I think this is a Craigslist scam, what do you think?

[chasedude]

I saw an add on Craigslist one day and decided to answer it. I don't find the original ad so I can't post it. The post mentioned looking for a Desktop Technician to do some work for them. I answered the message with this along with my resume.

I saw your post on Craigslist. I've been working in IT for 10+ years. I've been looking for some extra work and would like for you to look at my resume. Please call me @ ###-###-#### if you're interested.

I received this response.

I have 7 Pentium IV Dell laptops, . Below is a list of work needed to be done on each Pc.

1 Format Hard Drive
2 Install Win Xp with Service Pack 3
3 Install Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software
5 Adobe Acrobat Reader
6 diagnose Hardware. Hard drive, video card, processor and what not.

I have OS software for each machine

Get back to me with your total cost for the service

I await your urgent response.

Dave

So I replied back with this...

Hello Dave,

I usually charge $175 per install so a total would be $1225. Let me know what you think of this.

Thanks,
Jay

And then received this reply...

Thanks for the reply. I have all the necessary softwares needed for the service installations...Let me know the final asking price of my jobs. I will instruct my Client to prepare a check for you on your name and address . Do send me details below

Full Name:
Physical Address:
City:
State:
Zipcode:
Cell phone #:

so as to prepare the check and shipping of the laptops to your address. I have a reliable shipper that will ship the laptops to you, pick it up the laptops when you are done and ship it to my clients. I am looking forward to hear from you,so we can have payment and shipping asap.

Thanks

David

After all this it started smelling fishy. So as to discover if this had some legitimacy I responded back with this...

Thanks for your reply. I would like to have a physical address and phone number for my business records. Also with the phone number I plan to call for a voice verification to complete the transaction.

Thank You,
Chasedude

And no further response from the other party. So... do you smell some kind of scam in all this? Stolen systems maybe? What's your input guys?

[Lzen]

This part is strange and telling.

I have a reliable shipper that will ship the laptops to you, pick it up the laptops when you are done and ship it to my clients.

Why would they ship to you and then pick them up? Why not have you ship back to them?

[Otter]

Originally Posted by -King-

Scam.


The grammar scammers use never ceases to give me a chuckle

God Bless
Urgent
Please _______ immediately
I'll need personal information for ____________
hotmail, yahoo, gmail as only contact

But yeah, scam.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Ok, maybe I'm missing something but what, exactly, is the scam?

I mean yes, all signs point to a scam. I'm just not sure how shipping laptops to you is scamming you. Are they casing your place for future burglary?

I have no idea really. It all smelled fishy that's why I asked CP for their input. I'm wondering if they wanted me to send me some "stolen" systems. I do all the work send them back and then no payment or a fake check.

There's been no further contact from them since I asked for their phone, contact info.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by chasedude

I have no idea really. It all smelled fishy that's why I asked CP for their input. I'm wondering if they wanted me to send me some "stolen" systems. I do all the work send them back and then no payment or a fake check.

There's been no further contact from them since I asked for their phone, contact info.

I'm guessing after you send them your contact information they'll dig deeper for a SSN# or drivers license number (to verify something of course) at which point they'll try to find out your birth date through a quick google search and voila' - identity theft.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Otter

I'm guessing after you send them your contact information they'll dig deeper for a SSN# or drivers license number (to verify something of course) at which point they'll try to find out your birth date through a quick google search and voila' - identity theft.

It's a shame Craigslist is being inundated with these scammers.

Don't you have to pay a fee to Craigslist to put up ads for employment?

Nevermind, found my answer

http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/posting_fees

[Saulbadguy]

He replied to you after you said you'd charge $175 per laptop to do all that crap.

Duh. Scam.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

He replied to you after you said you'd charge $175 per laptop to do all that crap.

Duh. Scam.

What do you charge?

[Sofa King]

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Ok, maybe I'm missing something but what, exactly, is the scam?

I mean yes, all signs point to a scam. I'm just not sure how shipping laptops to you is scamming you. Are they casing your place for future burglary?

Or they are hot and after you get them the cops show up at his door.

[bevischief]

I have bought several things off Craigslist but I have always met in a public place and usually have another person with me.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by bevischief

I have bought several things off Craigslist but I have always met in a public place and usually have another person with me.

I have too, but I don't bring another person, I pack the Glock.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by chasedude

And no further response from the other party. So... do you smell some kind of scam in all this? Stolen systems maybe? What's your input guys?

I didnt read through the thread, but its the classic 'Nigerian' scam where they will send you a fake check for more than the amount, ask you to cash it...you get to keep your part but you have to western union them the other part....all seems fine for a couple of weeks until the fake check comes back to your bank and then you are on the hook for all the money.....and you cant do anything about the money they already got from you (the "extra" money)...Someone probably already posted this but it was faster for me to post than reading through the thread.

Classic nigerian scam (advance fee fraud)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_fraud

Specifically see: common elements----> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance...ommon_elements

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Ok, maybe I'm missing something but what, exactly, is the scam?

I mean yes, all signs point to a scam. I'm just not sure how shipping laptops to you is scamming you. Are they casing your place for future burglary?

see my above post, but basically at some point they will send a fake check/money order wanting you to cash it..but it will be for too much....since by law US banks have to make some of the money available within 5 days, people think because their account was credited, the check CLEARS. So, they wire back the 10% or whatever the extra money was (western union) in hopes of doing another deal with the same people....2 weeks to a month later, the check is discovered as a fraud and you are on the hook for the check PLUS the extra money you already sent the guys...plus any charges you may have for overdraft etc.

[Ming the Merciless]

I recommend this site also as some good reading if you should ever get one of these letters...

http://www.419eater.com/html/ethics.htm

[Ming the Merciless]

http://www.419eater.com/html/trophy_room109.htm

Funny stuff when the scammers get scammed