Bruce B Posted January 13, 2006 Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 Since I have a 360 coming I decided to throw my Xbox, 2 controllers, a high def adapter and 2 games on Ebay at a BUY It Now price of $200.00. I get a message from a gentleman from the U.K. who says he wants to buy it and ship it to his son in West Africa. I dont have to ship it he will send me a prepaid Fedex label. On top of it all instead of $200.00, he says he wants to give me $240.00 and asks me to gift wrap it. I got a confirmation from Western Union for the funds. Here is a copy of his email and also the email from Western Union. Am I missing something? I'm skeptical because why would he go through all this bother and not pick one up in the U.K.? Here is his email: Thanks for the swift response,i made the payment some minutes ago through Western Union Auction Payments,This is how it works, as soon as i make payment,they will notify both of us that,i have made payment for some amount and it will be Approved Or Denied.You will be notified as soon as the payment has been approved,the money will be mail to your address in three to five business days,first class mail.I believe its better and safe because, once they approved payment,it's for sure that the money order is secure through this means because they will also give you their courier service tracking number for the money order. i will like you to get back to me as soon as you get the approval notification from Western union so i can arrange for the pick up through my fedex account., you dont have to pay any cost for the shipment,i will be responsible for the shipping to destination,i will send a prepaid shipping label and invoice which you are print out and paste on the item's package....... get back if its is ok by you so that i can proceed with the shipping arrangements but note the item is to be used as a gift item,i will really apprecaite it if you can wrap it properly as a gift item(birthday).i will like to ship the item as soon as the payment is approved so it can get to my son on or before his birthday,i hope you understand. Thanks a bunch. Here is the Western Union email: Dear Bruce Berti, Western Union ? Auction Payments hereby congratulate you and at the same time informing you once again that the?Money OrderSM sent to you from Adams Moore has been Approved.? Money OrderSM : $240.00 Auction Item :Microsoft Xbox - Game console - black Please verify that the following address (as entered by the buyer) is correct once again. Bruce Berti 30 Berti Lane Cheshire, MA 01225 United States The money order has been approved and it has been sent to the address provided by the buyer immediately, you should be able to recieve it in 3 to 5 business day. You are also expected to ship out the item and send the shipment tracking number to us for verification. And if you have any question, feel free to contact our customer service centre (cashpointonlone01@accountant.com) money order tracking number RI650442872GB you can check there to confirm the delivery of the money by shipment courier service http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/track;jsessionid=KQP3BBX31OKSUCRAZRYEOSQKEDGHCQ2K?catId=400145&emt=emt&track=track&default=default&imageRootPath=&loc=en_GB&keyname=track_home&gear=track Thank you for using Western Union ? Auction Payments. We look forward serving your online auction payment needs in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I'd be somewhat concerned by this. It almost sounds like a slight variation of the typical Nigerian based Western Union payment scam that is quite popular on eBay. Have a read of this: http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Nigerian/nigerian_auction_scams.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Avoid, avoid, avoid, avoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 More info on this sort of scam: http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=214366&tstart=0&mod=1117037425264 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyN Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Do not do this deal under any circumstances. I was selling a Xbox a year or so ago and did not do it. There was a big article online about how its a huge scam. There was also something about it on the local tv news. Ive sold a lot of stuff on ebay over the years and ive stopped shipping anything outside of the U.S. unless the person has a very high rating. Its not worth the trouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Yeah, what Angry said. This one, however is odd since he does not want you to return the difference via Western Union. But having "Western Union," "eBay," and "overpayment" in the same line should raise alarm bells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony G Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I'd be somewhat concerned by this. It almost sounds like a slight variation of the typical Nigerian based Western Union payment scam that is quite popular on eBay. Yes, I heard the same story about those scams (can't remember the details of how it works). Don't do it! Edit: Oh good, links, now I can refresh up on the details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Literally whenever I sell something expensive on eBay I make a mention in the advertisement specifically telling potential bidders to think twice before daring to contact me with such an offer, it's just that common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce B Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Thanks for your help guys. I smelled a rat, just needed confirmation. I called Western Union and they said they never send emails. Here was my response to the potential buyer: Thanks for trying to scam me. I called Western Union. Go fuck yourself you scoundrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Good stuff, Batman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony G Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Thanks for trying to scam me. I called Western Union. Go fuck yourself you scoundrel :tu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Monkey Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Go for it! It looks like a completely legitimate transaction! :tu Also, I have been requested by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company to contact you for assistance in resolving a matter. Your assistance is requested as a non-Nigerian citizen to assist the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in moving funds out of Nigeria. However, to be a legitimate transferee of these moneys according to Nigerian law, you must presently be a depositor of at least US$100,000 in a Nigerian bank which is regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. If it will be possible for you to assist us, we would be most grateful. We suggest that you meet with us in person in Djibouti, and that during your visit I introduce you to the representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and maybe kidnap you. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Yours truly, etc. Herr Doktor Robot von Monkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony G Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Go for it! It looks like a completely legitimate transaction! :tu Also' date=' I have been requested by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company to contact you for assistance in resolving a matter. Your assistance is requested as a non-Nigerian citizen to assist the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in moving funds out of Nigeria. However, to be a legitimate transferee of these moneys according to Nigerian law, you must presently be a depositor of at least US$100,000 in a Nigerian bank which is regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. If it will be possible for you to assist us, we would be most grateful. We suggest that you meet with us in person in Djibouti, and that during your visit I introduce you to the representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and maybe kidnap you. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Yours truly, etc. Herr Doktor Robot von Monkey[/quote'] Thanks Herr Monkey! I have some relative in Nigeria that died and left me a ton of cash. I keep forgetting to email all my personal and financial information for authentication to the kind stranger who will take care of everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James T Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I would have accepted the Fed Ex Box and shipped a cardboard box cut out into a giant "X". And yes, it was inspired by the P-p-p-powerbook story. It's not everyday you get to scam a scammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce B Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I would have accepted the Fed Ex Box and shipped a cardboard box cut out into a giant "X". And yes' date=' it was inspired by the P-p-p-powerbook story. It's not everyday you get to scam a scammer.[/quote'] Ya know, I kicked myself after the fact by not following through and possible leaving him a stool sample in his delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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