?
Do you even stop to wonder who is on the other end of the emails you send.
SHAME ON YOU!
My response to the Scamming Dad who wants me to teach his pretend son piano lessons 2 hours a day 3 times a week for a month while he is in my town on holiday and he is on a business trip in the UK…
Thank you Perry,
I am looking forward to meeting Henry and teaching him the piano.
Please have him bring the payment of $816.00 when he comes for his first lesson, that would be wonderful.
I DO NOT accept cashier checks, or money orders… only personal checks or cash.
I can set up his lessons at 9AM-11AM, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s during the week.
If this is agreeable to you, please let me know and I can give you my contact information.
May GOD bless you always, in all ways Perry for the loving Father and honest man you are.
I am sure that last part will give him a huge spiritual experience and he will change his ways…NOT!!!! LOL
Wow reading Debi Downs situation,I swear the same fool tried it with me. I have a wedding dress for sell and by the 3rd question I knew it was a scam,but I played along till it got juicy. Sure enough, when I called the idiot out and told he/she that I had enough entertainment for the evening I got the same response. “I don’t understand.” Fool couldn’t spell, offered to send $1900 and I keep $250. Well, I’ll hang on to dress. Still very entertaining; in the least.
Yea, I have experienced this. There is always an out of country deal or wire money garbage. I got it through ebay too once trying to sell a saxophone. I actually had to go through the process of reporting the “guy” because he became so angry with me that I refused to send my instrument to him. Sometimes Its fun to mess with them tho.
Ended up donating it to my high school director definitely for the better.
the same guy is still out there and using the name Travis but this time Travis Lawson. He did exactly the same thing as he did to you saying please remove the ad and give me all your information and I will send certified bank check. Fortunately I had bad feelings about it and told him, no just bring cash with you but better pay in paypal, then we’ll talk.
The thing to be careful of is that the con artists rely on the “fake” cheque not bouncing straight away, so the money is in your account and looks good for a few days before it really bounces. With my con (cheque for $3000, give your cheque for $2000 to shipper), I actually took it to the bank, knowing it was “fake”, and even after telling the cashier this, he was willing to accept it!!! It would have gone into my account, and not bounced for several days, and meanwhile the “shipper” shows up while the money was in my account, and before it really bounces. At the bank I had to call the manager, and she called the company the cheque was issued by, and they said the name on the cheque was fake, and they were having a lot of trouble with this con. So the con artists are actually using real cheques that they have stolen, and that can be why it takes a while to bounce, and initially clears. BE CAREFUL. You have to wait at least 10 days for the cheque to really clear. The bank manager confiscated the cheque (a good thing), and even when I confronted the con-artist he still lied through his teeth, claiming innocence.
How stupid can people be,Folks if anyone offers more than your askin I shouldnt have to tell you its a scam,Truth of the matter is most scams are engineered to the greedy people,Like most of yous. If your heart is not greedy you can not be scammed.So quit being greedy,,,As for Craig Newten Hay man make a rule that if you have no phone number or picture in your AD than dont let them list it,To simple Huh? Most scams are attempted with a email response. I sell on CL for 5 years and NEVER made a sale through the email ,,and I buy and NEVER called about a car I could not see first,Thus I Never had a problem on CL.
Ifnthe deal is too good to be true is no true don’t waste money don’t loose everything never go any place alone when you meet people form Craigslist only public places ask for driver license before start talking
Internet world is full of spams, may it be Craigslist or may it be Facebook. Damn, I hate this world but yet I am addicted to it.
So many criminals, so little time.
The solution is better/adequate education and higher morals.
Those with higher moral values are less likely to fall for “something for nothing”.
Another solution is yet more police to supervise the Internet.
I prefer the education route with a degree of government intervention. This has to be done carefully.
The biggest criminal of all is the greedy fool and this can even be the CEO of GM. or BP.
I also think that all of us are greedy, so we must corral this human problem.
Adrian…maybe it is my age, or possibly just God given wisdom that makes me want to respond to a part of your comment. You wrote that people with higher moral standards are less likly to fall for scams. Was that off the top of your head or did you research that information? You should not say things like that unless you know it is factual. I have high moral and spiritual standards and had I not read the information on this site, I too might have become a victim.
What you wrote is unkind and unfair. It would be the same as if I wrote, “Anyone who doesn’t get up at 5 AM is lazy.” That certainly wouldn’t be any more true than your statment.
Just a thought
I agree with you, Debi, that a person can still be taken advantage of if they have “good morals”, but there is some truth in what Adrian says. These con artists prey on the fact that someone will be willing to jump through these hoops (wiring money and the like) because the buyer is “sweetening” the deal by paying more than what someone is asking. In essence, they are buying our compliance, they are tempting people to be willing to do this weird deal by promising an extra hundred or two hundred dollars. How many people would be willing to do all the money wiring without that extra cash? Many of these scams attempt to gain our trust or compliance by promising more money, or selling things well below their fair market value. They prey on our greed, and in those cases Adrian is right.
However, like you said Debi, sometimes a person can still be taken advantage of even if they have “good morals”. In fact, that higher moral standard or one’s spirituality might contribute to us being taken advantage of because we would be more willing to help someone than a person who is selfish or uncaring. Some people who are very kind and accommodating might be willing to do all of the money wiring and so forth, without taking an extra dime. Elderly people tend to fall for this scam more often (from what I’ve read) not because they are greedy, but because they have more time to go to the WalMart and wire money and because they tend to be more trusting and less savvy about the internet.
I have two teenaged sons, and one of the “morals” I have taught them is to be informed, do the research, perform due diligence, don’t be lazy when it comes to embarking on a new venture. It is our job as buyers and sellers to be informed. If one is lazy and unwilling to spend the time to educate oneself about avoiding scams, then being ripped-off could be due to a lack of morality in our work ethic. That isn’t to say that an educated buyer or seller can’t be scammed, as there is always some crook that comes up with some new and innovative way to steal from people, but it is true that being disciplined and working hard to inform ourselves of the scams out there can help us avoid most of the rip-offs. Our laziness and greed are two of the scammers most powerful weapons in their crimes.
Debi thats not what he is saying;Above read my other post concerning greed.I used to be a con man and I can tell you this,and the police investigator will tell you the same thing all scams and cons work best on Greedy folk.I am a christian now and have been changed, But I still run into greedy christians,Just watch TBN they are all there,and the seed giving is a scam,Why? because if it wasnt,why dont they send YOU and ME some seed money and than wait for GOD to replentish them?Besides none of them is anointed and none have any power with God,Get insulted if you want but the truth will make you happy,sad,or mad.Study CL list before you use it,That is another part of the problem Folks are to much of a Hurry to post there AD,and will not READ first, Google bait n switch scam,go read how scam operate than you will be safe on CL .
you hit it right on the nail head Debi! morals do not equal wisdom! just look at all the religious folks out there with as high a set of morals that can be found and are still dupped into beleieving in gods. not your god of course, yours is probably real.
Yes, you are absolutely correct. Morals and education. Looking to “cheap” someone out of goods often lead to taking the deal that literally is too good to be true and the person who exchange goods with a stranger using a check. The only time in I’ve accepted a check is with a person or institution in which I have a contract.
Adrian, you are an idiot!
An idiot?
How so?
Or, a continuation of time wasting..
During an argument, if your opponent responds with an insult, you know that the argument is won.
And, if one starts off with an insult, you then know that he has nothing between his ears, and that there is no argument.
Craigslist is becoming a JOKE!
I placed 3 ads for a piece of furniture we are selling before our move.
First I receive and inquiry says, “still available?”
Then I receive THE SAME email (with a different name every time) saying the following:
“Season greeting to you , I really appreciate your response
to my email. just to let you know that am okay with the condition and price of the item, am ready for its purchase and my form of payment will be by
sending you certified Check via United Parcel next day delivery…I’ll be
responsible for the pick-up and the pick up money will be included in
your payment to avoid delay and to enable pick up company to schedule
an appropriate time for the pick-up at your location after check has been
cashed,as i have other properties to be moved alongside with yours…
I would have really love to come for the viewing but due to my work frame
that might not be possible ,but if you have the pics, might want to have a good look.so I’ll need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check….
1.Name to be on the check
2.Home address
3.Mobile #
Note that the payment will be shipped to your address via ‘United Parcel
Service AIR SERVICE Once again ,I will like you to know that you will not
be responsible for shipping of this item . my shipper will move down to
your place for the pick up…as soon as the check clear. hope you assure me inhand of the item… Am looking forward to receive the information so
i can arrange the payment asap
Regards”
Interesting the name is always a lighter grey color though…
THIS IS A SCAM! DON’T FALL FOR IT! CRAIGSLIST figure out a way to prevent this!
I am going through the very same thing with a piano I’m selling. The verbage is exactly the same as you have written. I just emailed him saying…
“Shame on you!”
So when the certified check gets here I will be turning it over to my local police department.
I also have an ad for piano lessons. This one is probably a scam as well though I am not sure how it will play out because he’s son will be in my town on a vacation and he wants him to stay buys so would I please let him know how much 2 hours a day 3 days a week for a month would cost along with my name phone, address. The reason I think it is a scam? I had two emails that day, one from a male one from a female (Oriental) asking if I was comfortable teaching a 13 year old male? SCAM?
Argh!
I too had a piece of furniture for sale on Craigslist.
My ad clearly says “U pick up! Bring a truck and a strong friend.”
I’ve received 2 different emails asking “Is it still available?”
Their addresses were James256@yahoo.com or Fefe453@yahoo.com
I have not yet gotten the long winded “shipping arrangement” email you guys describe but I’m sure it is coming. I may play along until it is no longer entertaining.
I just want to sell my frigging entertainment center! IS that so wrong?! These MFs ruin everything!
Here is your simple answer; Do not use the email way of comunication!!!Alway hit the ,,Hide,,Button right under your email while posting,,, If you can not talk on the phone than your asking for every scam idiot to email you.Its not them its YOU. If you do not want your phone number easily gotten spell out a few of the numbers,If you run a AD in the local news paper you would be required to put your phone number so whats the differance? You want to sell you have to TALK and the only way to do that is USE YOUR PHONE.Emailing is nothing but asking for scammers to confront you and WASTE your time
I appreciate knowing these things..
Scammers are intelligent, at times more intelligent than us, our judgment can be clouded with greed.
As to “the man”.
He probably is the scammer and does not like being called out by me, however indirectly.
Ahhhh, no scammers are not intelligent. I do however, questions the intellect of people who fall for the scams…
S.
you really beleive scammers are not intelligent? did you vote this year? you were scammed. do you pay for cable? internet? scammed. scamming is simply being just a little bit smarter than the next guy so you come out on top. it’s the amarican way. sure there are dumb scammers but our entire goverment is based on scamming us and themselves all day, every day. companies hire the smartest guys in the world to stay one step ahead of anyone who has any power to audit or restrict them in their profits and make millions each year in doing so. religions tell people that if you believe than you will prosper so give give give to us who preach about your god. sure the religious folks are not very smart but smart enough you would like to think and they get hit harder than most. go ahead and underestimate your oponet just one time and see what happens.
And, this scam is much more insidious and effective than the Nigerian millions of dollars bank scam – which is so obvious that I find it to be laughable.
We do need more Federal control and regulations, thanks to the criminals.
You forgot any email from Curtis Timothy or Ron Elder – they are both scammers across the country on craigslist. Any free item too good to be true is sure to lead to a teeth whitening scam. If you reply to Ron Elder (always uses a different hotmail.com address) you will receive replies from different aol.com addresses about how you can make money, they found a way only after having to sell their most prized possessions and want to save you from their fate.
Much appreciated information. My own experience did not get to the point of involving money because I began to suspect of the people (or so appears) who contacted me.
I replied to a Job offer and got a response from the alleged recruiter and a manager (could have been the same person) urging me to open a yahoo messenger account and get in contact with an individual who would provide training; it turns out this individual prompted me to conduct a chat interview via yahoo. I was exited at the prospect of getting a 25 dollar per hour full time (work from home at my pace) position since I am currently unemployed. This individual asked me question after question for about 30 minutes and I “chatted” and divulged as much info as one gives out in a job interview.
At some point I can’t recall, the rush wore off and I begun clearing my hear from the excitement. A few minutes passed and I begun to be wary when he told me the name of the organization he claimed to represented; I quickly looked it up online to get info and provide smart answers. I soon figured out that if these individuals indeed represented the prestigious financial organization I saw online, the interview would not had happened in that fashion. Even more, I rechecked the email addresses from which they emailed me, and all were, Yahoo or Live addresses, not a standard practice for any respectable HR manager. Yet, I still went a little further HOPPING to be wrong about the uneasiness I was feeling.
He said the interview was over, and that he’d show my answers to the board; I was to await his return online. He came back and said that I was hired and started asking personal info, including my address. At that moment I asked him if there wasn’t a more typical/formal manner in which I would submit my application.
He quickly said: “That is all for today log in tomorrow at 9am”. at that point I was totally baffled and attempted to contact the company directly, but was unable to do so.
I hope this helps to alert anyone out there of yet another form of personal information phishing and Identity Theft.
Good Luck
Rafael
PS: As for employment, I decided to go back to school and further my knowledge while I land on a job (hopefully not on CraigsList).
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. I received an almost identical job offer. I was scheduled for my interview this morning. Why do these people do this? Why do they want to get my hopes up, and why do they want all of this information??
these scammers are EVERYWHERE, like a cancer.
I had a rescued lab puppy I was trying to find a home for on a Georgia lab rescue site and they were THERE TOO! Started off with an innocent email reply asking a couple of short questions about the dog and my location and arranging to come get the dog.
THEN it turned into “I live in Dallas.” I said “Dallas, Ga. No problem. I will gladly drive the 3 hrs there and bring you the dog.” Of course it was “No, Dallas, TX. Please to ship the dog to me. I send you check for to covering shiping of the dog…” Incorrect grammar and spelling throughout.
They are a CANCER!
I have a friend who met someone on an online dating site. This scammer was good. He made sure to send a pic that was of someone who was on the same “looks level” as her.
He worked on her for over a month, sending emails, texts, chatting back and forth. Was going to come to meet her in person “as soon as he got back from South Africa from a business trip.” While he was supposedly on said business trip, he emailed her that he had been detained by the police for something relating to his passport, could she please wire $1500, etc. She DID NOT, thankfully and immediately googled “online dating scams” and recognized her situation among hundreds of similar stories.
Rafael:
Never answer personal information from an ad on Craigslist even if you speak over the phone. Ask the person their full name and title from the supposed recognized company, hang up, call the company from the number you’ve researched yourself for that recognized company and ask to speak with the individual. A step further; inquire with the personnel department about the ad. RAFAEL, a “board of directors” will not be making inquiries on craigslist…that should have been an obvious clue…
What bothers me is that the innocent(the very young and the very old) are taken in by these criminals.
Legitimate firms/businesses can gather together and come up with ways to protect their good name.
Right now , I trust NO-ONE..
The Liberals will not help, all they seem to care about is the homosexuals; same with the conservatives, the political party for the wealthy.
The tea baggers ?
They are too stupid to be of any use.
Fortunately, my assessments are ignorance-based, but there is more than a smidgen of truth behind them.
