New to this. Got one on the hook, seeking advice.

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 6

So I got tired of these scam artists wasting my time every time I post something for sale on craigslist. In this case it was a computer monitor I posted asking $160, and I got a message asking if it was still available. I responded via email with "yes".

Then I got the standard "I would like to pay extra to have my courier pick up the item" etc. So I told her yes, and she asked for my name, address, and phone number. Well she already had my name (it's in my email address) so I gave her my work address. I didn't give her a phone number.

She sent me, via FedEx overnight, a check for $1850. While I would like to string her along further, she does have my real name and work address.

Should I continue, or just drop it?

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:33 pm

Drop it. I wouldn't have any other contact if the person has any of your real life info--which they do.

Keep the check as a trophy, and a damn good one, for a first bait.

Get a new email, and a mentor, and start baiting safe.

Good luck!

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 6

Thanks! So I was reading one of the stickies about the piggy icons and reporting bank accounts. I did look up the bank listed on the check I have, and it appears to be a real one (MB Financial Bank) with a valid routing number. Should I report the account number to someone on here?

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:40 pm

Welcome to the site.. Laughing

If you PM one of the Mods (they are in GREEN with the info they will know what to do with it.

Read Eater U
http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=51

Apply for a mentor and Bait safe NO real life info

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:41 pm

More than likely it is a stolen account and the person that owns it has no idea what is going on. My sister received a check in the same way (about a year before the news really hit big exposing these kinds of frauds). Before she cashed it, she called the bank to ensure there were funds to cover it. The bank teller told her the account was flagged as stolen and not to cash the check or she would personally be responsible for returning the money.

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:42 pm

I haven't dealt with forged checks, so I would PM a mod. I would suspect that it is a real check but the bank account is from a victim and not the scammer. The trick being that you put the check in your bank account, it clears, you send the excess amount to the scammer via some other means, and then later the bank comes back saying the check is a fraud and you are on the hook to pay back the funds.

EDIT: Amigwyn beat me to the post, but she is correct.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 6

Yeah I def wasn't going to try to cash it. The check says it's from "Fermi National Accelerator Lab" in Batavia, IL. Wow! I guess our government really does know how to overpay for equipment! Laughing

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:54 pm

I'd like to add for the sanity of English people it's CHEQUE not CHECK. Rant over and out.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 6

Not over here in the new world. Laughing

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 6

So she's emailed me 2 more times since I received the FedEx. Should I just completely ignore her?

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 2:10 pm

If it were me I would call her on the fake check. That usually, in my experience, sends them running looking for another victim. Just tell her you went to cash the check and was almost arrested for fraud. Tell her the police now have the check if she would like to contact them to get it back. Laughing

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 2:39 pm

Hi librulj and welcome. Smile

Re: "reporting" the fake check, there is really nothing that can be done, to my knowledge.

As others have said, just ignore the scammer, he will move on.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 6

I see. Can someone explain what exactly the little piggies are for then? Smile

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 2:53 pm

^^ They are for closing down the lad's accounts. They won't send you a check on their own account. The account linked to that check more than likely belongs to a victim, not a lad.

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:17 pm

I would drop this bait and chalk it up as a lesson learned in dealing with real life information. Just tell the lad your bank checked the validity of the check and informed you it was forged. The lad will then move on.
As for the check, the routing number is genuine to fool the bank you cash it with. As for the account, it is probably just random digits and not worth reporting. Write the word forged in big letters across the check and save it as a trophy

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