Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

I smell SCAM

Search
Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

I smell SCAM

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-26-15, 08:33 PM
  #1  
On Your Left
Thread Starter
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
I smell SCAM

So I have my bike on Craigslist and got this email.

Hi, do you still have these for sale? and when can i come check it out? you can email me on atony4462@gmail.com to let me know the present condition...

Thank You
My reply
If you give me a phone number we can talk later.

Where are you located?
Thank you so much for getting back to me, I am quite comfortable with the condition of the item I wouldn't mind adding an extra $50 to your asking price to keep this for me, getting it for my cousin for her upcoming birthday, i will be making the payment by bank Certified check to cover the cost, then after it clears in your Bank, which shouldn't take more than a day or two according to my bank, I will have my movers come over for the pick up, If you are OK with this, Do reply back with your full name address cell # and your last asking price, in which the check will be sent to you asap, and I would like you to take the posting off...

Thank You
My reply
Sorry, but cash only or USPS Postal Money Orders.

I don't take any checks, bank or personal.

please give me your phone number so we can talk. Where are you located?
#1 He's asking for the price when it's in the ad.
#2 He refers to the bike as "item"
#3 He's buying it for his female cousin, the bike's a 56cm so she better be 5'11" to 6' tall.

Smells like a scam.
GlennR is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 08:35 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Madison, AL
Posts: 693

Bikes: 2010 Felt DA, 2012/6 Felt F5, 2015 Felt AR FRD

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Most def. I get almost the word for word exact same messages every time I post something on CL. Avoid.
KBentley57 is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 08:40 PM
  #3  
That Huffy Guy
 
Johnny Mullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,438

Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 79 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
If it walks like a duck......
Johnny Mullet is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 08:49 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
You should see the ones my son gets. He earns spare change tutoring people in math and computer science.
B. Carfree is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 08:50 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 2,333

Bikes: '96 Trek 850, '08 Specialized Roubaix Comp, '18 Niner RLT RDO

Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 123 Times in 83 Posts
Yep. I posted an ad for a friend's boat a couple of years ago. Got the same thing almost word for word.
jimincalif is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 09:45 PM
  #6  
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times in 226 Posts
Smells like a variation on the old Nigerian 419 scams.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
JanMM is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 09:50 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 331

Bikes: 2018 Specialized Roubaix Elite, 2009 Specialized Hard Rock 29er, 1989 Cannondale w/Campy Nuovo Record Components (mostly anway, now just on the trainer) and Easy Racer Recumbent (home made from plans)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Have his movers come to pick up? I'd say SCAM!!!!!!

I get offers from sexy women when I advertise on CL. I clicked on a reply too quickly one time and she, well someone probably not the woman, posted some sexy pics. Not porn just alluring!! I learned quickly how to spot them. The subjects of the replies were usually strange if I remember.

Bill
LongT is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 10:06 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Dave Cutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139

Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/...ng/td-p/186498
Dave Cutter is offline  
Old 01-26-15, 10:58 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,977
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1638 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times in 495 Posts
Stevie Wonder could see that scam...
__________________
nine mile skid on a ten mile ride
02Giant is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 04:39 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
OldsCOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317

Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 313 Posts
I would like to meet one of these people.....
OldsCOOL is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 07:46 AM
  #11  
aka Phil Jungels
 
Wanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Aurora, IL
Posts: 8,234

Bikes: 08 Specialized Crosstrail Sport, 05 Sirrus Comp

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Liked 86 Times in 60 Posts
I'd just raise the price to a million bucks, and take USA cash only...........................
Wanderer is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 09:12 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
locolobo13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Phx, AZ
Posts: 2,116

Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Liked 2,646 Times in 952 Posts
Dumb question. I've never advertised on CL but will have to in the near future. I have purchased stuff off of CL. Usually there's a phone number to call. Sometimes you just have to respond to the ad.

Did you put your phone number in the ad? Or leave it so they have to respond to the ad?
locolobo13 is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 10:38 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,475

Bikes: Canyon Endurace

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times in 540 Posts
With all due respect to the OP. It's a little strange that there are still some people out there that would even give that request a 2nd look.

And I think my point is driven home even further by the link to the PayPal thread. I mean, are there really that many people out there that would even question the validity of such a request? If you're the seller your calling the shots. As soon as someone deviates, end of transaction.
TakingMyTime is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 12:51 PM
  #14  
Beicwyr Hapus
 
Gerryattrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Caerdydd
Posts: 1,527

Bikes: Genesis Equilibrium, Genesis Datum, Whyte 901 Dawes 701,1973 Harry Hall

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times in 16 Posts
I sold a nothing special ladies bike last year on Gumtree (the UK Craigslist). One of the replies I had was from a man claiming to be a North Sea oil rig worker who wanted me to sell it to him, pack and post it to an address in west Africa where it was going to be a surprise present for his sister. Are you telling me that was a scam? He seemed like such a nice person.
Gerryattrick is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 01:13 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Middle of the road, NJ
Posts: 3,137
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 292 Post(s)
Liked 106 Times in 69 Posts
I got that one too. Scam.
leob1 is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 01:17 PM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Scam. Get that exact same message too.
Deucer01 is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 01:20 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
BlazingPedals's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of da Mitten
Posts: 12,485

Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1514 Post(s)
Liked 734 Times in 455 Posts
If he wants his 'agent' to pick it up, tell him the agent needs to bring cash.
BlazingPedals is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 03:54 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
GravelMN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rural Minnesota
Posts: 1,604
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 75 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Just send me your bank account information and I'll have the money direct deposited within 48 hours.
GravelMN is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 04:01 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
GravelMN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rural Minnesota
Posts: 1,604
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 75 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
When dealing on CL or any online market, I deal in cash only to individuals who will provide contact information and are willing to meet in a public place. No checks or long distance deals. I never acknowledge any response that even hints of bogus.
GravelMN is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 04:13 PM
  #20  
Señor Member
 
Wilfred Laurier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times in 215 Posts
I once posted a comment about an ad I saw on Kijiji and someone contacted me to inquire about buying the item (I had nothing for sale), including the over-valued Bank Draft or whatever, but as I recall it was actually overvalued by a significant amount and his 'representative' was going to come by to get the difference. I gave him the mailing address of the local police station and the name of the chief of police instead of my own info, and when he emailed me again in a couple of weeks wondering when his rep could come by for the item & cash I just said 'anytime, friend!'

I never heard back from him.
Wilfred Laurier is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 07:13 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I get the same thing all the time too.

Last one I got I replied with have your movers bring cash.
Quick Cal is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 07:19 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 510
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
classic Nigerian scam. I have seen it many times with similar language. They always talk about thier agent or someone other than themselves picking it up. if you want to play with them give them an address in Nigeria as the pickup location.

Last edited by RISKDR1; 01-27-15 at 07:21 PM. Reason: add
RISKDR1 is offline  
Old 01-27-15, 07:34 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Or give them your name and address as Head of internet fraud. FBI building. Washington D.C.
Quick Cal is offline  
Old 01-28-15, 09:01 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
David Bierbaum's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: St. Louis Metro East area
Posts: 1,633

Bikes: 1992 Specialized Crossroads (red)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times in 19 Posts
I'm amazed that you are depriving that poor Nigerian Prince of the bicycle he so desperately needs! That has scam written all over it. Reply-bots are the bane of the internet anymore.
David Bierbaum is offline  
Old 01-28-15, 06:10 PM
  #25  
Old Fart In Training
 
osco53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times in 16 Posts
I don't do business on the net,
If It's not done with a handshake It's not done..

I gotta look you in the eye before I trade with ya !
osco53 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.