I occasionally put some items up for sale on the local online messageboards at google and craigslist, and have lately been getting some bizarre replies. I can only imagine they are some sort of scam operation. Here’s an example of a reply I got for a camera I put up for sale:
“Hello seller,I will like to purchase your item displayed with an immediate payment of the item because i will like to present the item to my grandson as a gift whom is actually on his sick bed at his Art school,and also want to use this item to settle the grudge between the both of us before he left for school in which he as been dreaming on having a Camera of his own for years now and i just think the only way to make him feel more fit and strong from his sick bed is by sending him this item,I will like to know the buy it now price of this item and the condition of this item.i will like to make payment via postal order by western union auction payment for security purpose and as soon as the payment is been confirmed,i will be picking he item up through my courier service account for nice presentation of the item to him,Please send in your full contact information so that this transaction can start immediately"Thanks..”
Keep reading if you want to see a few more gems…
HI
MY NAME IS MACY STEPHANIE, AM FROM THE STATE (AUSTIN),IN
AMERICA AND TO BE PRECISED I LIVE IN AUSTIN ALL MY LIFE AND I
ALSO STUDIED IN AUSTIN .I AM INTO IMPORTING & EXPORTING FOR MY OCCUPATION AND I AM A
PROFESSIONAL MODEL ,AM CURENTLY IN NIGERIA MODELING FOR HUGO BOSS AND I WILL BE
BACK AS SOON AS MY CONTRACT WILL BE OVER AND I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO BUY THE ITEMS.
ABOUT THE PAYMENT ,MY BOSS IS READY TO MAKE THE PAYMENT TO YOU. I
MODELLED FOR HIM AND IS OWING ME SO I WILL JUST TELL HIM TO SEND YOU A
CHECK FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE ITEMS.I WILL ALSO LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT
THE ITEMS, AND HOW MUCH I SHOULD PAY IN FULL ,AND I WILL ALSO LOVE IF YOU CAN PLS HELP ME SEND THE
PIX OF THE ITEMS TO I WILL BE SO
HAPPY TO BUY THE ITEMS.
THX SO MUCH
LOOKIN G FORWARD FOR YOUR REPLY
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Hello,
I was searching in craigslist and found your item.though i have seen it from different sellers.but i will love to patronise u due to the moderate price u gave on urs.I will like to make a quick purchase on this item ASAP,but i dont know if u will accept payments through Western Union Money Order through BIDPAY.If u will accept ,kindly mail me back and provide me with ur name and the address of where the u want the money to be paid/sent.I will also like u to send me the weight(lbs) of the item.
I will love to take all responsibilities for the shipping cos this item is to be shipped outside the us.I have an account with FEDEX and i will like to use my account for conviniences.So as soon as u get the Western Union Payment Approval i will send u the shipping credentials {FEDEX(LABEL AND COMMERCIAL iNVOICE)to u so u can print it out and paste it on the item for pick up purposes.I need ur reply soonest cos this item wants to be used as a gift
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Hello,
I want to buy your item but before am proceeding in buying the item i want you to know that I am buying the item for my son who will be celebrating his birthday next week and i intend to take him by suprise this time and before am going ahead for the payment..I will like to know maybe you can accept my means of payment via western union auction payment (BIDPAY).Once i made the payment and as soon as my payment is approved by bidpay, i will like to ship the item immediately through Fed-ex.As for the shipping, you dont have to pay adime for it cos i will be responsible for the shipping to destination. Uppon approval of payment, i will send you a fed-ex prepaid shipping label and an invoice to you which you will paste on the package before they pick it up.I will like to read from you if this is okay by you. Let me have your full name and address so that i can proceed wit h the payment. Thanks..”
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Hello Dear Seller,
My name is dorris,
i saw your advert on the internet and am willing to purchase your Nikon F Photomic and 50mm f/2 Nikkor i reside in west africa and i will be paying with - $115 a money order. If my offer is okay by you kindly get back to me asap.
Regards.
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HELLO OWNER,
HOW RE YOU DOING ,I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH U .I AM NAME OVERY DOZE 30 YEARS OLD I AM AN EXPORTER AND IMPORTER I USE TO IMPORT AND EXPORT WITHING 2 OR MORE COUNTRY INCLUDING AFRICA .I AM IN AFRICA RIGHT NOW FOR CONTRACT AND I WILL BE BACK SOON .I SAW UR ADVERTISE ONLINE AND I AM INTRESTED IN BUYING YOUR ITEMS.CONCERNING THE PAYMENT OF THE ITEMS MY CLIENT IS OWING ME AND HE IS READY TO PAY ME WITH A CASHIER CHECK. I WILL ASK HIM TO FORWARD MY LAST PAYMENT TO YOU.
AND AS SOON AS U GET THE CHECK CASHED PLS DO DEDUCT THE MONEY OF THE ITEMS FROM IT AND SEND THE PIX TO MY BOX, AFTER THAT U WILL SEND MY ITEMS TO ME AND MY REMAINING CHANGE SO THAT I
CAN BOOK MY FILGHT AND THEN GET MY TICKET.IF U DO AGREE, PLS DO REPLY ME TO
THANKS
OVERY DOZE