Is this a scam? at DVinfo.net

Brian Luce · February 24th, 2009, 02:17 PM

I answered an ad on craigslist and the seller, instead of being local was in Europe. He said we'd use the following procedure for the transaction:

About the procedure, things are pretty simple. First I go to Royal Mail with the item and start the delivery procedure. After I give them the item for you, Royal Mail will send you a notification to let you know the process has been initiated, and that they have the item for you. Also, in the notification they will send you clear instructions on how to make the payment to Royal Mail, to the Royal Mail agent's name. After you complete your payment, then you will notify Royal Mail, they will collect the payment and once they have your payment, then they will deliver the item to you asap. Delivery time is 2 days. After you receive the item you will have 5 days (i think it's enough) to test it to see if it is as I said, also to see that everything is in good order and then if you are satisfied with the items, then you will instruct Royal Mail to release the payment.

I will support the shipping and handling charges that are almost $175.00 USD. And you will support the fee to send the money to the Royal Mail company. Fee that is almost $95.00 USD. So the total estimated price that you will pay for it is $1,395.00 USD.

So if you want to make this happen please provide me your full name and shipping address.

Chris Davis · February 24th, 2009, 02:56 PM

That's how an escrow service works. Do some research on your own and see if Royal Mail indeed offers that service.

Maybe it's legit or maybe not, but personally, I would never do this. Too many opportunities for scams.

BTW, did the seller represent themselves in the ad as being local? If so, then they initiated this offer with subterfuge, which never bodes well.

Adam Gold · February 24th, 2009, 02:58 PM

I was just going to say the same thing. It might be legit, but why take the risk? I wouldn't. But do check with Royal mail to see if it is.

But surely there must be another way to get the equipment you need locally. And if this is a camcorder, are you sure it's NTSC and not PAL?

The seller isn't a Nigerian Prince, is he?

Andy Mace · February 24th, 2009, 02:58 PM

run away!

That is typical of a craigs list scam.

Brian Luce · February 24th, 2009, 03:16 PM

The thing that's weird is that the seller is in Italy and he wants to use Royal Mail, I assume that's the USPS of the UK? Makes no sense. I'll run away. It's just a laptop.

Dylan Couper · February 24th, 2009, 05:09 PM

If in doubt, run away!

Steve House · February 24th, 2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

I answered an ad on craigslist and the seller, instead of being local was in Europe. He said we'd use the following procedure for the transaction:

About the procedure, things are pretty simple. First I go to Royal Mail with the item and start the delivery procedure. After I give them the item for you, Royal Mail will send you a notification to let you know the process has been initiated, and that they have the item for you. Also, in the notification they will send you clear instructions on how to make the payment to Royal Mail, to the Royal Mail agent's name. After you complete your payment, then you will notify Royal Mail, they will collect the payment and once they have your payment, then they will deliver the item to you asap. Delivery time is 2 days. After you receive the item you will have 5 days (i think it's enough) to test it to see if it is as I said, also to see that everything is in good order and then if you are satisfied with the items, then you will instruct Royal Mail to release the payment.

I will support the shipping and handling charges that are almost $175.00 USD. And you will support the fee to send the money to the Royal Mail company. Fee that is almost $95.00 USD. So the total estimated price that you will pay for it is $1,395.00 USD.

So if you want to make this happen please provide me your full name and shipping address.

Email the seller and tell him you just learned you have a location shoot in Italy in a couple of weeks and ask if you can pick up the item in person - see what he says.

Corey Williams · February 24th, 2009, 08:26 PM

Do a search in other cities on craigslist and I'm sure you'll find the same ad. I feel that this is a remixed version of the Nigerian scam. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/taking-ca...-scamming.html

Kim Swift · February 24th, 2009, 10:07 PM

100% - it IS a scam. Cease communications with him ASAP.

Bryan Daugherty · February 24th, 2009, 10:36 PM

Definitely a scam! Run away and be glad you asked first...

Brian Luce · February 26th, 2009, 10:53 AM

UPDATE:

This is definitely a scam. I know for sure now. It's a Macbook Pro listed in for $1300. Here's the ad again. Buyer beware.

About the procedure, things are pretty simple. First I go to Royal Mail with the item and start the delivery procedure. After I give them the item for you, Royal Mail will send you a notification to let you know the process has been initiated, and that they have the item for you. Also, in the notification they will send you clear instructions on how to make the payment to Royal Mail, to the Royal Mail agent's name. After you complete your payment, then you will notify Royal Mail, they will collect the payment and once they have your payment, then they will deliver the item to you asap. Delivery time is 2 days. After you receive the item you will have 5 days (i think it's enough) to test it to see if it is as I said, also to see that everything is in good order and then if you are satisfied with the items, then you will instruct Royal Mail to release the payment.

