Thank you for creating a blog to alert Craigslist users to known scammers. I have received two emails from a Dr. Ben Carlson who seemed interested in a painting I am trying to sell. I am sending you his first email, to which I replied with caution. His second email was much more insistent so I Googled a portion of it and found your blog. I flagged his second email as spam, but I wish I had saved it to send to you. Anyway, thanks again for helping me avoid being scammed. Keep up the good fight.The following note was the scammer's letter to the reader.
-GRATEFUL READER
Hello,
I would like to know if this is still available? If available i would like to make an outright purchase,i am very much interested. Actually am presently observing my honey moon and am not receiving phone calls but my secretary will handle it so i will appreciate it if you can withdraw the posting from craigslist,I will pay an extra $50 for the posting to be taken down from Craigslist. I will be paying via certified bank check.Furthermore my mover will be coming over for the pick up..as i might not be available for the pick up myself but am OK with the information from the ad.I will need the following information details to make payment arrangement 1,Your full name to be on the Payment.2 ,Your residence address and postal address.3,Your phone number both land and mobile.4,Your postal code.????I will really appreciate it buying this item from you.So you get me the required information for your payment to be issued asap.
Thank you.
Dr Ben Carlson.
134 comments:
Hi, I'm new to this blog and am not sure if you have a general list of scammers anywhere, but please add these names to your list:
Justin Mark - nalurd@gmail.com
"Rich" - alomx9@aol.com
Lewis Duke - lewisduke100@gmail.com
The third one can get particularly nasty. He started making threats when I called him out on his obvious scam. He was terribly angry when he realized he wasn't going to get nearly $3000 from me... :)
Thank you for this blog, websites like these have probably kept me from getting scammed.
This guy also calls himself Kevin Brassfield and just tried to buy my couch. He's still on honeymoon in Hawaii :-) He uses the email address kevbrassfield@gmail.com.
Thanks for this blog, it's been very useful for me. I just wrote up my experience with posting an ad on Craigslist, you can find it here
http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2009/05/rental-fraud-on-craigslist.html
I found this all very depressing, but at the very least I thought it might serve as a warning for others. Best,
B.
Funny, I just got an email last night from this same Ben Carlson about a car I am trying to sell... email address agbokuje1@gmail.com. The text of the email is the exact same as the one in the port by Joe.
Lets see if he responds to my response calling him out.
I cannot believe it, the email you have posted below (the one that he is interested in buying the product outright and is on his honeymoon) is the exact email I received from Ben Carlson today wanting to buy a piece of art that I am selling.
Thank you for making sure people like this don't get away with their scams.
Today is May 22 and the same thing happened to me with someone named Kevin Brassfield.
This is the longest honeymoon EVER! Kevbrassfield@gmail.com wants m to deliver furniture as a surprise for his new bride! ha.
Craigslist is a wonderful resource that I've used many times for selling stuff and finding places to live. Unfortunately, it is swarming with undesirables. Nearly all of the undesirables I've interacted with has been from Nigeria, with the exception of one that I've been interacting with over the last few days. I've posted our exchanges on my 1 and only blog posting here: http://upsidedownpotato.blogspot.com/
ha, he just tried to buy my sofa with a cashier's check.
no thanks.
Also, this scammer now apparently goes by Ben Rolland - ben.roll101@gmail.com
Please also add Alex Kelvion -- alexkelvin006@googlemail.com -- to your list.
Also, for companies being unwilling participants, please add:
BC Group International, Inc.
St. Charles, MO 63301
and
Midwest Bank Centre
Lemay, MO 63125
Kevin Brassfield & Michael Gegelinkin
I got the same thing from Kevin Brassfield. The EXACT same email about the honeymoon in hawaii. Then he didnt' get back to me for a bit, and just now he responded with this:
Hi,
How are you today?Sorry for not corresponding with you for the
past few days.My wife was sick here in Hawaii as i told you earlier
that we are in Hawaii for our honeymoon,she slump in the bathroom at
the HOTEL and she was admitted in the hospital because of the inquiry
she sustain on her left leg,i was unable to get to the computer
because i love my wife so much that i couldn't leave her bed side at
the hospital for a minute,but thank God she is now feeling fine and
better.On getting to my mail i contacted my secretary to know if
you've receive the payment,but to my surprise she told me the delay
was from the united parcel service(UPS) that they mistakenly left the
parcel for the payment behind when they were sorting out the packages
that they were to deliver to their various destination.I was not happy
because i expected you to have received and cash the payment by now so
the mover will be able to do the pick up by now.But she told me the
UPS manager as apologized and promised to deliver the package to you
first thing on Monday morning (AM) or Tuesday morning(AM),so kindly
take more patience and wait for the payment latest by Tuesday
Morning,thanks for the patience and understanding.God Bless
THEN I had reposted on craigslist, because i realized he probably wasnt going to come through and I got this email from a "Michael Gegelinking":
Thanks for the prompt response and i will love to make an instant
purchase,so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist.I dont mind
adding an extra $50 dollars for you to take the advert down from
criagslist so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the item.
I will also like you to know that i will be paying via check,and it
will be an over night payment due to the distance .You dont need to
bother your self with the shippment ok,I will take care of that.So I
will need you to provide me with the following information to
facilitate the mailing of the check.
1.Your full name.
2..Your mailing address,be it residential or postal address.
**Once again ,I will like you to know that you will not be responsible
for shipping.
I will have my mover come over as soon as you have cashed the check**
Do Have a nice day
hi all well micheal gegelinkin tried to get me.he is using the secretary over wrote the check and would i forward on the rest to his mover. i am just lucky i did this search before i went any further with this guy.
Hello. Thanks for hosting this blog to help foil these slime bags (this is an organized group). We just got a very similar response to an add in Crags List for furniture. The response used a lot of the same words as other posts, such as "advert", "outright purchase", etc., and it had a phony story to explain why he could not call (supposedly a stamerer). His email address is rogbilly0000@gmail.com and uses the name Williams Rogers.
His "secretary" "mistakenly" made out the check for $1950 instead of $195, so he asked if we would write them a check for the balance, keeping an extra $100 for our troubles.
We got a counterfeit check via UPS from an Irene Barrientes, 2019 45th Street, Lubbock, TX 79412. They stole a legitimate company's name (from Missouri) and modified the addresss slightly. Then we got a follow up email asking us to wire the balance to his "mover", with an African name in Bronx, NY. Interestingly, we live in Georgia!
Here's the email that clued us into the scam.
"How are you doing? I want you to understand that the deal is on as my secretary as posted the payment already, but there was a slight error i guess we can handle with care, instead of the actual amount, she made out the check for $1950 she claimed that was what i requested but she didn't get that straight. So once you have the check please cash it and deduct the money for your goods plus $100 that for your running around expenses. The excess fund should please be sent to my mover via western union,this fund will be use in offsetting the cost of the shipment he as undertaken for me recently.
**Please email at once to let me know that i can trust to have the excess funds sent to my mover**"
Ha Ha - I just told Dr.Ben (as he now calls himself) EXACTLY where to go after receiving this email:
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response. I am satisfied with the information provided about it at the craigslist. I will love to make an instant purchase, so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist, I don't mind adding an extra $50 dolls for you to do that so that i can be rest assured that the item is in hand. I will also like you to know that I will be paying via check due to the distance and it will be over night payment. My secretary in the state will issue the check for the payment. I am presently on a business trip and will be back soon. You don't need to bother your self with the shipment. Ok? My Mover will handle that .So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check. Name, Address and Phone number
Have a nice day.
Dr Ben.
Good job on posting about these scammers!!
I got the exact same message as Clare, about a dryer I'm selling. I was suspicious at the fact that he wanted to give us an extra $50.
"Dr. Ben" strikes again...he emailed the same bogus email about offering an extra $50 to take the CL posting down....he was out of town...his movers would pick it up.
I became weary when he said he'e be paying by check. Thank you for starting this blog - when I googled his email address: ben.roll101@gmail.com it popped right up!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS BLOG!!!!
Dr. Ben just sent me the exact emails that everyone else was getting. I put up a futon that was donated to my son's school for a fundraiser. He knew this, and still try to scam me, bad enough when you scam someone, but to try and scam a school and take money from the children is just to low! I have bookmarked your blog and I will be telling all my friends about it!
Julia Cain is another name. Showed it to the cops. "No crime was committed. And if you cashed it, it would be a civil matter". Glad I didn't cash it.
UPS came from Alex McDonald. I have the full address and phone as well, but I am sure this, too is fake.
