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This Smells! Scam warning
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Posted by: TVRider---------------------

I posted my 79 Husky in the for sale forum and got an email from a guy early this morning. He asked about lowest $ I'd take. I emailed him back. This is the reply I got:

hello,
thank you for your mail,also thanks for the reduction in the price.i want you to know that i will be making the payment for the bike with a cashier's check.i will be sending a check of $6,000 to you which will be payment for the bike and the cost of shipping.on receipt of the check you will deduct from the $6,000,the payment for the bike and send the remaining sum of money ($5000) to my shipper who will come over to your place and pickup the bike.i guess this arrangement is okay with you,if it is,mail me back with your full name as you would want it to appear on the check,your contact address and your phone number for easy communication.
thank you as i anticipate your mail.
best regards...
Frank.........

What is this? Email scam? I sent an email back saying to call me if he wants the bike. Talk about dissapointing!

Tom

Posted by: Patman---------------------

SCAM!

Tell him you'll give the remaining sum to the shipper in person when the entire check clears and you have your cash in hand.

Posted by: TVRider---------------------

That's what I thought, just a new one on me! They sure tug at your emotions, cause you think you've got a buyer. Good think I like the Husky and don't need to sell it. Just trying to clear space for the 78 Maico 440 Magnum I just bought.

Tom

Posted by: Timr---------------------

Two guys from my racing series have been burned on this Scam.

Stay away.

 

Posted by: TVRider---------------------

Check this, he replied instantly and claimed to have called and no one picked up. It's my cell and it's been in my pocket all day. Now he wants to do the whole deal by email.

I can't decide whether to tell him to blow or ignore him. He does have my cell number now!

Tom

Posted by: oldguy---------------------

It appears that an unscrupulous person has discoverred our for sale forum and made it his hunting ground.
One of our members has a bike for sale and received a reply. The scam is the buyer offers to send a larger check then the sale amount as earnest money to make you think he is on the up and up. He will have you deduct the sale amount and then send a check for the remainder to a shipping agent (either before or after it is shipped).
Problem for you is that the cashiers check he sends you is either stolen or forged (read worthless) and by the time you find this out you are out the amount you refunded or gave to the shipping agent.
If it sounds to good to be true or smells fishy it probably is

there are many satisfied sellers and buyers here on DRN so use your head and common sense before making the final deal.

Posted by: BunduBasher---------------------

the cashiers check will be real, but bogus, not only will you lose a bike but $5000 as well.  do a google search for "motorcycle scams"

Probably best to let the police know about this.

where are they shipping this bike to, Nigeria ?

Quote:

"How the Counterfeit Cashier's Check scam works: It starts when people from overseas posing as potential buyers of large items for sale on the internet, such as cars, ask the seller of the item if they can have an associate of theirs in the United States mail them a cashier's check for the amount of the item plus transportation overseas in order to expedite the process. They ask that once the check has cleared the bank, the seller withdraw the amount that is for transportation, and wire it to the buyer so he can schedule the shipment of the item.
When these cashier's checks are deposited into the accounts of the sellers, the banks let the customer know that funds are available in 24 hours, which is correct for a legitimate cashier's check. Feeling safely assured the bank customer goes through with the transaction. Then, days later, when the checks are found to be counterfeit the banks remove the entire amount of the check from the customer's account.
The scam works because everyone is assuming that it is a legitimate cashier's check, so it would be available in 24 hours. But it takes much longer for it to be realized that the check is not legitimate, and by then it is too late for the victims.
In some recent cases, before the details get worked out, the Nigerian car dealers will say that they have already sold your car and they need it immediately. Then there becomes a problem, the person that is buying from them is told their selling price of the car and to make the check out to the you, the US seller of the car, so you will be sent a cashier's check for that higher amount and then be asked to Western Union the difference to them for shipping and entry fees to Africa."

Posted by: jeffd---------------------

Damn I hate thieves! I am glad you consulted the ever-alert masses here at DRN before another victim fell prey to these losers!

-jeffd

Posted by: BunduBasher---------------------

I would like to see this have a thread/icon/title of its own - something to alert any seller or visitor to DRN

Posted by: jeffd---------------------

Perhaps a permanent home at the top of the for sale forums? This is not the 1st time I have heard of this, but I am sure that there are many who have not and will fall vicitm to this scam.