Adrian sounds like he needs to be educated!
what does politics have to do with this?
now there is a wise person! indeed, to invite the otherwise unwelcome attention of our goverment into these situations is like cleaning up spilled soda on your rug with bleach. soda stain will be gone thats for sure. what does it have to do with goverment? only about a third of these posting suggest stronger goverment involvment to protect those that are not able or smart enough to protect themselves and while most are the former, as you pointed out some are simply not able. trust no one and start cutting off hands.
How about this idea ??
Our government issues both a SS # AND an eMail address to EVERY citizen..
The obstructing conservatives will not like this.
Too bad.
There would be no need for this if our citizens would behave themselves.
So, if they try a scam, their address would be known by our government ( a complaint by the victim).
The next step – the criminal would be stripped of everything and would be sent to a prison in Afghanistan for ten years.
Do I hear a better idea?
Now Adrian:
This kind of attitude is what messes up a Democracy. You’re messing with the right to do business in this county… How am I going to make money, after a persons identity is stolen, they’re credit messed up? How then can I justify charging you a higher interest rate or just outright denying service at the counter? You’re getting a little bit too verifyablenessless… Besides, this kind of attitude is an anti-job attitude. Red tape an stuff; look at the wonderful union of banks and our three biggist credit agencies that are working so hard to provide citizens with the very best interest rates. Consider that not one question was asked of the three biggest credit agencies that impact you and I. Oh, let’s help the citizens keep their homes but just make sure you don’t mess with the credit agencies because eventually we want”s” to help you on that next purchase. Of course, I’m gonna have to charge you extra because ya credit ratin dune went down, quite a bit I might add…
Of course, I’ve gone off the deap in this turkey day. I’m being flip…
why would you want the government to be involved in allotting e-mail numbers. Absolutely not. There is little privacy anywhere any more and plan to protect mine
I also received an offer for a furniture set that sounds to good to be true:
I responded to the first email which said “still available”?
And then received the following. My first response had my name and address unfortunately, so I am wondering if I have opened myself or email address up to misuse. Does anyone know how this scam is supposed to play out?
Hello,
How are you doing today? I have gone through your ad once again on craigslist and i am interested in purchasing the above mentioned. I am buying the item for my step son and his wife to be. They are the ones that contacted you at first to know if you still have it.
I am paying Via Money Order and it will get to you within 1-2days.Please get back to me with your full information for payment to besent out immediately i receive it through UPS Delivery Service.
Below are the information required:
Full Name:
Mailing Address (Not P.O Box…FedEx do not deliver to Box):
City :
States :
Zip/Postal Code:
Phone number :
I will like us to get this transaction done with as soon as possible. As soon as i receive your information, I will instruct my assistant to go right away and send the payment to you today. UPS drop box is just a stone throw to to office.I will be offering you $50 extra to hold the item in my favor because i am sure that there will be other interested people. As per Pick Up, I will make arrangement with my shipping company to come for the pick-up after payment has been received by you.I want you to take the posting off craigslist today and consider it
sold to me.
Best Regards.
Adam Nills
Have a Blessed Day!
CL warns you about scams before you place an add. It’s buyer beware on Cl, the newspaper, ebay…anywhere. Don’t try to stop them. You won’t. Use your head and never be desperate. If you are successfully scamed, you deserve it. You were warned!
Beware of the names Raymundo Dominguez and/or Leonard T Wilkerson. This person/ persons uses the ill family story and offered more than asking price and wanted all of my info to send a certified check. I knew after getting the second email that something wasn’t quite right pretty sure it was the same person.
Thankful for a website like this
Here is the follow-up email from Adam Nills:
ello
How are you doing? I forwarded your information to my assistant immediately i got it and i am happy to inform you that the payment had been sent out to the information you provided to me and you are expected to receive it on Tuesday.There is something i think i must bring to your notice quickly now. After a reconciliation of My Account, i discovered that somehow my assistant must have over paid you.The Payment that was meant for the shipping company that is helping me to move my step son’s properties to his new apartment was sent to you along with your payment.However, i want to believe i won’t have any problem with you.All you have to do when you received the Payment is to have it cash at your bank, after cashing you will deduct your required amount for the item with the extra $50 i promise to offer you for keeping the item in my favor and another $50 for compensation for any inconvenience i might have caused you, then send the remaining balance to the shipping company account manager via Money Transfer Service.It is the Policy of the shipping company to receive pay before service.You have to please bear with me as it is the best i can do in this transaction at the moment.I will provide you with the shipping company Account Manager information where you are to send the rest balance once the payment is delivered to you and immediately the fund is confirmed by the shipping company they will come with all the necessary packaging materials to have the Unit packaged and picked up.Provide me with the physical address once again where the package will be picked up.I Look forward to hearing from you today to confirm if everything is understood and also to be sure if i can trust you with my Money.
Best Regards.
Adam Nills
The way this scam works appears to be that you go and cash the fake money order, then send his “shipping company” the balance. A bank that wrongfully cashes a fake money order will hold you responsible. Be wary.
Another insidious scam, far worse than the Nigerian one is the $9.99 per month, every month.
I cannot remember any names with accuracy .
A diary would be nice.
Beware of sports and sames a,and any “free” stuff.
The scammer will get your bank account number and bleed your account dry.
How many check their accounts, anyway, particularly when old??.
I’d like to see legislation against these scammers, but they mix in with business so well, and don’t expect anything from the tea-bagging conservatives(bought and paid for by business).
I advertise as a tutor and constantly get emails from people claiming to be moving from another country or having children that will be spending time in the US. They send a check far in excess of my fee and want a large sum sent by Western Union to a “Nanny” for the child’s upkeep and transport. This is a long standing scam that apparently originates in Nigeria. The bank will take the phony check and start to clear it but you have already forwarded money to the “Nanny”. I play these clowns along – take their checks-get an address for the “Nanny” and contact the proper law enforcement agency.
Why does the US Government continue to tolerate this garbage from Nigeria – we provide aid they give us terrorists and scammers.
beware craigs list is full of scammers bettybrook182@gmail.com claims to have packer/bears tickets. money should be sent via western union to chad cahill through ebay a secure protection site, which does not exist. of course I fell for it!!!! ebay only works with paypal
Beware of Audrey McGregor emails– sold me SCAM packers/bears tickets. went through Parcel Traders using Western Union. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS!!! IT’S A SCAM!!! Sent money and never heard another word.
The scam artist embarrising enough got us for $3,000.00. They posted an item on craigslist. We emailed about it-and purchased the item. The seller then blocked us from emails. God will get them-so they are the ones suffering in the end…..
yeah anything from Adam Nills is a scam from hell, he sent me the same email, verbatim, about having his assistant send me a money order, then emailed again saying his assistant overpaid me for the item and to send the remaining money back to his shipping company. I’m turning in the money order to police once I get it, don’t make the same mistake I did…
I wish I had seen Kelley’s post before I fell prey to an Audrey McGregor scam as well. Scammed me royally out of Steelers/Jets tickets using Western Union and Parcel Traders. Never got the tickets or heard from her again.
I went e-shopping at craigslist not too long ago for baby stuffs. I admit I have purchased an unused item very cheap.. and decided to take a step further to search for free items. I emailed this person who offered a free stuff and replied that I have to get it tonight. It’s actually 9pm so I figured that it’s too late. So I asked the person if it’s possible tomorrow or other days and that my husband will pick it up. The person never replied back, not even disclosing the apartment/ building number. Ladies… be careful. We need to be cautious of our safety. If you have to meet with the seller, bring a friend with you and always be cautious.
DANNY HIGGENS: AD FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JAN 2011
EMAIL #1 FROM ME:
Before I send the Resume Package would you mind telling me about your business and location.
Thank You, Janice
EMAIL #2 FROM HIM:
Subject: [Bulk] Re: Administrative Assistant
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:41:20 +0100
From: Danny Huggins
To: Janice
Hello,
This position is home-based and flexible, working with me is basically about instructions and following them, my only fear is that I may come at you impromptu sometimes, so I need someone who can be able to meet up with my irregular timings. As my Administrative Assistant, your activities amongst other things will include;
Running business errands.
Mailing and receiving of packages and letters.
Deal with people at all levels across a multicultural environment
Accounts Payable
Also you will be doing some shopping for me.
Handling and monitoring some of my financial activities..
I would love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on a business trip. There is a test which i will like you to go through because i need a capable Assistant. I am in Greece now so there will be no interview.
The pay is $400.00 per week regardless of hours worked, but I envisage not more than 12 hours in any week. I need your service because I am constantly out of town. I buy Companies that have financial difficulties and I am trying to start an Art Gallery when I am back in town which will be in September, so this process will be on going till then. I will meet up with you when I return and then we can talk about the possibility of making this long term.
Permit me to test your efficiency and diligence towards this, also to work out your time schedule and fit it to mine. I really need to find the perfect person for this job because I am constantly out of town, I’m confident you can take up the challenge and on the long run we should have a relatively sound working relationship between us. I promise to be a good boss. I am also glad on the commitment in working. Funds will be made available to you in form of check and it will be issued to you including your first week payment $400, am going to email the list of items to get as soon as I compile them all but it will be better to wait till you get the fund before i give you the list .
For me to be able to send the funds to you, I will need your details below such as
Your Full Name:
Your Full Address with apt # (NO P.O BOX)
City:
State:
Zip-Code:
Age :
Your Cell/mobile phone number
Your Home phone number
Once I receive your contact information as requested above I will get back to you with the task you will be handling. Please understand you will be paid for the first week immediately as I have stated in my message above, its important for me to have everything setup before I get back from my trip. Hope I am clear with that.
Let me know if you are interested in working with me and get back to me with the requested details.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Very Respectfully & May the Lord Bless You.
Danny Huggins.
EMAIL #3 FROM ME:
Good Morning Mr. Huggins,
Thank You for the information in your last email.
I have previous experience as a personal and business assistant, recent real estate sales in Arizona and other experience in the construction and building inspection trades. Working as an integral insider in a business and home is a commitment in ethics and responsibility. I am use to working with strong personalities and “impromptu” timing is the name of the game in all of these areas. Flexibility is a must. I know you do not want a white elephant that you will have to figure out what to do with later on. I too do not want to be in this position. Without having the privilege of a face to face interview I would like further verification that our personalities are a good match. Would you permit me to do a handwriting analysis on your personality style. If so please send a paragraph written in your normal way of writing to my post office box….
EMAIL #4 FROM HIM:
Subject: Re: [Bulk] Re: Administrative Assistant
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:48:41 +0100
From: Danny Huggins
To: Janice
Hi Janice,
This is to acknowledge that your information has been received and I am equally using this medium to inform you to add me on yahoo messenger( dnnhugginss ) .You shall receive your payment promptly, it may be in form of Check, money orders ,bank deposit or inform of cash use western union transfer, and You will be paid upon the completion of every assignment given to you.. I will also notify you as soon as possible in regards to your first assignment and you shall receive your 1099 Tax form after your first assignment if the need be. I want you to understand that you are dealing with me directly as my personal assistant and I will appreciate if you have your duty done very fast for me. I may need you to confirm a flight booking. do hotel booking online, buy somethings for me, get some things shipped for me, type a letter for me and have it mailed out e.t.c. I will email you with the list of the items to be purchased and the necessary information on how to get it mailed out to the orphanage. Ensure you check your emails daily so you can get the email message before the delivery of the payment. Please email me back to confirm you get this mail. I hope this work will not affect you in any way and hope you can handle higher amount of funds without any problem.Please email me back to confirm you get this mail.
NOTE: NOT AVAILABLE ~ ASKING FOR PERSONAL CONTACT INFO ~ NO MENTION OF MY EMAIL CONTENT ~ EMAIL #4 CHANGES TUNE ABOUT MONEY ~ EMAIL #4 FORMAT CHANGE, NO SIGNATURE OR CONTACT INFO
Please read this correspondence closely. It is in the same flavor as all the others mentioned here with a few variations in the twist. Needless to say I have blocked his email…and due to my ignorance I wonder how many times my email will be sold.
I’ve been sending out resumes via Craiglist for a little over a week. Just got a response from a VERY well known individual calling himself VICTOR WHITE who would love to have me as his assistant to the toon of $500.00 per week. I’m glad I checked this site before I responded. I cam this close to pressing SEND on my return APPLICATION.
MIKE RUSSELL is a scam as well.
Do not believe anything he says. ITS A SCAM.
ALONG with the man/women who is wanting a personal assistant for $700 weekly, They will send you a check and want their share back. ITS ALL A SCAM.
Thank you, everyone, for sharing this with me! I’m a first-time job-seeker, and I was SO HAPPY to get an e-mail like this originally, but now I know it’s a SCAM! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SAVING ME.
The e-mail I got was from a Ralph Villanueva from “Hershey’s Corporation.” Just to toss that out there so no one falls for that one either.
Had a feeling the Ralph Villanueva email was a scam. Hope other people are smart enough to look it up too and find this. Thanks.
yeah i got that email today….i wish craigslist could find a way of limiting scammers
I received a reply from this ralph villanueva today, Nov 27th. Searched Hershey’s website and his name did not appear. What a smuck. This guy needs to be prosecuted. I’m sure this ‘certified’ check is a federal crime
You know, its a very scammish world in which we live, and its always been that way. When I was a kid, the snake oil purveyors polluted society, and now its internet criminal activity.
Solution (my idea).
Reform for advertisers/retailers..
Give them a last chance to be self regulating and to clean out the scammers..
I hate it when old people are stolen from….this is despictable !
But, has not private business and enterprise had centuries to do this ?
I say its time for governemnt intervention… more well writtnen rules and regulations..
Of course we need many more people who know how to read and write…
And when a criminal liar or scammer is caught….20 years of servitude to society…
I was thinking of 100 !
Adrian Snare
ITS NO TRUE
Recently I posted an antique breakfront for sale on Craig’s list, and someone in England responded. He deposited the asking price to PayPal plus added an additional five hundred dollars for shipping. However, he requested that before the money was released that I send him a money order for five hundred dollars for shipping. I guess he would cancel the purchase as soon as he received my money order. I declined, realizing this was a scam. You never should forward money to a purchaser. PayPal should be on the alert for these things.
It could be getting to the point where legitimate business is no longer trusted,
Right now, I think this scamming is a 1% occurrence, but it could be growing. If so, then due to this criminal activity there will be a need for more rules and regulations, which the conservatives seem to despise.
They represent the wealthy and do not care about you and I.
Scam Adam Nills
So to good to be true-i was selling a sofa set
Hello,
How are you doing today? I have gone through your ad once again on craigslist and i am interested in purchasing the above mentioned. I am buying the item for my step son and his wife to be. They are the ones that contacted you at first to know if you still have it.
I am paying Via Money Order and it will get to you within 1-2days.Please get back to me with your full information for payment to be sent out immediately i receive it through UPS Delivery Service.
Below are the information required:
Full Name:
Mailing Address (Not P.O Box…FedEx do not deliver to Box):
City :
States :
Zip/Postal Code:
Phone number :
I will like us to get this transaction done with as soon as possible. As soon as i receive your information, I will instruct my assistant to go right away and send the payment to you today. UPS drop box is just a stone throw to to office.I will be offering you $50 extra to hold the item in my favor because i am sure that there will be other interested people. As per Pick Up, I will make arrangement with my shipping company to come for the pick-up after payment has been received by you.I want you to take the posting off craigslist today and consider it
sold to me.
Best Regards.
