Punk Scam Artist

[blahlah]

So I have been trying to sell some of my boards, and today I got this e-mail from jim robert <jim_rb99@yahoo.com> in regards to my 6'6" Rhino Chaser:

========
Hello,
My name is Jim, I saw your advert items .i was so excited about it and down to get it at all cost because it suits my need. I would like you to give me the final asking price. I am currently not in the country, to be precise I'm in CARDIFF,UK on a business trip and I will handle shipment of it to my base in USA,I will like to know if you accept Traveller's or cashier check or money order as a method of payment as my associate in US will issue out, sorry if I may ask, is this your personal property because I don't want to involve myself with stolen goods for sale. What is the condition like? If you accept the payment method I will like you to reply with me as soon as possible.
Warmest Regards
============

Knowing that it was a scam, I responded via fake e-mail address - the Silver Surfer:

===============
Cheerio Jim!

Thanks for writing! How's the surf in CARDIFF, UK? I am anxious to get rid of my board quick, so please let me know how we can complete our transaction. Where is your base in the US?

PS The board is mine, not stolen. Condition and price is as listed: good condition, $245.

Warm regards to you too,
Silver
======================

"Jim" wasted no time in getting back to me:

================================
Hello,

Good to hear from you.Don't bother about the shipping ,I will handle that myself.I'm definitely ok with the price .But you will have to do me a favor.I'm currently not in the state, i'm in UK on a business trips.My Client will send you a Money order of $3000, then you cash the payment from the cashing outlet or your bank and you remove your $245 for the (- 6'6" "Rhino Chaser ).The remaining amount will be send to my shipper who will come for the pick up at your location by nextweek.I hope you are ok with these arrangement. Also, you remove $40 for your running around and any expenses you make, like the charges from the cashing outlet and the charges to wire the balance through western union/Moneygram to my shipper.Let me know if you are ok with these arrangement so that the payment will be send to your location as soon as possible.Give me your full name and address .Andyour phone number, Keep other buyers off.Hope to hear from you soo [that's actually how he ended it]
=========================

So I replied:

==============================
Hi Jim,

$3000? I don't really understand. Sounds kind of sketchy. I would need to accept a larger payment for that kind of transaction, like $600. Also, are you sure you don't want me to ship it myself? I can pack the board in kukae (Hawaiian seaweed - works good as packaging) and send it to you no problem - send me $600 and I will cover the shipping.

Thanks,
Silver
==================================

I also sent him another e-mail:

=============================
Hi Jim -

Sorry, I forgot to give the name, address, and phone number of the sales manager at my surf shop.

His name is Steve Levins, the address of the shop is 235 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, and the number is (808)586-2630.

Thanks,
Silver (Linda)
===============================

Steve Levins is the executive director of the Hawaii Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Protections Office. http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/ocp/

Jim wrote back soon after:

================================
>From: jim robert <jim_rb99@yahoo.com>
>To: Silver Surfer <silver_surfer_20@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER
>Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:01:07 -0800 (PST)
>
>THANK YOU FOR THE MAIL, I WILL SEND THE CHECK WITH ABOVE NAME
> AND ADDRESS ,
=========================================

He also wrote:

THANK YOY FORN THE MAIL, I HAVE SOME OTHER GOODS WITH MY SHIPPER,
ARE WILL TO SHIP, ALL ARE A TIME, I WHOT YOU TO DO ME A FAVOUR BY SEND THE EXCESS MONEY TO MY SHIPPER.

===================

What a punk. Hope he somehow gets busted.

[Rocky Rockbottom]

That's funny

I've had similar mails sent to me while selling stuff in craigslist. Nice board by the way.

[Puerto_Rico_Surfer]

you know I have often thought why not catch the scam artist in his own game.

Ok he sends the cashier check and you just dont give him the money back or the board. Granted the check will bounce anyway, but it would be fun. You just send him an email once you recieve the check that you need to wait for it to clear, or since he is UK tell him then you need a Western union transfer, that you will pick it up at the office.
That way its already cash in hand and not having to clear.
Wouldnt that work?

Im just thinking outloud....

[Bud]

these people are everywhere. this was the most recent for me=


interested buyer from surfboardshack.com
From: wanye woodgate
11/9/2005 2:27 PM

>> Hello,
>>how are you today.i saw your ad and i am very much interested in the surf board.i will like to inquire about its current conditions and iwill be more than pleased if you can send me pictures so that ican determine its physical conditions as well.What is your final asking price and will you accept money order as means of payment.I await your response
>>Regards
>>WAYNE
=========================
>It appears you are writing from the UK; As specified in both website ads, please note that unless you are offering well above asking price PLUS shipping, I will not be packing/shipping these boards.
>
>Aloha,
>
>Bud
=========================
From: wanye woodgate
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 01:07:23 +0000 (GMT)

>I will pay $350 for the boards.If you are satisfied,get back to me
>

=========================

If you mean $350 for both boards, no deal.

If you mean $700.00(US) total, then we could talk further.

=========================

ok i'll pay 700 for both

[blahlah]

Hye Bud, at least your guy took the time to type in the words "surf board" and ask for pictures - my scammer was totally just using a form he probably spams all the craigslist postings with. It's so pathetically transparent, and it pisses me off that someone would abuse an otherwise great online community. Human nature I guess.

"Rocky Rockbottom" Nice board by the way.

Why, you like buy 'em? PM me if you like.

Thanks.

[olly]

damn british.
i don't get why the spelling and grammer is always so messed up.. is the whole thing automated?

oh, and there's no surf in Cardiff. you can tell that by the way i surf

[omar_P]

bud, hope you don't mind but i'm creating a page warning my users about these email scams, gonna use your example..of course keeping you anonymous

[Bud]

bud, hope you don't mind but i'm creating a page warning my users about these email scams, gonna use your example..of course keeping you anonymous

Hey howya been Omar - no problem-o - hope it can help in some way

[omar_P]

hey bud, doing well, how bout yourself? just been surfing the small waves in town. i hope my alerts on the scams keep people from being frauded. thanks.

btw, picked up an optio wpi, still learning how to use it. i really like the movie function on it...