So they sent me the check..Now what?

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

Hello, first time poster.

I placed an ad on craigslist selling a couch. Wanted $500.

"Sophia" answered the add with the following:

Quote:

Hello, do you still have this? When can I come check it out? Shoot me an email back as soon as possible pls or you can leave me a message here on my phone number 951-639-8594, I'm speech disabled though, remember to leave your name and email address when you call.

PS: - You can just reply this email, I'm always with my computer

Sophia
951-639-8594

Seeing as how this seemed questionable, I responded back with a junk email address and used a fictitious name that yes the couch is for sale.

Next email:

Quote:

Thanks for writing back.I believe this is a good deal for me.The price here is more than 3 times of yours.It is just that i won't be able to come see it anymore as my business appointment in your area has been postponed.I am buying this as a gift for a cousin.I still want this and I believe we can move forward,after all, I have seen it and I think I am satisfied.Moreover,if there is any repair at all to be made,it is going to be on me bearing the consequence of not seeing it.I will mail you a bank official check for the quoted price, any repair will be on me, bearing the consequence of not seeing before buying and also add the funds that covers shipping to where is going. I will arrange a private shipper to handle the delivery so it doesn't stress you..Let me know if all these is fully understood and if it is something you would like to move on with by sending me your full name and address for the check.Thanks.

I'm thinking, wow, a private shipper - WTF?. So I respond back:

Quote:

Hi Sophia, Have you sent the check yet? I've got the sofa all packed and ready to be shipped. But I must tell you that I had a party the other night and someone vomited all over the couch. The dog shit on it as well, but I think you can get it cleaned. Please send me your address and I'll get the sofa prepared.

SO yesterday, a check arrives via FedEx. The shippers address on the fedex label is from Pleasanton, CA. The address on the check is from an address in Springfield MA, and the address to send the money order to a Holiday Inn located in Oakland, CA.

I let "Sophia" know that the check has arrived.

"Sophias" email:

Quote:

Okay Ed, time is of essence so you will sending the added fund via Money-gram to the mover,that way it gets there instantly and necessary pick up and delivery arrangement can be made asap and you can have that done at any wal-mart store near you. I have below the shipper's name and address to send the money to...

Stephanie King
77 Hegenberger Rd
Oakland, CA 94621

Money-gram wont charge more than $100 to send $1000, deduct it and send over $900 Email me back with the reference number and the sender's name. I will be waiting to hear from you soon. Let me also know the convenient day and time for the pick up next week.
Thanks

So this is where I'm at. I'm looking for some suggestions to really make Sophia frustrated or how far do I really want to take thius.

Any help here?

Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:25 pm

Did you have to sign for the FedEx? If not, you never got it. Maybe an unscrupulous neighbor...

Are they sending it to your home addy? That's not too safe there. I would just drop it if you can say you never got the check. Just sound pissed, call them a scammer and say you're going to the police. They should drop you fast. NEVER accept scammer correspondance at you home or business. Bait clean, bait safe.

Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:58 pm

Welcome Smokey Joe. Do NOT cash that check. It will either be a fake, stolen, or from a scam victim. When the proverbial **** hits the fan, you will be in trouble.

If you would be willing to either email or PM (private message) the information to me, I will pass it on to our victim warners at www.scamwarners.com They may be able to stop the other people involved from losing money.

It is also likely that the fedex was sent with a stolen account#. I can make sure that gets reported and closed as well.

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:25 am

^^+1 even more good advice!

Baiting Guru Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 4747

I have to concur if it came to an address that can be tied to you drop it.

If not and “you” signed for it. I saw your neighbor sign for it! I really did!

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:32 am

I just thought to myself, the neighbor thing ain't a good idea either. Google can find what houses are nearby. Long shot, but if the lad is pissed and has reasonable skills... Laughing

what am I saying, it is a huge longshot, but there is a tinge of ITP. Some guy walking down the street signed for it I guess...a complete unknown.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

I did not use my home address or real name. It was sent to a pakmail that is not tied to me, so this individual does not have any personal info on me. No signature was required on the fedex either.

I was thinking of emailing the scammer back and saying something like, I went to deposit the check and the FBI became involved and they would like to speak with you. That would be good.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

jose_cuervo wrote:

Welcome Smokey Joe. Do NOT cash that check. It will either be a fake, stolen, or from a scam victim. When the proverbial **** hits the fan, you will be in trouble.

If you would be willing to either email or PM (private message) the information to me, I will pass it on to our victim warners at www.scamwarners.com They may be able to stop the other people involved from losing money.

It is also likely that the fedex was sent with a stolen account#. I can make sure that gets reported and closed as well.

What info do you need?

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:58 am

Check your PMs by clicking the "Messages (New)" tab at the top of the page. Smile

ETA> He knows that the FBI can't do anything to him. If you are baiting him completely anonymously, you can certainly wind him up more than a simple threat about the FBI, and we can help! Very Happy

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 26 Feb 2011 Posts: 10

The check the person sent you is no good. Why would you try to cash it?

This is an old scam, I will send you my phony check. You will deposit it. You will send me real money, or you will give real money to the private shipper, and then the original check will come back as bogus.

I get these requests all the time, please send me your catalog and prices I want to make a large purchase. I will pay with credit card. I will have a private shipper come to pick the items up because I need them right away and I they will handle the export paperwork.
BLAH BLAH BLAH.

I email them back, "I am happy to accept your order, the merchandise is packed and ready to go, the charges are $15,500. (They haven't even ordered anything yet.) Please provide me with your credit card information as soon as possible. After processing your credit card we will wait for 30 days to insure your card is legitimate before we advise you of where your shipping company can pick up the goods. At the time of pickup your shipping company must pay $1000 for handling charges and $50 for each of the 30 days of storage or $1500. This $2,500 must be paid in cash. I am sure you will enjoy the items you purchased."

For some reason I never seem to hear from them again.

Doc

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:37 am

Far better to tell the lad that you banked the check and then went out on the raging p*ss and spent all the money on ale and ho's!

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:12 pm

I agree with music man, I have done this in the past and is great fun, I even ask for another check and tell them I would pay them back for my errant behavior. Gambling away the money and spending it on wild women always works well, and with another check you can win the money back because you know that your luck is going to change.

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:32 pm

I always enjoy telling them what a whale of a time I had spending their money, until it all went wrong - so I can no longer send them anything.

Or I tell them that I gambled it and won, became stupidly rich, and am no longer interested in their minor transaction...

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:05 pm

^^ NOW I know why they are sending an Africa witch to 'attach' you bastard Smile

My advice for the check, Frame it or burn it then tell them the (insert pet here) ate it and resend. Enclose picture of guilty looking pet with a few scraps of check on floor/corner of mouth. Iguanas and Pandas make likely culprits .. shifty eyes you see ..

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:10 am

I'd say I knew it was a scam all along, but I know someone who pays half face value on these cheques. I got the money in cash last week, but I won't be sending any. What are you going to do? Go to the police? Ha ha ha.

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