Adam Nills
Have a Blessed Day!
I responded with my info and received this in return…
I have given my secretary the go ahead to mail payment to the address you gave me.You should receive payment within this week.Once payment is received we can proceed with the pickup.Thanks for your understanding and patience.I would like you to take the posting off CL today
Suspicious, or am I being paranoid ?
And why is he telling you to remove the posting ?
Suspicious.
I recently went looking for a car, found one, and came to this site looking to see if it was a scam, by goly gorge, it is…asking for my name and address…and sending me a fake ebay confirmation, luckily i checked this website before i proceeded, not taking any of those chances.
Sorry to hear about all the wasted time you all had. I guess I just lucked out!
I get $500/week (up from the original $300/week) for just 12-16 hours of tasks.
WHAT A SCORE!
Not only that, but this “busy philanthropist” has just sent me my first check, due to arrive between today and Monday, in the amount of $2,321!
I’ll just send back the extra, I guess.
I can hardly wait to find out what I am supposed to buy for the nearby orphanage he’s sponsoring. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling from being able to help the local orphans.
This philanthropist’s name is Cole Smith, of Smith, LTD. I tried googling “Smith, LTD” and somehow got an interesting Japanese site for “SMITH LTD. WE AIM TO PLEASE MOTHER NATURE”. Everything else is in Japanese.
What a guy.
Like I said, I guess I’m just lucky.
Scams are criminal and should be treated accordingly. The punishment… for stealing 10000 dollars, 10000 hours of hard community service.
no jail time, I do not wish to breed a better criminal..
This community service would include a locating ankle bracelet and picking up up mans trash….or something else that no-one wishes to do.
Actually got the check from Cole Smith…well, not exactly from HIM…
Sent to me postmarked Wisconsin. Return address name; Mark Owens.
He wrote a check on the account of a yacht sales company in Washington; signed by John Savage.
I contacted the company and asked if they had a record of a check made out to me signed by a John Savage.
Nope, but thanks for letting us know.
Sent him an email asking him what he wanted me to do.
The “philanthropist” wanted me to send the balance to Richard Upton, London, England.
I should have waited a couple of days, sent him another email saying I have the cash dollars in hand and not said anything about sending him the balance.
i do that all the time tell them i cashed the check and im keeping the money!!!!!!!!!lol…then they get angry as if i scammed them somehow…lmao
“Free” Credit Report Scams!!! These companies are posting dummy jobs and apartments for rent. When you make an inquiry, they respond and tell you that you cannot see the apartment or get a job interview unless you visit their “link” to either FreeCreditReport.com or other sites. In order to get your free credit report you must enter a credit card number and information. You are then in a free trial period that is a nightmare to cancel. These companies will put you on hold for hours and they don’t answer emails so it is virtually impossible to get out of the monthly charge of 29.95. If ANYONE sends you to one of these credit report sites – IT IS A TOTAL SCAM – THE JOB AND/OR APARTMENT DOES NOT EXIST!!!
My wife received this email after posting on craigslist when I first read it I thought it was legit but one part send up red flags and that was the “hard of hearing” part and contact would be by e mail. so I Googled job scams and found this site as you can see the scammers are learned to write a few years back the e mails would be full of grammatical errors {lol}
Hello,
Thanks for applying for the position. I received and read your resume and i feel that you have the qualifications that I am looking for in an assistant. I would like to offer you this part-time position at $430 per week. The hours will vary from 20-40 hours per week. I will send you a time sheet via email that I will want you to fill out and return by the end of each week. I will also discuss with you at a later date some addition pay incentives that I have to offer. You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.
I’m looking for someone that can be trusted and reliable, someone with good self motivation and working skills.
I am Alexandra Garcia , 44yrs of age, I’m an entrepreneur and investor by profession and I have been pretty successful in a handful of ventures I get involved in, from the Webb Investment Network in Canada and United State to various social service programs. I most very often get my hands occupied, so it is imperative for me to have an assistant who can monitor and keep me up to date with my activities. This position is home-based and flexible, working with me is basically about instructions and following them. I would like to warn you ahead of time before you accept the position I may come at you impromptu sometimes, so i need someone who can be able to meet up with my fast paced schedule.
As my personal assistant, some of your duties will include:
*Create and modify documents using Microsoft Office
*Running personal errands, supervisions and monitoring.
*Scheduling fund raisers and calling local businesses for charity events.
*Acting as an alternative telephone correspondence while I’m away.
*Making regular contacts and drop-offs on my behalf.
*Handling and monitoring some of my financial activities.
*Recruitment and interviewing
The above qualification requirements can be learned if you are willing to take up the challenges.
I’m sure you’ll understand I tend to have a very busy schedule at this point as I am presently in England for a summit. I will be back in 3 weeks time.
I really needed to find the perfect person for this job and i am confident you can take up the challenges. On the long run we should have a relatively sound working relationship between us. I am online most of the time as I am hard of hearing so I prefer we contact each other through E-mails but if there is need for me to call, I will be glad to do that. I am glad you are willing to work with me and i promise to be flexible and meet your needed requests as well.
My wife Shannon as led me into a new business adventure. I have spoken with her and she will be the one helping us through your first project. Like I have stated I have done a lot of fund raising for charities in the US as well as Canada. I, along with my wife, Shannon have started a new project “Paying it Forward.” What she is requesting is that my assistant find a local person in need in their area.
Let me explain further: My wife has decided that it was time for us to help individual families in the United States. Since you know that donations to larger groups is difficult because by the time the money makes it down to the individuals who truly need services there is not much left for them. We have been able to help out several families in need of certain things. We have helped one of our clients who is quadriplegic purchase a wheel chair that allow her to be mobile with a headpiece attachment. It was unfortunate that her insurance company would not provide funds for this specialized wheelchair in order for her to live a more fullfilling life. We have also purchased a X Box system for a boy who is terminally ill from cancer and provided his mother some funds to purchase a vehicle in order to travel to and from his scheduled appointments. What I need for you to do this week is to find a family or individual who you think is in need of our services. I would like frequent correspondences while you are working. Then as my wife ok’s the individual that you have chosen, you will then begin contacting local businesses in your area and surrounding area in trying to gather funds to assist our new client. Please do not feel overwhelmed by this task and start small. My wife will be there to assist you in this task and we will be willing to provide some funds for the client as well.
Please fill out the application below to put in my files and email me back ASAP and let me know if you are interested in the position and we can begin as soon as your available.
Thanks
Raphael Garcia
CEO Raphael Garcia Inc.,
APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
PERSONAL INFORMATION DATE OF APPLICATION:______________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Last) ( First ) (Middle)
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street (Apt) ( City ) ( State ) ( Zip code)
Contact Information: (_____)____________________ (____)______________________ ________________________
( Home Telephone ) ( Mobile Telephone ) ( Email )
POSITION APPLIED: _________________________ Available Start Date:___________________________________
Desired Pay Range: _____________________________
Are you currently employed? ______________________ If yes may we contact your current employer? ______________________
EDUCATION
Name and Location Graduate? Degree? Subjects Studied?
High School
College or University
Specialized Training,
Trade School, etc.
Please list your areas of highest proficiency and special skills that may contribute to your abilities in performing the position.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you active in the military?
List 2 professional references and 1 personal reference that we may contact.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name address phone number
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name address phone number
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name address phone number
From Portland, OR
Does this sound familair? In this email he is Benjamin David.
Hello,
Thanks for your email application regarding my job position. I need a ” Private Accountant / Bookkeeper”.
I received and read your your email application and I feel that you have the qualifications I am looking for in an accountant. I would like to offer you this position. But note : This is a Contract job / Part-time position .
The hours will vary from 20-25 hours per week. I will send you a time sheet via email that I will want you to fill out and return by the end of each week. I will also discuss with you at a later date some addition pay incentives that I have to offer. You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis or weekly. $550 per week.
I’m looking for someone who can be trusted and reliable, someone with good self motivation and working skills.
I am Benjamin David, 44yrs of age. I’m an entrepreneur and investor by profession, and I have been pretty successful in a handful of ventures I get involved in, from the Webb Investment Network in Canada and United State to various social service programs. I must very often get my hands occupied, so it is imperative for me to have a private accountant who can monitor and keep me up to date with my business & financial activities.
As my accountant, some of your duties will include:
*General accounting reporting.
*Preparation and processing of journal entries
*Monthly account reconciliations
*Various Accounts payable and Accounts receivable duties
*Asset & cash management.
*Handling and monitoring all my business financial activities.
*Other duties and special projects as required
The above qualification requirements can be learned if you are willing to take up the challenges. I’m sure you’ll understand I tend to have a very busy schedule at this point as I am presently in England for a summit. I will be back to state in three-week times.
NOTE : I would love to offer you this job position pending for my return back to state, in other to do some general accounting report and journal entries for my last month financial activities. I will mail some of my account raw information to you to work on such as invoice,receipt, flash drive, software and documents with full compressive history about my company. Note 2: Their is no need for relocation because this a home-based contract / part time position.
I really needed to find the perfect person for this job, and I am confident you can take up the challenges. On the long run, we should have a relatively sound working relationship between us. I am on line most of the time as I am hard of hearing so I prefer, we contact each other through E-mails but if there is a need for me to call. I will be glad to do that. I am glad you are willing to work with me, and I promise to be flexible and meet your needed requests as well.
I have been checking my files and what I would want you to do for me first is to prepare a book keeping account & journal entries . Please understand you will be paid $550 for the first week immediately. It’s important for me to have everything set up before I get back from my trip.
Kindly FILL THE APPLICATION FORM BELOW to signified your interest.
Full Name:
Full Street Address(Not PO BOX):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Present Occupation:
Cell Phone Number:
Home Phone Number:
Other Email Address:
Hope to read from you soon .
Thanks
Benjamin David
CEO Benjamin David Inc.,
Hi
I got the same email as well. I have been in the accounting profession since starting college. This is very low rate for contract booking/accounting profession.
Sorry meant to write {The scammers have learned to write} looks like I need a lesson or two {lol}
There is no end to the cleverness of these criminal con men.
This is why we need rules and regulations to protect the masses, particularly the elderly. The conservatives are against this, obviously they care nothing for the people, they only care about.
My husband and I found a truck on Craigslist it looks brand new and is really cheap. But the people that have it say that they are going to wire money to a western Union in Il and they want us to do the same? I do not feel comfortable with doing this as it sounds like a scam to me??
Yeah, Mary, don’t do it. It doesn’t sound legitimate. If you have to do any kind of business transaction through Western Union, it’s a HUGE red flag. The other red flag is that this is a truck that looks brand new, yet is really cheap. too good to be true means it’s probably not true. if, by some miracle of God, you did get the truck, it would probably be a lemon. Just don’t do it.
They say that they are going to be sending me a paper from where they transfered money to IL. It just dnt make any since they will only email me they will not give me a phone number so I can call them!! I have had a bad feeling about this from the beganing.
I went on craigslist and responded to an ad and not only did did their email address end in GMX.com, BUT it said
“Hey,
A ton of people contacted me for this, however you responded first, so you’re the lucky one! Just go to: ver.fightCLspam.cxm/ and confirm your number with cl and I’ll call and give you directions so
we can make arrangements for you to pick it up
Thank you”
Doesn’t that seem a little suspicious?
I hate not trusting anyone at ALL these days…
I got that same one! I did put in my number (like a idiot)! Mine was it was a van with some dings in it, and they were a christian family trying to give back to the community, I told them that my husband had Cancer stage 3b and just had his lung out and has been going to chemo since march and it was hard on him getting his oxygen in and out of the car. And told them my husband has lost over 60 lbs since this, but they are HEART~LESS!!! They still sent me a email saying well since you were the first to inquire about it, Its only right I give it to you, then it said to go to the site and enter my number so they could tell me a time and make arrangements on the pick up and ended with GOD~BLESS.(yeah). Well when I went to that CL (Phony) release number thing I should of knew something was fishy It looked like Craigslist’s front page but… you couldn’t click anything except that part you put in your number.. I put in my cell number.. I don’t know about a couple of hours went by and I didn’t receive any calls I checked back on my email still nothing so I started research on the internet and there it was! They said to call your cell phone company and alert them and change your pass Ect..Well we did but now I am getting texts from shopping in stores undercover and all kinds of crazy stuff, and random sponsors calling all hours of the night and weekend! And I CANT stop them I tried with Replies and everything! I guess I will have to change my number, the only thing wrong with that is like I mentioned my Husband has cancer and all his doctors and friends we had met @ the Cancer center has that number, its just too much of a hassle right now, but eventually we will have too. So if any of you guys are directed to a site that looks like Craigslist and it tells you to put in your phone number so that the other party can call “DO NOT DO IT!!” SCAM, SCAM, SCAM, (Its not a big one but still its a solicitation Scam)This just happened to me 2 months ago! Good Luck to All and God Bless, And I mean it!
Oops! Haha, sorry! Don’t click on that link above. I copied and pasted from my email
Its the innocent, and not so innocent who suffer the most due to criminal activity.
Our lawmakers must do something…better education, including the teaching of morals.
We can catch the thief or starve the thief.
We need higher moral values, as greed is a primary cause of these woes.
Yeah the government and lawmakers arent going to do anything to help those who really need it. So I figure if we are smart enough to get a computer well we better be smart enough to use it and not allow others to use us through it.But stop crying no ones helping get smart keep reading like I am and help yourself.Then you won’t have anything to complain about.
I was scammed out of $2,650 from an ad I responded to on Craigslist for a research/focus group for an alcohol study, claiming to pay you $285. I basically funded terroists. In the end, the police, FBI, Attorney General, MY BANK, and even Craigslist…nobody could help me. These scammers are good at what they do are almost impossible to catch. It’s very sad that in today’s world, you can be a victim of fraud and no one will and/or can help you. Fraud protection on your bank account only counts for debit/credit card purchases, NOT checks!!!! Trust your gut feeling. Learn from your mistakes. Know better…do better.
Sorry to hear about you getting scammed it’s great to see you share your experience. perhaps you can stop some one from falling for that same scam.
I was almost scammed but this man did exactly as you alk described and threatened me claiming that he would have the own cia agent find all because i didn’t wire the remaining balance of the alleged 2400 which i was suppose to receive only $240 off. He actually called me from a number that i can not call back. His name is Raphael Daniels i wish i sawthis sooner im shicked as to how many of th same scams are going.
The interesting thing is that Craigslist has an average rating of 3.23 out of 4 stars on SiteJabber. Based on what you all are saying, though, it seems like this probably isn’t accurate and thus it allows people to use Craigslist as the go-to site, even with all these regulatory issues. What happens then is that they too fall into these scams. I’d suggest that, if you’ve had a poor experience (or a good one), to post a review of it. That way others can get the other side of the story: http://www.sitejabber.com/review-a-website It would also help authorities get a better picture of what’s really going on across these websites rather than letting bad business practices go on undetected.
People beware. I got a response to a job posting that I placed on craigslist. The ladys name was amy white and said she works for northrop grumman space corp. She wanted to hire me for cleaning and general labor. She sent payment in the form of a check. The check was from the company she works for. I did my homework and called her company and they confirmed that she is employed there. I went to chase bank (where the company banks at) and wanted them to verify the check. They said they were verifying in and next thing I knew the cops were showing up and wanted me to to with them. IT IS A CRIME TO POSSESS AFORGED CHECK. I almost got arrested for it. I gave the cops everything I had on the lady but people please be aware of an Amy white who is responding for an ad on Craigslist. She may use a different name but her email is opingua0@Gmail.com. I almost got in trouble and I have certainly learned my lesson. I just want to get the word out so that someone Ellsworth doesn’t make the same mistake I did.