Good idea BB. :thumb:

-jeffd

Posted by: oldguy---------------------

done

Posted by: jboomer---------------------

I too would recommend getting the police involved. It'd be great to catch these losers.

Posted by: motohead00---------------------

I got the same type of reply on my four wheeler for sale. Luckily, I had another recent experience when trying to buy a Harley on ebay so I already had my guard up. Don't send him any money or the bike.

rla

Posted by: KXTodd---------------------

Someone on here did get scammed the same way not long ago I remember seeing the thread maybe a couple months ago.

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

Here is the info from the US Secret Service:

PUBLIC AWARENESS ADVISORY REGARDING "4-1-9" OR "ADVANCE FEE FRAUD" SCHEMES
4-1-9 Schemes frequently use the following tactics:
An individual or company receives a letter or fax from an alleged "official" representing a foreign government or agency;
An offer is made to transfer millions of dollars in "over invoiced contract" funds into your personal bank account;
You are encouraged to travel overseas to complete the transaction;
You are requested to provide blank company letterhead forms, banking account information, telephone/fax numbers;
You receive numerous documents with official looking stamps, seals and logo testifying to the authenticity of the proposal;
Eventually you must provide up-front or advance fees for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees or bribes;
Other forms of 4-1-9 schemes include: c.o.d. of goods or services, real estate ventures, purchases of crude oil at reduced prices, beneficiary of a will, recipient of an award and paper currency conversion.
If you have already lost funds in pursuit of the above described scheme, please contact your local Secret Service field office.

Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud Overview
The perpetrators of Advance Fee Fraud (AFF), known internationally as "4-1-9" fraud after the section of the Nigerian penal code which addresses fraud schemes, are often very creative and innovative.

Unfortunately, there is a perception that no one is prone to enter into such an obviously suspicious relationship. However, a large number of victims are enticed into believing they have been singled out from the masses to share in multi-million dollar windfall profits for doing absolutely nothing. It is also a misconception that the victim's bank account is requested so the culprit can plunder it -- this is not the primary reason for the account request -- merely a signal they have hooked another victim.

In almost every case there is a sense of urgency;
The victim is enticed to travel to Nigeria or a border country;
There are many forged official looking documents;
Most of the correspondence is handled by fax or through the mail;
Blank letterheads and invoices are requested from the victim along with the banking particulars;
Any number of Nigerian fees are requested for processing the transaction with each fee purported to be the last required;
The confidential nature of the transaction is emphasized;
There are usually claims of strong ties to Nigerian officials;
A Nigerian residing in the U.S., London or other foreign venue may claim to be a clearing house bank for the Central Bank of Nigeria;
Offices in legitimate government buildings appear to have been used by impostors posing as the real occupants or officials.
The most common forms of these fraudulent business proposals fall into seven main categories:

Disbursement of money from wills
Contract fraud (C.O.D. of goods or services)
Purchase of real estate
Conversion of hard currency
Transfer of funds from over invoiced contracts
Sale of crude oil at below market prices

The most prevalent and successful cases of Advance Fee Fraud is the fund transfer scam. In this scheme, a company or individual will typically receive an unsolicited letter by mail from a Nigerian claiming to be a senior civil servant. In the letter, the Nigerian will inform the recipient that he is seeking a reputable foreign company or individual into whose account he can deposit funds ranging from $10-$60 million that the Nigerian government overpaid on some procurement contract.

The criminals obtain the names of potential victims from a variety of sources including trade journals, professional directories, newspapers, and commercial libraries. They do not target a single company, but rather send out mailings en masse. The sender declares that he is a senior civil servant in one of the Nigerian Ministries, usually the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The letters refer to investigations of previous contracts awarded by prior regimes alleging that many contracts were over invoiced. Rather than return the money to the government, they desire to transfer the money to a foreign account. The sums to be transferred average between $10,000,000 to $60,000,000 and the recipient is usually offered a commission up to 30 percent for assisting in the transfer.

Initially, the intended victim is instructed to provide company letterheads and pro forma invoicing that will be used to show completion of the contract. One of the reasons is to use the victim's letterhead to forge letters of recommendation to other victim companies and to seek out a travel visa from the American Embassy in Lagos. The victim is told that the completed contracts will be submitted for approval to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Upon approval, the funds will be remitted to an account supplied by the intended victim.

