Craigslist Fraud


Just thought I'd share my recent experience with attempting to sell some audio equipment on Craigslist.  Attempted to sell a Audio Research Ref 3LE.  I know now that doing so via Craigslist was probably stupid.  Anyway, I had a guy from out of state reach out to me.  Said that he wanted to buy it.  Asked that he send a cashiers check.  A couple days later the FedEx arrives with a check for $12K more than what I was asking...  The alarm bells went off.  Check was from a business in Chicago and the FedEx was from Florida.  They did a very convincing job of making up the check.  Reported it to the police - so I could feel better.  They let me know that the scammers would probably have come back and asked that I send part of the money back to them.. as if.  Rang the company that the check was reported to have come from (The Belt Railway Company of Chicago).  They said that I was the 6th person in the last week that rang them.  Wanted to put this out for y'all and hope that no one goes through this like I did.  Very thankful that it only cost me time, frustration and some dents to my ego.  
128x128thelostdutchman
Had a guy try to by my rare muscle car that way.  The professional criminals I worked for said they knew someone who would cash the check for me!!

Sent it to the Secret Service who knew the deal.

Funny days!

Cheers!
I've sold dozens of  speakers, amps, guitars, ect over the years on CL. I always request cash only and include a phone number in reply. I clearly state that replies without phone numbers will be ignored. Weeds out the bottom feeders and scammers easily.
Before we moved to a new home about 500 miles away, I attempted to sell a 15 year old Honda snowblower, listing it on Craigslist.  I had the same sort of experience.  I reached out to the FBI and opened a formal case, the person on the phone said they knew about this scam.
Speaking of Cashiers checks, do watch the movie "Catch Me If You Can"  It is a true story and do watch the bonus features afterwards, too!