That’s both strange and scary. Did you call the company again to let them know – or do you think it was a bigger scam?
I did call company and they know what’s going on. Just please be aware of people out there. If it sounds too good tone true then IT IS. Go with ur gut. Do fall prey to their traps
I love to go on craigslist to find scammers especially the “Car shippers”. As soon as they say the car is in another state I tell them that a friend and I will drive to get it since it would save them the hassle of trying to shipping. A couple of times they reply that someone else has bought the car but mostly I get no reply after that. Then I bug them for 2 weeks or so like they would do me if I didn’t suggest it. I’m still waiting on getting a check scammer.
I got that one and then I got one about being a mail dispatcher. After I reply I found out that it was a scam. Then out of the blue hthe iother day I got an email from him stating that I would receive payment that day. I did too thrue fedex and it was 2 money orders for the amount of $990 a piece.they looked so fake. His name was Anthony Greene. I called the cops and they sent one over. He toild me to just destroy them. I just think its so funny
I won’t even use craigslist anymore.. The site is infected with scammers.. I have probably reported 10 scams to craigslist in the past and never had them contact me until one time I spotted a house for rent that was an obvious scam so I reported it as usual.. turns out the house was for sale by a Police Detective and he must have lit a fire under craigslist security because they called me on the phone… LMAO.. $100,000 motor homes for $5,000…. $10,000 motorcycles for $1500.. come on.. and if you ever notice, because the scammers are from Africa or Russia or somewhere else in the world.. The photos never match the geographical area they are trying to sell in… Like posting a really good deal on a street bike and running the ad in Minnesota as a local.. but the picture has palm trees in the background!!!! toooooo obvious
Yeah well this newest one Anthony Greene I already told him that they money orders r fake and I turned. Him into the cops and not to contact me further and he had the guts to send me another email today saying that he is sorry and has mailed me a check this time for 1980 and I will get it soon. He just won’t give up. W TH
You guys do know that EBay is the majority owner of Craigslist right?.. and EBay has sued Craigslist in the past because of all this nonsense.. EBay made a bad decision as it turns out.. The Craigslist model is sound but they never anticipated the extent of criminal activity.. a lot of which comes from outside the US and is non punishable.. the amount of capital it would take to monitor the millions of postings would be HUGE.. and now they have made a movie about the craigslist killer so more bad publicity on a global scale.. LMAO at EBay…..
I’m thinking I’ll keep reading more about the scams that are going on all around.I will further my education into this vast internet world of what I don’t want to happen to me.Though I got to admit I’m the one who really sold a 2000 Chevy Cavalier for 900.00 a few weeks ago,admitadly it needed internal repair the body looked fine.My point not everything that looks too good to be true is.There are exceptions.I know for a fact. Though the advice to use your gut instinct is best to allways do.
Well first none of us are crying about it. I think the whole point of us being on here is to help get the word out so that people can see it BEFORE they make a huge mistake.
There are some complaining that the lawmakers need to get involved that would be nice and while theyre at it they can refuse to give huge company tax free benifits also known as welfare.I mean after all they can afford to pay high taxes .Right?No they arent going to change for our benifit, when I say stop crying I am saying don’t complain rather educate yourself and hopefully you won’t have anything to complain (cry) about.Although the one thing I have grasped most thus far is to beware of strangers. Everyones a stranger and I’m not living in fear.But when reading my mail do they want my cell phone ? If yes why? If it isn’t appearant to me why they want it I delete that message even unsubscribe if the message came from a survey.I don’t like talking on the phone anyway.So on the off chance it was a legit reason,unless I personally invite the caller to call me it is totally unwanted.Theres surveys I applied to take that invited me to register with their “partner” companies at which I saw all my personal info already filled out on their form,although I skipped or passed on their invites,I have a feeling that the ones I did’nt delete my information on the form went on to the partner companies and then some of them emailed some of them called.All of it was junk.And now I know if I have to do surveys soon as they invite me to their “partners” delete.
Our car is for sale on craigslist. Someone kind of locally (1.5 hours away) e-mailed. Wanted to know if our leasing company would take a payment over the phone, and if they do, he’d come look at the car. What do you think?
@Jose it might be worth calling your leasing company to see if that’s standard practice.
i was going to buy an Infiniti threw craigslist and the person told me he wanted the money cash so he said that i can go and see the vehicle but he lives in new york and i live in Chicago so he said that the only way i could see the car was that we had to get involved with eBay Motors and they were going to send me the car to my house and that i had 6 months to see the car and they even gave me carfax on the car so it has history on the car it told me the previous owners tittle and much more so do you guys think is a Scam and plus he is selling me the truck for 2,900 dollars (U.S) an that truck is worth 26,000 dollars (Infiniti FX35, 2006) and i have 48 hours to make the payment? any suggestions? i know the price is very low but he even gave me the opportunity to look at the car in person but he lives in new york and I in Chicago but he wants me to send the money threw Western UNion to a representive to from ebay motors called Alex Walker and the other person called David lives in new your and the representitive in Florida
johann the three major bad signs here are that the the prices is too good to be true, you have a time limit to buy, and worst of all he wants you to pay using western union! thats crazy! never pay for anything through western union unless you want to get screwed!
Hoa thanks I appreciate your help!
No I forget your name.But no no no don’t ever ever ever do a western union or any type of money transfer wire or accept a money order or check.You see anyone can print a rubber check and the money order is pretty much the same way.I got a really good tip for you, unless the person you are doing business with can personally show up meet you face to face and pay cash,it’s got to be all deals off.So the first red flag that low of a price.The second his unavailability to meet with you face to face.Now the third and most common for scam artists is the insastance on western union or any other type of $ transfer.Please take no part in this its definatly a scam.And have a nice day.Forgive by misspelling.I am still learning this computer and spelling too!
I already responded to your blog on the infinity.All I can say is nomatter how good they try to make these deals sound and probably because they are making them sound so good.Let that be your first red flag.See my other blog for further warning signs.Basically I think they will tell you anything that you want to hear just to steal your money.Don’t let that happen.
Hoa thanks I appre Kate your help
Aprecciate your help*
BEWARE OF JOB SCAM! A Tom Price claims to be working for Tom-Price Home Furnishings and than wants to hire you as a personal assistant. He then asks you to accept check for purchasing office supplies and sends you extra money which he wants you to forward to another person. This is money laundering and is against the law. At best you deposit the check and end up having funds taken out of your account when it bounces. Don’t fall for this scam! I got a second scam where man pretenting to be professor wants a personal assistant. He wants you to buy expensive antiques and pictures and then ship them to him with payment back to you later. HA!!!!!!!!!!!!! They must think there is one born a minute in America. I am reporting them to BBB, Tom-Price Home Furnishings, Craigs List, etc.
JOB SEARCH: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ofc/2299410091.html
SCAM LETTER, EMAIL-SCAM TYPE.
REPLY TO AN INQUIRY EMAIL:
BY “BRANDA COLOE”
From “Dr. Jamie Dutchmann”
[CLEARLY INDICATING A PHISHING SCAM, WHICH ONLY A FEW UNSPECTING VICTIMS WOULD FALL FOR THIS.]
—– Original Message —–
From: Branda Coloe
To:
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2011 11:35 AM
Subject: RE: AUTOMOTIVE Receptionist, Salesperson/Administrator Postion(Apply)
Hello,
Hope you’re having a pleasant day today
You contacted me applying for the position which I advertised on Craigslist. Do take time to go through this introductory mail and feel free to pass any questions on.
My profile briefly:
I am Dr. Jamie Dutchmann, a father of 2 wonderful kids and the CEO of Dr.Jdutchmann Medical Consultant Office I work with World Health Organisation (W.H.O), With over 30 years of experience, I have developed a great degree of confidence in Medical Consultant and its ability to decrease pain and symptoms, as well as improve overall health. My desire is to help people continue to do all the things that make their lives enjoyable.I have an opening for a Special Personal Assistant who will support me in day to day activities, special projects and scheduling. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, with a successful track record of developing and maintaining administrative systems in a team environment. I travel every now and then within and outside the US
working on various independent Medical Offices, this is why I need someone who can help keep up to date with all of my activities especially when I’m away and amidst my busy schedule.I have had a previous Assistant who has been very commendable in her activities and who has been part of my life for the past 8 months, she has since moved on with her personal life and it has affected me in a way. I found her previously on the craigslist website and I sincerely hope I will be able to find someone again who will be as efficient as she has been.Please note that you are being hired only on a personal level.All correspondences would be made and promptly reported to me personally. The position is part time and home-based meaning you can work most times from your home as long as you have a regular internet access.
You are also hired on a trial basis for now until we are able to see how well we fit in, this however does not affect your weekly wage.
Most of your activities will be carried out locally and most official packages will be delivered via posts. You will be actively involved in my personal, business and financial life. In summary, your activities as my assistant amongst other things will include;
o Receiving and distributing supplies
o Posting ads on Internet and newspaper
o Check and send mail daily or as needed
o Order office supplies and consumables as needed.
o Answering phones with a great phone voice, general office and clerical, data entry, filing, internet customer support
o Proficient computer skills with advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet usage and applications. QuickBooks knowledge helpful
o Outstanding customer service
o Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
o Positive attitude, honesty, integrity
o Must be a self-starter with a strong sense of initiative
o Excellent Multi-tasking and organizational skills
o Be EXTREMELY detail oriented and able to resolve issues
o Must be a Team player
o Ability to match paperwork from warehouse, vendors, and customers
Basic wage is $400 Weekly.
Any extra personal expenses (transport, gas, etc) incurred by you while on an errand or otherwise will also be
reimbursed by me at the end of each working
week.
This position is very flexible and it is difficult judging the exact number of hours you will be doing, just bear it in mind that there will be busier weeks than others with a steady pay. Working with me is
basically about instructions and following them, my only fear is that I may come at you impromptu sometimes, so I need someone who can be able to meet up with my irregular timings. There is also a very sensitive issue on trust, dedication and accountability which I believe will resolve itself as time goes on.
This is only an introductory e-mail, as time goes on we should be able to arrange a proper meeting to get things started officially. I’m currently in England now for a project, however, I do have a number of things you could help me with immediately, prior to my arrival.
Due to the excessive number of responses to my Ad, do provide the following details about yourself for my personal record update and to filter applicants;
Full Names m. roberts
Full Contact Address 139 South 144th, unit 540095
City OMAHA
State NE
Zip Code 68135
Phone Number (M) 402 714 1811
Phone Number (H)
Occupation (if any)
Specify the hours that you will be available if my schedule doesn’t work with the hours i requested
Days/Hours You will be available:
can work anytime
Monday ____
Tuesday ____
Wednesday ____
Thursday ____
Friday ____
Saturday ____
Sunday ____
Hours Available: from _______ to ______
What date are you available to start work? asap
Your Yahoo Messenger ID Important you must have one : i can set one up if i get the job
Let chat on yahoo messenger My ID is: jdutchmann@yahoo.com
Note: If you do not have a yahoo ID, set-up one to chat with me online.
Please get back as soon as possible…
I hope you can be available for me immediately before I arrive, it certainly can act as a stable foundation to our
impending working relationship.
Hope to hear from you again.
Regards
—————————–
This is the same email i got!! I knew there was something wrong?? I did chat with him on messenger I will block him and I will not visit Craig again!
here is another one I got and he is sending me via money order in 2days, I got this one 1st and then Dr. Dutchmann, fool my once but your not going to fool me again!! The law should get these CRIMINALS! They have no MORALS or any Decency of HUMANITY! They are lower then SCUM of the Earth! Just remember what you do wrong will come back to YOU! Those who SCAM You Time Will Come! So, here is the 1st one I got.. Mr. Good is not GOOD!!!!
Hi,
Your interest about the job has been received. I would have loved to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on business. I am in Australia so there will be no interview. All you need to do is follow instructions……I am an Artist, I own art galleries in Australia, I buy ideas and materials from ancient cities and I have got so many clients as companies, individuals and government and private museums.
I am looking for someone who can handle my personal and business errands at his/her spare time. Someone who can offer the services listed on the advert on craigslist such as receiving calls and reporting back to me what information you got from clients, replying emails and printing invitation for exhibitions, shopping for gifts and materials, paying bills as well as receiving payments from clients when am not around.
You will work on the average of about 10hrs per week and I will start by paying you $300 per week which will rise to $400 depending on how effective you are, the job will start from the moment you start running errands. This job is temporary and could possibly be a permanent one for you based on how you deliver your duties, we will talk more when am back and you can take part more in my successfully growing business.
I will email you the list and samples of pictures of what to shop for when I need you to shop for me and will be precise on what and where, funds will be giving upfront and the shopping must be reported in detailed manner. No heavy packages is involved! You can do the shopping at any nearest stores. I will provide clear set of instructions for each task I need done as well the funds to cover them.
Please provide the following information of you, (no mistakes in name as it will appear on payments):
Full Name:
Full Address:
Apartment number:
Zip code:
(NO P.O.BOX)
Phone Number:
Age:
Current Occupation:
Once you send all these, you are automatically hired and you will hear from me as soon as I have a task for you to carry out.
Thank you!
Andrew Good
Attn:
I am looking for someone who can handle my Personal and Business errands at his/her spare time. Someone who can offer me these services: Mail services, Receive my mails and drop them off at the Post ,Shop for Gifts Bill payment ( pay my bills on my behalf),Sit for deliveries( at your home) or pick items up at nearby Post Office at your convenience.I would love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on business. I am in Australia so there will be no interview. I will prepay you in advance to do my shopping.
I will also have my mails and packages forwarded to your address. If you will be unable to stay at your house to get my mails, I can have it shipped to a post office near you and then you can pick it up at your convenience. When you get my ails/packages; you are required to mail them to where I want them mailed to. You don’t have to put money out of your pocket, all you have to do is have packages shipped to your house and do my shopping. You are allowed to open the packages to reveal its content. The content of the packages are computer and electronics, clothing business and personal letters. All expenses and taxes will be covered by me. You will work between 15 and 20hrs a month. How much will you charge per month? I will pay $1,200. That is not a bad offer is it? I need your service because I am constantly out of town. I work in real estate and I own an Art Gallery in Australia. I will return to United State by ending of November 2011 so this process will be on going till then. If you don’t mind, I will meet up with you when I return and then we can talk about the possibility of making this long term. Well,let me know if you are able to handle the position.I will email you the list and pictures of what to shop for me when I am ready. No heavy packages is involved! You can do the shopping at Sears, Walmart, and other stores. You will be shopping for Electronics and clothing. I will provide you my UPS account number for Shipping. All you have to do is to provide you my UPS Account Number and bill the shipping charges on it.. I will provide clear set of instructions for each task I need done as well the funds to cover them. If I were to mail you money to do my shopping plus upfront payment for your service, where would you want it mailed to? How should your name appear on the Pay check? so if you still have interest you’re to reply me back with all this following details.
