Posted by john k. seidts on Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 12:11PM :
In Reply to: SCAM????? posted by Charlie Smith on Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 10:43AM :
...It might be a real sale. But if it is not, the individual will later email you asking you to conduct a secondary transaction by the following means. He will pay you with a check in an amount larger than the sale price, and ask you to forward the balance to his "shipping agent" as a method of reducing his "cost" of doing more than one overseas transaction (which is a legitimate expense, depending on where he banks). He will then send you the check, which is generally an actual check from Western Union, etc, that is modified to look like the proper amount. When you deposit that check, it may take a while for the funds to clear. What the scammer is counting on is you being greedy and sending the balance he asks you to forward before you know the check is bogus (which you WILL find out, as the investigators will be in touch with you at SOME point).
So when you forward the "extra" money to the bank, you are drawing on funds that don't exist. It's really simple, seems like an easy way to get a few extra bucks, and will cost you heavily if you follow through, as you will become responsible for any losses and probably don't have recourse against the individuals. They seem to be using UK based transactions as we don't seem to suspect the British as much as we suspect the Nigerians...
Just remember that there are fellows out there like Gordon McMillan who actually do purchase things beyond their own borders and there is no reason to NOT negotiate politely by phone or email before making any transaction. I have done several overseas transactions and have had the best of experiences with them, but was careful and investigative before I sent any money overseas or to a third part agent.
I have not successfully conducted any transactions where I received voluntarily given huge "tips" to make other transactions.
Rule of thumb: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true!
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