This morning I received a really weird email on my work account:
HELLO,
I am an auto dealer based in TAIWAN ,i am interested in buying your(RSTA)I will like to know if you would accept a certified cashier check for the payment of the,i also need to know the price and your full name and address including your phone is also needed in which payment will be sent to i have a shipping company who takes cares of my shippment .So don't bother about the shippment.I will also like to know if is still in good condition and shape.urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the (RSTA)
WITH BEST REGARDS
--
Firstly, WTF is an RSTA? Secondly, I don't have one for sale and thirdly WTF? So, as you do, I took and extract of the text and stuffed it into Google's search box. Turn's out it's yet another scam.
According to craigslist, the emails are usually responses to genuine adverts. The purchaser usually offers to pay with a cashiers cheque that far exceeds the value of the goods and asks you to wire the additional cash back to him.
Most banks will cash these cheques so you will see the money enter your account. However, when they are discovered to be fraudulent the funds are often withdrawn.
Just another in a long list of items to be on the look out for.
*Many* thanks for putting this alert here - I was just about to fall for this scam, having just advertised a vacuum cleaner for sale. I did a Google search because I wasn't sure what a cashier's cheque was and whether I could safely accept one.
I'm very grateful indeed.
Maryon
another big thanks for this warning I have my car up for sale and got an email saying much the same thing, so I did a search to find out what a certified cashiers cheque was and came across this, many many thanks!
Louise
Anyone who receives these checks that turn up bad should start reporting any and all bad checks to the F.B.I so something can be done. Hopefully not every is a scam artist, if so we are in big trouble. At least I thinks so.
I have just had a similar e-mail, except this guy brought my car on Ebay on "Buy It Now". Many thanks for the warning. Martin
thanks a lot, same messenge was sent to me to. i was selling the photo ipod
heres the message i got:
am intrested in purchasing your item and i will like to know if you will accept a certified cashier check as a mode of payment,the final asking price and also if you will be able to wire transfer the excess funds to my shipper after you might have cash and deduct your charges for this item as i will be taking care of the shippment of the item from united state to our store in UK,pls kindly get back to me with your CONTACT NAME AND ADDRESS so that i can issued and forward the check to you ASAP you can aswell send me your CONTACT PHONE NUMBER. Regards
This is a great information indeed. I am selling a scale through Ebay and I received almost inmediately an e-mail exactly like the one you show as an example. I went to google because I didn't have an idea what a cashier cheque was. It is the first item I sell so I think everything has to be learned. Thanks again
I have a motorcycle advertised on the net I have just recieved a email from someone calling himself jack williams his grammer is very poor, as others have said he has offered payment by cashiers cheque to an amount hire than the bike cost, im glad i checked it out
Hi there,
many thanks to you for putting this info on the web. I got a similar respond on my car sale ad at the craiglist. As I was not sure about the cashier checks and the procedure, I have checked the google and found realy valued information.
BTW my questions is, if the cashier check is cleared on your bank account and you have withdrawn some money or even all of money, will the bank (or FBI or etc) ask you to return this money when they found out that they are fraudulent? Thank you!
Jane
I have no idea. Unfortunately I know no more than the information in the main post.
I suggest you contact your bank and speak to them as it is them that would be taking any action.
Hi!
Same thing happened to me, I'm actually collecting the cashiers cheques, anyone knows where can I report them? Thanks!
hi thanks once again, i wasnt to sure what a certified cashier cheque was so i too did a google search as i have put car car up for sale for £000'0's and i was ready to make a deal on the last minute i checked and found your site. It has saved me from a scam that was almost complete.
It is very great to find your message.I,am in Zhejiang Province,China.I have received below mail.
Hello seller,
We will like to purchase this item of yours and we will be paying you via cashier cheque,We will like to buy in bulk from you or you can offer US the best.
We will be sending you a CASHIER CHEQUE of USD5,000 why you will send the remainning excess fund via western union money transfer to our shipping company and send the item thesame day the excess fund as been tranfer.So if agree to our policy kindly send us your address,Why we contact our client to send you the issue you the cheque.Thanks
NOTICE:Note that the tracking number should be mail to US after the item has been shipped.Ty
BEST REGARD.............
