Messin' With Scammers

[Ryan Ruck]

I just listed a couple items up for sale on our local Craigslist. Of course, even though it has been less than 24 hours since the ads have been posted, I am already getting e-mails from scammers.

So, I thought this time rather than just deleting them as I usually do, I'd have a little fun...

Here is the original ad:

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ele/1313423420.html

Two Leviton 400 CP Luma-Net Remote Memory Control Panels - $150

Up for sale are two new-in-box Leviton 400 CP Luma-Net remote memory control panels.

Specs on these devices can be found here:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCC...minisite=10051

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...y_control.html

As you can see, retail is around $270 for ONE, new! Buy mine and get TWO for LESS than the price of ONE!

Items are new-in-box and have only been removed to examine package contents.

Devices are remote panels for use with a Leviton commercial grade lighting control system only.

If you pay my asking price, I will deliver to your house for free if you live within 50 miles of New Richmond, OH (45157)!

Stock photo of item for sale. Pictures of actual item available upon request.

Local purchase only (no shipping), cash only, no refunds.

I then get this in response to the ad:

from: honey cole honeycole10@gmail.com
to: sale-nzrqj-1313423420@craigslist.org
date: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 at 4:56 AM
subject: Two Leviton 400 CP Luma-Net Remote Memory Control Panels - $150 (New Richmond, OH)

4:56 AM

Reply

Follow up message
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
--


GET BACK TO ME IF ITS AVALIABLE


this message was remailed to you via: sale-nzrqj-1313423420@craigslist.org

Not knowing if it was a serious inquiry I respond with this:

from: Ryan Ruck ryanruck@gmail.com
to: honey cole honeycole10@gmail.com
date: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 at 10:49 AM
subject: Re: Two Leviton 400 CP Luma-Net Remote Memory Control Panels - $150 (New Richmond, OH)

10:49 AM (8 hours ago)

Yes, the item is still available for sale.

Thanks,
Ryan

I then get back:

Hello,
Thanks for the quick response... Am satisfied with the price
and condition of the item. I will like to make an outright purchase of
the item, so i will want you know that my mode of payment will be
Money Order/Cashier's Check or Certified Check to you and upon the
confirmation and clearance of payment my mover will come for the
pick-up at your location. So get back to me with your full name,
address, zip code and phone number... so that payment can be mail
out asap. let me read from you today.

Thanks.

At this point it was obviously a scammer. So, I thought I'd have some fun!

OOooohhhh.... I'm sorry but I can't accept Money Order/Cashier's Check or Certified Check. I can only take payment in cash, commemorative Barack Obama Presidential Dinner Plates, or gold doubloons.

If you can arrange to send me 50 or so commemorative Barack Obama Presidential Dinner Plates I would be more than happy to sell the items to you.

Also, you are in luck, there will be no need for you to arrange for a mover to pick up the item! It just so happens that I have a Gulfstream 5 private jet!!1!! I just came into possession of it thanks in part to the wise spending habits of my good friend Nancy Pelosi. She thought our small group of friends could use a couple. I have been looking for just the excuse to take it out for a spin! I can be anywhere around the world within 24 hours, even Kenya or Nigeria!

I look forward to read from you today! (This poor grammar was intentional)

Yours,
Johnathan "Ryan" Galt

As of this post, I am waiting for a response.

If anyone has any good ideas for followup messages, feel free to share!

[Beetle]

LOL

I liked the plates! And real nice touch with John Galt.

[Ryan Ruck]

Man, they are out hot and heavy... Just got the same one from two different ads. One for a ladder rack and another for my MSD igntion system.

from: Godwin Silas godspower02@gmail.com
to: sale-c34rv-1313258718@craigslist.org
date: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 at 9:04 AM
subject: Used Adrian Steel Double Grip-Down Ladder Rack - $250 (New Richmond, OH)

Still up for sale?

from: Ryan Ruck
to: Godwin Silas
date: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 at 10:50 AM
subject: Re: Used Adrian Steel Double Grip-Down Ladder Rack - $250 (New Richmond, OH)

Yes, this item is still for sale.

