I posted an add on Craigslist using the pre-formated submission form provided by craigslist. Shortly thereafter I received the following text from (512)384-5609 - "Hi, is your bike still for sale? please email me [email protected] with the last asking price and the present condition, TY"
It sounded a bit fishy, but I responded to the email and received the following response -
Thanks for getting back to me, I am Sgt currently deployed to a remote area until ? October 25. Can you assure me that it's in good state as it appears and that i will not be disappointed with it It is strictly no calls here due to security reasons, otherwise I would have called you to seal the deal,but i can actually try to use my phone applications to text you with my laptop.I have read through your ad and from what I have seen,it is priced favorably compared to others so I want you to consider it sold to me ''AS IS'' for the asking price but you have to assure me it is as described. I am comfortable paying you via PayPal to complete this transaction because of their security when it comes to online transactions. Let me have your PayPal details ( Account name,PayPal Email, Pick Address and Mobile #) so that I can initiate the payment. If you don't have a PayPal account kindly set one up because it is absolutely free. ( http://www.paypal.com ) Furthermore, I will hire shipper that will come for the pickup, and also do the necessary paperwork on my behalf as soon as we are done with the payment part of the transaction.I'll like to see more recent pictures if you still have. If you don't , then lets proceed. Thanks-
I grew very suspicious and responded with the following -
Those are the most recent pictures. Everything about this screams PayPal scam... I'm not trying to be rude and I would love to sell it however I'm not a fan of these anonymous type of transactions. This seems a bit fishy. Where is your primary duty station? What branch are you with? Unfortunately, I will need some other form of communication if you would like to proceed. I'm sorry, I'm just trying to protect myself here.
The response was-
am a military man
I followed it up with -
From the sounds of it, you are a scammer. Your email is almost verbatim to those of scammers.
No Paypal will be accepted and I will need you to pick it up in person, not a "courier" or "shipper."
Better luck with your next victim, jackass!
I did not receive another response...
Be on the lookout for this scammer!
It sounded a bit fishy, but I responded to the email and received the following response -
Thanks for getting back to me, I am Sgt currently deployed to a remote area until ? October 25. Can you assure me that it's in good state as it appears and that i will not be disappointed with it It is strictly no calls here due to security reasons, otherwise I would have called you to seal the deal,but i can actually try to use my phone applications to text you with my laptop.I have read through your ad and from what I have seen,it is priced favorably compared to others so I want you to consider it sold to me ''AS IS'' for the asking price but you have to assure me it is as described. I am comfortable paying you via PayPal to complete this transaction because of their security when it comes to online transactions. Let me have your PayPal details ( Account name,PayPal Email, Pick Address and Mobile #) so that I can initiate the payment. If you don't have a PayPal account kindly set one up because it is absolutely free. ( http://www.paypal.com ) Furthermore, I will hire shipper that will come for the pickup, and also do the necessary paperwork on my behalf as soon as we are done with the payment part of the transaction.I'll like to see more recent pictures if you still have. If you don't , then lets proceed. Thanks-
I grew very suspicious and responded with the following -
Those are the most recent pictures. Everything about this screams PayPal scam... I'm not trying to be rude and I would love to sell it however I'm not a fan of these anonymous type of transactions. This seems a bit fishy. Where is your primary duty station? What branch are you with? Unfortunately, I will need some other form of communication if you would like to proceed. I'm sorry, I'm just trying to protect myself here.
The response was-
am a military man
I followed it up with -
From the sounds of it, you are a scammer. Your email is almost verbatim to those of scammers.
No Paypal will be accepted and I will need you to pick it up in person, not a "courier" or "shipper."
Better luck with your next victim, jackass!
I did not receive another response...
Be on the lookout for this scammer!