I had replied it, and got more message as below:
Thanks we need 100unit , And we need sample first for texting this sample will be ship to USA .that where our company is located Thanks if this sample can be ship we will kindly make the payment for 100unit and we have fedex account that you will be able to ship without frieght fees Thanks,
Now I know it is a scam. Tks a lot!
i like too be one of ur members
i like too be one of ur members
hello i will like in your item and i will like you to ship it intenational and i will pay with my check
same here...
My name is Stephan Lampard,i am an automobile dealer in Scotland. I deal in
>buying and selling of used goods base on customer request mostly
>cars,trucks and bikes.I am interested in buying your car and also i have a
>customer who is very much interested in buying it.I will want you to know
>that i will be paying you with a check drawn from the bank in Europe.I will
>need some more of the pictures so that i can have a better view of what i
>want to buy.Also i will be taking care of the shippment down to my location
>with the help of my shippers.Get back to me with the last price you are
>offering for it last.Your reply is highly awaited.
>
>thank you
>Stephan Lampard.
Good day Sir /Ma, We like to know if you do accept the below forms of payments as a mode of payment. 1-American cashiers check in USD funds. 2-American Money order our qustion is that will like to know if you can transfer the shipping charges to the shipping company after you might have recieved the check and cash the check so that the shipping company can come for home pick up of the item so you don't need to worry about the shipping of the item okay?.While we take care of the shipping via our shipping company okay?. So if you are okay the above forms of payment kindly get back to me with the below information to mail out the check asap. NAME : ADDRESS: CITY: ZIP CODE: COUNTRY : PHONE#: So with the above information my client will be able to issue out the check and get it mail to you address asap or you call me on my cell phone +234-13458467734 Regards."
like to know more it the stuff
same here..we received this email after advertising a air rifle and we also received the one from the Nigerian cancer stricken widow wanting to give me 15 million for spreading the word of god!
Thanks for the mail,don't worry about the shipping or postage,my shipping agent will take care of that for me,i will like to inform you this in the first place,i bought some goods in africa,and my shipping agent told me they don't do pick-up in africa,and i don't want to waste my cheque slip,i will be sending you a cheque of 3000 pouns,so when the cheque has clear your bank you will please send the remaining balance to they so that they can help me send my goods,and that my be too stressfull,i will give you extra 100 pouns for your own profit,all your money will now be 600 pouns,about the shipping don't worry your self about that.all what i need from you now is your Name,Address and Phone number so that i can send the cheque to you.
Thanks and stay kool.
Morgan
Here's one who wants to buy my boat!
"I have finalised and concluded payment details with the client who wants your
boat and He is willing to pay you the asking price of 10,700Euros. The payment will get to you via Certified Bank Check payment of 16,700 Euros which will also take care of shipment, inspection and other charges. I already have an agent who will take care of these formalities on my behalf so please do not worry about shipping and all.
Anyway, you are required to deduct the cost of your boat which is 10,700 Euros when payment gets to you, and send the balance of 6,000 Euros to my agent ( this represents his fees and sundry charges) for him to be able to offset general logistics, inspection and shipping charges and other applicable charges at point of entry. After payment has reached you and balance sent back to our agent, He will come for the pick up of the boat and subsequent delivery to my client. Details of how to send the agents fees will be given to you once you confirm that you have received your check payment ok.
If this arrangement is ok by you, confirm this and Kindly forward your payment information below so that your Certified Bank Check will be made out in your favour:
(1) FULL NAMES (AS IT SHOULD BE WRITTEN ON THE CHECK).
(2) POSTAL/MAILING ADDRESS OF WHERE THE CHECK SHOULD BE SENT TO.
(3) PHONE /FAX NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED AT ALL TIMES. (So that as soon as your payment is sent you will be contacted and so that agent can/will contact you enroute to your location).
Regards,
James"
Hi,
Just the same is happen to me, many thanks for the informations.
Saved just in time.....
Regards,
Matteo
----- Original Message -----
From: "Leon mack"
> Hello Seller,
> Thanks for the mail you sent to me.I'm really interested in buying this item
> from you and i want to send it to one of the charity Organisation in Western
> part in abroad(nigeria) because they are celebrating their Annual
> Anniversary because i was once a patron before i was transfer to United
> State and i want to buy this item as a gift and as my contribution for them
> and i will like to make the method of payment.i will like to pay you with
> via Westernunion Money Order(Bidpay).Calculate the Shipping cost and the
> cost price of this item.Pls Note that i will not mind paying you extra $50
> for this item. Pls get back to me with the following details, Your Full
> Name....?,Your Contact Address.....? and Your Telephone Number....? so that
> i can contact the Westernunion(Bidpay) Agent to forward the payment to
> you.looking forward to hear from you.
