A very bad scam... Be careful!
By tictac714
@tictac714 (975)
United States
January 20, 2007 12:13am CST
Guys, this one is so bad I am embarassed to say I almost fell for it. The only reason I am even admitting to it is in hopes I will help someone else.
I responded to an ad on craiglist for a "bookkeeping position". The next thing I knew, I was receiving money orders totally to $3,000 by UPS. I was supposed to deposit them in my account, keep 10%, and wire the rest to Nigeria via Western Union. Lucky for me I realized what was going on. This is a popular internet scam. What happens is, the money orders are FAKE, and if you cash them (which I did not, whew) your bank will give you the money, you sent it to Nigeria, but then your bank finds out that they were fake money orders and you are responsible for all those funds!
I have reported my experience to the FBI. But I wanted to get the word out, don't get fooled like I almost did!
7 people like this
9 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
29 Jan 07
I have seen warnings for this scam on TV a few times and not everyone was as smart or as lucky as you. Thanks
2 people like this
@tictac714 (975)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I know, I was lucky. It really makes me mad that people go to so mmuch trouble to make some money that they will go out of their way and hurt people like that.
1 person likes this
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
29 Jan 07
This happened to my friend sister about a month ago. Only she was talking in a chat room with a person and then after exchanging emails a week later, he wanted her to cash some checks for him. He said he was had an import/export company and was suck out of the country...bla, blah . Anyway she said no she couldn't cash any checks for him. She had sent him a birthday card, so he had her address. The next week she got a letter from him with 5 money orders to cash. She took them to the police after calling the FBI. Now she's afraid that he will send someone after her because she told him she turned them in. Scary stuff goes on, you always have to be very careful of everything.
@tictac714 (975)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I was a little afraid they would come after me, but the guy from the FBI says it's highly unlikely. I sure hope he is right!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
20 Jan 07
Wow... On Craigslist? Interesting. Did you report it to the correct people on Craigslist so that they are aware of what this person is doing? I know they need to be aware also. I think anyone like this who tries to Scam people like this are Sick, and need a life. How can they live with themselves, and sleep at night? Good thing you caught on before you got yourself in Financial trouble Big time.
@kylesmiles (1910)
• United States
22 Jan 07
Oh my gosh! I have heard of this. I am SO GLAD you did NOT fall for this. :) Unfortunately there are a lot of scams on craigslist... especially those data entry ones... GRRRR! I try to report them as spam as much as I can but there are so many of them. It's too bad that people are out to scam others, it makes it hard to find the LEGIT jobs out there..
1 person likes this
@tictac714 (975)
• United States
22 Jan 07
I know, it's like when you finally come across a real opportunity you're skeptical.
I just can't imagine being that evil as to want to cause people that sort of trouble.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 Feb 07
Lucky for you that you have common sense and reported this to the authorties. All too often people fall for these scams and lose their entire savings and more. Thank you for posting this article. Hopefull many will be read this and become aware that of these scam artists and not fall prey to them.
@naziashajid (847)
• Canada
3 Feb 07
You are very lucky that you are saved. Do not fall for these scams and be careful in he future.
@naziashajid (847)
• Canada
5 Jun 07
thank yo for letting us know about this dangerous thing.wish you all the best...
@joanna07 (110)
• Ireland
5 Feb 07
Hey! I almost got fooled as welll! they just sent me a cheque, and i realised it wasa scam i said i will send it back to them but they say i need to pay them for inconvenience of sending the cheque what should i do??? mail me please quick as i need to know i said i have no money and that i will send the cheque back to them. I realised it was a scam and i sent them a email cancelling and they sent the check any way. dont fall for this, i am glad i didnt!!!