The goal of the criminal is to delude the target into thinking that he is being drawn into a very lucrative, albeit questionable, arrangement. The intended victim must be reassured and confident of the potential success of the deal. He will become the primary supporter of the scheme and willingly contribute a large amount of money when the deal is threatened. The term "when" is used because the con-within-the-con is the scheme will be threatened in order to persuade the victim to provide a large sum of money to save the venture.

The letter, while appearing transparent and even ridiculous to most, unfortunately is growing in its effectiveness. It sets the stage and is the opening round of a two-layered scheme or scheme within a scheme. The fraudster will eventually reach someone who, while skeptical, desperately wants the deal to be genuine.

Victims are almost always requested to travel to Nigeria or a border country to complete a transaction. Individuals are often told that a visa will not be necessary to enter the country. The Nigerian con artists may then bribe airport officials to pass the victims through Immigration and Customs. Because it is a serious offense in Nigeria to enter without a valid visa, the victim's illegal entry may be used by the fraudsters as leverage to coerce the victims into releasing funds. Violence and threats of physical harm may be employed to further pressure victims. In June of 1995, an American was murdered in Lagos, Nigeria, while pursuing a 4-1-9 scam, and numerous other foreign nationals have been reported as missing.

Victims are often convinced of the authenticity of Advance Fee Fraud schemes by the forged or false documents bearing apparently official Nigerian government letterhead, seals, as well as false letters of credit, payment schedules and bank drafts. The fraudster may establish the credibility of his contacts, and thereby his influence, by arranging a meeting between the victim and "government officials" in real or fake government offices.

In the next stage some alleged problem concerning the "inside man" will suddenly arise. An official will demand an up-front bribe or an unforeseen tax or fee to the Nigerian government will have to be paid before the money can be transferred. These can include licensing fees, registration fees, and various forms of taxes and attorney fees. Normally each fee paid is described as the very last fee required. Invariably, oversights and errors in the deal are discovered by the Nigerians, necessitating additional payments and allowing the scheme to be stretched out over many months.

Several reasons have been submitted why Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud has undergone a dramatic increase in recent years. The explanations are as diverse as the types of schemes. The Nigerian Government blames the growing problem on mass unemployment, extended family systems, a get rich quick syndrome, and, especially, the greed of foreigners.

Indications are that Advance Fee Fraud grosses hundreds of millions of dollars annually and the losses are continuing to escalate. In all likelihood, there are victims who do not report their losses to authorities due to either fear or embarrassment.

In response to this growing epidemic, the United States Secret Service established "Operation 4-1-9" designed to target Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud on an international basis. The Financial Crimes Division of the Secret Service receives approximately 100 telephone calls from victims/potential victims and 300-500 pieces of related correspondence per day.

Secret Service agents have been assigned on a temporary basis to the American Embassy in Lagos to address the problem in that arena. Agents have established liaison with Nigerian officials, briefed other embassies on the widespread problem, and have assisted in the extrication of U.S. citizens in distress.

If you feel you have been a victim of any of these schemes contact your local field office for assistance.

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

Another Scam.

We have been receiving more and more complaints of another scam going around. This scam involves a seller who accepts Western Union or Money Gram payment only. They will not accept Credit Cards, although they seem to have a large number of bikes for sale in varying sizes.

The seller usually has multiple ads for bikes approx 50-60% lower than retail for brand new bikes. They have a phone number which does not match the address they have listed in the ad. Often times the phone number is outside of the US, and they require that buyers pay by Western Union, to a location also outside of the US.

Be alert and do NOT to take part in this. Always be as careful and as sure about online deals as you can. Find out as much info about the potential buyers that you can. Like the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is." These scammers often times do not even have any bikes, and may take pictures from other ads that are placed online. They are unable to answer basic questions about the bikes.

Posted by: CAL---------------------

My uncle was almost burnt by a similar scam with a Harley on traderonline.com.  And I was just burnt by my first Deadbeat bidder on ebay last night.  You have to really be careful and pay attention to what is going on.

I just took a huge risk by trading bikes with a guy in Virginia.  We both shipped the bikes on the same day using the same shipping company.  I made sure he used the same Shipping advisor that I used.  That way she knew exactly what was going on and could verify that both parties acquired shipping quotes and acutally had the bike shipped.

You have to cover yourself every way you can these days.

