theoldwolf

So here's the advert, one of nine I placed this week. Before a day had passed, I had seven inquiries, all basically the same: "Is this item still available?" That's a dead giveaway for a Nigerian scammer.

Solid Hardwood Antique Secretary's Desk - $550 (Payson, UT)

This is a piece to refinish, it's had a long life and needs restorative work, but would be gorgeous with some TLC.

A similar item recently sold on eBay for $750.00.

Principals only. Cash only sale. No checks, money orders, shipping agents, Western Union money transfers, or anything else a Nigerian scammer may be using this week.

Initial inquiry from "Austin Siregar" at austinsiregar@yahoo.com

Would love to buy this from you if its still on offer. Please let me know asap.
Austin

I respond, "Still available. Read the ad for further details."

Next email comes back from "peters moore" at petersmoore03@gmail.com. The moron is already using a new name and email address.

Thanks for the prompt response to my mail.I will surely buy it from you so please kindly withdraw the advert . Please get informed that i will pay you with a certified bank check and once you have the check cashed at your bank then i will arrange for the pick up at your
place..I will need the following details to mail the payment as soon as possible.

Name to be on the check____
Home address(Not P.O.BOX)____
City___________________
State____
Zip Code_____
Cell phone #______

Please get back to me asap.
Thanks.

My response to him:

First: "Peters" is not a name.

Second: You didn't even read the advert, or you would have seen this:

Principals only. Cash only sale. No checks, money orders, shipping agents, Western Union money transfers, or anything else a Nigerian scammer may be using this week.

Third: Please "get informed" that your English sucks. You are a mugu, and a thief. I send you the very finest black powder by way of Olumba Olumba Obu.

Dem no born you reach, onioburu. U no fit comot face, just skip along.

If you're selling on Craigslist, be prepared to receive any number of inquiries like this. Blow them off. Craigslist prefaces every email from a respondent with this caveat:

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

It's much harder to get taken if you deal with people face to face and accept cash only. Be smart, and be careful. The number of scumbags out there who want your money is breathtaking.