> BestRegards,
> Leon
I WILL LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT U PEOPLE OK
I need a fraud cheque within two hours to set up a business.
DAMm that sucks i really thaught they were gonna give me money forels SHOOT" im really in dedt so that woulda helped alot !!!why do people like playing with peoples heads LOL anyways how are they gonna scam me when im broke
HAHA retards!
thanx for this anywayz
HELLO SALES,
I will be very happy to meet you ,how are you,how is your busines.I am the director of list store venture in uk ,i will like to purchase some goods in your store .kindly tell me if you can ship the goods to nigeria , if you agree to ship the goods to nigeria,i will really have interest in your website,please reply moore faster because i want to introduce new product to my customer .i will made my payment by my credit card.
look forward to hear from you ASAP
BEST WISHES
Just a heads up everyone!!! A Terry Williams is now scaming on the buy and sell online. He mailed me a cashiers checks instantly before I even said no. He goes by 4 different names as well becareful!!..
NOTIFY THE FBI FRAUD INIT
Hello,
????Thanks for the reply. How are you doing? i hope all is well. Thanks for the Photos you sent and i will be happy if we can agreed on $420,000 for the house. Lastly' let me know if the unit needs any restoration,
As for payment, I will instruct my client to issue a cashier's cheque of
$461,550, as i am not around at the moment.
Once you receive the cashier's cheque, i will like you to dedcut your payment of
$420,000 and wire $7,550 to my agent that same day you recieve the cheque.
My agent you will be wiring $7,550 to will be handling the deals,signing and
arrangement with you concencing the house papers,then the excess amount left
will be wired to my property shippers via bank transfer the moment the cheque
clears into your account so that they can immediately ship my property and other
thing i am getting into the house.
Please let me know if i can trust you with my money and once you receive the
cashier's cheque,you will wire $7,550 to my agent so that they can come to your
place that same day for arrangement
As you know it is not easy to trust people nowadays.Can i trust you guys?
So if you are okay with this way of payment, pls mail me your full details
(Name, address and phone numbers) so that my client can send you the payment at
once.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes,
Dr.Brown Bill Carter.
note:I am not in the UK at these moment so you can try call me on the phone at
the moment:+234 1 8024433320
Summary... almost got scammed outta alot of money. I posted my house for sale on craiglist, and it got unwanted attention. I also googled cashiers cheque as i have no idea what that is.
Same thing happend to me! but I thought to my mind...hey I'm GOING to to take advantage of him. I live in ROMANIA (EUROPE) while this guy says that he's in a church in MEXICO(on a mission of somekind) how strange is that? and he will send me a cashiers cheque...and he's shipping company will take the MOTOR-BIKE away and I will be stress free. COME ON, really I mean NO DOCUMENTS needed, no NOTHING? ?? I wanted him to send me the cheque and then NOT give him the bike! BUT it didn't WORK now did it...cuz it's a SCAM :)) funny though...
Thankyou guys,
I got this just now (see below)... and just did a Google seach for "cashiers cheque" and saw this site.
I always think I'm pretty street wise when it comes to the internet... but I have to say this is a crafty bastard and it looks legit (well... almost) lol
**********
Good day
I am an auto dealer based in LONDON, I am interested in buying your (1991 VAUXHALL NOVA 1.0 Trip 3dr) I will like to know if you would accept a certified cashier's check for the payment of the item, i also need to know the price and your full name and address and your
Phone number is also needed in which payment will be sent to. I have a shipping company who takes cares of my shipments .So don't bother about the shipment will also like to know if is still in a good condition and shape. Urgent response is needed for procedure of payment of the car
REGARD
**********
Gentlemen,
Thanks for all of your post here. I have just received an equivalent email from oversea for buying my vehicle with "Cashier Cheque". I was thinking of get this guy into trouble by doing a full process. Here is his message:
Hi
Thanks for getting back on the purchase of your vehicle, am happy my client has agreed to purchase your vehicle at $9,500.Hope the vehicle is oil changed,serviced and ready to go, i have just spoken with the customer not long ago regarding payment and pickup arrangements ,He explained that there is no much time left considering the purpose of the vehicle.
