Potential Scam......please be careful!!

(greenthumb) · (greenthumb) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 12-07-2004, 5:28 AM

First things first. For all of the legitimate responses I have received from my add regarding my barefoot boom and wakeboard for sale in the classifides are very much appreciated.

Right now I have an add in the classifieds on Wakeworld trying to sell my barefoot boom and a used wakeboard. I received an email in which the potential buyer told me he was interested in purchasing both of the items. In his first email to me, he inquired about the condition of both items for sale, and a quick response. I wrote back to him that day and provided all of the details he was searching for. The next day I received another email from the potential buy thanking me for my quick response and this is where things got a little strange. He told me he wanted to purchase both items but I was requested to delete the thread and items from the classifieds on Wakeworld as soon as possible. He then said that he had his own reputable shipper that normally ships all of his goods so shipping would not be a problem. He told me that he would be paying by check, which would be a US bank cashiers check and that he would instruct his business partner to send me a check of $2,500.00. He told me to forward the remaining amount of the check to the person who would be picking up the goods. He then asks me "Should I trust you with the excess amount of money?" He concluded by asking how honest I was and what my religious beliefs are (I'm not kidding) and to extend his warmest wishes to me and my family.

I have heard of similar scams on the net before, but never once thought I would be the target of such a scam. Has there been anyone else who has ever tried to sell something either on Wakeworld or anywhere for that matter who has ran into the same type of scam?

(wakejunky) · (wakejunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 12-07-2004, 6:01 AM

NOT potential...IS a scam.
Also known as the Nigerian scam or scam 419. Look up MUGU and you'll know what I mean.

Chris
Get the Grip you Deserve
www.wakejunky.com

(nauty) · (nauty) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 12-07-2004, 7:06 AM

Was the name on the e-mail Richard Mill?

I just got an e-mail from this guy about my boat for sale in the classifieds and it is identical to the one you got.

I traced his e-mail address back to a provider in India. I sent Mr. Mill a nice reply telling him what he could do with his scam. Interestingly enough, the day after I sent my reply I got an e-mail from another guy in the states, although a few states away from me. He was wanting to see my boat right away and wanted my address. I wrote him back telling him I would meet him at a local area lake (not giving him my address). I have not heard back from him?

These scams are really starting to piss me off! I hope that anyone who geniunely wants to see my boat isn't too offended if they see me packing some heat when taking them out for a test drive. Who would have thought that selling a boat could be dangerous?

(greenthumb) · (greenthumb) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 12-07-2004, 8:05 AM

Yes it was Richard Mill....and I also sent him a reply saying the same.

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 12-07-2004, 9:21 AM

i got the e-mail about my boat too. of course i recognized the scam right away, and I said I'd sell my boat for one million dollars. never heard back from them.

(kenv) · (kenv) **Join Date: May 2002** 12-07-2004, 9:57 AM

This same scam has been around for awhile. There are several web site's out there where people have retailated aganist the scammers by going along with them for awhile. They are really funny to read. Daniel, this is no big deal. It is one of the many. Just use your common sense

(jwat142) · (jwat142) **Join Date: Jan 2002** 12-07-2004, 5:33 PM

I got the same exact email regarding my CWB Prodigy that I have for sale. He asked about my religion and everything too. What a joke. I told him off.

(wakeworld) · (wakeworld) **Join Date: Jan 1997** 12-07-2004, 5:40 PM

What kind of authorities would you notify about this kind of fraud? I wonder if there is a way to catch this guy. Seems like he is hitting WakeWorld users pretty hard. I just put some boards up in the Classifieds, so I guess I'll see if he contact me.

(todd_everton) · (todd_everton) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 12-07-2004, 7:01 PM

We had a story about this on our local news.The reporter had an FBI agent stand in for him over the phone with this •••••.So, I would say to contact the FBI.They do have a dept working on online scams.

