Iphone scam, need a bit of advise

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Please excuse me if this is off topic or already answered, I searched the forums but didn't find anything related.

So here's the story. I posted my iphone on craigslist for sale and received a response offering my asking price plus $100 to ship to (guess where?) Nigeria. Of course I immediately assumed this was a scam but I can't figure it out. The buyer is willing to mail a money order, in US funds.
I suggested we use Western Union but they said that it was insecure and would only use a Money order or Paypal. I have a fake address to send the MO and once I cash it it can't be reversed.

Please offer any advise you can on how this is a scam or even (gulp) legit.
Thanks

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Quote:

The buyer is willing to mail a money order, in US funds.

He will either send a money order (counterfeit) over the amount of the iphone and then ask that you wire the difference, or will send a money order, and then decide that he can't afford the iphone right now, and then ask that you refund him, again by a money wire.

Meanwhile, the money order you cashed/deposited will eventually be found to be fake and you would be stuck for that and out of the cash that you wired to the lad.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11856 Location: UK

Hi pheonix, welcome to the eater, yes, it's a scam.

It works like this, it's called the overpayment scam, which is done with a fake cheque.

The scammer will offer to buy your goods, say you are selling something for $500, the scammer will send you a cheque for the value of $1500, asking you to deposit the cheque in to your bank, then withdraw the funds and send the money to his shipper, except the shipper does not exist, the scammer is not interested in the item you are selling, he simply wants you to send him back the overpayment.

Due to the way banks work, they have to make deposited funds available to customers before the cheque has cleared, so victims see the balance on their account, assume the cheque has cleared and send the overpayment to the supposed shipper, who is infact the same scammer, some time later, your bank informs you that the cheque you deposited was fake, you face having your account frozen, and possibly being arrested for fraud/moiney laundering, as has happened to other victims, you are also liable to pay back the bank the full amount of the cheque.

[edit]

Bugger, beaten by TS.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Thanks for the info but there's still two issues. One, here in US we can cash money orders pretty much anywhere for cash (so no depositing). Also couldn't I just use a fake name, cash it, and keep the money? They couldn't recoup the MO if it has already been cashed and the person who cashed it isn't available.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Quote:

Also couldn't I just use a fake name, cash it, and keep the money?

You could. The authorities tend to frown upon that, though.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11856 Location: UK

Yes, you could use a fake name to cash the cheque and keep the money, in that case, you have committed fraud, money laundering and any number of other offences, the cheque you cashed is a worthless fake cheque, expect the feds to be knocking on your door.

[edit]

The Snerd did me again Evil or Very Mad

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Good point, I shouldn't stoop to this guy's level. Thanks for all the info. I love the site btw, what your all doing is god's work.

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:16 am

pheonix9512 wrote:

...here in US we can cash money orders pretty much anywhere for cash (so no depositing). Also couldn't I just use a fake name, cash it, and keep the money? They couldn't recoup the MO if it has already been cashed and the person who cashed it isn't available.

I'm not sure that's as easy as you think. Most of the places that cash those things will require ID. When it gets discovered to be fraudulent, they'll probably just turn the debt over to a collection agency.

Even if that's not the case, whoever accepts it will lose the cash, and the scammer loses nothing but a worthless piece of paper and maybe a bit of postage.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Well, I e-mailed the guy telling to send western union or no deal so we'll see. That was a stupid idea, cashing it and all. Thanks a million.

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:25 am

^^It's the sort of idea that a lot of people come up with when confronted with a situation like yours. You were smart to check it out before acting. Very Happy

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