He has instructed me to inform you that payment will get to you in an Australia cashier check of $16,500 payment made out to cover the expenses of the shipper who will be shipping the vehicle, So you are required to deduct the cost of your vehicle $9,500 when payment is received and deposited to your account and clear your bank then the balance of $7,000 to the shipper/agent,for him to be able to offset shipping & tax charges, and other cosmetic repair costs.
Upon receiving your payment and balance sent to the shipper immediately the check clear. The shipper/agent will come! for
inspection and pick up of vehicle & signing over of the title papers. Confirm this whole papyment arrangement and provide these information for the payment
Full NAMES---------
ADDRESS ------------
PHONE NUMBER----------
His email: Dwell curris
Selling a car, much like all the other examples. The email was as follows. Hello , I saw the placement of your advert on internet which is \(autos\)i will like to know your last price and the present condition and i will like you to attached the pics to it and i will like to know the height,weight,age and price .of it dont worry about the shipment i will take good care of the shipping,further more my mode of payment will be by certified cashier check ,if my mode of payment is okay by you pls get back to now ...pls getback to me now.........
after checking with google and reading from this site my excitement of getting rid of my car has diminished somewhat. Anyone out there want to buy a Volkswagen Polo? Because I won't be selling it to this scam artist...
My mom just got the same email for her boat. Maybe we could trade the boat for the car???
These kind of people made me so incredibly angry. How frustrating.
His email info is below:
browncarter@verizonmail.com
Good luck to all.
big thanks for this info. I have my car up for sale in kajiji and got an email saying the same thing, so I did a search to find out what a certified cashiers cheque was and came across this, many many many thanks!
M&M
4 days ago I did get a message from London - they did want to buy some of my work available on the internet with certified cashiers cheque - waiting for that and in the meantime I came across this site -thanks
Keep reporting scams
I got the following email after posting to craigslist...
How are you doing there, This is paul jodan.I saw this ITEM much evitable to
what I'd need as a gift for my brother birthday who's on an Intensive program
abroad.So i 'll like to know if its in a perfect working condition and if you will
be able to get it gift wrap for me ASAP.
And also i will be paying you by UNITED STATE CASHIER CHEQUE,and
also after i make the payment, you willhave a confirmation mail and also a
receipt that i have make the payment and
the receipt will include all my information that
your money was deduct from my own account,and also i will be making the
payment thru one of the company is http://www.paytrust.com/ and also you
can get more information on thier website and it is a very sure way of payment
so now i will need your address in full and also your full name so that i can
make the payment.
Hope to hear from you now.
paul jodan
thanks
Thanks for the info, just got a similiar mail ,when i was trying to sell my TV... the mail structure seems to be similiar in most mails , so now i know what to look out for!Thanks a ton!
Well to help more people reach this site and avoid versions of the scam I thought it my duty to post the version I got.
I received 3 messages:
"hello seller
my name is pastortio i i saw your advert on the net
for the sales of (item) and am interest in buying it,
if you are interest in selling it for me i will like
you to mail me back tellingthe persent condition and
the last price of it , do u get back to me a.s.a.p
becos am willing to buy it soon.
THANKS"
on replying (and I was genuinly excited to get a response so quickly!) I received:
"Okay get back to me with last price of the Canon300D/Digital Rebel okay,,
thanks,,,"
I replyed again, trying to explain what I already had in the 1st e-mail - and starting to realise this was a little odd... and got:
"Good Day,
i am interested in buying your (Canon300D/Digital Rebel ) to my client and
he pay with a certified
cashier cheque and since you said the price is £300
i have inform him and he said there is no problem, my
client we issue a cheque of
£2,900 to you and then when you receive payment you
then send back my balance to my shipper's that we come
for the pickup at your location,and i will take care
of the shipping cos i have a shipping company that do
take care of
that,So let me have your full contact information to
where the certified cashier cheque will be sent to
like this:
NAME.........................
FULL ADDRESS.................
CITY.....................
STATE....................
COUNTRY.........................
ZIPCODE.........................
CELL/OFFICE/HOME
PHONE NUMBER........
Looking forward to the requested information so that
the certified cashier cheque can be sent out to you
immediately.
Best Regards,"
If anything seems too good to be true it probably is.. why would someone trust me with £2900 for a £300 camera?! Also my e-mails were being ignored, this was not down to the 'buyer' not being able to read English - why would you ask questions if you couldn't read the answers? Also, I gave my name but had it ignored in following e-mails.
So now I keep on trying to sell, upset because I thought I had a keen bidder on my hands.
