SCAM!

I love scam artists! Here are a bunch of creative people looking for Americas dumbest characters. There's a sucker born everyday.

I occasionally get bored sitting here and venture out onto craigslist specifically looking for scammers. I went to the cars for sale forum and did a search for Acura. I have an Acura so figured I'd kill two birds with 1 stone. I could see what "real" people are asking for my year car as well as see who is trying to scam who. I immediately stumbled upon a beautiful Acura MDX for a price that was absolutely too good to be true. I emailed the guy figuring he's going to tell me that he would have the car delivered to my doorstep for 1/2 the payment and of course the other 1/2 due upon my satisfaction. See how these people work? They prey on others greed.

The craigslist article is for a 1997 Acura MDX for a bargain! A very believable story and photo's were behind the ad. I sent an email, short, sweet, and very specific.

"Where are you located and can I come take a look at it?"

That's my entire email.

Here is the reply:

"Hello,
My name is Chris Jensen, owner of the 2007 Acura MDX Sport from Craigslist. I have been very busy lately with some business travels so I just read your email. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience and let me know if you're still interested in purchasing my car, because it's still for sale.

As payment method we can use eBay purchase protection program.This means that I will not have any money until you will receive and inspect the car. I'm sure you'll love it the day you'll get it.

Thank you for your time."

This person gives way too much information then tries to forward me to ebay. This is the first indication that this is fraudulent. But there is a sucker born every day and someone will lose their hard earned money.

I responded with, "How about we meet up and I inspect the car in front of you and decide if I want it from there. Face to Face. I have cash.".

Naturally, I haven't heard back from him. Once you tell the scammer that you will only do business face to face, you'll never hear from them again.

Today, being the photography enthusiast I am, I went to Craigs list (where I purchase 99% of all of my photography equipment from) and noticed an ad for a $5000.00 Nikon D3 for just $2000.00. This baby comes with accessories too! What a great deal, right!!! So lets play with this guy. I sent him an email saying, "sold yet? I"ll take it".

Like "Chris Jenson" up above, "bahomes71" is out of the country on business. Here is his email reply to me only 2 minutes after I sent him my email telling him I'd take it.

"It's availableI'm in Toronto now (relocated for work) but express shipping is included in the price. UPS or FedEx, you'd get the camera in two days and insurance/tracking is also included.If you use eBay I'd like to do it that way, so we're both protected and can exchange feedback laterI just need your name and eBay ID, once I set it up with eBay they'll confirm it with you and then we're good to go, and you'll be fully covered by them. Even if you don't use eBay I can set it up with them.My eBay ID is colordrives so you can check my feedbackIt will be set up for WU payment which is instant so I can ship same day.Just go to http://www.westernunion.com/info/agentInquiryIntl.asp and find their agent close to you Let me know when you do that and I can send you all details and instructionsPS. Half would be due before shipping and the rest after you get it (I'll ship it overnight)."

Not only are we using Ebay but he wants me to wire money via western union. I'm going to reply to him now with something positive. Let's see if we can go all the way with this guy. I'll post his replys as I receive them! I just sent him another email that reads:

"Ohhh goody goody gumdrops!!!!! God bless you. I have been waiting for a wonderful deal like this for our church. Since I am the Pastor, I am the approver of transactions just like this one! We're both in luck because you make the quick sale and feel good about selling for such a nice price to our church!

Please just let me know how and where to send the money for the western union. I have the link already! This is a wonderful day, God bless you! I don't know too much about ebay so I can just western union the money as long as you promise to ship it as soon as you get the money!

Thank you and god bless!"

Just so you know... I believe in GOD about as much as I believe I can get this camera for $2000.00. But it's all good!