 

Posted by: Oregon Trail---------------------

I've had those guys try numerous times to get me, but this time I said I'd do it. I gave my name as G.W. Bush and the White House address and they sent it! It got rejected back to the Federal Express local office in DC and the guy gave the tracking number and everything to me, it came from Spain. It sat in the Fed-EX office a few days and he e-mailed me and said I could go pick it up. I told him I was busy, and to show him, I forwarded the White House web site and said he could see what I was up to. He said just get it when I had a chance. I retracked it 10 days later and it got delivered

I figured I made this guy spend a little. Next time I get one of those 'buyers' I'll have them send it to the FBI attn J.E. Hoover.

Posted by: 70 marlin---------------------

Ditto: same Guy sent me an e-mail thanking me for selling my XR to him (which I didn’t.) he was running the same scam. his email address came up from London England. I just told him that I'd love to sell it. As long as he does PAY PAL. Funny he never mailed me back? I seen this scam on 60 minutes so I would had never went through with deal!!! I just wanted to f*#ck with him a bit.

Posted by: Yogurt---------------------

I as well, had a similar e-mail. I posted an ad on my D-23 ARMCA web board for my CR125 and I got this e-mail:
Sir/Madam.
I am Andy Cole,Internet manager for Andy Cole autos,7-8 Cavendish Row Upper O'connel Street , Victoria Garden,Dublin.We specialise in purchase of Autos and electrical electronics for customers here in Europe,and we get paid in commission,after payment has been confirmed by the seller to the buyer.I write you on behalf of our client to contact you and arrange for the buying and shippment of your bike which our client saw on the internet,we would like to know the conditions of the said bike and probably arrange for payment to get to you and shippment.

My customer interested in purchasing your bike mentioned above for the sum of $2,400,and we will arrange for the pick up of the bike once payment is confirmed cleared by you. Please acknowledge the offer and we will inform the buyer of your confirmation of acceptance to sell and have the funds remitted to you as soon as possible ,and i'll like this transaction to be kept in utmost trust.I hope you can
understand. Our office is located in Dublin,as stated above.
Thanks,
Andy.
NB;Send the pics via e mail.

It sounded way to fishy, I replied and told the guy to stop wasting mine and his time.

Posted by: BRush---------------------

This bothers me because it devalues the security I once thought was afforded by a Certified Check. So how long do you have to wait for a certified check to clear before you can be assured that it's real and not a) a forgery, or b) purchased with stolen or counterfeit financial instruments? Seems like the bank can come along six days, or six months after the fact – even if they’ve previously told you the check was legit.

I’ve bought a bike online and everything went well, but one of the things I see here is that it looks to be a bad idea to deal with any kind of middleman. In the future as a buyer or seller, if I cannot talk directly to the other party and get a sense that he or she’s a true dirt rider and enthusiast, I’ll probably pass.

Posted by: theroyz71---------------------

Definitely a scam. I hang out at svrider.com and sportbikes.net and this same M.O. has been discussed there as well.

Posted by: Erick82---------------------

I have also bought a bike online. It was direct from a dealer, it was a used race bike from F&S and I got a great deal and the bike was exactly as described. The best part was they could put it on my credit card and I only had to pay 5.9% interest, also no shipping or taxes. So the quoted price was the actual price no BS charges.

If it is to good to be true, it is. Why would anyone send you $6,000 for a bike that cost $1,000, they wouldn't unless it was a scam.

Posted by: Oregon Trail---------------------

Well heres' the follow up to my 'scamming the scammer' bit I did. He keeps asking me to send money, but I keep saying 'just stop by, here's our last couple of e-mails:

(mine)Sure I will give the cash, I do not use Western Union like you do not do bank transfers , when he comes for the bike, thanks Bush

(his)hello bush ,
thanks for the mail, and i understand you are a very busy man ,but i will like you to understand that without you sending him the balance he can not come for the pick up and i wnat you to understand that time is not on my side please with due respect i want you to send the balance to mr bright johnson today through western union so that the transaction will be fast ,once again thanks with regards,
john.

(mine)Come on I'm not stupid, I know the 'check' was a phoney and you sent it to the President of the United States, Goerge W. Bush, you can get the money from him. Thanks

(his)but you should have told me this before, any way i did'nt mean any thing bad for him ,i appologise but what realy happened to the cheque,i hope the president dont know anything yet ,once again am sorry

Great english and spelling!

Posted by: mobrown---------------------

If you look on eBay you will see dozens of these overseas scammers trying to sell things like 2003 Raptors for $2500. This scam is getting a little old and I assume in short time it will morph into some other type of scam. The commomality in these things are the seemingly rediculous ways they want payment to take place. Simply ask them if an escrow company would be okay and they will head for the bushes!

