Scam? Seller beware?

[Fixion]

Yeah, I told the guy no deal yesterday. The second email that looked exactly the same as the first one confirmed the scam for me. But he said this morning that I should wait for the check. What should I do if I actually get one? Report the guy? If so, to who? I'm definatly not going to try and cash it.

I had this feeling from when he first contacted me. He just seemed wierd. The phone number he gave me also had 13 characters instead of 9 or 10 like most UK phone #s, the first two digits were a 23, not the country code of the UK.... (its 44). Oh, and it had the pattern 123 and 321 one too many times in it .

[Lakeview Bulldog]

If he sends the money first I do not really see how you could be getting ripped off. As for the pick up make sure that where ever you meet that you have at least one other person with you and meet in a public place. It does seem kind of fishy though. Listen to your insticts, thats the best advice I could give.

[Skreemer]

If you actually recieve a check from this guy bring it to either your local PD station or to your local FBI office. Do not open the envelope it may be in and above all to not agree to meet this guy... If he's trying to get to see you in person call the local PD right away...

[ScatterPlot]

I completely agree with what everyone else said, but I don't think a sign of a scam is a free email account. I use Hotmail exclusively just because I like it better than Outlook Express, and it gives more privacy. But since that's not the only sign, then I say don't do it.

[Armed & Harmless]

Its pretty clear that this one is indeed a scam.
I have dealt with a few people like him and from my experiences (and others I?m sure) "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"

[WARPED1]

It's gotta be a scam, I got the exact same email for two of my guns there.

[Steelrat]

Contact your local Police department, the local FBI office, or the local Postal Inspectors. Explain what has happened, tell them that you have the check, and inform them that there are other people being approached with the same scheme. If the check was sent via the US Mail, I would hit up the locals or the Postal Inspectors first. Whatever you do, DO NOT cash the check. I can almost guarantee it will be counterfeit, and you will be stuck for any money sent back to the buyer.

[RRfireblade]

If it matters any,I've had basically the same offer made on a 'For Sale' post with basically the same conditions.It's been awhile so I doubt I still have the details.After great difficulty in getting him to agree to other arrangements to cover my butt,I never heard from him again.

Which seemed just fine to me at the time.

You loose nothering by bailing out on a questionable deal.

Be smart.

[cphilip]

Originally posted by bertmcmahan
I completely agree with what everyone else said, but I don't think a sign of a scam is a free email account. I use Hotmail exclusively just because I like it better than Outlook Express, and it gives more privacy. But since that's not the only sign, then I say don't do it.

Well I can tell you that Credit Card companies and online vendors are more and more calling the Card holder if they see a online account using a free Email addy. Because it is a common way for Credit Cards to be used in commiting Fraud. Free email accounts and your card number and some information on you and I can spend away! Many companies are checking and thats is one of the things they look at.

Since your only liable for $50 the online vendor is very likely not to process the transaction without some kind of permanent email address and confimed shipping to the Billing address of that card. Scammers commonly use Free email acconts and alternate shipping information.

[Timmee]

Also, never use Western Union (or any other money wire service) to send money to someone you don't know. Since they can pick it up at ANY authorized transfer point in the world, tracking someone who's ripped you off is extremely difficult. It also can't be recovered by the money wire service.

[MarkM]

Want to pm me that number and I'll give it a go from here, it does sound like a scam but then it could be a number that just happens to be legit, though it doesn't look like it. A company near me has the number 1234567 now if ever that sounded like a fake number that's it but it is real but you do need to put the correct area code to make it work, I bet they get lots of calls from little children playing with phones in the local area

[Fixion]

MarkM - you have a PM
I didn't look at the phone number when I posted, so it doesn't actually have 123 and 321, but other arrangements of those numbers.

BTW I just got this. C-mon, can't they at least think of a better name? This sounds too familiar.

(edit)[email protected] wrote:

>Hello, Fixion!
>
>You have a question regarding your advertisment
> http://paintballclassifieds.com/deta...at=25&de=27061
>from (edited) :
>
>MY FULL NAME: (edited)..
>
>I am highly intrested in your (GUNS) .I want you to send the Bottom price .its g

>t;very ok to me. i want you to send me your full name,phone number and address
>because i Will like to pay you with a US check and dont worry about the
>shipment. i have a shipping agent who will come to your place for the pick up .
>
>waiting for your mail.
>
>(edited)...
>
>Paintball Classifieds
>
>Please visit us at http://www.paintballclassifieds.com
>

[Bulldog]

Ya he'll come to your place for a pick up alright...

All your electronics equipment, any jewelry, valuables etc.

[Fixion]

MarkM checked the phone # the guy (John Matters supposedly) gave me. Its fake.

[Target Practice]

Ya know, I feel sorry for these people that do this. I mean, how ******-up do you have to be. 'Course, I feel worse for the poor kids that try to buy thier first marker from some punk that rips them off. God, I hate the internet.