Facebook Marketplace Scam?

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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:14 am

I've been watching here for weeks, never thought I would need to post something. Go figure!

I am selling an item and have it listed several places (craigslist, facebook marketplace, ebay.) I received a message on Facebook from someone asking to buy it...I think. The name on the profile is M!ll@ D@v!d.

Hello,
Good Day to you,I am interested in immediate purchase of your item,but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask some question as follow. i can only raise cashier check or money order for the payment of your item so i will like to know if the item is still available and also if is in good condition?Please your answer on this, will enable me to issue your payment to you asap

1. Do you accept a ( Cashier Check / Money Order)as a mode of payment?

2. What is the firm price of the item?

3. Will you let a shipping company to come to your house for the pick up of the item?

4. Do get back to me with your contact info where you want the payment to address to

5. I will like you to contact me to my personal email address which is (xx_m!ll@d@vid1110@[email protected])

Thanks.

I started to reply asking a few questions...then thought twice and decided to post this here, just in case. The English seems sketchy, and the Facebook profile is empty (at least I can't see any info because I am not a friend.)

So, does this seem sketchy to anyone else? I'm amused that I've lost literally hours watching this forum, and now I have reason to participate! Very Happy

(I think I did everything right in masking stuff...hopefully.)

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:31 am

First Welcome here!

Does this person have any of your real info?
You real name, phone number, personal e-mail,... ?
If the answer is yes, stop every contact with him.
Because it's 100% scam.

If you want to mess a little with him or any other lad, learn to bait safe,
grab a mentor here:
http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=122306
and read all the stickies twice, as well as the Eater University here:
http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=51

And then give it a try Wink

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:36 am

Oh no, I won't try and bait this guy. I actually have something for sale through Facebook and wouldn't want to risk him finding out anything about me. My profile is private, but still, just to be safe I would not try and bait this guy.

As far as I can tell from Facebook all he can see is my city, so I think I am safe there. I think I will just shoot him a message that says something along the lines of "no thanks, looking to sell it locally for cash. Have a nice day!"

Short, sweet, and to the point. Thanks for the advice. I have been looking into starting my own bait for awhile here. Reading your guys' posts is so much fun, I wanna try it too! Smile

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:40 am

Greetings MG...

Welcome to Eater.
That is 100% scam.
As a matter of fact, it is a textbook list of the process for an overpayment scam.

Cheque/Money Order payment.
No personal contact but rather collection by shipping agent but actually no one shows up to collect the item.

Definite Lad...

Unfortunately you really can't bait him/her using the same item since he contacted you via your real accounts on these web portals.
Ignore him/her.

You can however grad a shiny new character name, Gmail account and send the Lad a mail thanking him for his interest in "your slightly damaged 3 hole punch featured on Craiglist."

He probably won't even care what item you are referring to and enjoy the fun.

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