Remember... if it looks like tuna, smells like tuna... it is definitley fishy. Trust your instincts... they'll steer you right usually, especially if you have integrity and honesty within yourself to begin with!

Mo Brown - new member.

Posted by: Moto Squid---------------------

One of my friends was all hot over a brand new snowmobile on ebay that was dirt cheap. He was actually about to go through with everything but I got wind of what his intentions were and luckily stopped him.

They'll normally just cut and paste specs and if you ask them a question, any question, you'll get an automated response that doesn't even address your question.

Posted by: Dan---------------------

I was looking to get a bike and I asked the guy alot of question to which he had answers for all, but something didnt sound right from the second e-mail he sent. This was one of those Western Union Scams. I stopped communicating with him after i read this e-mail.

OK!
Look how we will do this:
first you will put the money at western union from your name and
address to
a name that you choose like a receiver and my address(Kaslodri 31,1202,Sofia,Bulgaria)so i can just check them first ,like a proof
of
payment so i will see that you are willing to pay me.
After that you email me the transaction details that i need for
checking:
-sender's name and address
-receiver's name and address
-MTCN(money transfer control number)and the total amount that you sent.
After i check the money in the next seccond i will make the shipping to
your
name and address.
When you receive and test the item you call at western union and tell
them
to change the receiver's name with mine so i can pick up the money.
IN THIS WAY YOU PAY AFTER YOU RECEIVE AND TEST THE ITEM.
When you put the money for checking don't tell that thing to the
western
union agent because if they know that you will pay too many taxes and i
will
also pay a lot of taxes when i will check the here,just tell them that
you
send the money to a friend in Bulgaria,and when you receive the
item
and you have to change the receiver name with mine you call them and
tell
them that you need to change the names because your friend has moved
from
there and you need somebodyelse to pick up the money.
It is very easy,secure and fast.
I will shipp trough fedex on my expences and you will receive it in max
48
hours.
Look an example how to do it:
SENDER'S NAME AND ADDRESS:Your name and address
RECEIVER'S NAME AND ADDRESS:A name that you choose like a receiver(your
father's name for example) and my address(Kaslodri 31,1202,Sofia,Bulgaria)
Email me asap!

So here is a good Example of who not to deal with.
He called himself Chris D. Vanderhoof from BULGARIA

Posted by: shinyboat---------------------

I got like the exact same thing on another site when I was selling my Astro van last summer. I think it is a total hoax. We tried contacting him and could never get any real info.

Posted by: DirtIsMyName---------------------

Agree to go along, the fake checks cost them money. It is not cheap.

Posted by: MUSCLEHEAD---------------------

I had a similer experiance with a man who said he was James Phillips from England, it all stopped when I told him I wanted the bank name for which the check would be drawn to make sure there was one in my area.

NEVER HEARD FROM OLD JAMES AGAIN.

Posted by: Gigalabz---------------------

Same thing happend to me about a year back. I was selling my 03' yz 125 on a few different sites. The guy tells me he lives in canada and he's sending a cashiers check. The object of the scam is that you send the remaining balance of the overwrite back to the guy and the bank holds you liable for the fake check....luckily, the teller caught it before it went thru. Needless to say...i traced his Email and IP back to Hampton Roads, VA with his full name and address provided by his ISP (COX). Ive since reported him to the feds and he is awaiting trial on 2 counts of fraud.

Posted by: sick 96 250---------------------

did you guys happen to notice how old this thread is??

Posted by: handywork---------------------

I like cash,legal tender,I take no checks or credit cards,test ride I hold the photo licence and look first and make sure that gas tank is only running reserve,but that`s just me

Posted by: elcamino12sec---------------------

I worked at a large bank and this happened to many people every day. I would string him along to buy time and get with your local law inforcement to get this scum bag what he deserves! DO NOT accept any payment from this guy with the empression that is of any value, and thanks for informing up of this!

Posted by: AlaskanRider---------------------

My mom got scammed on ****, her item (very expensieve) sold well but the money and stuff never went through, make sure to never get on only the internet, be on a mainstream site such as ****, the y try and take you off of there (like they did to me) and don't let them.

Posted by: krazyinski---------------------

well it is ! you have to expect it from world trading. years ago and still today you can find street corner venders that will scam you into buying a brick in a box, that you think is a a new just fell off the truck item. This is AMERICA home of free trade but nothing is free, all us married guys know that.

