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198.12.16.4
Hello all. I was recently approached by someone on Audiogon, who from the tone of his e-mails I thought was full of crap from the first exchange. I responded out of courtesy and when the obvious scam came in, I played along to see if he would actually send the bogus money orders. He did, to the tune of three $950 "international money orders", drawn on the Canadian bank CIBC--for a $650 item.Big suprise, even though he at one point claimed to be local (DC area) and the envelope is post marked from Memphis, TN he would like me to wire funds to one of the usual Bananna republics on the West Coast of Africa--in this case Benin. The exchange is below. I posted this for two reasons--1)to warn anybody who gets an e-mail from "TonyShaffer01" (although I'm not sure who would fall for this) and 2) to gather advice about where to forward the e-mail chain and forged money orders. I'm sure the police won't do squat, but I would feel better if I at least tried to do something about this loser.
Thanks,
Dave
HIM:
Hello,
I just saw your ad on audiogon.I am interested in your item.Please let me know
if it is still available for sale and what your final price is.Hope to hear from
you soon.
T.Shaffer.============================
FROM: Tonyshaffer01 (a member)
ME:
Hi,Yes I've still got the phono stage. I suspect that I will get some offers over the weekend, so final price more or less depends on that--I'm guessing I'll get pretty close to what I'm asking. Feel free to make an offer if you are interested.
Thanks,
Dave
HIM: (I deleted this e-mail, but basically offers to "meet my price" but wants to make sure the transaction is the best for the "both of us" . Expects unit is in excellent shape--after I rated it 6 out of 10.
He says he's sorry but he's out of town and couldn't come by to see the unit personally. The only way he can pay is by money order. He also expects me to delete the listing).ME:
Tony,
A money order is fine. Send to XXXXXXX. It's a wonderful unit, but as I mentioned in the ad there are some "scuff marks" on the chrome finish. Think of an Ipod after it has been used a couple of months and you will get the idea. You really only notice in bright light. I can send you more pictures tomorrow, I really need daylight to avoid the reflection from the flash distorting the pic. I will also mark it sale pending tomorrow. Please let me know if you change your mind.
Thanks,ME:
Tony,
Here are a couple of more pictures--one with a flash and one in natural light.HIM:
Hi ,
I hope you are fine and alright. I have been busy myself but doing great. There is something i think i must bring to your notice. After a reconciliation of my account , i discovered that somehow my assistant must have over paid you. The payment that was meant for another transaction was sent to you and the one meant for you was sent to another, however i want to believe i wont have a problem with you.
Please once you receive the money orders,you will cash and deduct your money.You will send the rest of the money via western union to my friend who needs money for his surgery soon.Thanks for your understanding.I will be waiting to hear from you.
Warm regards.
J.Cather.
ME:
Sure, that's no problem.
HIM:
Thanks.let me know as soon as you receive it.HIM:
I will like to know if you have receive my payment by now.ME:
Hi,I got it yesterday.
HIM:
Hi Dave,
How are you today,i hope you had a wonderful weekend.Please go ahead and take the money orders to the bank and have them cashed.You will deduct $650 as your payment and have the balance of $2110 sent via western union to the manager of the shipping company.Here is the information you will use below.
Receivers Name: ARASH JOHN HARRY
City: COTONOU
Country: BENIN
Test question: what is the colour?
Answer: BLACK.
Feel free to pay the western union charges from the $2110.Get back to me with the folowing info on the western union receipt..
The MTCN( contol number),exact amount sent after charges,senders name and address.I expect you to complete this transaction tmw so that you can fix a specific date for the pickup.Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Tony.
Follow Ups:
I had the same happen last week on an Audio Refinement CD. I asked about his location and he provided me with a Montana address. Same scam though. PS he was no longer a registered member of A'gon.
Just a point of interest- I currently have a Rega Maia 3 listed in the free Asylum classifieds. Last week I was contacted via email by a gentleman who requested further details about the piece; I provided them and confirmed the asking price. Two days later I recieved a check for about 4 times the asking price, FedExed overnight from Osaka, Japan. Suspecting foul play, I called the bank the check was drawn on and was told it was worthless, and that the account was currently under investigation as a scam. Clearly,there are amillion variations on this theme.
This is a well-known scam. See http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/12/checkoverpayment.shtm and http://www.hoax-slayer.com/overpayment-scam.html
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> I am interested in your item <This is always the first clue of a scam. How many people do you know who would offer 650.00 for ANY piece of equipment and not be able to at least identify it in it's general terms (phono preamp, speakers, turntable, etc...)? This seems to be a generic, cut and paste statement that prefaces all scams.
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