How does this internet scam work

[lordhutt]

Ok, so I sometimes put items for sale on Craig's List or other online sales places like bargaintraderonline.com.

I constantly get emails like the one I will paste below.
These types of online selling are meant to be face to face. But these people that write are from out of the country and offer insane amounts of money to buy whatever is for sale as you will see below. Basically a little more for the item and up to 1000's for shipping!!!

The guy in this particular email is asking just for my full name, address, and phone number.
Most of the time they want a PayPal account to 'send the money'.

Obviously it is all bullshit...hell, most of the emails are worded almost the same.
My question is what can they accomplish with just things like name, address, phone, and paypal account name.

You would think this is something they could find out about any number of people.
Any below is a copy of the email I just received...after I replied to his first one.

Hello ,
I really appreciate your response in regard to making this
transaction a successful one.....i will like us to carry on with this
deal with trust and understanding cos i'm in the England and would
like to buy and ship it over here... Am Okay with the price ($400 )
present condition as well as the look on the picture... I'll offer
you additional ($100) for it and that makes a total of of ($500)..I
would really appreciate it if you can get back to me with your full
details so i could order my secretary to send out a payment check or
money order for the amount of ($4900) which will cover the shipping
cost as well as the cost of the item because the shipping firm will be
picking it up alongside with some other goods that are to be shipped
for me in the state.
Get back to me with full details.
YOU R NAME IN FULL...............
CONTACT ADDRESS....
CITY.....
STATE......
COUNTRY..........
ZIP CODE.....................
PHONE NUMBER........................
P ls do not bother about any other buyer, i believe things will work
as plan. Concerning the pick up i've arrange that with my shipping
firm because they are picking it up along with other goods that are to
be shipped for me in the state. All you need to do is to get the check
cashed immediately you do receive the payment check ,deduct the total
cost and get the remaining fund send to the shipping firm same day so
that they could leave for your location to arrange for the pick
up.Await Your Quick response ASAP...
Sincerely
Paul
+44 70457 34480

On 3/8/09, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX wrote:
> Yep, I still have it.
> There is a picture in the ad. The price is in the ad. There is a picture in
> the ad. The condition is listed in the ad.
>
> --- On Sun, 3/8/09, singlefather21@gmail.com <singlefather21@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> From: singlefather21@gmail.com <singlefather21@gmail.com>
> Subject: Your Ad on www.bargaintraderonline.com

TRACTOR T
> To: XXXXXXXXX@yahoo.com
> Date: Sunday, March 8, 2009, 12:27 PM
>
>
>
>
> Here is a potential buyer for your ad XXXXXXXXX on BargainTraderOnline.com

:
> The specific ad Paul Miller viewed was for:
>
>
>
> VIEW AD: http://adcache.bargaintraderonline.com/7/2/0/XXXXXXXXXXX.htm


>
> PRICE: $400
> DESCRIPTION: Complete set of 1977 Topps cards and stickers. All 5 series
> 99%mint. Call Andy for details
> YOUR MESSAGE: Good Day, Pls do write me back if your item is still available
> for sale... Include some pictures, present condition,and the asking
> price..Await Your Quick Response. Paul
> SENDER'S NAME: Paul Miller
> TELEPHONE: Buyer did not Provide
>
>
>
>
> SAFETY TIPS
> To ensure a safe and effective marketplace, BargainTraderOnline.com strongly
> recommends that
> you consider the following before you proceed:
>
> Before completing a monetary transaction, we strongly recommend that you
> verify the
> legitimacy of the buyer in person or by telephone. Be cautious of any
> buyer unwilling or unable to communicate by phone. Several reports of
> scams include buyers who are located overseas and wish only to
> communicate via email.
>
> If the buyer pays by cashier's check, allow at least 10 business
> days after deposit to ensure that the money will fully clear the bank and
> NOT be reclaimed from
> your account if counterfeit.
>
> For your protection, BargainTraderOnline.com will never request credit card
> information or your
> login/password within an email message. If you receive an email message
> requesting your credit card information, do not provide your personal
> information. Please forward any such emails to
> webmaster@bargaintraderonline.com.
>
> Be cautious with international sellers.
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Supreme2k]

Check out a similar thread here.


Basically, they send you a bad* check, then have you send them your "good" money.
It's somewhat of a money laundering scheme, but pretty much all fraud.
the main way that they make money is off stupidity.




*meaning anything from stolen funds to stolen identity.

[lordhutt]

Ahhh...so sending money to the 'freight' company is the key.

I sent him my info

Ron Jeremy
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
USA
212-640-7989

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Supreme2K you beat me to it!, I was going to direct him to my thread too

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

One thing I don't understand here... where does Paypal fits?

[lordhutt]

One thing I don't understand here... where does Paypal fits?

Don't know, but one guy was quite adamant about using PayPal to pay me....

[lordhutt]

Well, one check made out to a porn star on its way to the White House!

Thanks for the information As a matter fact the deal is on and the
payment has already been sent (it will arrive by mail).So the payment
should arrive in a short while from now so once you receive the
check,do alert me so i can give you instructions regarding the
shipping and handling... please don't bothered about any other
interested buyers and consider it sold, i believe everything will soon
work out as plan or better still, u take off the advert from the
advertise site.
Paul

[Number Six]

Good one - I'm sure that if it gets there, it will get the attention of the SECRET SERVICE and the FBI. Just hope that there isn't anything in there that can be traced back to you, like your name, email address, etc.

[lordhutt]

Good one - I'm sure that if it gets there, it will get the attention of the SECRET SERVICE and the FBI. Just hope that there isn't anything in there that can be traced back to you, like your name, email address, etc.

Well, just this thread! Maybe Barock will think its funny

[stiltman]

Ron is gonna be mifted if they come after him

[Number Six]

Ron is gonna be mifted if they come after him

NEVER MIND - I JUST GOT IT