Posted by: CR500_rider---------------------

This a very common scam, the only thing that I see missing is that this scam usually has references to another country, or claiming to be from another country. This scam is usually written in very poor english as if it was a translation or someone who speaks broken english. I had a bike on the Internet some time ago and I recieved no less that 25 of these Emails, almost every one was close to being the same. There was something on the 20/20 TV show a while back, they say it usually involves counterfiet cashiers checks! The deal is always some confusion and the buyer gives you too much money for a lame excuse and you refund the difference. You will be out both the bike and some cash! When you see this scam RUN!

Posted by: handywork---------------------

Scams are out there,thick and sometimes very well concealled or apparently legit on first inspection.Be very carefull,these people are bottom feeders and to give you a cross section of these heartless pricks,a very large proportion of their successfull thefts and goods by deception conquests are poor little 14y.o. Johnny who wants to sell his motorcrosser and upgrade to a newer or bigger model.Dad bought the bike for Xmas,did not fill in Warranty,didn`t keep records or details,threw out the proof of purchase dockets etc,did not have it registerred and recorded by the local police by mico dot and other means available (most are free).It may seem trivial or somewhat simple but they make a young kid very devastated,and replacing it is a nightmare.Have your trailbikes,registerred and recorded in the police data-base and have it mico dotted if you can.If not,try to give your bike a distinguishing features that only you know.I use this and has returned one bike to me and I swear by it.Under the cap on the slide assembly on the carb.I placed a 20cent Australian coin with the centre drilled out and tapped to accomodate the throttle assembly,replaced the rubber gasket over the coin and screwwed the top back on.When the police asked if I could identify my YZ100 86model better as the other guy had paperwork which seemed to argue the point that he was the rightfull owner and make the coppa`s wonder who really owned it.I told them about the coin under the slide assembly cap,they asked him if anything distinguishing had been done to the carb,he said no and stated nothing had been done and he owned it from new,the coppa removed the slide,looked,smiled at me and cuffed the scumbag on the spot.Don`t engrave chrome wire wheels,it really stuffs them.Mags or alloy are fine though.Licence number inside sidecasings with an engraver,underneath rocker cover.The police data-base also extends to known fences or outlets or buissinesses that could be used to sell the bike.Hockshops or pawnbrokers,secured loan establishments,bike dealers,wreckers,REVS etc.
Allways have a few good pics of your pride and joy.It helps with ID.But also,insure it.You can do this many ways but having it on your household contents works for me.The insurer has a record too,and they can be ruthless on tracking down and prosecuting offenders and it does not matter what country they are from,CGU and AAMI and most are big multinationals and the scumbags have nowhere to hide from them,where your a different matter.I insure all my bikes and my tools,shed contents,household goods,valuables etc all insured for $330 p/a which is worth peice of mind and isn`t expensive at all.
Allways ask buyers to be alone or if they bring somebody ask why and make sure one stays with you.Never arrange a rendevous or alternate spot for the business,not even a veiwing.If they show up in a car,before a test ride,sight licence and photocopy or record number and details.I have been known to also hold their car keys too.Never had a complaint or asked why as it`s self explanitory.Allways have only a small amount of petol in tank,I run mine on reserve.DO NOT TELL THEM OF THIS.If they are gone too long or try a runner,just go searching round in your car.Caught 2 people with that one so far.Most new bikes have seperate keys for helmet lock,seat lock,steering lock etc.Hold them keys,they don`t need them anyway,and gives them the pips trying to acces things and a bike shop might ask why they don`t have them and get suspicious.If your bike is on diplay,out the front yard etc. LOCK IT,CHAIN IT TO SOMETHING BIG AND SOLID,LOCK IT AGAIN,and keep an eye on it.Allways have somebody else responsible present when doing these transactions.My mother in law is a coppa,my dad is a prison warden,most of my mates are bikers.So I can find someone easy.The best place to finalise the deal is the local police station and no joke they will help you out with trying to avoid getting ripped,no cost at all.They will run their licence through there records and data-base,known aliases and will advise you fully of your rights and responsibilities,so nobody gets a bum deal.A receipt sighned by a coppa and witnessed by a JP is also well received from buyers and coppas mostly do the REVS check as a service to the public for free,not like the others,bet you didn`t know that.Never write,sign or give receipts for goods unless the funds have been secured by yourself.Cheques must have the funds cleared etc,none of this,ohhh I will just duck down the bank and get you the remainning $700 as I didn`t bring enough with me.Never let anybody,remove/take or take possesion of your goods until you are satisfied the deal is done,all payed for,details exchanged,then sign the papers and give them the key.HOPE SOME OF THIS HELPS.remember,never trust anyone with your goods,never,a-n-y-o-n-e.