(wakehound) · (wakehound) **Join Date: Oct 2003** 12-08-2004, 8:10 AM

You may also want to forward it to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov, or contact them at www.consumer.gov/idtheft* or 877.IDTHEFT (877.438.4338).

vern 12-08-2004, 8:50 AM

Dave, I think you can track his IP address and trace him back to where he's been e-mailing from. I would contact the FBI and work with them in any way possible.

(wakeworld) · (wakeworld) **Join Date: Jan 1997** 12-08-2004, 10:40 PM

Mike at KC Watersports sent me this link: http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/consumer/advisories/Nigeria_Mar_2003.html

(peter_c) · (peter_c) **Join Date: Sep 2001** 12-09-2004, 8:41 AM

We got hit selling on Ebay. They bought my quad on a buy it now, and never even contacted us. They were unregistered shortly after. It is hard to get Ebay to not charge for the listing fees. Others were asking questions like "I am an international shipper...my client...blah blah blah". Even Ebay is very polluted by these scum bags now. Fortunately the second winner of the auction came an picked it up and paid CASH!

dclems 12-09-2004, 9:01 AM

My aunt got hit with scam about a year ago selling a car and fell for it, ended up owing $2000. And I recently tried to sell my paintball gun on a paintball site equivalent to this site but for paintball(warpig.com). Different person but same story wishing me and my family the best and wanted to over pay me by $2000 and have me send it via western union to their shipper in Nigeria. Needless to say I told them off and haven't heard back.

dclems 12-09-2004, 9:03 AM

Forgot to add beware of Gina Mails, thats who tried to get me.

dclems 12-09-2004, 9:16 AM

Spoke too soon, just checked my email and since I said I wouldn't send money to Nigeria they are asking me if I will send it to Spain! These people are relentless!

(guido) · (guido) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 12-09-2004, 1:41 PM

I got the same thing. I listed 3 things in the classifieds in different sections and got the same response, complete with mis spelled words, to all adds. The only thing changed in the response was the product he was interested in. I never even sent a reply. I deleted it immediately. It's sad that people run scams like this, and even more sad that people fall for them. I'd seriously question anyone that wanted to send me an amount over what I was asking, and then have me send them a refund for the overpayment.

oshensurfer 12-09-2004, 4:14 PM

Got hit weekly when I was selling my VW Bus. Big PITA.

(gunz) · (gunz) **Join Date: Sep 2001** 12-09-2004, 7:13 PM

You need to troll them!Ask for all kinds of stupid stuff,like naked pics of there wife and stuff.
Guy I know did it,it was awesome and funny!Posted it on the site for all to see.(not the pic sickos)

(depswa) · (depswa) **Join Date: Nov 2000** 12-10-2004, 12:22 AM

how does the scam work? counterfeit Money orders or something? (I think I heard something about that?)

(colorider) · (colorider) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 12-10-2004, 7:06 AM

I like to get the email address and then sign them up for any and every junk email I can. Donkey porn, Midgets in costumes etc. Oh yea, send them a sweet virus hidden as a jpg file of the "product" That one stopped a scammer quick!

(norcalmalibu) · (norcalmalibu) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 12-11-2004, 12:48 PM

DAn
The scam is like this, they send you a phoney cashier check for a over amount of what you want they say to just refund themn after shipping. You try to cash it and basiccly the check bounces after a couple days

(cali_rider) · (cali_rider) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 12-11-2004, 8:09 PM

I got hit a least 6 times by this guy for my 50. by the way anyone looking to buy 1? lol

(gdillyfunk69) · (gdillyfunk69) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 12-11-2004, 8:21 PM

Yep same thing happened to me from that a-hole richard mill for my 2005 CWB absolute Platinum... I talked to a local sheriff in my city and he said try to get him to send you the check and then theres a chance it can be traced back to him. Well he backed outand never sent the check. The cops informed me that this happens a lot and basically once he sends a person the large fake check. The person cashes the fony check and then send the extra amount of money back in their own check which is real. I think everybody should email him at once and tell him to buzz off!! Like we should plan one day where everyone on wakeworld sends him a angry email so when he checks his email theres 1000 new messages. That would be funny! His email is richard4me@rediffmail.com
So if you get an email from that adress BE WARE