1. Full Name :
2. Full Street Address(Not PO Box) :
3. City, State, Zip Code:
4. Age:
5. Present Occupation:
6. Cell Phone Number:
7. Home Phone Number:
8. Email:
Your Urgent reply back will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mr Alexander Anderson.
then he says:
Attn: Joyce
I received an urgent message from my Debtor In United States that he has sent my Payment( 1750.04$ ) in form of A money order to your residential Address through POST OFFICE service.The payment is scheduled to get delivered to you today or tomorrow.. The payment you will receive has been bought and issued in your Name as My Personal Assistant , all you have to do when you get the payment is to
1.FILL IN ” ASHLEY BAKER ” AT THE FROM COLUMN
2.FILL IN ” SOUTHFEILD MI, 48033 ” AT THE ADDRESS COLUMN UNDERNEATH THE FROM COLUMN
3. FILL IN YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AT THE PAY TO : AND ADDRESS COLUMN :
As soon as you get the payment have it deposited into your BANK ACCOUNT/ CARD and have the Equivalent Value withdrawn immediately, this will make the funds available to you on the Spot. Sending the Money to me here in Australia will be a waste of time since i am still going to send some funds to an Arte fact Company in Malaysia whom i bought Raw Materials from because of the durability and Lower Price of ASIAN Product. As soon as you have the cash in your hands,you are to deduct 100$ for your running around expenses and have the remaining balance sent through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER to the Arte fact Company in Malaysia with the name, address and Information below…
RECEIVERS NAME: Gideon William
RECEIVERS ADDRESS: D 512 SRI Cepaka
CITY: Puchong Jaya
ZIP/POSTAL CODE: 47100
COUNTRY: Malaysia
Please note that you are to deduct the western union transfer charges from my available funds after which you have deducted your running around expenses.
Below are the WESTERN UNION TRANSFER DETAILS which you must send to me via the email as soon as you have completed the transfer of funds.
1… SENDER’S FULL NAME:
2… SENDERS ADDRESS
3… M.T.C.N ( MONEY TRANSFER CONTROL NUMBER) 10 DIGIT
4.. AMOUNT SENT.
Message back showing you are in receipt of this message and Please confirm to me if you have receive the first assignment package or not.
Get back to me as soon as possible.
Kind Regards
Mr Alexander Anderson.
***RECIEVING THIS POSTAL MONEY ORDER IS A HUGEEE SCAM!
I received the same email well relatively with the whole bit about Australia and art galleries all nonsense! Anyways he man name was Raphael Daniels. Be weary. He threatened me after i refuse tp wire the money!
Hi,
Thanks for the mail…As they say, punctuality is the soul of business. I believe promptness is key if any business is to thrive. I want to thank you for your prompt response. I have gone through your resume and it seems good enough. I will not be able to meet up with you until I get back from my trip. You will resume work with helping me on errands, sorting out my delivers and packages and doing my shopping. You will be properly briefed in order to carry out every task appropriately. I believe we can start the purchase with TRUST, Please assure me of your trust, honesty, promptness to duty and commitment.
Its great to know you are willing to work for me. I cherish versatility and freedom in a working relationship so you can work from your home or office. I will make for financial aid to be sent to you for purchase of some paintings and other merchandise ( pay my bills on my behalf)Sit for delivery( at your home) or pick items up at nearby post office at your convenience.
Let me know if you will be able to offer me any/all of these services.
Where are you located?
I would love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on business.
I am in Australia so there will be no interview.
I will prepay you in advance to do my shopping.
I will also have my mails and packages forwarded to your address.
If you will be unable to stay at your house to get my mails, I can have it shipped to a post office near you and then you can pick it up at your convenience.
When you get my mails/packages; you are required to mail them to where I want them mailed to. You don’t have to put money out of your pocket, all you have to do is have packages shipped to your house and do my shopping.
You are allowed to open the packages to reveal its content.
The content of the packages are computer and electronics, clothings business and personal letters….. All expenses and taxes will be covered by me.
You will work between 15 and 20hrs a month.. How much will you charge per month? I will pay $600.00.
That is not a bad offer is it? I need your service because I am constantly out of town.
I work in Realestate and I own an Art Gallery in Australia.
I will return to USA in January, so this process will be on going till then. If you don’t mind, I will meet up with you when I return and then we can talk about the possibility of making this long term.Well, let me know if you are able to handle the position.
Hope to hear I will email you the list and pictures of what to shop for when I am ready.
No heavy packages is involved! You can do the shopping at any nearest stores.You will be shopping for Electronics and clothing’s.
I will provide you my personal UPS account number for Shipping.All you have to do is provide my account number to UPS and shipping charges will be applied into the account. I will provide clear set of instructions for each task I need done as well the funds to cover them.
If I were to mail you money to do my shopping plus upfront payment for your service, where would you want it mailed to? How should your name appear on the money?Maybe you can provide me with the following details below:
Full Name:
Full Address:
Apt#
City:State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number:
Age:
Thank you!
My Phone # 916-751-1428
I received the same email, but it actually came from Lloyd Serber acting as Jaime Dutchmann. It is sad to see that there are people out there taking advantage of others that are out of work, like myself. I, like others, are only looking for employment in these trying times. I am glad that I am computer savy and thought to investigate further before sending all my information.
RE: FUN ADMINISTRATOR/RECEPTIONIST TO START MONDAY
Lloyd Serberlloydserber@hotmail.com
Hello,
Hope you’re having a pleasant day today
You contacted me applying for the position which I advertised on Craigslist. Do take time to go through this
introductory mail and feel free to pass any questions on.
My profile briefly:
I am Dr. Jamie Dutchmann, a father of 2 wonderful kids and the CEO of Dr.Jdutchmann Medical Consultant Office I work with World Health Organisation (W.H.O), With over 30 years of experience, I have developed a great degree of confidence in Medical Consultant and its ability to decrease pain and symptoms, as well as improve overall health. My desire is to help people continue to do all the things that make their lives enjoyable.I have an opening for a Special Personal Assistant who will support me in day to day activities, special projects and scheduling. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, with a successful track record of developing and maintaining administrative systems in a team environment. I travel every now and then within and outside the US
working on various independent Medical Offices, this is why I need someone who can help keep up to date with all of my activities especially when I’m away and amidst my busy schedule.I have had a previous Assistant who has been very commendable in her activities and who has been part of my life for the past 8 months, she has since moved on with her personal life and it has affected me in a way. I found her previously on the craigslist website and I
sincerely hope I will be able to find someone again who will be as efficient as she has been.Please note that you are being hired only on a personal level.All correspondences would be made and promptly reported to me personally. The position is part time and home-based meaning you can work most times from your home as long as you have a regular internet access.
You are also hired on a trial basis for now until we are able to see how well we fit in, this however does not
affect your weekly wage.
Most of your activities will be carried out locally and most official packages will be delivered via posts. You will
be actively involved in my personal, business and financial life. In summary, your activities as my assistant amongst other things will include;
o Receiving and distributing supplies
o Posting ads on Internet and newspaper
oCheck and send mail daily or as needed
o Order office supplies and consumables as needed.
o Answering phones with a great phone voice, general office and clerical, data entry, filing, internet customer support
o Proficient computer skills with advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet usage and applications. QuickBooks knowledge helpful
o Outstanding customer service
o Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
o Positive attitude, honesty, integrity
o Must be a self-starter with a strong sense of initiative
o Excellent Multi-tasking and organizational skills
o Be EXTREMELY detail oriented and able to resolve issues
o Must be a Team player
o Ability to match paperwork from warehouse, vendors, and customers
Basic wage is $400 Weekly.
Any extra personal expenses (transport, gas, etc) incurred by you while on an errand or otherwise will also be
reimbursed by me at the end of each working
week.
This position is very flexible and it is difficult judging the exact number of hours you will be doing,
just bear it in mind that there will be busier weeks than others with a steady pay. Working with me is
basically about instructions and following them, my only fear is that I may come at you impromptu sometimes, so I
need someone who can be able to meet up with my irregular timings. There is also a very sensitive issue on trust,
dedication and accountability which I
believe will resolve itself as time goes on.
This is only an introductory e-mail, as time goes on we should be able to arrange a proper meeting to get things
started officially. I’m currently in England now for a project, however, I do have a number of things you could help
me with immediately, prior to my arrival.
Due to the excessive number of responses to my Ad, do provide the following details about yourself for my personal
record update and to filter applicants;
Full Names m. roberts
Full Contact Address 139 South 144th, unit 540095
City OMAHA
State NE
Zip Code 68135
Phone Number (M) 402 714 1811
Phone Number (H)
Occupation (if any)
Specify the hours that you will be available if my schedule doesn’t work with the hours i requested
Days/Hours You will be available:
can work anytime
Monday ____
Tuesday ____
Wednesday ____
Thursday ____
Friday ____
Saturday ____
Sunday ____
Hours Available: from _______ to ______
What date are you available to start work? asap
Your Yahoo Messenger ID Important you must have one : i can set one up if i get the job
Let chat on yahoo messenger My ID is: jdutchmann@yahoo.com
Note: If you do not have a yahoo ID, set-up one to chat with me online.
Please get back as soon as possible…
I hope you can be available for me immediately before I arrive, it certainly can act as a stable foundation to our
impending working relationship.
Hope to hear from you again.
Regards
johnstoress13@gmail.com
beware of this person…scam scam scam
I just got scammed (and feel like a complete fool) on Craigslist by fraudulent 2006 Honda Civic ad(s), lost $3000. Turns out this guy (criminal syndicate?) has thousands of ads posted in every major city (at least), same car(s), same phoney emails, same phony eBay Motors faked forms, same forged title docs, etc.
I’m doing everything I can here in WA to alert the authorities but am just becoming aware of the vast scope of these criminals.
Any suggestions as to whom to contact for action (other than FBI and FTC who may or may not do anything, they refer to local authorities, right?).
let me know.
It appears Craigslist does NOTHING. Anyone know differently?
I’m going to contact the Seattle TV/media to expose the scam but it’s nationwide and proliferating very fast.
Anyone else been lured in by these criminals?
Chris
360-705-3528
Thanks,
Chris
Chris that’s pretty bad how you were done. Did you ever go to http://www.spamcop.net ? That is one I saw here before or somewhere you report such things and there are others but I can not locate where I wrote them.I will post the others whenever I find them.
Here is the response that I got for one of my ads. His name is James Water and his email is watjam01@gmail.com
Thanks for the prompt response to my email. I will be buying from you
so please kindly withdraw the advert from CRAIGSLIST. I don’t mind
paying an additional $30 for it in order for you to take the AD down
from craigslist and also to be assured that it is already mine. Please
be informed that i will be paying with Money Order or Cashiers check
as i just moved here from CArdiff, on a job transfer and it is going
to be sent to you via courier service which is going to be mailed to
you overnight.My mover will be coming over for the pick up as soon as
you have the Money Order cashed,so you don’t need to bother about the
shipping as everything on that is well arranged.I will need the
following details to mail the payment to in order to facilitate the
payment asap …………..
1.Name to be on the payment
2.Home address (not p.o. Box address)
3.Cell phone #
I am completely satisfied with the advert and the payment will be
delivered within 2-3 working days.** I use a hearing impaired phone #
and will receive your calls via email **
James.
Here is today’s email from the guy. So they are all pretty much following the same patterns.
Good day and how is your day ?I just received the confirmation from my
Secretary that the payment has been issued out and was mailed by the
United Parcel Service. It will be delivered to your address 2 days
from now according to the courier,and it was my secretary who posted
the payment,but to my greatest surprise, She included the moving fee
with your payment,instead of the actual amount of the purchase,she
made out the payment for $1,950.This was due to the accumulated unpaid
transactions undertaken by the mover in the past weeks and they said
they can’t come and pick this up if I do not pay them all together.So
once you have the Payment,i want you to cash it and deduct the money
for the purchase.The remaining funds should please be sent to my mover
via Western union the same day you do receive the payment so that my
mover can make the trip over for the pickup at once.You will also have
to deduct an additional $30 to offset the cost of your run around
expenses.**I will need your immediate response via email assuring me
that i can trust you to handle this with care and have the remaining
funds returned appropriately.I am hearing impaired and will hope that
your intentions remains noble through out the duration of this
transaction**
I recently have been looking for a house in my neighborhood. Have ran across TWO people claiming they were in africa, at first i was super excited a 5bd room house, BRAND NEW for 900, only have to send $600 for the deposit, The guy claimed to be a missionary, So i thought, oh good god in his life, then i started to put 2 and 2 together i couldnt look inside the house till after i sent the money, i called the guy and he seemed a little suprised i called him.
I grew up going to church and the pastor is a little more open with talking with people and this guy seemed a little anxious.
Im really dissapointed really because i poored my life story and how im trying to find a perfect home for my 3 kids in a great neighborhood, Only to find out im getting scammed.
Watch out for a Pastor Peterson people!
People “scam” themselves by being greedy, by wanting something for nothing.
I’d like to see legislation limiting a man to but one e-mail address. Its disgusting when the elderly and poor and stolen from..
Africa (Nigeria) seem to be the place for crime….this is a problem.
Caliborngurl, lets hope nothing vital was passed on, if so you are in trouble.
A house for 900 ????
Dollars ???
Mine cost me 110 times that….
It was of course for rent lol not sale. Shoot, buying a house for that cheap would be a dream come true. He did send a questionair but nothing to vital was in there only work info, and he didnt even ask how much i made. What threw me off was the name he emailed me with and the name he used to collect the payment was two differant names. Owell i will be more aware next time….
People that take advantage of others is so unfortunate! It really hurts everyone in so many ways. And often takes more energy and time and effort than if they went about things honestly.
Unfortunately :
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
The above does not take into account Local criminals in Portland, Oregon!
I Warn YOU about : Dan Davis
Also Known as : Daniel B Davis
He LIES and CHEATS – SCAMS Real Estate Agents.
He is a thief and has stolen from people he has lived with in their home and has been in Jail.
DO NO BUSINESS WITH HIM
If you come into contact with him AVOID giving him ANY Money
His scheme is he charges money for ‘Leads’ which he gleans from FSBO craiglist ads which are NOT real and/or outdated and are used over and over again with multiple agents.
He has scammed many real estate agents among others ! ! !
One of those above scams has my phone number listed in it. My ex is Austalian and spends a lot of time in europe. He re-married long before we were ever divorced.
About a month or two ago, I rec’d a few phone calls from people about a job posted on craigslist. The problem?! I never posted a job on craigslist. I asked a few of them to forward me the postings/email and then I forwarded it to my IP provider COX and the FBI. It turns out that they placed ads all over the United States using my phone number.
My contact with Craiglist was that I posted a LAWN MOWER and cleaning services that listed that phone number. When someone called to buy the lawnmower, I gave them the address to send payment which never arrived.
These people are really scummy. Now if anyone google’s my phone number, this Scam shows up! Which makes me look bad.
I’ve used Craigslist several times to buy and sell, and have always had good luck with it by using some common sense and following the rules.
I LOVE getting the check scammers and stringing them along for as long as I can, making them jump through hoops and spend money UPS’ing their fake checks to fake addresses I give them, while I play dumb and see how many times I can make them resend it or wait for my fake Western Union-wired money. The more trouble and expense I can put them through, the better. I can typically keep the ruse going on for a week, sometimes two. Before they either realize they’ve been had, or they think I’m too stupid to deal with and move on. I make sure I bug them a while longer by sending them e-mails asking dumb questions even after they’ve given up. One of my favorites is letting them think I cashed their fake check and got money out of it, but they never seem to get theirs because darn the luck, my Western Union wire just never seems to get to them.