Posted by: hillsNtrails---------------------

You know what's funny?

After retiring in California, I moved to the Philippines

. I have been here for one year. After seeing what is (not) available here to buy, and the cost of a newer bike in good condition (import fees are up to 100%), I decided to buy in the US and ship the bike I wanted here.

Well I found the bike I wanted. 05 KTM525. It was for sale on Craigslist. I hadn't read anything about the scam that this thread is describing. I have two friends in the US, willing to help me out with things I need done long distance. I asked one friend if he would buy the bike for me. I would of course send him cash. Then after the bike was purchased, my other friend was willing to crate it up for me and ship it here.

Well I was excited to buy this KTM, and I described the process to the seller in an email

, but he never replied. Even after several emails from me. So, he either sold the bike to someone else, or he figured I was a scammer. After reading this post I realize it sounds much like my email to him, except I was offering cash. I am guessing the latter is true, and it must have looked so much like a scam he didn't even notice that I was paying in cash. Hahahaha.

The good thing that came of this is I found a great dealer of KTM's who sell new at about $1000.00 below most other dealers. So I just ordered my KTM new.

hillsNtrails

Posted by: xLastShotx---------------------

Is this a scam or what it just doesn't sound rite to me. Heres the email I got:

Matt,

My client has agreed on the price and will send payment.I will make arraggement for a pickup agent.my client will send you a cashier check of $10,100,so when you receive the check,deduct $3,100 for the bike, the different of $7,000 should be sent via Moneygram transfer to agent who will undertake pickup, shipment and other expenses. i hope it is in excellent codition?.
Please Confirm this and provide the following details
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
1.LEGAL NAME IN FULL.......
2.ADDRESS..............
3.PHONE.......

Regards,

Make

Posted by: tony91---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by xLastShotx

Is this a scam or what it just doesn't sound rite to me. Heres the email I got:

Matt,

My client has agreed on the price and will send payment.I will make arraggement for a pickup agent.my client will send you a cashier check of $10,100,so when you receive the check,deduct $3,100 for the bike, the different of $7,000 should be sent via Moneygram transfer to agent who will undertake pickup, shipment and other expenses. i hope it is in excellent codition?.
Please Confirm this and provide the following details
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
1.LEGAL NAME IN FULL.......
2.ADDRESS..............
3.PHONE.......

Regards,

Make

My man...read the thread. This is absolutely a scam.

Posted by: xLastShotx---------------------

Alrite thats what I thought I just wanted to double check.

Posted by: JST122---------------------

I am selling my 2003 KX 250 and I had it posted on a few online classifieds sites and I too just got one of these ridiculous certified check scam emails sent to me, requesting to provide overpayment for shipping and then for me to send the balance back to the buyer. So I was wondering how would I go about reporting someone like this. The emails are coming from generic free accounts so I think it would be difficult to trace the identity of the person. The english in the emails is pretty bad as well so my guess is they are from out of the country, but I read a few posts on this and I saw some guys have been able to actually trace the email back to the person to report them. How would I go about this, it probably requires some computer literacy, but just curious.

Posted by: cr85rb_rider---------------------

Quote:

Thank you for the prompt mail,Am ok with the price $1200,the fact is that i am out of US now, am in Australia now for few months course but im really interested in buying your item and it might be sold out before my arrival to US, I think we can transact ,I have contact one of my agent in US for the payment and shipping arrangment and she has agreed to pay you by money order, the payment she will send to you will also comprise of the shipping funds,i will later direct you on how the balance on the payment will be used for the shippment.....kay do get back to me with your full details in which you want the payment to be write and mail out too.below are the requested information... *The name full name that will be on the money order*...........
*Your full residential address*..................................
*State*..........................................................
*Zip code*.......................................................
*Phone number....................................................
So do get back to me with all these information so that the payment will be sent to you this week.I think we can work things out fine.
thanks.
regards.

Im not sure if its a scam, but the guy really does live in the us and he is austriala.

