eBay Scam?

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 1

So I recently put my computer up for sale on ebay, my asking price was 800. No international shipping, so I recieve an email from a guy in South Africa, he agreed to send me a check, with an excess of money for shipping, and when I recieve the check, I will cash it, and I suppose to make things easier he had already set up preperations with a 3rd party shipping company to come to my house, pick up the computer and ship it AFTER I have paid them with the excess from the check... only problem is the guy sent an excess of 2700$ I asked him before I got the check how much excess he would send, and thats what he said, but I thought it may have been a typo and he meant 270, which sounds about right for shipment... But it was no mistake, he sent me a 3500$ check, 800 + 2700.

Its all very strange to me because ive been in contact with this guy for a little while now reguarding this, it originally took a week to get the check sent, but im figuring if its a scam, hes gonna have me cash the check, it will bounce, ill have shipped the computer, and itd be too late...

Obviously i'm not stupid so ive come here asking for help... Were aware this could be a scam, or a very stupid, AND OR GENEROUS person... However, we are going to go to the bank today to try and verify the check...

ON THE CHANCE IT IS A SCAM... How can I cause hardship to this scammer with the methods he has been using on me?

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:54 pm

Firstly, if you want to bait, drop him. Entirely. He has too much real life information about you. I am glad you found our site, however. It is a scam. Read the stickies if you are interested in baiting. Pick up a mentor.

One of the first steps, for you, is to drop him altogether. You keep his email addy, perhaps put it in our surplus (with headers, etc.) for us to play with, or get a clean gmail (or other IP masking email addy not connected with your real details, see the stickies) and proceed to thank him for his offer and the price for insert item here, not necessarily a computer stands firm. He likely will not know what he made an offer on nor will he care. He will offer to do the same thing again.

How is he sending the check? Express delivery? Postal mail?

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:54 pm

Welcome! Undoubtedly a scam. Don't try to cash the cheque. Report him to eBay Safety Centre. Don't bait him yourself, as he knows your true identity. You could post his details here for another Baiter to take him on.

If you want to become involved in scambaiting, suggest you sign up here for a Mentor.

Good Luck!

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:57 pm

Hi atomic_bong, and welcome to Eater.

Yes, as has already been said, it is a scam, and you are correct in thinking that the check is fraudulent - so do not attempt to deposit it in your bank!

You can read more about this type of scam at our sister site, ScamWarners:

Auctions and Online Selling Scams

Check Scams

If you need any further help or advice, the support team at ScamWarners will be happy to assist you. You can also post details of this scammer there, to warn other people about him.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 577

As noted above - bait safe.

I love Ebay and Craiglist scammers. The pith in my sig come from one who tried to scam a neighbor of mine.

I don't bother with the piths anymore but continue to cause these scammers lots of grief.

Go get 'em!

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:57 pm

Hi atomic_bong
Welcome to 419 eater

Quote:

How can I cause hardship to this scammer with the methods he has been using on me?

Take a look around Eater University. Read the Stickys. Sign up for the Critically Acclaimed Cherrie Mentor Program.
'Bait Safely' and most of all have Fun!!