Meh, it’s cheap entertainment while I wait for the legitimate buyers to come along.
Alas, I do this as well sometimes
This is called scambaiting and it’s very dangerous. You are dealing with criminals, so you have to be careful. Some people justify it because the more time you waste of theirs the less time they are really scamming people. There is a website called 419eater.com that gives tips, and tells stories about people’s experiences screwing with scammers.
I hate craigs list and have been scammed before. I appreciate all of you getting the word out!
I have to say, I have been looking for a Honda (Reliable, 4D Sedan) on Craigslist and have found a 2009 LX for $2400 being sold by “Sargeant Anthony Black”. I thought something was a little off, so I did e-mail him with several questions. His responses sounded a little too set up, however, being 19 years old with a baby on the way, I’ve decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. I thought…maybe this man really is in the army. I had talked to my mom about it and everything. She recognized it was, in fact, a scam because he was wanting her to pay him through Western Union. I HAD to e-mail him and tell him how absolutely disgusting it is to use the military idea to con people for their money. It is just such a disgrace. Later that day, he was posting the same car in several different cities nearby. Please, watch out for things like this. NEVER pay with Western Union. Always DO EBAY! And DO NOT TRUST ANYONE…or give a single person online “The Benefit of The Doubt”….Please get the word out…I can’t tell you how absolutely furious it makes me that people do this to others.
About a month ago I got this letter in the mail its a check for2,995.93 dollars in it!I knewfrom past experience of my husband getting a similar check that it has to be fake.It is supposedly from a company name dKBTC Casualty Company.Who I for one have never heard of. So theres my first red flag.Then when I tried to call the phone # on the check I was just always told to leave a message.There’s the second red flag.Now I wonder to myself how did this person happen to locate me?And I recall being on the computer filling out surveys mentioning I might like to do some Mystery shopping.But at that time the site required you pay them for a job.Well that’s not my idea of a job.See I do the work and the employer pays me.I will never pay someone for a job.SO I thought they were scamming and as I recall had to shut off my computer to get away from them.So I guess that’s who sent the check.Lucky for me I have an excellent memory.The fourth red flag is that the letter states that I am to keep all of this check cashing business and Tha fact that I am Mystery Shopping for them totally secret.My husband and I have no secrets from one another.So one day when I had called the bank I use ,I mentioned this stupid letter and check to her and asked if she had seen anything like it.I was told no, but there are a lot of similar ones to it being sent to people all the time and if I bring it in then they can investigate it and try to bring legal action against the person who sent it to me.So I guess maby I will take it to the bank today or tomorrow.But I sure won’t try cashing it!
Here is another name, {DANIEL WILLIAMS} for the SCAM, $400.00 a week job of – “Personal Assistant”-
Hi Dawna ,
These is to acknowledge that your information has been received and I am equally using this medium to inform you that i will want you to add me on yahoo messenger ( personalassist4me@yahoo.com ) .You shall receive your payment promptly, it may be in form of Check, money orders ,bank deposit or inform of cash use western union transfer, and You will be paid upon the completion of every assignment given to you.. I will also notify you as soon as possible in regards to your first assignment and you shall receive your 1099 Tax form after your first assignment if the need be. I want you to understand that you are dealing with me directly as my personal assistant and I will appreciate if you have your duty done very fast for me. I may need you to confirm a flight booking. do hotel booking for me online, buy somethings for me, get some things shipped for me, type a letter for me and have it mailed out e.t.c. I will email you with the list of the items to be purchased and the necessary information on how to get it mailed out to the orphanage. Ensure you check your emails daily so you can get the email message before the delivery of the payment. Please email me back to confirm you get this mail. I hope this work will not affect you in any way and hope you can handle higher amount of funds without any problem.Please email me back to confirm you get this mail.
Very Respectfully ,
Daniel Williams
personalassist4me@aol.com
**This is what I sent**
Sent: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 12:45 pm
Subject: Re: Personal Assistant-
Well Hello Daniel,The info you requested, was already supplied on my resume’.Minus home phone #, I do not have one. Who does, these days???My age??? Hmmmmmm, curious about the need for this, mid 40′s.Truly,Dawna
WOW! Beware everyone!!
Don’t trust anything on craigslist, they do nothing to stop fraud, all they do is warn you not to use their site or trust people. Use sites like Etsy or Listia.com, they at least customer support people who will resolve problems.
webber from usa
i was scammed by so called spell caster who told me that they will help me to bring my lover back to me. i payed them $280,and they demanded another money i pay them $500, and they demanded another money i refuse to give them anything again..until i saw a testimony of this spell caster INDIANSPEL@YAHOO.COM i was thinking him self was a scam too. i never knew is just a God sent to help people through with his magic.
he cast a love spell for me without collecting any money from me.
now my lover is back with me and we are living well and about plaining for our marriage. INDIANSPELL@YAHOO.COM you are the best spell caster in the world.
No truer words… “A fool and his money are soon parted”.
And I know exactly what this is like.
I favor more government rules and regulations to protect the fools.
This must be done very carefully…and this is where more fools enter.
Knowledge is the answer, but this only goes so far….
And then there is “natural selection”….
Its hard to tell where Webber is coming from or going…..
Why is it that the untrustworthy are trusted ?
Wish I knew….
The same idiot pretending to be a woman offered to buy something I had for sale on craigslist. She/he couldn’t speak a lick of English correctly and only after sending a bogus check by fed ex, did she ask me to wire the additional $2,200 back to her “movers” so they could pick it up. I immediately responded that I would not agree to that and that I would return the envelope upon arrival. She tried to shame me and say” Me understand you not want to trust as many online internet are schemes but I am honest as I have never been shit on or would I shit on anyoone>” The English was totally off and I actually got exttremely angry when I researched it and found it this idiot does this all the time. I was most upset that I couldn’t track this moron by any of the addresses given to me. Not to mention I sent several nasty e-mails to her with no response.
Just received this one:
I’m a single mom of 4 children and I really need a washer And dryerAnd all I have is $50. My children’s dad left me and I’m trying to getback on my feet. Would you be able to find it in your heart to sell methe washer and dryer for $50. I know that is asking alot but this isall I have right now. Please
Can’t stop thinking is another scam!!
Even if it’s not a scam, it should be flagged. People using hard luck stories in the “wanted” section makes me tired.
Just as many of you have I listed something for sale on craigslist and within an hour I had a buyer. This should have been my first clue to this scam. A man by the name of Barry Johnson using the email blackburn.freddie01@gmail.com and a second email fhjKan6@yahoo.fr contacted me and wanted to know if the item was still available, I responded yes then the scam attempt began. The emails started exactly as others here have posted. He said he would send me a certified check and then emailed me again saying that the check was for $2150.00 (the item I was selling was for $500) and that I should take out my payment and then send the rest via Walmart Wire Transfer to his mover Mark Edward in Jacksonville FL I knew that this was a scam but played along. I let him send me the check and I immediately called the bank listed on the check. Of course the account number on the check was fake. I proceeded to keep the man going saying that I had deposited the check and that I would contact him once the check cleared my account and then I would send the funds to the mover as instructed. I bet at this time he thought maybe I might have taken the bait, but in truth I was actually at my police station handing over this creeps info and check. Not much chance that they can locate the creep but at least I didn’t fall for the scam but unfortunately there are folks out there that has and they have lost thousands of their hard earned money to these thieves. Please be careful folks.
Heed Craigslist’s warning and only deal with local folks, don’t accept checks, money orders, cashiers checks and Never ever wire money to anyone! Accept Cash only and do not give out any of your personal information.
Be Safe out there, the world is full of crooks.
YOU GUYS ARE MISSING THE BIGGER PICTURE HERE. ALL OF YOU.
Ive sold THOUSANDS of items on Craigslist. If not tens of thousands. I have 6000 sq feet of nothing but Craigslist items. I’ve bought there as well many many times. The simple solution to ALL of this is stop using email!!!!!!!!! Email is NOT SAFE!!!! Phone numbers are SAFE!!! I get so annoyed at the misinformation. People will NOT spam you via phone. They wont add your number to some imaginary list. They wont call for other sales. They WILL however add your email to lists, spam your email, and they WILL send you viruses via email. They WILL phish you via email. They WILL send you fake links via email. The most entry-level hacker can bypass craigslist “anonymous” email, and furthermore, once you reply its all over! Its right there. Thats why if someone sends you a harassing email you should NEVER respond!!!! Just delete. If you MUST retaliate… sign them up for a newsletter they wont want using the email address they sent you.
Email is 90s. To buy or sell on CL you need phone or text or both. Email is a waste of time and often ends in dozens of stupid emails all asking exactly what you typed in the description that the idiot buyer wouldnt take 30 seconds to read. Again I say it… THOUSANDS of items sold. NEVER an issue with phone. Never a spam call.
Email? I’ve done that. It resulted in hours of wasted time, a crashed PC, and more frustrations that I care to admit. Furthermore have you ever considered that people with POP accts may not have their email setup for WEEKS after they get their computer? I still havent gotten around to it myself on my new PC. Email is UNSAFE. Phone is safe. Period. The only issues you face with phone calls are “a faster sale”. “A faster purchase” and “The ability to read the other person based on sounds you hear on the other end” (think solicitors) All of which are positive. Now you MIGHT get a call at 1AM. I guess if there is a downside to calls that would be it. Some people apparently never sleep. But a call waking me up at 2AM is worth it if it results in an extra $200 in my pocket. JMHO.
Another thing to consider. What do most of your stories have in common? Foreign Scammers! They dont want to call you because they know you will pick up on the strong dialect. Now you can read that dialect in an email if your observant, but most miss it. Phone call ONLY sales eliminate 99% of your issues.
Very informative and makes a lot of sense!! Thanks…seriously.
I just recently recieved a check with the amount of $980.00 from Ralph Villanueva. I don’t know what to believe if this is real or not??!?!?!
Somebody HELP!!!
I got an e-mail from him to hiring me. So he is hiring you or me for the job?
It sounds like a scam to me.
so did you ever actually meet this guy or what?
did you ever get another check from him?
the emails I was getting seemed fishy so I decided to look around a bit.
please let me know how this turned up
Thought I would add my own story. I get this stuff at work all the time so I thought I would give a reply this time because it was a slow day. I got the same letter from the same person on three different ads. He has listed Alcoa Inc. Ltd as his company.
Hi,
How are you doing today ?Is good to hear from you, i sent you an email regarding the item you posted on CL and I’ve went through the posting again and i am glad the item is still up for sale. My preferable mode of payment is by Money Order OR Check is the only way i can pay you at the moment as am presently out of town for business,I will make arrangement for the pick-up after payment have been received and processed by you , I have a reliable shipper who will come over for the pickup as soon as you receive the Check. I’m offering you an extra $105.00 to keep the item in my favor. Also i would appreciate if you can send me pictures of it. i will have my personal assistant issue out the check payment to you asap and it would delivered to you within 2/5 working days .Kindly fill this information bellow for payment procedure ,
Full Name :
Address :
City :
State :
Zip Code :
Cell & Home Phone # where i can reach you at to confirm to you once the payment is been mail out. Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me .I’ll be waiting for your swift response with the required information for payment procedure ASAP..
Thanks a lot and God Bless.
Warmest Regards
Johnson Wilkinson
This was my reply:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I hate Alcoa. The Aluminum Company of America is responsible for putting fluoride poison in my water. I am even wearing my “poison in your tapwater” shirt today. If you want me to take the ad off of Craigslist it will cost you an extra $5000.00 plus $5000.00 for shipping and an extra $5000.00 for any western union or other type of money transfer fees. The total cost with tax, title and license fees will be $550,000.00.
Please send the money order to
FBI Denver
Federal Office Building, Room 1823
1961 Stout Street, 18th. Floor
Denver, Colorado
80294-1823
The phone number is (303) 629-7171 .
Use tracking for the mail, and make sure to pay for the mailing with your valid credit card. When you have noted that the check has arrived, let me know right away. I’ll go straight there and your shipper can meet me immediately.
It will be a pleasure to do business with you.
Thanks so much,
Seargent Stadanko
To Seargent Stadanko, I loved your recently posted reply to the stupid scammer! Thyroid disorders & Chron’s Disease and a host of other ailments is what the Flouride has caused in our drinking water.I’m not sure how to spell it. But whenever I get these replys to my recent ads I just tell them I accept no other form of payment than cold hard cash, or green money.I don’t like them wasting my time and so I tell them to go back to my ad and read it it states the price description and that the price is for cash only no exceptions in those words.Problem is most of them do not bother to read the ad. So again I tell them to. Dealing with the public takes a lot of patience. Sometimes I am a little more short on them than others.Best of luck to you.Tammy Baugh
Just received this fro
Hello good sir,
My name is Mary Abery and am responding to an ad you placed on Craigslist. I am in very ill health and am currently in a hospital bed in Buenos Aires. I would like to purchase your item for my grandson who is staying with relatives in New York. Due to my chronic condition I will have have to wire transfer the money to you. I will also pay an extra 150.00 to hold the item and any shipping charges that accrue. Please reply with your name, full address, and phone number so I can get the money to you as soon as possible. I am sure my grandson will love his new gift.
Stay Blessed Always,
Mary
ARE THESE SCAMMERS FOR REAL!!?
I teach private music lessons and received the exact same email from multiple people. I knew something was not right, so glad I found this site!
I am Rachel Lightsey , My son is coming for an holiday in your area,His name is Andre,14 years.I want him to be busy in the day.I have decided to let him attend your lesson for 1 hours in a day in the morning or time that you will be chance.i want you to calculate the cost of 1 hours each day for Mon, Wed & Fri for the whole 1 Month and send me the total cost,i will be paying you with Cashiers check or Money Order ,so get back to me with your cost.I have someone(Nanny) that will always drive him down to your house or lesson venue.Kindly get back to me with.
1.YOUR CHARGE FOR 1 HOUR.
2.TOTAL CHARGES FOR 1 MONTH THAT HE WILL BE TAUGHT 3 TIMES PER WEEK.
3. FULL NAME AND ADDRESS WITH ZIPCODE.
4.YOUR PHONE NUMBER.
Don’t hesitate to e-mail with your total charges.Thanks and looking to hearing from you soon.
With Best Regards.
Rachel
Dear—-
Thanks for your response. After review of your details, I am glad to inform you that your application has been approved and I have accepted you as my Personal Assistant. Your official start date is Monday,November 7th, 2011. One of my clients will send you a payment next week which you will be taking care of on my behalf and i will keep you posted as soon as the payment is sent to you. As soon as you receive the payment,Take it to the bank and deposit it,Once it clears,Deduct $300 for your first week payment and send the balance to the Electronic store am purchasing some electronics from.I will email you the information needed to send the money to the electronic store as soon as the payment is sent to you.
Regards
Dave
Thanks for the information. I must let you know that, we have received more resumes than we expected. Anyway, am using this medium to congratulate you on your employment . You are one of the chosen applicant that was shortlisted after a final screening from our recruitment crew. Having gone through your resume, we found that , you are the most qualified out of all the applicant. Congratulations once again.Your 10% will increase to 15% as time goes on, but that will depend on the way you handle and perform your functions. Of course, you know what to do, receive payment in form of Cashier Checks or Money Order from our Clients and get it deposit at your bank.We hope this will be the beginning of a fruitful relationship between us.