My check was for double the amount and I was supposed to wire back the difference TO THE MOVER HAHAHA. With "I am sure they will get us our money". Riiiiiight.
FYI - he's now called George Cartney and his email is george.cartney1@gmail.com
Here is his latest response to my CL ad that is WORD FOR WORD to my last comment posted when he called himself Dr.Ben!!
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response. I am satisfied with the information provided about it at the craigslist. I will love to make an instant purchase, so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist, I don't mind adding an extra $50 dolls for you to do that so that i can be rest assured that the item is in hand. I will also like you to know that I will be paying via check due to the distance and it will be over night payment. My secretary in the state will issue the check for the payment. I am presently on a business trip and will be back soon. You don't need to bother your self with the shipment. Ok? My Mover will handle that .So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check. Name, Address and Phone number
Have a nice day.
George.
I received a nearly identical email regarding a computer I'm selling. The person in my email is named George Richard. After some checking I found that this is an alias for Nigerian scammers. So you can add George Richard to the list
got the following June 27th from a
ninaspeed10@live.com
pls do withdraw the advert from Craigs list, i dont mind adding an extra $50 for you to take the advert down from Criags list, i want to be rest assured that nobody else gets a hold of the item. I will also like you to know that i will be paying via company certified cashier check, and it will be over night payment due to the distance. I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the cheque
1.Your full name
2.Your mailing address
3.Your phone number
I am located in Ohio but currently on a business trip to the UK. I just want to purchase the item for her as a surprise birthday present as this day is around the corner. I would also like to pay a.s.a.p I will be sending my mover to come pick up the item. but i hope that it is still in a very good condition.
Thanks
I just received an email from Jim Downey at jdowney.01@gmail.com:
I have been looking for this for quiet some time now and am sodelighted that it is still available. I am pleased with the currentsituation of the item as provided at craigslist. Please do withdrawthe advert from craigslist as I don't mind adding $50 for you to dothat, so I can be rest assured that the item is held for me.The main issue is that I will be leaving for Hawaii with my wifetomorrow to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary , I will only be able topay via certified check and I wouldn't know if that is accepatble byyou, if you concur with me on my mode of payment kindly provide mewith your full name and physical address along with your phone numberto issue out the payment.I'll be picking the item from you with the aid of a mover. My Moverwill be coming over for the pick-up once the Certified Check has beencashed so you don't have to worry yourself about the shipping.
Similar response from dr Jonathan [dr.jonathan100@gmail.com]
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response and i will love to make an instant purchase, so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist, i dont mind adding an extra $50 for you to take the advert down from criagslist so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the items.
I will also like you to know that i will be paying via bank check, and it will be over night payment due to the distance .You dont need to bother your self with the shippment ok, i will take care of that, so i will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check.
1.Your full name.
2.Your mailing address be it residential or postal address. 3.Your phonenumber.
I assure you once again i will take care of shipping.
Have a nice day.
Regards,
dr.jonathan
I just picked up the UPS envelope minutes ago and have a lot of email exchanges. I haven't opened the envelope even. I was going to give to FBI tomorrow and cooperate by trying to setup the wire for them to trace. I am disappointed in an earlier post concerning NO CRIME was committed. They are wise to not use the USPS. This was an obvious scam and I will post more at a later date.
This is a continuation of an earlier post. i hope this helps somebody avoid being taken advantage of!
I am interested in your item.Let me know if it's still available.Thanks
Thanks for the reply.I want you to send me more pics of the item and i want you to know that i am paying with a certified bank check or a bank cashier's check depending on which one u want.I am busy because i am on a business trip for now but my secretary will post the check to you from florida.Dont worry about the pickup,i have a hired worker that will come for the pickup.let me know if u are interested in receiving check for the item.If u are interested,let me have ur details like ur full name and ur mailing address(residential) and ur phone nos so as to mail the check.Thanks
Ok can i have your info to mail the check to?
Regards
Mike Berger
How is your day going Jim?I want is on as my secretary has posted the payment already to the indicated address you gave me above which is ..., but there was a slight error i guess we can handle with care, instead of the actual amount $250 for the item,she made out the check for $1550,she claimed she thought that it was the same person selling both items because i had one other item i wanted to purchase which cost me $1300.I am so sorry for the mistake my secretary has made and i want you to accept my apologies.When you have cashed the check,you are to wire the excess funds back to my mover's address which i will give you later through western union money transfer and you are to provide me with the following infos after the excess funds is sent back to my mover:
1.The exact amount u sent minus the western union charge
2.The sender's name and address
3.The MTCN number.
Please email me asap to let me know if i can trust you to have the excess funds sent to my mover.Thanks
Let me know if i can trust you to send the excess funds back to my mover.
Regards
Mike Berger
THIS IS NOT A GAME OKAY.ITS A MISTAKE MY SECRETARY MADE AND I WANT YOU TO PLS BEAR WITH ME.WHEN YOU HAVE CASHED THE CHECK,I WANT YOU TO SEND THE EXCESS FUNDS TO MY MOVER THROUGH WESTERN UNION WHOSE ADDRESS I WILL GIVE YOU WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEND THE EXCESS FUNDS.ITS NICE DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU.
REGARDS
MIKE BERGER
Subject: RE: L - Desk - $250 (Easthampton)
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 6:58 PM
Hey Mike,
Not that you can’t trust me but it would be better for all involved that a new check for the correct amount to be done. Besides we agreed it would be a Bank of America check anyway. If it had already gone in the mail then I will have it tomorrow and then I guess you sort of need to trust me. Obviously this craziness makes me even more skeptical. But, what do I have to lose, right? I’ll play the game.
Jim
too many words, this should conclude my continuation.
The check will get to your side probably this evening or tomorrow morning...i will want you to stay at home so that you can receive your payment.i want you to wire the excess funds through western union to my mover's address which i will give you as soon as the check has been delivered to you.
Regards
Mike Berger
Ok i am sure there will be someone at home to receive the mail for you and then you can come on Monday to get the mail.There is nothing wrong in getting your payment on Monday and wire the excess funds to my mover's address which i will give you when it is time.
Regards
Mike Berger
Jim,
When you get home on monday,you will have to go to the ups facility in W Springfield MA,US where you live because the mail had been forwarded there.Let me know if you got this notification mail from me.
Regards
Mike Berger
I hope you have seen my reply that when you get home on Monday,you should go to the ups facility in your town and claim your mail so that you can receive your payment for the item quickly because the mail had been returned back to the facility.I will want you to go there quickly so that the mail does not leave your town.
I will be looking forward to your reply.
Regards
Mike Berger
That does not mean you should not cash the check and send the remaining amount to my mover ok
I an sorry for what happened ok and pls let us complete our transaction
This is the tracking number:J134 096 430 8....i want you to go to the ups facility because it was returned there when you were not around.
I have tracked the mail and i see that you have received the check.Please i will like you to be updating me on the transaction.Let me know what time you will send the excess funds back to my mover and the best time for the pick-up.
Regards
Mike Berger
IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE BOA BECAUSE YOU CAN CASH THE CHECK IN ANY BANK.I WILL LIKE YOU TO CASH THE CHECK IN ANY BANK OR EVEN B.O.A ITSELF BECAUSE IT IS A CASHIER'S CHECK.SO JUST TAKE IT TO ANY BANK YOU WANT TO TAKE IT TO AND CASH IT OUT.THEN YOU CAN SEND THE EXCESS FUNDS BACK TO MY MOVER'S ADDRESS WHICH I WILL GIVE YOU LATER WHEN YOU HAVE CASHED THE CHECK.I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO REMIT ANOTHER CHECK FOR THE CORRECT AMOUNT BUT IT COSTS MONEY TO DO THAT AND TIME TOO.SO PLS BEAR WITH ME ON THIS ONE AND LET US FINISH OUR TRANSACTION IN A JIFFY.LET ME KNOW THE BEST TIME FOR PICK-UP OK.
REGARDS
MIKE BERGER
Interestingly he is so upset his name changes, lol:
WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU DESTROYED MY CHECK..DO U KNOW IT COST ME MONEY TO ISSUE THE CHECK AND SEND IT TO YOU.I WANT YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY TAKING IT TO THE BANK AND GET THE CHECK CLEARED.WILL BE WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY
REGARDS
DEREK BUTLER
sorry to the readers but i don't know how to make a copy of the check and post here
Here is another name to add to the list of scammers. I've been contacted by sydney4sales@gmail.com about my couch.
