Mike

Ball

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April 14, 2008

The Dark Side of CraigsList

Last week I talked about selling all my crap on CraigsList. In the process of doing that I have discovered that not everyone on the World Wide Web is completely honest.

I know. It shocked me too.

Here’s how it went. I listed a 12-string guitar on CraigsList, and along with other replies I got this:

“Hey, I just went through the ads you have on here on Craigslist and it's actually what i wanna buy, i will like to purchase these item from you, hope it's still available for sale . . . either way it goes, i am always online so you can email me back.”

OK, his word choices are a little bit unusual, and his shift key is apparently broken, but at least the tone is friendly. I assume that he could not spell the word “guitar” or copy it from the subject header, but I thought “these item” got the point across well enough. I sent a reply:

“Yes, the guitar is available. I'd be happy to let you have a look at it.”

After a couple of days I got this:

“Thanks for the prompt response, i'll like to make an instant purchase right away, i will send a draft via my bank to cover the cost as am satisfied with the item. I will need the details of whom & where to mail the draft. It will be delivered by the United Parcel Service within 2 days. Please note 'ups' do not deliver to P.O. Box addresses. The require detail needed are: Name to be on check, Address to deliver the draft and your phone number should in case i might have someone call you on my behave because i am deaf. Kindly delete the posting as am totally committed to buying from you to save me cost, above all, you don't need bother about the shipping i will have my mover come for the pick up as soon as you have get the payment.”

OK, while it seems encouraging that he’ll like to make a purchase not only “instant,” but also “right away,” I noticed a couple of curious issues here. For one thing, a cynical person would wonder why someone who might have someone call me “on his behave” because he is deaf would want a guitar.

Plus, while I am happy that he is totally committed to buying from me to save him cost, it seems like sending a bank draft by UPS is a fairly odd way to carry out what should be a fairly simple financial transaction. And even though a 12-string is large for a guitar, it probably would not require a “mover” to pick it up.

Finally, I’m not entirely sure how he would have come to be “satisfied with item,” since we have never exchanged any information about it. In fact, the actual word “guitar” still seems to elude him.

So the question you have to ask is, what is going on here? After a little research I found out that this is a classic set-up for a fairly common scheme in which a buyer, who for some reason can’t deal with you in person, commits to buy something sight unseen at your full asking price.

After a few days a bank draft shows up written for several times the cost of whatever you’re selling. The buyer asks you to refund the balance by wire transfer, usually letting you keep a little extra for your trouble.

The punch line comes a couple of weeks later when the bank informs you that the original bank draft is phony. Apparently certified and cashier’s checks are among the easiest things to counterfeit these days, since the bank will accept them without question, then hold you responsible when they turn out to be worth just a little bit less than fiberglass toilet paper.

So here I sit, disillusioned that such dishonesty could dwell in my fellow CraigsListers. The one bright spot is the email I got yesterday. It seems that I have been chosen to help a widow in Nigeria get 14.5 million United States Dollars out of Africa, keeping 10 percent, or 1.45 million United States Dollars as a commission.

Good thing – I haven’t sold the guitar yet, and I could use a little extra cash.

Copyright © 2008, Michael Ball. Distributed exclusively by North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.