For your first assignment. A Check will be issued in your name and sent to your address from one of our big customer but before then, we will like to know how long it will take you to get this deposit into your bank account? Once we receive an answer from you, I will notify you with the date and tracking number of your first Check.
Thanks and get back to me as soon as possible.
Hello Applicant,
Hope you’re having a pleasant day today. Thanks for getting back to my message concerning the Personal Assistant and receptionist that I need. Take time to go through this introductory mail and feel free to
pass any questions/concerns on.
My profile in brief:
I am Brian lupz, 35 and a successful businessman and investor.. and I travel every now and then within and outside the States working on various independent projects. I am currently in the Poland seeing to the acquisition of a new location for my store. This is why I need someone who can help keep up to date with all of my activities especially when I’m away and amidst my busy schedule.
I have had a previous Personal Assistant who was very commendable in his activities and who has been part of my life for the past 3 years and 4 months. he has moved on with his personal life and it has affected me in a way. I found him previously on the craigslist website and I sincerely hope I will be able to find someone again who
will be as efficient as he has been. Please note that you are being hired only on a personal basis. All correspondence would be made and promptly reported to me personally. The position is part time and home-based meaning you can work most times from your home as long as you have regular internet access. You will be hired on a trial basis for now until we are able to see how well we fit in. This however does not affect your weekly wage. Most of your activities will be carried out locally and official packages will be delivered via post. You will be actively involved in my personal, business and financial life.In summary, your activities as my Personal Assistant amongst other things will include;
* Running personal errands, supervisions and monitoring.
* Organizing and maintaining diaries, memos and making appointments.
* Dealing with incoming email, faxes and post.
* A personal reminder for Schedules, programs, flights and keeping me up to date with them as they come up.
* Arranging travel and accommodation.
* Taking on some of the my responsibilities and working more closely with management and other staff related to me.
* Making regular contacts and drop-offs on my behalf.
* Handling and monitoring financial activities.
* Processing and taking charge of weekly payments and purchases.
* General clerical activities.
*I will also have my mails and packages forwarded to your address. If you will be unable to stay at your house to get my mails, I can have it shipped to a post office near you and then you can pick it up at your convenience.When you get my mails/packages; you are required to mail them to where I want them mailed to. You don’t have to put money out of your pocket, all you have to do is have packages shipped to your house and do my shopping. You are allowed to open the packages to reveal its content.The content of the packages are computer and electronics, clothings business and personal letters.. All expenses and taxes will be covered by me.
* Also you can do all this at home
Basic wage is $300 per weeks that is not a bad offer is it?.
Any extra personal expenses (transport, gas, etc) incurred by you while on an errand or otherwise will be reimbursed by me at the end of each working week. All expenses and taxes will be covered by me. You will work between 15 and 20hrs a month . Bear in mind that there will be busier weeks than others with a steady pay. Working with me is basically about instructions and following them and keeping correspondence with me at all times. I understand that calling long distance from the States costs a fortune, but you don’t have to worry about that. Just shoot me a mail and I’ll call you as soon as I get to read your mail. Instructions on all assignments to be carried out will be given promptly, so you can schedule yourself to be available to carry out the assignment promptly. There is also a very sensitive issue on trust, dedication and accountability which I believe will resolve itself as time goes on.
This is only an introductory e-mail, as time goes on we should be able to arrange a proper meeting to get things started officially. I’m currently in Poland for a project. However, I do have a number of things you could help me with immediately, prior to my arrival. I should be back in the States in the next six weeks and will schedule a proper meeting with you upon my arrival to clarify the duties you will be carrying out for me perhaps your application is accepted.Due to the excessive number of responses to my ad, provide the following details about yourself for my personal record update and to filter applicants.
Full Names:
Full Contact Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number (H):
Phone Number (M):
Occupation (if any):
Age (Optional):
Once i received your contact information i will get back to you with the task for this coming week,Understand you will also be paid as well as its important for me to make the necessary steps before i get to the state. Hope i am clear with that.
Get back as soon as possible..
Kind Regards,
Brian Lupz [lsm8hg7@gmail.com]
If someone request I answer questions like this on craigslist for a job, I’d offer to sell my identity for 3 million dollars cash… Who in the crap ask someone their age, especially and educated supposedly succesful person who should no well not to even make such an inquiry. Why the crap is a successful businessman advertising on craigslist. What, trying to match up a photo with your newly stolen information…please.
An alert and some advice. First the alert. A current scam on craigslist involves the SEEMINGLY INNOCENT act of asking for photos of your item. Now I always actually spoken to a person on the phone before I even consider that, however, this scam has evolved and that is not enough.
You will get a story about how you need to go ahead and send them some photos…..BUT, they are BUSY, OUT OF TOWN, OUT OF COUNTRY, OUT ON COMPANY BUSINESS and they will contact you in just a few days with any questions or issues. Airline employ, military deployment, and field jobs such as sales/marketing or engineering are used for covers. I have spoken to more airline employees in the last month than I have in the last 15 years…..AND I LIVE 5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT!
So you do the honest thing to be responsible seller and you send some photos….AND NOT HEAR BACK AGAIN. BUT ITS WORSE. If you try to call, you do not get an answer OR your number is blocked. ALSO your emails will come back marked as “error”. If you do get a response back it will be along the lines of; “Who do you think you are BADGERING ME? You must think I’m a scammer! I DONT WANT TO TALK TO YOU ANYMORE!”.
SO THEN…..they NOW PIRATE YOUR PHOTOS in order to list FAKE CLASSIFIEDS!
So now some failproof CL tips:
1) ALWAYS SCAN THROUGH ANY OTHER CL LISTINGS OF LIKE/SIMILAR ITEMS in order to find YOUR PHOTOS/ITEMS. THEN, REPORT THAT TP CL SECURITY. NEVER TIP OFF THE PIRATE.
2) DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DO THAT ITEM/LISTING COMPRE IN OTHER RANDOM CL MARKETS. Your account sign in is good NATIONWIDE FOR ALL CL MARKETS. SCAMMERS HAVE THIS TOO!
3) THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL…..NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, go to any LINK whatsoever that is sent to you from a person through CL! ALL OF THEM ARE SPYWARE! Once you go there, you have then volunteered all of your account info to them.
4) NEVER, NEVER, NEVER respond to any email from craigslist in your email service box! 100% of those are FAKE! If Craigslist communicates to you, IT WILL BE IN YOUR CL ACCOUNT BOX.
5) RESET PASSWORDS RANDOMLY in a habit ranging from 2 weeks to 45 days. Major changes arent needed, only minor ones. EXAMPLE: it is a great tip to have a 2 digit # at the beginning or ending of your password. THEN YOU CAN SIMPLY CHANGE THE NUMBER. There are 1000s of possibilities with that…..SIMPLE ONES!
6) If a person is interested in an item, OR if you are an interested buyer….ARRANGE FOR A MEETING in a neutral location THAT IS PUBLIC and state owned. I use the State Farmers Market BECAUSE it is not only highly visible and OPEN and PUBLIC….but there is also a STATE POLICE POST LOCATED THERE!
6) Always arrange a “quick” meeting. If it looks like it is dragging out, IT IS A SCAM in almost all cases. Honest people both buyer and seller will understand these precautions. SCAMMERS WILL FLEE. I always offer to meet with the person AND HAVE THE SELL ITEMS PRESENT within 24 hours, 48 MAX! This sorts out fakes pretty quick.
7) I also REFUSE TO SEND ANY IMAGES UNTIL a) I have spoken to an identifiable person on phone. b) HAVE FIRST MADE MEETING ARRANGEMENT, and c) have verified it to be a CASH transaction.
Now as to item 7; those are easily subverted and meetings cancelled. I know this, but the idea here is to try to find a meeting of minds to weed most of the scammers out.
I have been a Craigslist seller for almost 3 months and have had close to 20 items listed there. Of those I have had approx 10 transactions and NO LOST MONEY. I have also had 100s of scammers come through. The ratio of scammer to legit is something like 12/15-1.
A last thing you will see: MULTIPLE POSTINGS CRASH YOUR ACCOUNT. This is what happens to you when you click a link that is emailed. EVERYONE WHO ALSO CLICKED THAT LINK HAS ALL THE LISTINGS GO INTO ONE HUGE MEGA ACCOUNT and all the combined listings begin to pop up in the accounts that are INFECTED.
IF/WHEN THAT HAPPENS….DO NOT PANIC. Because, that item # is traceable by CL to the mega account and holder. Open up 2 windows. Use one for the security report form (CL) and the other for your CL ACCOUNT PAGE. This makes it much easier for you to take the listing id #s and enter them onto the report form. I dont know if there is a limit, but that isnt important. Chances are it is all from the same scammer account and all you need is 3-5 examples for craigslist to be free to legally act.
I have gotten at least 2 dozen people busted this way and that dropped the scam emails down ALOT! When I first started listing there the ratio was something like 50-1, so the 12/15-1 ratio is a huge step forward.
A last thing: I know its the holidays coming and people are excited….DONT BE AN ANXIOUS BUYER OR SELLER. Let the whole process be a decent and orderly thing. Many sells and buys will fall through. This is not a good way to have a part time job if you really are in money need. Patience and common sense should be your 2 best friends and CAUTION should be your 3rd. Be safe, and be prosperous. kevin
I’ll tell you why this makes me SO MAD, because I sometimes find people in other cities that have certain antique items I want. I politely ask them if they would be willing to ship it to me – with me paying them in advance, with cash or a cashiers check from their bank – and I get angry responses 2/3rds of the time. They call me a scammer, and I say, if I send you the cash via a FedEx envelope, how is that a “scam”?! But, the fear is so high that many people just rant and rave and it takes a lot of work to calm them down or I just have to move on.
I totally understand their fear and it is completely justified, but there are honest people out there simply unable to find the item in the city they live in, or on ebay. Lots of people don’t like using ebay, so they use Craigslist, so often the thing I want is only on some Craigslist in another city. It’s really too bad that a few total scums ruin it for the rest of us, who are honest.
I recently bought something from a man in Arizona, and he was unaware of the scams on Craigslist. We were about finished with the deal, I had sent him cash via FedEx and suddenly he starts talking about me “scamming” him. I asked if I could speak with him on the phone, he said “okay”, so I called. On the phone I could tell he was an elderly man (I’m 50 next year) and I asked him, “Sir, I sent you the cash already, you have it in your hand, how could I possibly ‘scam’ you?” He just kept repeating, “my daughter says a lot of people get scammed on Craigslist”. So I said, “well, if you keep my cash and don’t send the item, the only person who is going to get ‘scammed’ is me”. He finally laughed and said, “yes, I suppose you’re right, I do have the money in my hand, but she said it could be counterfeit money”. So, I said, “have your daughter look at the money, take it to a bank and have them examine it and then call me tomorrow”. The next day she called me and apologized, she was very nice. I told her that was totally okay, I understand her trying to protect her father. They sent the item later that day and all was well.
I wish there was a way a person could “vet” him or herself so that people would know you are an honest and legit buyer (or seller). I used to offer references, but then a woman told me that is what “scammers” do, so I quit doing that. I tried pointing people to my ebay page, my sellers page where I have a sterling rating, but (as we’ve learned here) scammers do that as well.
When someone comes up with a way to vet buyers and sellers on the ‘net, they are going to make a lot of money and I’ll be able to buy and sell on Craigslist without having to offer a kidney as deposit.
If paypal could get their act together and really verify who is signing up for accounts, that means doing to leg work to verify with banks that the owner actually openned this account and how long it has been open, this would do a lot to help fraud. If the name on the account doesn’t match with the address or the adress is different from where the item is being shipped, I’d be suspect and so should PayPal. Regarding checks and I know this is not your issue; in the age of technology, who even writes a check anyway. If I see the word check, I don’t even respond.
Love technology but it is a can of worms.
Clue People….
If the person does not use correct grammar, just stay away. If a person is too busy to talk on the phone, they’re too busy to purchase your product. I’ve come across these attempted scams in selling my things on craigslist. I accept cash only transactions and must see the person, during the day time, preferably with someone else present; not money orders, checks, pay pay, etc., all which have the potential for fraud. Sorry to say I’ve probably declined sale of my merchandise to legitimate buyers because there is so much fraud. A check can be stolen. A credit card used for PayPal payment can be stolen. A money order can be fake, etc… If you insist on taking these risk at least try to verify the check or money order. A check takes a while to be verified. Call the bank in which it is drawn on and even request the bank verify it with the owner… don’t send the product until the check has definitely cleared the account…If someone includes a link to click on in their response, immediately delete the response. That should be a rule for all in mail links even from a recognized institution. Get out of the email and go directly to the website from your search engine.
Try not to be so desperate to sell or buy anything. This leads to blindness. Some frauds are so obvious. I don’t know how people fall for them? Even if my bank calls, I deliberately say I’ll call back and don’t use the number provided for the call back but use the number I’ve always used.
Don’t be so desperate to buy or sell on craigslist. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Happy Holidays
S.
–Fresh and recent email scam–
Hello,
I’m willing to immediately employ the services of a caregiver with little or no experience for my father.Caregiver should have no criminal record nor bad history of drug uses.Start time would be during the evening(weekdays only),a maximum of 3hrs per day.I would prefer applicant to be able to take care of him at our suite to ensure that his safety and comfort is guaranteed.We would give a high preference to candidate who has a high sense of humor and would be able to make my father laugh always.
Confirm to me what place and area code you are located in so i would know its proximity to my new assignment which is bringing me to the area in order for me to accept your services .
Best Regard
Julian Mark
Look out for rental scams! Sometimes this scammer goes as “Ron Maden, ron03702@gmail.com” from Whitby.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/apa/2717482216.html
$700 / 1br – 600ft² – *Quiet area *beautifully 1bd 1bth` (san jose downtown)
Date: 2011-11-23, 10:51AM PST
Reply to: hous-fwkhn-2717482216@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
** Located in a quiet area, beautifully decorated **
*** lovely fully furnished ***
**** wireless internet,cable TV **** (free)
*1 underground parking*
If you interested in,please email me! Good LUCK~
PostingID: 2717482216
FIRST EMAIL:
Hi!
I appreciate your interest in renting my apartment. Here are a few pictures of my apartment… Please check the attached file!
I must apologize for the long email that I send you, but renting it is important to you, and I want to try and give you some insight into who I am and about the home you are renting.
My name is David Kelsey and I’m the owner of the apartment, I love this apartment and it means a lot to me. It looks exactly like in the pictures. The apartment is paid in full and with NO legal problem, I am telling you this because with this financial crisis there are many apartments with problems.
The apartment is very close, in walking distance to local transport, bus, etc. with very quiet neighbors and area. Minutes away from downtown, close to school, transit and shopping. Drive way parking, affordably priced, clean mature neighbors seeking same in tenant. Great neighbors!
It has just been renovated, totally finished, flexible lease, is nice, clean, quiet, has all the facilities and the utilities a man needs including electric Utility, Cable TV, Parking, Laundry in the bldg, Air conditioning, high speed internet, workout facility, well behaved pets are allowed.
Kitchen Features:
Washing machine
Juice Machine
Iron
Toaster
Oven
Dishwasher
Coffee Maker
Microwave
Refrigerator
Stove
The apartment is fully furnished, but I have the option of sending all my furniture into storage if you want to bring your own (no extra costs). It comes with a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don’t like it and you want use your furniture).