Sydney Brown to me
show details Jul 7 (1 day ago)
Thanks for your response. Consider it gone as i have decided to buy it. I would arrange for payment immediately and my shipper will come for the pick up after payment.
To hasten up this process. The payment i'm going to issue will exceed your price, you are to deduct yours and have the differences wired to the shipping company through WESTERN UNION or MONEYGRAM Money Transfer. Pleases delete your post from craigslist and reply with your...
Full Name
Phone number
Mailing address
Email address
Final Price
Do you agree to wire the differences to my shipper through Western Union after deducting yours???
Ha!!Think I'll try and get the check and turn in into the authorities...
Sydney4sales@gmail.com just sent an email to me wanting to purchase a rare aviation art print that was listed on AOL CLASSIFIEDS. The email states he is interested & ready to purchase. Asked if I could wait until mid next week.
Thanks for the info. I emailed back that this is a Cash only purchase & that his email address is known as scam.
New email address again. I went to reply to this and it no longer works though. See his email below.
from
SCHOLTEN JUNK scholtenjunk@gmail.com
Hello
I appreciate your response to my inquiry. Am interested in buying it from you. I would love to come and check it myself but I just got married and am presently on an honeymoon trip to Hawaii with my wife. I would love a surprise change of furniture in our home on our return. Pls do withdraw ,with immediate effect, the advert from Web as i don`t mind adding $50 for you to do that, so i can be rest assured that the item is held for me. I should believe it is in good condition as stated. I will be making the payment via a Certified Check, which my secretary will mail across to you. I'll be picking the item from you with the aid of my mover. My Mover will be coming to pick it from you once the Certified Check has been cashed. Pls I will need both your full name and physical address along with you phone number to issue out the payment.
I await your urgent response.
Like Many of you, "sydney4sales@gmail.com", has been VERY persistent about purchasing an item I listed on "CraigsList", to be SOLD ONLY ON MAUI(HAWAII),CASH ONLY!!!
I was even given a "valid" UPS Tracking Number, for the "Certified Check" that I will be receiving!!! So, within minutes of "notifying" this SCUMBAG that I will be giving the "Certified Check" to the Police, as soon as I receive "it", I checked the UPS Tracking Site, and "THE CHECK" had JUST arrived here on Maui, BUT, "it" was mysteriously "REROUTED"!!!
I told this "SCUMBAG" that "he/she" has been "Reported" to the "Legal Dept." at "CraigsList", and I will be "posting" WARNING e-mails EVERYWHERE, to "EXPOSE" this piece of "$#!*"...
sydney4sales@gmail.com almost got me too. First he asked if it could wait until next week and then he sent this email:
"Thanks for your response. Consider it gone as i have decided to buy it. I would arrange for payment immediately and my shipper will come for the pick up after payment.
To hasten up this process. The payment i'm going to issue will exceed your price, you are to deduct yours and have the differences wired to the shipping company through WESTERN UNION or MONEYGRAM Money Transfer. Pleases delete your post from craigslist and reply with your...
Full Name
Phone number
Mailing address
Email address
Final Price"
I thought it was weird that he would pay more than necessary so I decided to google search his email address and found this blog. Just as a precaution you should never agree to send or receive western union or moneygrams from a stranger.
Thanks for the heads up.
I also received a Craigslist inquiry from a Dr. Ben Rolland (email address of ben.roll123@gmail.com). I was skeptical on the tone and content of his email so I decided to google his name and discovered this blog. Thanks so much!!!
I got a newbie this time, from a Robert Brown - robertbrown0000@gmail.com :
Hello,
Thanks for the response i am on a trip now,i want you to know
that i won't be around to see the item,i have duly instructed my client to prepare payment to you immmediately your information is recieved.Kindly forward the following information
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
ZIP CODE:
STATE:
TELEPHONE:
You will in a couple of days.I will be expecting your prompt
response.My shipper will come to pick the item as soon as the check clears.
Reply ASAP
GOOD MORNING! I think I am getting involved in this now. I have a 90gal salt water tank with many extras. I got a reply from a Dr. Ben Carlson (email agbokuje11@gmail.com)
here is a copy of our emails.
------------
His 6:01pm on 07.28.09>>
I need you to get back to me asap if this is still available
Dr Carlson
------------
Mine 6:03pm on 07.28.09<<
Its still available. If you want go ahead give me a call. 517.376.1352Thanks again.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----------
On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 3:05 AM, Ben Carlson agbokuje11@gmail.com wrote:
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response to my mail inquiry.I would have loved
to see it but right now i am away in Malta on an account of an health
aid mission organised by the Amerigroup of christian health workers
but i want to make a prompt payment.I may not call you or recieve your's cos i'm
virtually busy all day except for break time and night when i send and
reply messages. But not to worry my secretary will handle the payment
part and i'll make a certified check to you if you dont mind.I will
also add $50 for you to take off the posting off craigslist as a means
of assuring me that you will sell it to me..Furthermore my mover will
be coming over for the pick up as i might not be available for the
pick up myself but am OK with the information from the ad.I will
need the following information details to make payment
1)Your full name to be on the Payment.
2)Your residence address and postal address
.3,Your phone number both land and mobile.4,Your postal code.????
I will really appreciate it buying this from you.So you get me
the required information for your payment to be issued asap.
Thank you.
-----------
Hope this helps somebody as it did me. Thanks Again!!!
-Gary
I have another person to add to your list. He goes by "Larry Collins" and he also has an associate (shipper) whose name is Darmawan Halim
E-mail addresses:
Larry Collins- larrycollins009@live.com
Darmawan Halim- darmawan.halim@yahoo.com
Hope this helps!
Jack
I got two emails from Ben Carlson. First one was sent from agbokuje12@gmail.com
"I want to know if this is still available."
The second email was sent from agbokuje11@gmail.com (note the number change)
"Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response to my mail inquiry.I would have loved
to see it but right now i am away in Malta on an account of an health
aid mission organised by the Amerigroup of christian health workers
but i want to make a prompt payment.I may not call you or recieve your's cos i'm
virtually busy all day except for break time and night when i send and
reply messages. But not to worry my secretary will handle the payment
part and i'll make a certified check to you if you dont mind.I will
also add $50 for you to take off the posting off craigslist as a means
of assuring me that you will sell it to me..Furthermore my mover will
be coming over for the pick up as i might not be available for the
pick up myself but am OK with the information from the ad.I will
need the following information details to make payment
1)Your full name to be on the Payment.
2)Your residence address and postal address
.3,Your phone number both land and mobile.4,Your postal code.????
I will really appreciate it buying this from you.So you get me
the required information for your payment to be issued asap.
Thank you. "
He emailed second email directly to my account without using craigslist.
Got an email from Michael Gegelinkin. Actually I got two of the same emails for both items I had listed.
michealgegelinkin02@gmail.com
Good morning, everyone.
Michael Gegelinkin at michealgegelinkin02@gmail.com is a busy boy! Like Anthony, I received three emails from Michael. All three were very similar or exactly like the ones posted here.
Thank you all for your posts and warnings.
Morrigan
New address to add to the list:
bebest2020@gmail.com
Almost word-for-word as all other e-mails spoken of here...
We'll see how long I can keep this guy working for it...
I got one from "micheal gegelinkin" michealgegelinkin02@gmail.com today. Thank you for this blog. I'm glad I did this search.
Thanks for your blog. I got this email responding to my Craigslist ad for a computer hutch from Micheal Gegelinkin (michealgegelinkin02@gmail.com):
Hello,
Saw your advert on craigslist and would want to make an immediate purchase . I will like you to withdraw the advert from craigslist i dont mind adding an extra $20 for you to take the advert down from craigslist so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the item.I dont have time to come take a look. I will be paying via cashier's check,and it will be over night payment .You don't need to bother your self with the shippment ok,i will take care of that.So i will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check.
1.Your full name
2.Your mailing address be it residential or postal address
3.Your phone number.
i will have my mover come over as soon as you have the check
Have a great day .
I received the same email yesterday from michael gegelinkin. I was selling furniture. Unfortunately I gave him my name, address, and phone#. Things didn't seem right so I googled scams and found out that I had been scammed. I emailed him back and told him I am no longer selling the furniture. What can he do with the info. I gave him? Here are 3 emails he sent to me.
Inquiring about your furniture posted on craigslist.I would like to know if its still available?
Hello,
Saw your advert on craigslist and would want to make an immediate purchase . I will like you to withdraw the advert from craigslist i dont mind adding an extra $20 for you to take the advert down from craigslist so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the item.I dont have time to come take a look. I will be paying via cashier's check,and it will be over night payment .You don't need to bother your self with the shippment ok,i will take care of that.So i will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check.
