A new ploy for fraud?


I recently got an inquiry on one of my ads (not here on Audiogon but on another site) for a pair of interconnects. After a few emails back and forth, we agreed on the price of $90. The prospective buyer then said he is in England and would like to propose an (unusual!) payment method. He said someone in the states owes him $3000, so he will ask this guy to send me a check for $3000, I am to cash the check and then WIRE him the difference ($2910 in this case). Of course I said thanks but I deal in cash. I never heard from him again. Has anyone experienced this?
gingko

Showing 1 response by steveh_houston

Sounds like the same person who tried this on me (see below). He even sent me a bogus check for $4,200. I think we should all pressure Audiogon to put a warning on their website.
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From: "Jick Thomas"
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 13:05:41 -0500

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response. I am interested and would be willing to buy it at that price, I am glad to hear that it is in mint condition. I will take you for your words. Like I said before, I am located in England and have an International shipping agent that will come pick it up from your house and ship to me. I will arrange for payment by sending your full name and address to my client in the States who is owing me the amount of $3900 to issue you a cashier's check for this amount. which is a refund for a cancelled order I placed with him, and being a refund the amount can only be written on a single check. I know it is more than the amp price but after getting the check, I need you to cash it and deduct cost of the amp, then do me a favour of wiring the remaining balance to my International shipper via money gram/western union. You will also deduct $300 for running around and for the charge fee for wiring back the difference. After this is done, he will then pick the amp up from your residence and ship to me.

So, confirm this and send your full name and address including phone # for mailing the check payment to you as soon as possible.

Waiting for your urgent reply. Thanks and god bless.

Kind regards,
Jick.