The rent for 1 month is $700.00 (for the whole apartment). The all utilities are included in this price (rent/month), utilities are about $60.00 – $80.00 / month.
I’m looking forward to rent it as soon as possible, I need the money and I must do that… $700.00 is a good deal. Don’t miss out on this bundle opportunity! We can make the deal happen right away.
I will send you more details.
Sincerely,
David Kelsey
SECOND EMAIL:
Thanks for the email.
If you are interested in the apartment, describe yourself so I can have an idea about you and the people that will be living in my apartment. I want to find the perfect person for my apartment. I just want to find the proper tenant, someone who will treat and care my apartment like it was his own. I need a serious and trustworthy person who not only will pay me the rent on time but also will take care and preserve my property.
What I need to know about you:
1. Your name
2. Phone number
3. How old are you
4. Are you married
5. How many people will be living in the apartment
6. Do you have a pet
7. Do you have a car
8. Occupation
9. I will like to know the date you will like to move into the apartment
10. How long do you want to stay in my house
11. Reason for moving out of current home
Please send me an e-mail with the information I requested. I will select a candidate out of the e-mails that I will receive. I really need to take care of this matter by the end of the next week.
Thanks for understanding!
3rd EMAIL:
You have a nice profile.
I would like to tell you a little bit about myself.
I’m a mature individual, very sincere, respectable and love friending new people. I am a caring person who believes in taking good care of things. I am currently 45 years old and married. My wife’s name is Tamara (she is 6 months pregnant) and have one daughter that is 5 years old. I work hard for my family. I am very career focused and will be spending a lot of my time at the office.
I resided in the apartment with my family. I lived in it for over 5 years, loved every day of it. I spent a lot on my property that I want to give you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this apartment and want you to treat it as your own, is that taken, I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I will be glad to see it neat when I come for a check up.
Right now I`m out of town, I’m in London, England. I got the opportunity to open a franchise ( a small business ) in London, England. We’ve tried to develop a family business but unfortunately the things didn’t work the way we’ve expected and now I am at one step from losing my market.
I had all my family moved here for 3 years. I want to start a new life here, in 3 years I will decide if I will keep that apt, and get back in town or if I will sell it and move forever in England.
This is the second time I tried to rent the apartment… I had a deal with somebody before who said he will rent the apartment if I come back… So I got a plane ticket, and guess what? When I arrived there, he didn’t show up and after 2 days he gave me a call and said that he is sorry but he can’t rent it anymore… How do I know if you have enough money?!
Please DO NOT REPLY to this e-mail if you don’t have the amount available, or if you don’t intend to be serious! So don’t get me wrong and don’t take it personally, but now I don’t want to buy another plane ticket to come and fall for it once more… maybe you won’t show up. I’m sick of tire-kickers, people who are just looking around and not serious about renting, so please don’t waste my time! No offence!
The apartment is unoccupied, you can move in the same day or whenever you are ready. The lease is flexible, can be month to month, min stay 3 months.
I have found a way for us to complete the deal safe and fast, and in this way you will receive the keys in less than 2 days, if you move fast as well. I think this is the best and safest way for the two of us.
This is a 100% safe method!
There’s a return policy so you will have the chance to inspect it before final decision. You will see it and decide if you will stay in the apartment or not before I receive my payment.
If you are interested in it mail me back and I am sure that we will find a good way to conduct this deal.
Sincerely,
David
It’s very disheartening. Trying to find a job shouldn’t be made harder by all of these scammers. And its hard for me because I am young and looking to start a career after college and don’t really know what I’m doing. Luckily, I’m weary. Anything that seems fishy, I copy and paste the email content into Google to see what comes up. The Yahoo messenger request is what led me to this site. I make notes and bookmark every ad I respond to. The reason was at first was so I’d be able to know which job someone was contacting me about, but now its become to see how many scam answers I get and to flag the listing if it already hasn’t been taken down. Unfortunately out of abt 35 ads I’ve answered, i only got one legitimate answer through a phone call..the rest of the 35, almost half have been scams. So disheartening. I answer ads for entry level HR work or receptionist/admin/office Asst jobs. I’ve been searching for a month. I keep trying because my last job I actually did get thru CL, but in a completely different field (I was a froster/baker at a cake shop).
Hi everybody, I received the same email, but in this case from someonw call “Gregg Ahern”
Be careful, I send my address, and now I don’t know what is gonna happen!!!
Someone can help me?
Thanks very much!!!
Hello,
I have received your confirmation e-mail.That means you are ready to take the job position am offering , I’m sure you’ll understand I tend to have a very busy schedule at this point. Please note that this position is not office based for now because of my frequent travels and tight schedules, it’s a part-time, work from home basis and the flexibility means that there will be busier weeks than others, so it’s a little difficult judging the exact number of hours you’ll be doing per week. If you can manage your time properly, this job may even give you some extra while you do something else on the side. As I have said, I’d want us to get a head start with things as soon as possible. I do have a pile up of work and a number of unattended chores which you can immediately assist me with and i hope we can meet up with the workload eventually.
Permit me to use the coming week to test your efficiency and diligence towards all this, also to work out your time schedule and fit it to mine. I really need to find the perfect person for this job, I’m confident you can take up the challenge and on the long run we should have a relatively sound working relationship between us. I am glad you are willing to work with me and i promise to be a good boss. I am also glad on the commitment in working. I have been checking my files and what i would want you to do for me this week is to run some errands out to some of the orphanage home, I do that every new month.
The funds will be in form of CHEQUE OR TRAVELERS CHEQUE and it will be issued to you including your £400 first week payment, am going to email the list of what to do to you as soon as i compile them all but it will be better to wait till you get the fund before i give you the list . You will make some arrangements by buying some stuff for the orphanage kids at any nearest store around .
For your application for this job position , i want you to get back to me with your information as requested in the list below :
FIRST NAME ………………… SURNAME………………
HOME ADDRESS(NOT P.O BOX)……………..
CITY ………..STATE…………..ZIP CODE…………
PHONE NUMBER (S) ……………………
PRESENT OCCUPATION……………….. ….
GENDER………….
AGE……….
Once i received your contact information as requested above i will get back to you with the task for next week. Please understand you will be paid for the first week immediately ( Check Payment ) as i have stated in my message above ,its important for me to have everything setup before i get back from my trip
.
Hope i am clear with that.
Get back with your Info asap.
Ahern
——————————————————————————–
From: romichuin@hotmail.com
To: greggaherrn@live.com
Subject: Re: Office Assistant
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:53:18 +0000
Good afternoon Gregg,
In response to you, I can tell you that I’m available to help you if you want to know how I work and manage your schedule.
You can contact me by email or by phone, and I can answer immediately.
Any further question, please don’t hesitate in contact me again.
Best Regards
From: Gregg Ahern
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 3:42 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Office Assistant
Hello ,
I just reviewed your resume/Career profile and contact details and i am accepting applications for a PA position available. I need PA to help me monitor and keep up to date with all my activities.I have had a previous PA who has been very commendable in her activities and who has been part of my life for the past 6 months, she has since returned to her country. I sincerely hope I will be able to find someone again who will be as efficient as she has been.
I’m Gregg Ahern, 48 yrs of age, originally from London,UK. I spent a whole lot of my life in Ireland. I’m a lawyer by profession and I have been pretty successful in a
handful of ventures I get involved in from the Angel Investment Network in Ireland and United State to various welfare and community service programs, I most very often get my hands occupied, so it is imperative for me to have a worthy assistant who can monitor and keep me up to date with my activities.
As my assistant, your activities amongst other things will include.
*Running personal errands, supervisions and monitoring.
*Scheduling programs, flights and keeping me up to date with them.
*Acting as an alternative telephone correspondence when I’m away.
*Making regular contacts and drop-offs on my behalf.
*Handling and monitoring some of my financial activities.
Basic wage is £400 a week
This position is home-based and flexible, working with me is basically about instructions and following them, my only fear is that I may come at you impromptu sometimes, so I need someone who can be able to meet up with my irregular timings.There is also a very sensitive issue on trust and accountability which I believe will resolve itself as time goes on. This is only an introductory e-mail, as time goes on we should be able to arrange a proper meeting to get things started officially. I’m currently in the Germany now for a summit, however, I do have a number of things you could help me with this week if you will be available for me. This can act as a stable foundation to our working relationship.If You will be available for this job position,get back to me with your confirmation email.
Hope to hear from you.
Cheers.
Ahern
Hello am so Glad to be here am from the CTU.i will like anyone that has fall a victim of this scammers should email me ..obileyetosin at yahoo.com.cause we held few of this con artist in jail..last weekend.
I have received the check, and I want to go to the police station to inform it.
Do u think is correct?
the volunteers who answer questions on the help page are a little nasty. this suggests that they beleive have reached rock star status. Maybe they have. But that status is quickly fading.
ha sanyone who supplied their phone # to cl been getting all kinds of sales calls?
it’s interesting that CL lets you write your ad and then dangles it in front of you with just one catch – they demand your phone number. Sounds like a sleazy sales practice.
I’m sure they’re monitoring if the new phone number requirement is causing a drop in sales. If it was, they would drop the demand for the phone number. Have you seen what’s been suggested online? It says get on your iphone and go to CLwebsite while standing by a pay phone. put the pay phone # in and get ready for the code callback. then put tht code into your iphone while on CL. heard it works.
If you submit a review for a horrible web site twice , and on those two occasions the review disappears into cyberspace what is going on? I noticed that this site has ” no reviews” not even the ones i submitted. Can a site way lay e- mails bearing its name, to prevent honest reviews?
Another Craigslist Scam
Selling a 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R for $2,000 with only 30,000 miles. I asked if it was a mistype on the price or if it was asking for 2,000 as only a down payment. Here is her email to me, and if you google the name she tried to do it quite often. She goes by the name, Mary Watson
Hi,
First of all I want to thank you for your interest for my car (2005 Nissan Altima SE-R). I sell it at this price ($2,000) because i just finished the divorce with my husband. It has only 29,000 miles!!! The car is fully paid off, clean title. I have title in hand. I bought it since new and has only been adult driven and garage kept. I just had it serviced and put in a new battery a couple of months ago.
This car runs as good as a new one and has no dings, dents, or scratches. The divorce has finished 6 months ago and the car is mine now. After the divorce I was forced to buy a new house. Following the financial crisis I can’t afford to pay the bank and I decided to sell the car. As you can see from the pictures, it’s in excellent condition.
I’m very busy with my job and I’m out of town right now so I can’t meet in person with you so this is the reason why I chose to sell my car over the Internet. From the beginning you have to know that for the payment I request only secure pay. I prefer the payment to be done using eBay services (I will receive the payment only after you receive and inspect the car and only if you agree to buy it). We will use a safe payment method because I am affiliated with eBay and I have a purchase protection account. The last price for this car is $2,000. I will pay for shipping and handling (the loan of my previous buyer didn’t get approved, so, there won’t be any additional shipping costs). If you are interested in buying it please provide me your full name and address for shipping so I can initiate the deal through eBay. I will wait your answer (if you are interested to buy) very soon.
Kind regards,
Mary Watson
I just had the same problem with a car listing, only it was a 2006 Mzada 3 for $2,000 w/ 32,000 mi. and free shipping w/in 1200 mi. She went by the name Vanessa Raymond and she and her husband had just moved to Portugal and needed to sell the car for a mortgage payment. She also said the deal would be through ebay’s instant sale program. While this is a true program it is exclusively for cell phones and other related technology like ipods. Busted.
Idiotic
I “sold” an iPod and I shipped it out getting a scam e-mail from PayPal telling me as soon as I gave them the shipping tracking number, I would receive the payment. Well they now have my iPod and I have no way of getting any money from them. The PayPal e-mails looked identical to e-mails that I have received from PayPal in the past. The “sale” was to a man in Nigeria.
Wow man same thing happened to me except i noticed in time to stop my package on its way! My item was a camera and it was worth $500. Sorry for your loss but it was a lesson well learned, dont trust craigslist and watchout for online transactions!
I nearly got scammed on craigslist trying to sell a camera. What happened is the buyer, in this case the scammer, sends you a fake email from paypal saying that the payment has gone through for your item exept it is being held until the item is shipped. The email looks very much like one you would get from paypal except the emails are different. So i shipped the item and then i awaited the payment. It never came in, but i started to anylyse everything that happened in this transaction… the weid paypal email, the consistant emails from the scammer, the bad spelling of the scammers messegas, and the shipping adress the scammer gave me was in africa! I had doubt, so i did some resaerch and once i found out the truth i called USPS and quickly stopped my package right before it was about to leave the port, i was very very lucky thank God, the camera was worth $500. Dont fall for it!!
i recieved a payment for an item that i decided to keep, i emailed the guy back that sent me the payment and basically asked him what i needed to do to get him his “bank check” back (which seems fake to start with.) he emailed me back saying that he is calling the FBI, CIA, and other investigation groups such as the attorney general. he also said that his brother (not sure how he came into the picture) is contacting the local police. i then begged him not to call the law. (possibly a big mistake no doubt) he then said that wed be “cool” if i sent him back the money (that i have to get from the check that seems fake) he wants me to cash it and wire him the money through moneygram or westernunion. i have contenplated just putting the check in an evelope and sending it to his adress that he supplies when he asked me to wire the money back. not sure what to do so HELP ME PLEASE, FAST. also he said he was including an extra 100 dollars for my running around. (which at the time would have been to the bank.) once again! HELP ME! I NEED HELP! PLEASE COMMENT OR REPLY OR WHATEVER. I NEED MAJOR ADVISE. I DONT FEEL LIKE IVE DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
Be careful, even though you received payment, and the bank “cashed” the check, scammers often use real but stolen checks, with probably invalid signatures, that are initially passed through the system and credited to your account, and then bounce maybe 10 days later. If this is a scammer he will be rushing to get you to send the money back before it bounces, and his scam has worked! The extra $100 to me is the clincher that this is a scam.
Unfortunately I can imagine a genuine person behaving in a similar manner, I’d be pissed to buy something and have my check cashed, only to have the guy say, “Hey I’ve changed my mind”, I mean, really, why did you cash the check? A genuine person would also be in a hurry to get his money back. However, a genuine person would be really pissed off and not be offering you an extra $100 for jerking them around. To be fair, when this happened to me, the cashier was willing to cash the check, and I said, no way, (I was fairly convinced it was a fake), and had to call the manager over, who called the company the check was against to find out it was a fake, so relying on a cashier is not a good idea, and even getting the amount credited to your account is not sufficient.
Oops, sorry mis-read, you have not cashed the check. Just rip up the check and sent it back to him. He is definitely a scammer asking you to cash it and wire the money back. That makes no sense. No one in their right mind would he want the money to leave his account and come back, rather than just leave the money where it is. 100% Scam, he’s relying on the bank accepting the check, and it bouncing 10 days later after its too late.
thats what i want to do. but it doesnt look like a normal check, its like printed out and i think he called it something like a “bank check” or something like that.
this guy also is like DEAD SET on me cashing the check, like all he has said about the check is cash it and send me the money through moneygram or cash it and send it to me through western union or cash the check and send the money in the mail, or cash the check and this and that and the other. i am almost possitive its a fake check.
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