1.Your full name
2.Your mailing address be it residential or postal address
3.Your phone number.
i will have my mover come over as soon as you have the check
Have a great day .
Hello and how are you today? Thanks for the information payment would be delivered to you in a day or two.Kindly send me an email as soon as you have it.Have a great day.
Same here – got the exact same email from micheal gegelinkin ( michealgegelinkin020@gmail.com ) and the same inquiries also from:
Daniel Peterson ( daniel.peterson06@gmail.com )
Franklin Mall ( franklinmall011@gmail.com )
Dumbasses!
Well thanks for this site! Just received the micheal gegelinkin email and had a strange feeling, typed in his name, and whaddya know. THANK YOU!!!
"Hello,
Saw your advert on craigslist and would want to make an immediate purchase . I will like you to withdraw the advert from craigslist i dont mind adding an extra $20 for you to take the advert down from craigslist so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the item.I dont have time to come take a look. I will be paying via cashier's check,and it will be over night payment .You don't need to bother your self with the shippment ok,i will take care of that.So i will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check.
1.Your full name
2.Your mailing address be it residential or postal address
3.Your phone number.
i will have my mover come over as soon as you have the check
Have a great day . "
I received exact same email from Dr. Ben Rolland, ben.roll123@gmail.
Figured it was fishy
I got the same exact email just yesterday from edwardsmith2040@gmail.com trying to buy our bed.
I just surfed in here after looking for a craigscammers e-mail address. I also found scamwarners.com which seems to do a great job not only with craigscammers but with all sorts of Internet scams ... you need to check out their forums. If you ask a question their 'staff' seem to get back to you very quickly.
I got Ben Rolland last week
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response. I am satisfied with the information provided about it at the craigslist. I will love to make an instant purchase, so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist, I don't mind adding an extra $50 dolls for you to do that so that i can be rest assured that the item is in hand. I will also like you to know that I will be paying via check due to the distance and it will be over nightayment. My secretary in the state will issue the check for the payment. I am presently on a business trip and will be back soon. You don't need to bother your self with the shipment. Ok? My Mover will handle that .So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check. Name, Address and Phone number
Thanks,
Dr.Ben.
and a new fishy one from lydia smith lydiacares@gmail.com.
Dear Seller.
I am interested in buying this item for US $250.00 including the shipping and handling fees and I will like to know if you can ship international and accept PayPal as a means of payment and If you know you can ship international and accept PayPal as a payment, kindly get back to me with your PayPal account so that i can proceed with the payment? i wait to read from you soon for the procedure of the payment.
Thanks,
Succour.
Hope this helps
Got the same email for a Trombone I'm selling: smith coler mm532295@gmail.com
I think I have another new name and address to add to the list
name: Dr. Smith
address:
Smithcoler2600@googlemail.com
i am not sure but it sounds similar ill let you know more when he gets back to me.
Thanks for the help everyone
sorry I didn't get down to the last guy but he has confirmed it at least we all know for sure.
I got an email today in response to an ad for our truck that reads:
Thanks for your response. Consider it sold to me, as i have decided to buy it. I would arrange for check payment immediately and my shipper will come for the pick up after payment.
To hasten up this process. The payment i'm going to issue will exceed your price, you are to deduct yours and have the differences wired to the shipping company through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER . Pleases delete your post from craigslist and reply with your...
Full Name
Phone number
Mailing address
Email address
price
Thanks
Do you agree to wire the differences to my shipper through Western Union after deducting yours???
It's from
mary poole, and her email is poole dot mary671 at gmail dot com
My response was that I won't take the ad down or arrange for delivery of the truck until payment has cleared the bank. Like that's gonna' happen.
FYI, I just posted an item and got a response from Dr Ben Rolland "drb.roll04@gmail.com" - I can't believe this guy is still out there. Thanks so much for this blog!
Hi,
He goes by smith coler [mm532295@gmail.com]. He also claimed to be on a honeymoon. Here is his latest email:
Hello,
how are you hope everything is fine i just want you to understand that i will want this transaction to be completed today so that my mover can come for the pick up cause i will like to schedule how schedule time with my mover and i will want this item to be pick on time so i will advise you to have the money send to my mover as soon as possible you only need all the information i provided for you when sending money via western union money transfer so pls be sure to get back to me with the transfer details you are to deduct the transfer charges out of the funds pls i need your urgent reply so that i will no when my mover should be coming for the pick up
Note that the western union sending fee should be deducted out of the funds you will be sending to my mover after all you will need to get back to me with the western union details to forward to my mover, mover info below:
Reginald Townsend
107 S man street Signal Hill,
CA 90755
Western union details as follow
** Actual Amount send after all deduction **
** Senders Name and Address **
** MTCN Number on the western union receipt **
Thanks very much and i really appreciate your concern about buying this item from you, let me know your schedule for the week so that we can schedule the best time for the pick up,Have a great day ahead of you Regards Smith
He actually sent me an $850 check addressed from a firm in Sacramento which I cashed. The check just bounced.
I am glad I never wired any money to this character. I felt the red flags pretty strongly on this one.. they went away when the check arrived be UPS next day..but then I realized it had to clear and could have been a fake check.
the Morale of the story: always wait for the check to clear the funding bank.
--
Well I am new to Craigslist and I put a furniture item up for sale. My 1st response was from a scammer. His name is Michael Gegelinkin. His email is michaelgegelinkin02@gmail.com. DO NOT conduct business with this person. I am glad he didn't get anything from me. I am on here to warn others.
They make up such great names, but they are obviously in a hurry, or they believe recognizing a name like Harrison Ford will inspire confidence ;-)
Just got the same email from:
Harrison neto harrford.neto567@gmail.com
I too am new to craigslist & am trying to sell 2 pieces of furniture... Here are the e-mails this guy this guy sent me:
1)Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response to my inquiry. I hope it is in a perfect condition as I'm highly interested in it and I am really okay with the pics i saw at craigslist,i will have love to come and take a look my self but i am a very busy man i hope you understand ? due to the distance i will like to make an instant purchase but if there is anything wrong, you can kindly let me know and we can fix things up. I don't mind paying additional $50 for it in order for you to take the ad down from craigslist and also to be assured that it is already mine.I will be paying you with a certified check and it is going to be sent to you via courier service which is going to be mail to you as soon as possible For the payment, I'm going to need your details as follow
**Full name to be on the payment
**Your home or office address which the payment will be delivered to
**And your phone number in order to facilitate the payment asap.
My mover will be coming for the pick up as soon as you have the check cashed, so you don't need to bother your self about the shipping as everything on that is well arranged.
Thanks and I'm waiting to hear from you
2)Hello,
I mail my secretary now about your payment and I want to assure you
that the payment is going to be issued and schedule for mail. This is going to take 2 days to get to you via courier service. So, I want you to get back to me as soon as you receive the payment.My mover will come by as soon as you have the check cashed. I will be glad to hear from you soonest and thanks for the understanding.
Regards.
E-mail used: michealgegelinkin02@gmail.com
Too bad people like this don't use their time to do honest work.
Has anyone heard of this name used in these scams?
meljohnson014@aol.com
Hello ,
Good to read from you and thanks for the details provided. I presume we seal this a deal? I'll contact my secretary so that check will be issued out to you as soon as you confirm this deal .... please i want you to consider the item sold and keep off other interested buyers that would make inquiry cos am ready for it's purchase.
As i've let you know that pick up and mover's fee will be included in your payment, so upon cash of check, you'll make the pick up money payable to the movers and the movers would arrange appropriate time for pick up at your location as i have other properties to be moved so am sending you a total of $2600 so you deduct your cost and send the rest via moneygram or western union to the pick up company so i can forward to them for the confirmation of payment as i also have other properties to be moved alongside your item which the overpayment is meant cover and the cost of postage and Make sure you deduct western union charges from my money. I believe this is based on trust. Thanks for your understanding and also want you to know that i will be very grateful indeed buying this particular item from you. If we have sealed a deal, let me know so i will send the check to the address you mailed.
Regards
Mellisa Johnson
Dexter avenue, Seattle
Here is my contact number 206-350-4784
You should leave a message if i dont pick up and i will get back to you
meljohnson014@aol.com
Hello,
Thanks for the swift response,, just to let you know that am okay with the condition and price of the item, am ready for its purchase and my form of payment will be by sending you Check via UPS next day delivery.