I will support the shipping and handling charges that are almost $175.00 USD. And you will support the fee to send the money to the Royal Mail company. Fee that is almost $95.00 USD. So the total estimated price that you will pay for it is $1,395.00 USD.

So if you want to make this happen please provide me your full name and shipping address.

Hubert Duijzer · February 26th, 2009, 02:18 PM

Nigerian scam, it is well known in europe. They even use it for sellers, providing a look-a-like fake paypal service.

February 24th, 2009, 02:17 PM	#1
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Is this a scam? I answered an ad on craigslist and the seller, instead of being local was in Europe. He said we'd use the following procedure for the transaction: About the procedure, things are pretty simple. First I go to Royal Mail with the item and start the delivery procedure. After I give them the item for you, Royal Mail will send you a notification to let you know the process has been initiated, and that they have the item for you. Also, in the notification they will send you clear instructions on how to make the payment to Royal Mail, to the Royal Mail agent's name. After you complete your payment, then you will notify Royal Mail, they will collect the payment and once they have your payment, then they will deliver the item to you asap. Delivery time is 2 days. After you receive the item you will have 5 days (i think it's enough) to test it to see if it is as I said, also to see that everything is in good order and then if you are satisfied with the items, then you will instruct Royal Mail to release the payment. I will support the shipping and handling charges that are almost $175.00 USD. And you will support the fee to send the money to the Royal Mail company. Fee that is almost $95.00 USD. So the total estimated price that you will pay for it is $1,395.00 USD. So if you want to make this happen please provide me your full name and shipping address.

February 24th, 2009, 05:09 PM	#6
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	If in doubt, run away! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

February 24th, 2009, 08:26 PM	#8
Corey Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: McKinney,TX/New Orleans, LA Posts: 104	Do a search in other cities on craigslist and I'm sure you'll find the same ad. I feel that this is a remixed version of the Nigerian scam. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/taking-ca...-scamming.html Last edited by Pete Bauer; February 24th, 2009 at 09:17 PM. Reason: Totally left field slur

February 24th, 2009, 10:36 PM	#10
Bryan Daugherty Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lexington, Ky - USA Posts: 552	Definitely a scam! Run away and be glad you asked first... __________________ 3x-HD1000u - Ikan 8000HD- custom i7 PC - Vegas Pro 13 and 11 64 bit - Premiere Pro CS4 - and a whole mess of other equipment...

February 24th, 2009, 02:56 PM	#2
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	That's how an escrow service works. Do some research on your own and see if Royal Mail indeed offers that service. Maybe it's legit or maybe not, but personally, I would never do this. Too many opportunities for scams. BTW, did the seller represent themselves in the ad as being local? If so, then they initiated this offer with subterfuge, which never bodes well.

February 24th, 2009, 02:58 PM	#3
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	I was just going to say the same thing. It might be legit, but why take the risk? I wouldn't. But do check with Royal mail to see if it is. But surely there must be another way to get the equipment you need locally. And if this is a camcorder, are you sure it's NTSC and not PAL? The seller isn't a Nigerian Prince, is he?

February 24th, 2009, 02:58 PM	#4
Andy Mace Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 39	run away! That is typical of a craigs list scam.

February 24th, 2009, 03:16 PM	#5
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	The thing that's weird is that the seller is in Italy and he wants to use Royal Mail, I assume that's the USPS of the UK? Makes no sense. I'll run away. It's just a laptop.

February 24th, 2009, 10:07 PM	#9
Kim Swift Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 59	100% - it IS a scam. Cease communications with him ASAP.

February 26th, 2009, 10:53 AM	#11
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	UPDATE: This is definitely a scam. I know for sure now. It's a Macbook Pro listed in for $1300. Here's the ad again. Buyer beware. About the procedure, things are pretty simple. First I go to Royal Mail with the item and start the delivery procedure. After I give them the item for you, Royal Mail will send you a notification to let you know the process has been initiated, and that they have the item for you. Also, in the notification they will send you clear instructions on how to make the payment to Royal Mail, to the Royal Mail agent's name. After you complete your payment, then you will notify Royal Mail, they will collect the payment and once they have your payment, then they will deliver the item to you asap. Delivery time is 2 days. After you receive the item you will have 5 days (i think it's enough) to test it to see if it is as I said, also to see that everything is in good order and then if you are satisfied with the items, then you will instruct Royal Mail to release the payment. I will support the shipping and handling charges that are almost $175.00 USD. And you will support the fee to send the money to the Royal Mail company. Fee that is almost $95.00 USD. So the total estimated price that you will pay for it is $1,395.00 USD. So if you want to make this happen please provide me your full name and shipping address.

February 26th, 2009, 02:18 PM	#12
Hubert Duijzer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 177	Nigerian scam, it is well known in europe. They even use it for sellers, providing a look-a-like fake paypal service.