Thanks,
Ryan

Hi,
In about a week you will get payment.Firstly i would have love to come and see it in person but due to my job. I will be paying by money order or a check so give me your full name and address to make them payable to as i do not want to lose this sale to someone else. If you will keep it in my favor, i dont mind adding twenty dollar for the delay. Pick-up wont be a problem as i already have an arrangement for that.
Silas

Sure! Feel free to drop by anytime. My address is:

10 N. 2nd St.
Batavia, OH 45103

You can also call me at (513) 732-2378. Just ask for Barry Soetoro.

For clarification, that is definitely not my contact info. It would be theirs!

I think I may have to use the Scientologists' contact info in my next scammer response. Tell them to ask for a Thomas Cruise.

[Aplomb]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Looking for work, I can REALLY appreciate what you're doing, Ryan! Thanks!!!

You don't know how many wild goose chase stories I have because of that crap. And bill collectors with all my info. Yet no job.

[Malsua]

Why are these obvious scammers? Money Order or Check?

[American Patriot]

OMG.

I nearly choked on my eggs reading this.

LOL

[Malsua]

OMG.

I nearly choked on my eggs reading this.

LOL

BO dinner plates and gold doubloons was a nice touch. hehe

[Malsua]

For clarification, that is definitely not my contact info. It would be theirs!

[Ryan Ruck]

Why are these obvious scammers? Money Order or Check?

• Very poor grammar.
• Saying they will arrange for a mover to pick up the items despite it saying "local purchase only (no shipping)" directly in the ads. Also, "movers" for 2 items the size of a 4-switch wall switch panel?
• Saying they will pay by check or MO despite my saying "Cash Only" directly in my ads.
• Offers to make the payment out for more than you are selling the item for to complete the "sale".
• The fact I've gotten the same reply on 3 of my ads.

By the way, no new replies yet. I'm hurt...

[Ryan Ruck]

OMG.

I nearly choked on my eggs reading this.

LOL

Well we can't have that Rick!

Should I put a "May Make You Choke On Eggs" alert in the title?

[Ryan Ruck]

BO dinner plates and gold doubloons was a nice touch. hehe

Hell yeah it is!

Who doesn't want 50 plates with Dear Leader gazing up at us as we eat our eggs! Guaranteed to help you lose weight because as you start getting down far enough to see his face, you'll lose your appetite!











I mean, can't you just feel how Dear Leader's warming gaze just makes your stomach wretch?

http://dennisjudd.com/albums/funpics/fry.jpg

I think if I get a reply back saying that the "buyer" was told that there is no Barry Soetoro there I'll have to work some way to send them a real fake BO birth certificate.

[Malsua]

• Very poor grammar.
• Saying they will arrange for a mover to pick up the items despite it saying "local purchase only (no shipping)" directly in the ads. Also, "movers" for 2 items the size of a 4-switch wall switch panel?
• Saying they will pay by check or MO despite my saying "Cash Only" directly in my ads.
• Offers to make the payment out for more than you are selling the item for to complete the "sale".
• The fact I've gotten the same reply on 3 of my ads.

By the way, no new replies yet. I'm hurt...

I didn't see where they were offering more. That is of course a big tip off. "Here, cash this check, send the extra to me". The check bounces straight away

Not sure what they expect to gain.

[American Patriot]

Well we can't have that Rick!

Should I put a "May Make You Choke On Eggs" alert in the title?

Well, NO, because I don't believe in giving warnings anyway. LOL

I just was eating, and thinking "scammers, now what?" lol

[Ryan Ruck]

Got a response on the ladder rack...

Hi Barry,
You should get your payment this week. I will appreciate if you can get the ad off craigslist so i can be sure you are keeping it in my favor. Please let me know as soon as you receive it so i can start making arrangement for the pick-up. I am off to a business trip. Is there a number you can be reached on? Thanks
Silas

Haven't sent anything back...

If he has sent a fake check/money order as he has said he will, the Clermont County Dems should be getting a fake check made out to a Berry Soetoro! LMAO!

[American Patriot]

got a response on the ladder rack...
Haven't sent anything back...

If he has sent a fake check/money order as he has said he will, the clermont county dems should be getting a fake check made out to a berry soetoro! Lmao!

rotflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ryan Ruck]

Almost forgot about this thread...

Never got a reply back from any of the scammers. But on the positive side I did get both of the ladder racks I was selling sold!