I'll be responsible for the pick-up and the pick up money will be included in your payment to avoid delay and to enable pick up company to schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up at your location after check has been cashed,as i have other properties to be moved alongside with yours.
I would have really love to come for the viewing but due to my work frame that might not be possible,but if you have the pics,might want to have a good look. Please do get back to me with your full name and address including your cell and land number so i can make out payment.
This guy also goes by Michael Alexander. micalex234@gmail.com
ray.zakrzewski114@gmail.com
RAY ZAKRZEWSKI
another name to add
More scammers:
owenlucas50@aol.com
Afolabi Lucas
10 airport road/samunda
Ibadan
Oyo-state
Nigeria
23402
+2347037909846
--------
Benjamin Chrysler benjaminchrysler@yahoo.com
Abiodun Richard
No 110 Dudulewa Road,
Ile-Ife, Osun State,
234036, Nigeria
(234)706-640-7884
12-2-09 I was just contacted by the same scammer -to purchase our Ethan Allen furniture. he identified himself as michael alexander and his return email address is: micalex234@gmail.com
However he FIRST contacted me 2 days ago by a different name and email address:
Ball Joe
balljoe235@gmail.com
BEWARE - SCAMMER!
I got one:
Hello,
I am glad it is still available for sale.I am very much interested in
buying your item and i am ok with the price. I am only able to make
payment by money order at this time b/c i am away on assignment.
Please provide me with your name , address and phone number for
payment. It will take about 7days for payment to get to you. As per
pick-up, I will make arrangement for the pick-up after payment has
been received by you. I don't mind adding thirty dollars so you can
keep it in my favor.Please take the posting off craigslist today and
consider it sold to me. Thanks
Expecting to hear from you soon.
Regards
this from harrford.neto6@gmail.com
This is similar- scam!! It's from
george cartney (gc2680@gmail.com)
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response. I am satisfied with the information provided about it at the craigslist. I will love to make an instant purchase, so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist, I don't mind adding an extra $50 dolls for you to do that so that i can be rest assured that the item is in hand. I will also like you to know that I will be paying via check due to the distance and it will be over night payment. My secretary in the state will issue the check for the payment. I am presently on a business trip and will be back soon. You don't need to bother your self with the shipment. Ok? My Mover will handle that .So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check. Name, Address and Phone number
You have a wonderful Xmas,
George.
Emails from bill00rodriguez@gmail.com
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me. Am trying to set up an
apartment for my brother and i will need your item. So,if there
is anything wrong with it, you let me know. I would have loved to
come and take a look but am presently at a seminar and the ethnics
of my jobs dont not give me much time. On the other hand, my brother
is impaired. So am willing to pay for the item with a certified check.
I don't mind paying an additional cost of $50 for it in order for
you to take the ad down from craigslist. My P.A will send the certified
check to you via courier service once i get your reply for the payment,
I'm going to need
-Full name to be on the payment
-Address which the payment would be delivered to
-And your phone number
I have also informed my mover about the pick up once you might have
cashed the check, so you don't need to bother yourself about the
moving as everything on that is well arranged for.
Regards to your family.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Hello,
My P.A just contacted me that the check has been sent to you but
only to discover that she made a mistake in the payment that has
already been sent to you. She made mailed out the amount that was
suppose to be for the movers to you. She made out the payment of $2500
instead of the actual amount. So have told her not to mail any payment
to my movers. The excess funds would cover the pick up and also the
unpaid transactions that was undertaken by my movers in the past
weeks. So once you have the check,i want you to cash it and deduct the
money for the good plus the extra $50 for taking the ad from
craigslist. The remaining fund should please be sent to my mover
through western union at any of their outlet close to you so that they
can come for the pick up immediately.
Please mail me at once to let me know that I can trust you to have the
money given to my movers.
Just got a similar e-mail for the purchase of my dining set from feyic1@gmail.com thought it was worded kinda funky - thanks for posting this so I'd know for sure it was fake.
I just got a similar message also for a dining set from a Cameron Bogard ....Thanks for this blog to confirm my suspicions!
Hello All. This is all new to me as well, but you can add Bishop Daniele Petterson to the list. All of the e-mails were similiar to the ones I read on here. He sent me a money order for $1,450 dollars and I was selling my dining room set for only $300. I knew it was too good to be true and after speaking with the bank teller who informed me of all the scams that were going on, I decided to google this guy. It turns out that the money order was in fact counterfeit. I told the bank that the money orders were counterfeit and that they can void that transaction from my account. He started calling me frantically asking where the money was and I sent him a nice little e-mail about how he deserves to just be under a jail for his deception.
This is a great blog and I will def spread the news about these scams
owenlucas50@live.com
Another craigslist scammer, offering to overpay for items (electronics, notebooks, computers, etc) on craigslist (by like $150, most likely with a fraudulent credit card via paypal) to ship to Nigeria.
Another one from owenlucas50@live.com , what a shmuck.
roland.duke16@gmail.com is one I just got. . same M.O. ...
roland.duke16@gmail.com
"Thanks for your response to my mail, I hope it is in good condition
like it stated because I have taken a close look at the advert and am
completely satisfied, . I'll want you to remove the advert from web
and consider this item is sold to me, I'll be paying via Certified check
and the check will deliver to you in next two days .So i want to be the
best offer by adding $50 to your money and i hope you will keep
this item for me
Your Full Name
Contact Physical Address not p.o box
City and State with Zip Code
Cell phone number
I will like you to know that you will not be responsible for shipping
i will have my mover to come over as soon as you have the check,and i
will get back to you once my secretary made the payment out to you.
Thanks
"
pls add jefferson davis <jeffersondavisaz12@gmail.com
the message i got was
I'm ok with the price. I would like to send
payment asap. Please let me know if a Check is ok.After my Check
clears. my shipper will come and pick it up at your location. I would
have loved to come and take a look but I can't. My shipper will
though. If you can get back to me with your details I'll get the check
out asap. Need your full name and address,and your telephone number.
owenlucas50@live.com
-----Thanks for the posting... I would have sold to him!!!
This is the new one:
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response. I am satisfied with the information provided about it at the craigslist. I will love to make an instant purchase, so please do withdraw the advert from Craigslist, I don't mind adding an extra $50 dolls for you to do that so that i can be rest assured that the item is in hand. I will also like you to know that I will be paying via check due to the distance and it will be over night payment. My secretary in the state will issue the check for the payment. I am presently on a business trip and will be back soon. You don't need to bother your self with the shipment. Ok? My Mover will handle that .So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check. Name, Address and Phone number
Thanks,
Dr.Ben Rolland
Sent from: drb.roll04@gmail.com
Thanks for this blog.
owenlucas50@aol.com is alive and well and scamming in Washington DC under hte name "tincas chilee"
another to be mindful of is a James Westwood.
both are hitting on me for an expensive painting, using a very creditable facsimile from "paypal" to show receipt of their funds. I just need to reimburse him for the $500 mistake he made in paying ME, instead of the mover.
His mover was
Andrae Heath
8081 Marvin D, Love
Dallas, Texas
75237
USA
This one is from Wichita, KS from bryansmith@sify.com
Thanks for responding, I'm ok with the price. I would like to send
payment asap. Please let me know if a certified check is ok.
After my check clears my shipper will come and pick it up at your
location. I would have loved to come and take a look but I
can't. My shipper will though. If you can get back to me with your
details I'll get the check out asap. Need your full name and address,
and your telephone number.
It just sounded too "official" for a craigslist response and after I read a craiglist ad from an angry seller stating that she wasn't going to respond to emails asking if the item was still available (evidently they do this to get your email address) I decided to google it and found out it's a scam.
Thanks for responding, I'm ok with the price. I would like to send
payment asap. Please let me know if a certified check is ok.
After my check clears my shipper will come and pick it up at your
location. I would have loved to come and take a look but I
can't. My shipper will though. If you can get back to me with your
details I'll get the check out asap. Need your full name and address,
and your telephone number.
This one is from bryansmiths@sify.com, craiglist scammer in Wichita, KS.
I got suspicious after reading another angry seller's post stating that she would not be responding to spammers who asked if her item was available so they could get her to respond so they'd have her email address. Sure enough it was a scammer!
I received a very similar email from "Mike Karner". I obviously refused, thanks for this awesome blog! Here's what he wrote:
I'm happy to know it's still available. Am on business trip right now,but i will instruct that your payment be mailed immediately and am sure you will receive it in the next 5-7 business days. I'm even willing to add $20 extra for you to keep it in my favor and also for the delay.I will be paying via money order. If this is acceptable by you, Send me your info i.e your phone number,full name and street address where the payment will be sent to i will also make arrangement for pick-up which will be after you must have received and cashed the money order.
