does this look fishy?

[eric1]

I have a watch listed on craigslist, I received this email today. He hasn't asked any questions about the watch just went straight into how he would pay me. Does this look suspicious?

Regarding this item...

I would like to make an immediate payment through BidPay
Account.. And am offering you $11,200.00 so, you can end the post.

Note: I will also explain how BidPay works, Once i make the payment
you will receive a confirmation email fromBidPay stating that the
payment has been approved/denied and you will be told immediately that
your money is ready for delivery.

As soon as BidPay Approved my payment, you will then receive
notification from BidPay.

BidPay will deliver the money themself to your contact address within
24 hours which makes the payment more easier and secure.So kindly get
back to me with your full payment address and the weight of the
item...so we could proceed with this transaction.

Awaiting your reply...

Regards....

[bran]

Sounds like a typical escrow service procedure. If the buyer would like to use Bidpay, I suggest you setup the account yourself. Check the service out thoroughly or suggest a different service such as escrow.com. I used that to sell a computer. The buyer submits money, it is approved, and you mail the item. The buyer then has 24-48 hours to accept and release the funds or notify escrow.com of a problem. They can then return the item to you. If all is okay the funds are released.

[gtbike72]

you should use paypal

[jasonbellevue]

Run away as fast as you can. You said it yourself, he didn't even ask any questions about the watch. $11,200 is a lot of money, I would ask a lot of questions before I part with that kind of cash. Remember if it sounds too good to be true, chances are it is.

[Givmeabrek]

Looks very suspicious. What were the terms of payment in your ad? Was bidpay in your terms. If not then I would not consider this person as he is ignoring your terms and probably attempting some sort of scam.

I'm sure you realize that no legitimate buyer would offer immediate payment of that amount without a few questions. In the very least they would ask you to agree with the terms!! In this case he is telling you what to do.



Also if you are going to use a third party for payment do it on your terms and not his! Use your account and do it the way that you are comfortable.

Skip this one unless you up for a challenge.

Rich

[eric1]

Thanks for the help guys, its nice to have a few extra sets of eyes to confirm my gut feeling. If it was me purchasing an $11,000 watch I would be grilling the seller for details. And by the way the watch is for sale for $11,000 not $11,200 that is another red flag.

Thanks again
Eric

[marshallr47]

Eric, it does sound very fishy. Please read my "shipping to Malaysia" in Watchout forum. Also you may want to add this thread to the 'watchout' forum.

[llamaofdoom]

It's a scam. Revolves around a stolen credit card/account. Stay away at all costs. Every time I post a watch on Craigslist, I get the same types of emails - most of the time the same wording - always from different yahoo/hotmail/etc. accounts. You'll get the same kinds of ridiculous offers on eBay as well.

The online world is a dangerous place. If you're not experienced in online sales, it's really best to do local transactions. I've been buying/selling watches/diamonds/scrap gold as a part-time business/hobby for the past 5 years. The scams just keep getting worse and more frequent - stolen cards, stolen accounts, fake cashiers checks, etc.

If you must go online to sell, then sell to someone reputable - and definitely, get cleared funds up front.

[llamaofdoom]

Here's one I got from"Dawn Lopez" - [email protected]

Regarding this item...

I would like to make an immediate payment through BidPay
Account.. And am offering you $14,700.00 so, you can end the post.

Note: I will also explain how BidPay works, Once i make the payment
you will receive a confirmation email fromBidPay stating that the
payment has been approved/denied and you will be told immediately that
your money is ready for delivery.

As soon as BidPay Approved my payment, you will then receive
notification from BidPay.

BidPay will deliver the money themself to your contact address within
24 hours which makes the payment more easier and secure.So kindly get
back to me with your full payment address and the weight of the
item...so we could proceed with this transaction.

Awaiting your reply...

Regards....

[llamaofdoom]

And here's another variation from "Barbara Lakeside" - [email protected]

Hello...