Posted by: mark808---------------------

my girlfriend almost fell for this, but it didnt involve the sell of anything. they tried to have her cash checks for them then as payment for her "job" she would keep a percentage and send them the balance. i knew something was not right so i looked it up on the net and sure anuff there it was. i cant believe they are now getting bikes sent to them. where do they come up with this ****!

Posted by: IndyMX---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark808

where do they come up with this ****!

Greed

Posted by: 4Paws---------------------

I got one of these yesterday.....I wish dearly I could post my reply I sent him.....however I suspect I would be tossed off and banned for sure. I think I said enough in 1 paragraph for all of us it involved 2 words that started with F and U

Posted by: BSWIFT---------------------

Most US and Canadian banks use verifiable and bonded cashier's checks. When these things originate from Africa and the EU you should think of them as a wrapper for cash, as in, "I'll accept your large sum cashier's check as long as it is wrapped around cold hard cash". Beware even with this, counterfiet bills are everywhere.
What really amazes me about this scam is how prolific and effective it is. Many years after it was reported it still comes up often. I get several emails a week with this scam so you just have to be dilegent and causious in making deals on the net.

Posted by: jrf4x4---------------------

I just got one of these emails about my Harley I have for sale.

Quote:

Below is an inquiry about your listing.

Hello,Compliment of the season,I have an intrest in this ur listed Item on behalf of my client,I based here in the state,And my client has specificaly given me to placed a quick order for your Item,I hope the Item is still in good condition ?
So whats your final asking price that you want for the Item ? Send me more pictures of this Item,So I need to get in touch with you if you will accept Certified Cashier's Check OR Money Order from my client as a mode of payment.If yes,Send me ur contact NAME and ADDRESS including with your contact PHONE NUMBER,my client is going to send you check of an excess Money,you will deduct ur sale fees in the payment,and u send the excess funds of the remaining money through Western Union Money Transfer to my client shipping Company,The excess money will be use for the shipping company that will come for the pick up of the Merchandise,I will like the CHEQUE to be deposit to your checking bank account same day as u receive it,So would you be able to wire transfer the remaining balance to the shipping company via Western Union Money Transfer after the check might have cleared in your bank and after you might have deducted your own part of the money which is the Item money,So you don't need to arrange for the shipping,since my client will be taking care of the shipment through his shipping company that will come for the pick up of the Merchandise from your base.
"I will want you to email to me directly with your personal email for me to beable to contact you through.

I will be waiting.

Posted by: Brian&Brian---------------------

every time i post a bike on craigslist i get 5-6 of thoes in the first two days. I just sold my Cr 85 to a guy in NC and he had his shipper give me the cash so it can be done with cash using a shipper

Posted by: NoSlowBike---------------------

I put up a wanted add on Craigslist looking to buy a bike and I have recieved countless e-mails from people looking to buy my bike and have it shipped to some other place other than where they live. I'm not selling a bike. I enjoy responding to them and calling them retards. Here are two of the e-mails I have recieved.

Dear seller,
i am Jeff garry i live at MIRAMAR, FL , i saw the

advert of the motorcyle that was posted at the website i am
highly willing to purchase it asap and am hoping you will be

glad to sell it for
me ,let me know your final selling price also i will like some

pics attachment if
available . as per payment method i will not be able to make

payment in CASH due
to the fact that i will
be leaving the state tomorrow on speculative purpose. but

payment would
be issued out to you by my colleague immediately...... My

method of payment are

as follows...
certified check or bank check

i will have my colleague handle the
payment, my colleague is presently in the state. i will have

him make payment to

you immediately upon your term of payment preferred .

Those are the only means of payment I can offer you
now due to my departing schedule, and i will like us to trust

each other that
is to say to be on the the same hand am make the transaction

smooth , as per the
pick up, You should not worry i have a reputable shipping

agent that will come
down to your house for the pick up as soon as payment was

done and cleared in
your account.

if you preferred check send me the info below...

1,Name to be written on check...........................
2,Address to send the check.................................
3,Your contact telephone number...............................
4. final selling price.......

Await your response.
Best regards

Hey,
I would like to purchase your motorcycle and i have a couple of questions.
Are you the orignal owner?
I wanna know a breakdown of work that has been done on the engine to the best of your knowledge?
I want to know your final pricing?
I stay in Missouri but i will be having the bike shipped to Alabama.
I want to know your final price
If its acceptable by you, email me more pics and let me know Details.
Regards.
Mikel john.

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