Awaiting your info
Thanks
Mike
I wanna ad my 2 cents. I recieved this email from daniel.peterson01@gmail.com
it was acutally very specific:
Thanks for the response. I'm buying this item for my Daughter who just graduated in Mannes College The New School for Music has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Check as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $40 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before Friday on 15th of April, 2011... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O.BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone number : (Home or Office and Cell) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
Daniel.
First I got an email from "Dan Pater" that I knew was fake since the email was charleswade002@gmail.com - then I got an inquiry from "Comeau Vandergiessen" which also looks fake.
daniel.peterson01@gmail.com is still very active - rcvd from "him" today: Thanks for the response. I'm buying this item for my Daughter who just graduated in Mannes College The New School for Music has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Check as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $40 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before Friday on 29th of April, 2011... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O.BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone number : (Home or Office and Cell) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
Daniel.
Whatever...
Just got a purchase request from daniel.peterson01. My wife was all excited. Not so much after reading about all the scams.
Wow..... glad I googled "Daniel Peterson scam" and found this blog.
At about 10:45 am got an email from Dan Pater with the email address of charleswade001@gmail.com, which was a basic inquiry about whether I had sold the item I listed on craigslist.
I responded that I still had the item, and if he wanted more pictures or information or wanted to come by and see the item, to let me know.
He then responded with the following email: (his response used the name Daniel Peterson with email address daniel.peterson01@gmail.com)
Thanks for the response. I'm buying this item for my Daughter who just graduated in Mannes College The New School for Music has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Check as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $40 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before Friday on 29th of April, 2011... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O.BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone number : (Home or Office and Cell) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
Daniel.
Exact same email as previous posters. He won't be getting any more responses from me.
Thanks for the response. I'm buying this item for my Daughter who just graduated in Mannes College The New School for Music has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Check as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $40 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before Friday on 29th of April, 2011... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O.BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone number : (Home or Office and Cell) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
Daniel.
Yep, im glad I am smart enough to do research and check things out. I cant believe people still fall for this stuff.
James Westwood is at it again!
"Hello,
I would like to know the condition of this item and is the original
box still available and other accessories? Am buying it for my son in
abroad and i will be paying via paypal,$250 will be added to the cost
of the item as shipping charges via USPS/express mail international,if
you don't have a paypal account you can get an account opened at
www.paypal.com,but if you already have a paypal account,send me your
paypal account or send an invoice via paypal,so that i can have the
fund transferred as soon as possible
Thanks"
Don't fall for this, it a Paypal scam!
Just wanted to add my confirmation to the previously reported daniel.peterson01@gmail.com -- he is an active craigslist scammer still "at large"- he expressed interest in my Yamaha guitar only to reply with the usual tune re: money orders.
Daniel Peterson is still scamming. He used a similar email to all the other Dan Peterson/ Dan Pater emails listed. He used Daniel.Peterson01@gmail.com. He sent me two cashiers checks(Money Gram) way over the amount I asked and then wanted me to wire the "extra" money via western union to some place in California. He said the usual lines of being on vacation and not being able to show up and all sorts of other excuses! What a scam!
I am glad that I found this blog, I was weary to respond to . When I received the first email from Dan Pater, the email address was some one else's name. I thought it was a little strange. When I got the second email that read like this:
"Thanks for the response. I'm buying the item for my Daughter who just graduated in Brooklyn Conservatory Of Music has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Money Order as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $40 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before { Friday on 15th of July }... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O. BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone number : (Home or Office and Cell) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off Craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
Daniel. "
I became very hesitant. First of all, Brooklyn is a LONG ways away from where I live. Second, all the typos and spelling mistakes made me feel as if Daniel didn't know what he was looking for.
I don't mean to ramble, just thanks for this blog. I'll make sure I don't reply.
Here is another scammer email from craigslist.
Daniel Peterson wrote:
Thanks for the response. I'm buying the item for my Son who just graduated in Mannes College The New School For Music has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Money Order as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $40 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before { Friday on 5th of August }... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O. BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone number : (Home or Office and Cell) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off Craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
Daniel.
From: "Daniel Peterson"
Date: Aug 3, 2011 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: 58" television and other electronics - $500 (Stillwater/Marine)
Thanks for the response. I'm buying the item for my Daughter who just graduated in Berklee College of Music has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Money Order as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $50 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before { Friday on 12th of August }... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O. BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone number : ( Home or Office and Cell ) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off Craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
Daniel.
From: Brian Nelson
Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2011 02:07:00 +0100
Hello,
Thanks for the kind response, I am quite satisfied with the condition .I am also interested and I will like to make an instant purchase, so kindly end the advert on Craigslist, I do not mind adding an extra $30 for you to close the advert on craigslist so that I can be rest assured that I am the prospective buyer, I would have loved to come take a look but I am a very busy man I am very sure you understand. I will also want you to know that I will be paying via Certified Check, and it will be sent to you via courier service due to the distance. You don't need to bother about the shipment, as that has been taken care of...... So I will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check.
1. Full Name on the check
2. Address where payment will be sent to
3. City
4. State
5. Zip Code
6. Phone Number
Once again, I will like to remind you that you will not be responsible for shipping as I will have my mover come over as soon as you have cashed the check .
Regards.
I got this today, might want to add him too: daniel.peterson02@gmail.com
this is the mail I received:
Thanks for the response. I am willing to pay your asking price.I will pay by Money Order as its the only way i can pay you at the moment. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $50 so you can keep it in my favor.I would have loved to come take a look at it but i am presently out of town,send me some pictures. Reply with your Full Names , Cell Phone Numbers and Mailing Address where payment will be sent. I will appreciate it if you take the posting off CL today and consider it sold to me. As for the pick-up,it would be handled after you receive your payment.
Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Hey All,
James Westwood tried to get me on an expensive camera listing. THANK YOU FOR POSTING, you promted me to research closer, and upon review of my e-mail I noticed the PayPal discrepancies. It's clearly a bot, I recieved the same auto reply e-mails as well.
Cheers
Thanks for the blog. I just got 2 e-mails from "danielpeterson01@gmail.com." Thanks for confirming it's a scum - I mean scam
Another scam attempt from daniel.peterson01@gmail.com received today. Usual about sending money order
this is the same scammer who goes by Brian, Daniel and bills. He used these email address for scamming me:
zqlcash7@gmail.com, movietms222@googlemail.com,daniel.peterson05@gmail.com.
Thank 'bob' that he, like most scammers are stupid and easily figured out.
from shrpram228@gmail.com
I have the same situation with one called Fred Gammon. He says he lives in Virginia, the phone is listed in Phoenix. Without going into details of our correspondence, the result was a check in a plain no return address envelop from The Los Angeles County Fair Association in Pomona, CA issued on Wells Fargo of San Francisco. I called the Association and after giving the check number, they assured me it was phony. Fred's story has changed - first he says USPS confirmed delivery. I told him they couldn't Then he says his courier delivered the check. Also said the check had cleared (which it hadn't since I did not deposit it.) Finally got instructions to send the money - about $2100. Fred says "I got confirmation from my bank that the funds is available in your account, proceed to your bank tomorrow morning and have the shippers funds cleared out. Here is the shippers information to send the excess funds via MoneyGram Money Transfer :-
Hveem M Carmelita
400 Lake Blvd
Redding, CA 96003
Log on to www.moneygram.com to find the nearest MoneyGram outlet in your area, visit any of their nearest outlet to send the funds and get back to me immediately with the senders full name and address,the 8 digit reference number, the total amount sent after the MoneyGram charges has been deducted, Once you provide me with this details, I will forward it to the shipping co. Once they receive the funds they will prepare and sign all the necessary document for shipment and arrange for a pick-up. proceed with this and and get back to me asap!!! "
After I told him the check bounced, he called me. Couldn't understand much - he is foreign> After about 20 text messages, I finally had his number blocked from my phone
I knew from the get-go it was a scam - I was just trying to get a real address. The above might be good since he would be waiting to get the money,
These guys are all the same. I have a $60000 check for a motorhome I listed. It was on a NYC bank but mailed from England.
Another one - or the same one maybe - I got McDel Maxwell AKA charleswade001@gmail.com
He wanted to buy my guitar, with the usual extra $50 in a cashiers check; and his 'personal assistant' would be handling the details because he was away at a church convention. He wanted all my personal details and all that also - that is the usual MO, along with needing the item shipped and someone else handling all the details. All these ppl do is find the 'mark' - someone else handles getting your money (and sometimes the item in question also) out of you. If you want to have some fun, and learn how this works - play along with them - using fake info of course, keep a record of it, and pass along the info to their local authorities.
