Selling gear? READ THIS!

[scottaffi 0]

I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them....I have a rig for sale (advertised here and in Skydiving Mag.), I've received 2 emails from people that live outside the USA wanting to buy the gear. They want me to accept a check, deduct the cost of the rig, then mail them the balance. Sounds a little fishy if you asked me. If you've had the same problem or have any ideas as to why these people are doing this please respond. Blue Skies!!

[AggieDave 6]

This does sound like a nice way to launder money...hmmmm

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[MrHixxx 0]

There have been a lot of scams like this coming out of Nigeria. I had a similar experience with selling a motorcycle this summer.

-Hixxx

death,as men call him, ends what they call men
-but beauty is more now than dying’s when

[skycat 0]

I sold a canopy to a guy in Latvia about 2 years ago. I would only ship it after he wired the money to my account. I had no problem doing it that way.

Fly it like you stole it!

[scottaffi 0]

This is why it sounds fishy....I'm asking $1500 for the rig. One guy wanted to write me a check for $7500 and the other $8750.

[AntiPinkChrissy 0]

I am dealing with a guy from Nigeria too who would like to buy my gear. So I am guessing this is all too good to be true. Or I should require a wire transfer?

~La La Gang Member #2~

[rigging65 0]

We got screwed twice with deals in Russia. Not the same set up, rather with stolen CC numbers. We took it in the shorts on that one.

I would suggest wire transfer.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[Mattbs4e 0]

Quote

This is why it sounds fishy....I'm asking $1500 for the rig. One guy wanted to write me a check for $7500 and the other $8750.

I used to work in a bank and those numbers sound VERY fishy. Namely because it is common knowledge that anything over $10,000 brings up a red flag to the IRS, and it looks like they're trying to avoid that limit. Most people don't know though, that anything over $3000 is also reviewed, especially internationally or in cash. You wouldn't neccessarily be responsible for whatever they are doing, but you could be questioned. If I were you, I would either ask for more money, like $3000 from them, since you're basically doing them a favor. Or just plain don't do it.

[AntiPinkChrissy 0]

Just an update for everyone. I just got an e-mail from this guy from Nigeria that I have been corresponding with that was interested in my gear. I told him I need a wire transfer instead of a check and his reply was:

"I called my client and there are complications in doing a wire transfer.Any way since you are uncomfortable with the idea,I will tell my client not to bother."

The guys e-mail is TonyBrown20032000@yahoo.com for those of you who are trying to sell gear, in case you get an e-mail from him.

There is definately something not right with what he is trying to do.
THANK YOU THANK YOU for the original post. I knew it was all too good to be true, but just didn't want to admit it.

~La La Gang Member #2~

[apoil 0]

Quote

I am dealing with a guy from Nigeria too who would like to buy my gear. So I am guessing this is all too good to be true. Or I should require a wire transfer?

Nigeria = Scam.

If it seems too good to be true it's because it is.

They write you the check, it clears, you send them the extra money.
Then the check bounces.
This can happen with international transactions.

[scottaffi 0]

I posted this on "General Skydiving Discussions" also....view those comments also!

[nacmacfeegle 0]

When I have wire transferred money from teh US to my UK accounts I have had to give teh bank details of eth target account.
I don't know if this is an entirely good idea if you don't know the person you are about to give your bank details to.

Can you do anything with Paypal, or something?

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[scottaffi 0]

Updated my post on General Skydiving Discussions with the names and email addresses of the guys that contacted me. Please look there for more details.

[riddler 0]

http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/

Some quotes from the page:

Quote

The Nigerian Scam is, according to published reports, the Third to Fifth largest industry in Nigeria.

Quote

1. NEVER pay anything up front for ANY reason.
2. NEVER extend credit for ANY reason.
3. NEVER do ANYTHING until their check clears.
4. NEVER expect ANY help from the Nigerian Government.
5. NEVER rely on YOUR Government to bail you out.

It used to be about phone calls, faxes and spam. Over the last few months, they have been finding ways to try to dupe people out of personal property as well.

[kevin922 0]

Quote

I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them....I have a rig for sale (advertised here and in Skydiving Mag.), I've received 2 emails from people that live outside the USA wanting to buy the gear. They want me to accept a check, deduct the cost of the rig, then mail them the balance. Sounds a little fishy if you asked me. If you've had the same problem or have any ideas as to why these people are doing this please respond. Blue Skies!!

If you want to feel good about catching someone, have them send you the check and contact the FBI. There is a 98% chance this is a scam, as i heard the EXACT same thing going on here but with vehicle purchases. The check will bounce - they are hoping you won't wait till the check goes through to send them the money. AND they will get your rig.

FBI may want to setup a sting operation, they did it before with someone else who caught the scam before they went through with it.

Kevin

[kmcguffee 0]

This is probably what they are doing. The check is no good. You will cash it, get the money, send them the money then it will bounce. It will take a while for it to hit their account and for you to find out. They will have the cash and be on their way. The account is probably in a fake name and a forged ID.

Their are a lot of these scams going on. Guys will open two accounts at separate banks, put some money in one account then write checks on that account to the other account. The checks will be deposited in one account before it is withdrawn from the other. They will withdraw their money from both accounts before the bank can withdraw any money. They are using the bank lag time to make money. All of this is done with forged IDs, stolen SSNs, etc.

PM me the specifics if you want to report this. I can get it to the right people.

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

[scottaffi 0]

I did contact the FBI and got a response within 24 hours. Read about it on the General Skydiving Discussion forum (same title "Selling gear...read this)