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2005-01-17 3:49 PM

Regular
76
252525
Colorado Springs CO.
Subject: almost got scammed hardcore
I am looking for a roomate so i went online and posted an ad looking for a roomate. I got a response from a woman who stated she was in africa and wante to move in after she got back. i replied with a basic break down of the rent and utilities and some more info, no personal info though. she the replied stating that she only had a money order for $3800 and she was going to make it out to me, then i was supposed to deduct rent and then send the balance abck to her through western union back in africa..... at this point i was quite suspicious. I did some research and ended up at the secred service fraud website. it turns out that there has been a huge increase in postal money order fraud out of nigeria since the first of the year. scammers get money orders for a small dollar amounts increase the value and send them to americans to cash them and send back the balance. they are getting very creative, and looking to scam anyone. this fit the profile of the scam exactly. I am sooo glad i did some reasearch and didint get screwed!


2005-01-17 3:58 PM
in reply to: #104873

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Pro
4206
20002000100100
Los Angeles, CA
Subject: RE: almost got scammed hardcore

You should have her send the money order and you don't send her the balance/difference.  You keep whatever she sent you so you technically scammed her. 

2005-01-17 4:18 PM
in reply to: #104873

Regular
76
252525
Colorado Springs CO.
Subject: RE: almost got scammed hardcore
typically the money orders are fake, so it wouldnt be any good to me. i read on the SS website that most tellers cant tell the subtle differences in a real postal money order and a fradulent one.
2005-01-17 6:05 PM
in reply to: #104873

Master
1741
100050010010025
Boston
Subject: RE: almost got scammed hardcore
Wow! Scary. Not sure posting an ad for a roommate is the best thing, either. You could get some wackos. Be careful!
2005-01-17 11:15 PM
in reply to: #104873

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Expert
798
500100100252525
Potomac, Maryland
Subject: RE: almost got scammed hardcore
Beware of any solicitations emanating from Africa, especially Nigeria.  I am a Foreign Service Officer and am often assigned to U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.  The Nigerian scam is infamous.  Most often they try to entice unsuspecting Americans and others into providing a safe haven for business funds that must be transferred abroad.  They either get an account number or a good faith deposit and pull the victim in as deep as they can.  The U.S. Secret Service is well aware of the various scams, but they keep cropping up.
2005-01-17 11:56 PM
in reply to: #104873

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Master
1927
100050010010010010025
Chicago
Subject: RE: almost got scammed hardcore
Yeah, beware of anything from Nigeria. Notorious for scams. It's getting so you can't trust anybody these days which is a shame because life shouldn't be lived in a bubble.


2005-01-18 8:42 AM
in reply to: #104873

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Champion
4902
20002000500100100100100
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: almost got scammed hardcore
If it sounds too good to be true ... it isn't! 
2005-01-18 9:08 AM
in reply to: #104880

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Elite Veteran
970
5001001001001002525
Smyrna, Georgia
Subject: RE: almost got scammed hardcore

The way those scams typically work is this:

The money order is fake.  The bank doesn't know this initially and so they deposit the funds in your account while they're processing the money order.  You see that the money has "cleared" your account so you think everything is on the up and up and you wire the difference.  A few weeks later, the bank figures out that the money order is fake and then you're left on the hook for the money.

This same scam is mailed to people who sell their cars online via sites like Auto Trader.

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