Here's a scam email I received today in response to an ad I posted for a wedding dress. Originally it was from samlevis47@gmail.com, but when I hit reply, it went to benjaminworldlink1@gmail.com
On Sat, Mar 10, 2012 at 7:15 PM, benjaminworldlink1@gmail.com wrote:
Thanks for the prompt response to my mail. I will be buying from
you so please kindly withdraw the advert from C.LIST. Please be
informed that i will be paying with a certified check from my Bank it
will be delivered to you via United Parcel Service (UPS), so I'll need
you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check...
Name to be on the payment..........
Home address...........
City..............
State...........
Zip Code..............
Cell phone #................
I will make arrangements for the pick up as soon as you have your
money I am completely satisfied with the advert and the payment will be delivered within 2-3 working days.** I use a hearing impaired phone # and will receive your calls via email ** N.B UPS does not deliver to a P.O box addresses.
Thanks
God bles
Scammer: James Westwood
E-mail: 100cole@gmail.com
Hi,
I'm glad that you still have it,i would like to offer you $450 and i also want to know it condition and do you still have its original box andthe full accessories? I will be paying via paypal and $150 will be added to the payment as postage fee via USPS for my son schooling
abroad. I want you to get back with your paypal email or send a paypal payment invoice to this email so that i can be able to make the payment.
Thanks
Lauren, thank you for your comment. I received the same email from benjaminworldlink1@gmail.com in response to some specialized infant formula I was selling on Craigslist. It looked shady but I'm glad there's someone else on here who can back it up.
Hi,
BEWARE OF EMAILS FROM:
charleswade001@gmail.com
I just want to add that I am selling a few pieces of furniture on Craig's List and red flags went off when Wade Charles offered to send $50 more to "hold" the items and he'd send a check. When I sent him my PO Box, he asked for a more "direct" mailing address.
Here's the emails he sent:
Hi,
I will inform my Assistant to prepare and mail a Cashier Check to your contact address which you will receive within 3 days. I'll add extra $50 for holding the item for me. If this is acceptable by you, Send your details for immedaitely payment i.e your Full Name, Home or Office Address not PO BOX, including your Phone Number so payment can be mail out immediately. I will make arrangement for pick-up after you must have received and cashed the payment.
Please delete the item advert from craigslist with immediate effect, so i can be rest assured that the item are held for me. I will be going on vacation by next week Friday on the 20th of April. I want us to complete the transaction before my vacation date Friday on the 20th of April.
Awaiting your details soon.
Regards.
Wade.
****Then, after I sent my info, including my PO Box, he wrote:
Send me your home of office address so that the payment can be deliver to you directly.
I looked up the email address via Google & my suspicions were correct. THIS WADE CHARLES GUY IS A SCAMMER!!!
One more time, beware of email address:
charleswade001@gmail.com
Hope this helps, sounds like it's the same "Dan Peterson" scammer. Or similar.
Hi,
BEWARE OF EMAILS FROM:
charleswade001@gmail.com
I just want to add that I am selling a few pieces of furniture on Craig's List and red flags went off when Wade Charles offered to send $50 more to "hold" the items and he'd send a check. When I sent him my PO Box, he asked for a more "direct" mailing address.
Here's the emails he sent:
Hi,
I will inform my Assistant to prepare and mail a Cashier Check to your contact address which you will receive within 3 days. I'll add extra $50 for holding the item for me. If this is acceptable by you, Send your details for immedaitely payment i.e your Full Name, Home or Office Address not PO BOX, including your Phone Number so payment can be mail out immediately. I will make arrangement for pick-up after you must have received and cashed the payment.
Please delete the item advert from craigslist with immediate effect, so i can be rest assured that the item are held for me. I will be going on vacation by next week Friday on the 20th of April. I want us to complete the transaction before my vacation date Friday on the 20th of April.
Awaiting your details soon.
Regards.
Wade.
****Then, after I sent my info, including my PO Box, he wrote:
Send me your home of office address so that the payment can be deliver to you directly.
I looked up the email address via Google & my suspicions were correct. THIS WADE CHARLES GUY IS A SCAMMER!!!
One more time, beware of email address:
charleswade001@gmail.com
Hope this helps, sounds like it's the same "Dan Peterson" scammer. Or similar.
I am selling a Violin via Cleveland Craigslist and have gotten three or four scammer about this item in the last five months. I just found this blog about scammers and will add my encounter with the others.
The first email I received on May 6, 2012 was from, Mattingly Scott who signed his email as Wade.
Mattingly Scott
pavenkrix567@gmail.com
IS THIS ITEM STILL FOR SALE?
MY NAME IS WADE.
I responded back that yes it is still for sale.
The second email I received on May 7, 2012 was from Wade Charles.
Wade Charles
charleswade001@gmail.com
Thanks for the response. I'm buying this item for my Daughter who just graduated in Tyler Junior College has a gift. I am willing to pay your asking price. I am paying by Money Order as it's the only way i can pay you at this moment. I will inform my Assistant to prepare and mail a Money Order to your contact address which you will receive within 3 days. I will make arrangement for the pickup after payment have been received by you. I don't mind adding an extra $40 so you can keep it in my favor. I would have loved to come take a look at it but am still on vacation and i want to complete this transaction before Friday on 18th of May, 2012... Reply with your Full Name, Address not P.O. BOX, City, States, Zip/Postal Code, Cell Phone Number : ( Home or Office and Cell ) where payment will be sent. I will let you know how i intend to pick it up. Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me. Expecting to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards.
Thanks.
I do find it rather funny that the post just before this one is about the same spammer. He seems to have been a busy boy this week.
A new scammer name and email for the list.
Their IP came back from Ireland and wanted to buy an item from Ohio.
Stacy McClendon
12804glenview@gmail.com
I am ready to purchase it asap.I anticipate that I'll have a Certified
Check issued out to you from my bank.I'm in no rush with you till
fund's are cleared in your bank which takes only a day. You do not
have to bother yourself about the shipping because I'll instruct a
Shipping Co Agent to come for pick up at your door,when you must have
gotten your cash at hand.
Kindly e-mail me back with your physical address such as :
Name,
Address (NOT P.o.box)
City, State, Zip-code,
Phone Number.
I will be sending the Certified Check via FedEx Express Mail Delivery
so please send me the info to send the check today and delete the
posting (advert) asap.
Thanks
This guy is still around. I just got an email from him asking to buy my items. I reported it to google as a phishing email (oh well) and gmail whisked it away so I can't copy and paste the text. It was very similar to what you've been getting "I'm in New York for two months" "I'll send you an official bank check to cover the cost of the item and the shipping" cash the check, send money to the accountant, and the 'mover' will come pick it up.
I hope there is no such person as the 'mover,' I shudder to think who that person might be.
He used email addresses like janetj91@gmail.com and owomark1@gmail.com
He claimed to be Robert Brown
Oh hey! I do have his emails! cool. Here it is:
The first email: (from janetj91@gmail.com)
--
Hello, do you still have this? When can I come check it out? Shoot me
an email back as soon as possible pls I'm speech disabled though,
remember to leave your name and email address when you
email back.
PS: - You can just reply this email, I'm always with my computer.
Robert
His second email: (from owomark1@gmail.com
Thanks for writing back...but I'm sorry I won't be able to come see it
anymore, embarking on a 2 month business trip to New York tomorrow
morning,I was gonna be coming to your town that got changed but I
still want it anyway,getting it for my cousin for her birthday. If
you could sell it to me when I get to New York I will mail you a bank
official check in excess to cover the cost of the shipping to where it
will be needed for you to cash and deduct funds for you item as well.
Note : My shipper/mover would handle the pick up and delivery so it
doesn't stress you after you've cashed the payment deduct and send the
remaining funds to there accountant. I really need this, quite
important and urgent. I will be more than glad if it can be sold to
me. Email me back with a name, address and your phone number for the
check, write back soon. Thank you
Robert
From: jake bank
Date: Fri 6/15/12 1:50 PM
--
Do you still have the item available for sale and how is the present condition, Keep me updated as i want it sooner.