I have gone through your AD....and i would like to offer $16,000.00 for the item, and make sure you end the post of the item...and i would be making the payment through my BidPay Account.

And i will offer you more explanation on how this method of payment works, Once i have your full name,address... i will use it in filling the form online and as soon as it has been done, you will receive a confirmation notification regarding the payment that your money as been confirmed which means your money is ready for delivery...

The money will be delivered to your contact addres....which makes the payment more easier and secure. As soon as BidPay Approves the payment, you will then receive notification from them.So kindly get back to me with your full name and address so we could proceed with the payment of this item.

I will be expecting your quick response.

[llamaofdoom]

And my personal favorite (that I have gotten a number of times) from "Anthony Rubicco" - [email protected] - in response to my add titled "Rolex Submariner 50th Anniversary Watch":

Hello seller

How are u doing i was searching for some diamonds for my gilr friend and i saw ur diamond and i will very interest in buying it and i need it very urgenlty coz my gilr friend think am joking about marring her u know...lol So if this ur items are still for sale and u serious in selling them and ready to buy them and ready to pay u through pay pal,so if u ready to sell this items get back to me with ur pay pal id only which i will use to make the payment...in usa..YOUR PAYPAL ID AND YOUR FULL NAME I PAY......I will be offering you Extra $100 for the........
Thanks

[eric1]

persistent little bastard.

"Since you are new to this system i will offer you more explanation on
how this method of payment works, Once i have your full name and
address, i will use it in filling the form online and has soon as it
has been done, you will receive a confirmation notification regarding
the payment that your money as been confirmed which means your money
is ready for delivery.

The money will be delivered to your contact address like i have said
in my previous email which

makes the payment more easier and secure.

So kindly get back to me with your full name and address so we could
proceed with the payment of this item.

I will be expecting your quick response."

[eric1]

This guys name is "Raymond Gold" anyone have any dealings with him?

Thanks again

Eric

[llamaofdoom]

Originally Posted by eric1

This guys name is "Raymond Gold" anyone have any dealings with him?

Thanks again

Eric

Eric,

It is a scam. The person's name is not "Raymond Gold". It's whatever the scammer came up with. There is no "Raymond Gold" at the other end of those emails. Just a thief. That was the point of the "real life example" emails that I posted out of my email Inbox.

Ray

[roadcarver]

I got the same message except it was a response for my Nikon flash on sale at Craigslist :)

[scottschoe]

100% scam...I can't believe people still fall for this.

[Incurable]

No not at all...

[Wolfgang427]

I sold lots of things on craigslist with no problems whatsoever. Including my wifes car. The thing is to keep every transaction local and deal in cash only. Also always get a return phone# to talk to the person directly. However yours is clearly a scam.

[CoopJr]

Originally Posted by eric1

This guys name is "Raymond Gold" anyone have any dealings with him?

Eric...snap out of it!...it's a scam. Next email will probably be from Bob Silver.

[eric1]

asking if anybody had any dealings with this guy was with tongue in cheek.

[orisky]

I get sooo many of these when posting on CL. One time a guy wanted me to send it to Nigeria as it was an "everlasting gift" to his wife.... I was selling a Blackberry

[joe100]

I dunno, I deal with Peter Platinum all the time, haha. But seriously, eBay is dodgy at best...although I did purchase The Christmas Story 'leg lamp' off of eBay the other night. You know it's a "major award"!

I'd be scared to death to buy a watch off of eBay. Too many horror stories floating around out there for me.

Best regards,

Joe

[Tombstone]

Ask this punk to fly/drive out and meet you, then see what he/she says.

[johan]

do not know about bid pal...insist on pay pal and the likes to cover your back... good luck

[steve-o]

"Let me explain to you how this works....I steal your watch."

Run away.

[hienpham04]

I hate scammers. Why can't people make money flipping burgers :) Eric, just be very careful when selling or buying expensive items. Know your buyers and sellers. Most of the time, I do local deals.