Oh and what a surprise... here comes another:
"Hello there,
I'm interested in your posted Item ,i would want you
to supply me with necessary information that would
help this transaction. Let me know the price and the
condition of the item as soon as possible I would want
to make them purchase with a cashier cheque issued in
a U.K bank.
Regards.
Michael mich.thom012@yahoo.co.uk
Michael.."
The last persons name was Pastortio or "pastor tioy" pastortioy_007@hotmail.com I thought I should add that.
Thank you guys for all of the additional information. Hopefully this page will continue to stop people falling foul of this scam.
I'v just had this from Pastor Tioy;
I am female pastor tioy ,i am coming from UK....i will like you to
know that i am interested in renting your room for 1Months because i am
coming for a business confrence in set and i will like you to tell me how much
is it uk, it will cost me to rent the room and all the bill i have to pay
when i get there and i will be there in 5th of june 2007 .an i want you to Get
back to me asap.Thanks And
God Blees You....
Thought it seemed like a big scam! All the prices, etc are advertised, and rooms are for long rent only. I haven't done anything yet, but was wondering if it is possible to contact someone about it, and report it?
If anyone could come up with an e-mail address of someone whos dealing with this please forward it to;
karltaylorhopkins@hotmail.com
so we can try and catch them and sort this out for everyone! Thanks,
Karl
GOT SENT A CASHIERS CHEQUE ON FRIDAY 1ST JUNE 2007 FOR £2.800 FOR A 3 WHEELED BUGGY WAS SELLING FOR £50. GOT TOLD ALL THE USEALLY CHAT EVERY ONE ELES GOT. DID NOT THINK SOME ONE WOULD DO THAT. BASTARDS, HE WENT BUY THE NAME OF JAMES SMITH FROM CANNADA, ME AND MY WIFE ARE TO TRUSTING,PUT IN MY BANK ALREADY, BEFORE SEEING THIS, HELP WHAT DO I DO NOW! SHOULD I CALL IN THE POLICE, WON'T BE SENDING THE PAYMENT BACK OR SPENDIND IT IN CASE THIS IS A REAL HOAX, PLEASE GIVE ADVISE ANY ONE. r2dean21974@hotmail.co.uk thank you from some ones being a bit foolish
i have rec, a e/m about my car 4 sale, from - lio-james, @yahoo. wantig me tosend address etc&ha will send a - certified cashier cheque, felt this was to good to be true, daph
Hi I got a similar one. here he says that he will send me a certified cahier's check. Can you tell me whether a certified check be scammmed as well.
He didnt say as to how much amt he is going to send.I will update as to what he replies back.
Thanks god for this webpage. I could save myself from being cheated. The person e-mailed me like:
"Hello Mr XYZ,
Good to read from you,as you already know that am in London and I made it clear to you before that my son is on visiting with my cousin in Europe and his not coming back to state until all arrangement went sucessfully with the tutorial. Now let me inform you that I will want the tutoring to commence on 25th February 2008.
Regarding the payment arrangement for the lesson and my son arrival to state as soon as you are ready,I have gotten in touch with my cohort in state who is paying me the sum of $3,000 to make the payment available to you in form of certified cashier check on my behalf as soon as he can.
Here is what I want you to do immediately you get the payment:
Get it clearify at your bank,deduct your fees including any form of charges incured while clearifying the check plus any estimated amount of materials you think my son may be needing during his tutorials,feel free to let me know the amount deducted.
After you might have gotten all these done,then I will advise you to send the rest funds to my cousin who is outside state with my son,because they are both coming back to state and beside my son we be living with him during the tutorial period so that they can both use the rest of the money to fly back since there coming back to state depends on our conclusion on the lesson.
Here are the informations needed from you:
NAME{TO BE ON CHECK}
ADDRESS{WHERE THE PAYMENT WE BE SENT TO}
PHONE NUMBER.
I will be glad to have the following soon so that everything can workout as early as we can.Take care and have a wonderful day ahead.
Thank you,
Mr Kaleb Palak."
I received exactly the same message as ``KK'' did on February 11, 2008,
starting with ``Regarding the payment ...''
Mine was received at an email site I use for
math tutoring. I noticed on another website I
got when I googled ``Kaleb Palak'' that he
sent the same message to a Chinese tutor.
Can I do anything to get this guy in trouble?
Is there somewhere I should send copies of the
emails I received?