Thanks
206-350-6223
I was almost scammed but thankx to this post I was able to avoid it!!! Thankx guys!!!
hrmcenter001001@gmail.com
Show details
Thanks for getting back to me,I want the item as soon as possible and I appreciate it and just to let you know; I'm okay with the condition, the price and I'm ready for the purchase plus I'm willing to add an extra $20 so as to have it reserved in my favor. I would have really loved to come for the inspection but due to my work frame it just won't fit in my schedule but more pictures will be deeply appreciated. My mode of payment will be by certified check which will clear within 24 to 48 hours and it will be send via courier service which will be delivered to you between 1-3days. I'll be responsible for the pick-up besides the movers/pick up money will be included with your payment so as to avoid delay and to enable movers to schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up at your location after the check is been cashed as I have other properties to be moved alongside yours. Kindly get back to me with your full name, mailing address and phone number so as to make out the payment to you ASAP. Kind Regards
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Well it looks like this scum bag is at it again, I am trying to sale my Wedding Dress and he wrote this to me today, thank you so much for starting this blog or else who knows what could have happened....I am going to report this to the police....notice the new name and gmail account....
On Jun 29, 2012 10:55 AM, "Alex Podolski" wrote:
Hi, I will inform my Assistant to prepare and mail a Check or Money Order to your contact address which you will receive within 3 days. I'll add extra $50 for holding the item for me. If this is acceptable by you, Send your details for immediately payment i.e your Full Name, Home or Office Address not PO BOX, including your Phone Number so payment can be mail out immediately. I will make arrangement for pick-up after you must have received and cashed the payment. Please delete the item advert from Craigslist with immediate effect, so i can be rest assured that the item are held for me. Awaiting your details soon. Thanks.
I just got the same e-mail about a whirlpool bath...
cliff morgan
--
Do you still have the item available for sale and how is the present condition, Keep me updated as i want it sooner.
Thanks
206-350-6223
To: hrmcenter001001@gmail.com
glad I googled this person's e-mail address! Here's their original email, which was signed Robert but my Gmail listed the sender as Fred Adigun adigunfred18@gmail.com
"Hello, do you still have this? When can I come check it out? Shoot me
an email back as soon as possible pls I'm speech
disabled though, remember to leave your name and email address when
you email back.
PS: - You can just reply this email, I'm always with my computer.
Robert"
Second e-mail was in fact from Robert Brown (owomark1@gmail.com):
"Thanks for writing back...but I'm sorry I won't be able to come see it
anymore, embarking on a 2 month business trip to New York tomorrow
morning,I was gonna be coming to your town that got changed but I
still want it anyway,getting it for my cousin for her birthday. If
you could sell it to me when I get to New York I will mail you a bank
official check in excess to cover the cost of the shipping to where it
will be needed for you to cash and deduct funds for you item as well.
Note : My shipper/mover would handle the pick up and delivery so it
doesn't stress you after you've cashed the payment deduct and send the
remaining funds to there accountant. I really need this, quite
important and urgent. I will be more than glad if it can be sold to
me. Email me back with a name, address and your phone number for the
check, write back soon. Thank you"
whattheheck.
Awesome.... Message originally sent from doneric2012@gmail.com concerning items on CL I had for sale.
When confirmed that the items were still available for sale, a response from hrmcenter001001@gmail.com came over:
Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it and just to let you know; I'm okay with the condition, the price and I'm ready for the purchase plus I'm willing to add an extra $20 so as to have it reserved in my favor. I would have really loved to come for the inspection but due to my work frame it just won't fit in my schedule but more pictures will be deeply appreciated. My mode of payment will be by certified check which will clear within 24 to 48 hours and it will be send via courier service which will be delivered to you between 1-3days. I'll be responsible for the pick-up besides the movers/pick up money will be included with your payment so as to avoid delay and to enable movers to schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up at your location after the check is been cashed as I have other properties to be moved alongside yours. Kindly get back to me with your full name, mailing address and phone number so as to make out the payment to you ASAP.
Kind Regards
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
I googled the hrmcenter001001@gmail.com e-mail address and came across this post...
Nice post highlighting the scammers out there.
Thanks!
Regarding the post Paul Francis left: I received the EXACT same from the
hrmcenter001001@gmail.com
BUT the original message was from
acejake16@gmail.com
Thanks for posting all this!!!!
regarding the Paul Francis post: I too received the same exact message from hrmcenter001001@gmail.com. The original email came from an Eric Morgan - doneric2012@gmail.com. Glad I looked this up before going any further with this scammer.
-Glad I googled the phone number in the response.
Don't bother with anything with the reply to address set to hrmcenter001001@gmail.com
Based on previous comments:
One guy makes up a bunch of legit sounding "from" email addresses with various names and then sets the reply to a common account, hrmcenter001001@gmail.com.
from: george davidson dharvidson@gmail.com via craigslist.org
reply-to: hrmcenter001001@gmail.com
Hello,
I guess you still have this item available. Please shoot me an email as am highly interested in the item.
Thanks.
206-350-6223
i got an email from this guy:
James <100cole@gmail.com>
i responded to him with my phone number and address (although not unit number) and my full name is in my email address.
i didn't give him any other information except about my piece i listed. what can he do with the above information? should i be nervous? is there something i can do?
thanks, m
And another one: Daniel Harricson his email address is d.blingson@gmail.com
Unfortunately I sent him my information but quickly responded to it after having a gut feeling that something was not right. His email is an exact replica of a few that have been posted here. Thanks to those who posted it saved me a lot of headache.
Just received this email in response to a bed set we are selling: Hello,
I guess you still have this item available. Please shoot me an email as am highly intrested in the item.
Thanks.
206-350-6223
THANKS TO THIS BLOG - you saved us from becoming another victim of this scammer!
This blog saved us from becoming another victim of this scammer - thank you -
Received this message:
Hello,
I guess you still have this item available. Please shoot me an email as am highly intrested in the item.
Thanks.
206-350-6223
Thanks Lauren C. re /benjaminworldlink1. He's still active on 11/29/12. Apparently the scammer thinks if you add
"Sent from my HTC One™ X, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone"
it makes him look more legit. Original email came from isabelgvw@gmail.com .
I got scam emails from:
benjaminworldlink1@gmail.com (same email as posted above)
and "Idella Curry" tunykorypykova@hotmail.com (this one asked me to go on a web site and give my credit report!)
Is there any way to track these people? Can we find their true ID? It occurs to me that the person showing up would be the one issuing the bad checks (using a false name). We could set a trap for these guys, accept their bank checks, wait for their "mover" (certainly the same person who wrote the bad check) and have local law enforcement waiting for them.
I'm so glad I found this GARY BISHOP just sent me exact same message on my speakers, they are bad.
12804glenview@gmail.com Stacy McClendon This person sounds just like so many of the other posts on this website. Saying she would send a certified check to pay for a playhouse and then have a moving company agent pick it up. BALONEY!
What we all need to do IS respond to these people and lead them to believe they are fooling us. The idea is to keep them busy so that they don't have time to bother others.
I give them a fake address and tell them I cashed their checks etc. Kinda fun fooling these people and wasting there time and getting their hopes up. lol
What we all need to do IS respond to these people and lead them to believe they are fooling us. The idea is to keep them busy so that they don't have time to bother others.
I give them a fake address and tell them I cashed their checks etc. Kinda fun fooling these people and wasting there time and getting their hopes up. lol
What we all need to do IS respond to these people and lead them to believe they are fooling us. The idea is to keep them busy so that they don't have time to bother others.
I give them a fake address and tell them I cashed their checks etc. Kinda fun fooling these people and wasting there time and getting their hopes up. lol
Hello everybody and thank you for this information. I got a similar email:
From:
benjaminworldlink1@gmail.com
Thanks for the prompt response to my mail. I will be buying from you so please kindly withdraw the advert from C.LIST, Please be informed that i will be paying with a certified check from my Bank it will be delivered to you via United Parcel Service (UPS), so I'll need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check...
Name to be on the payment...........
Home address...........
City..............
State...........
Zip Code..............
Cell phone #................
LAST PRICE OF THE ITEM......
I will make arrangements for the pick up as soon as you have your money I am completely satisfied with the advert and the payment will be delivered within 2-3 working days.** I use a hearing impaired phone # and will receive your calls via email **N.B UPS does not deliver to a P.O box addresses.
Thanks
God bless
The original inquiry came from a different email address... zoehvh@gmail.com.
I've had a couple scammers on my truck and car sales... I have 5 emaiil addresses to watch for
Ben.ben.Alex91@gmail.com
Ste020mer@gmail.com
Ben.price360@gnail.com
Jballx3@gmail.com
Paulpobx3@gmail.com
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