Am I being scammed?

[89911]

I listed some Fuchs a while ago in Panorama and have since sold them for $1500. I currently am selling 6 and 7" by 16" fuchs for $750. The buyer wanted the original one I would suspect by the amount he offered. When I proposed the other ones were still available, He offered to buy these. No question, pictures, nothing. It is the payment arrangement that has me puzzled. Sound legit?? The newest response is at the top.

Email transcription:

yes,

that is why i told you to remove shipment amount.

still waiting for the full information(name,address and phone number)where the check will be send.

williams

M J Herock wrote:

I cant say this sound like the usual routine. Where are you located for a start? These wheels do have tires on them and it will make shipping oversea's much more expensive, do to the added weight. I am still willing go ahead if this is still acceptable.

Michael.
----- Original Message -----
From: williams dl
To: M J Herock
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 3:07 AM
Subject: Re: Fuchs wheels


Hello,

I have already made arrangement with client who is owing me $5000 and he said is going to send check of $5000 to you, so all you have to do is deduct your cost for it and also shipping cost and then you can let me have my balance via western union money transfer. This is the fastest way I can get money across to you now, as check sent from here takes over 1 month to clear but check there will clear in matter of days. If this is okay, please provide me with your contact info i.e, your full name to be written on the check, address and telephone number where the check will be send

Nice doing business with you,

williams

M J Herock wrote:

$750. Shipping will be extra. I can confirm the exact price to ship to your area if you are interested. The ad is on Panorama's website at www.pca.org Michael.
----- Original Message -----
From: williams dl
To: M J Herock
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 12:00 PM
Subject: Re: Fuchs wheels


ok,

what is your price.

williams

M J Herock wrote:

The 7's and 8" by 16" are sold. I have a set of 6 and 7" by 16" if interested.

Michael.
----- Original Message -----
From: williams dl
To: dental@nauticom.net
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 7:46 PM
Subject: Fuchs wheels


HELLO,

I WISH TO BUY YOUR Fuchs wheels FOR $1500 ,I WILL MAKE ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENT FOR SHIPMENT. IF THIS IS OK BY YOU MAIL ME BACK YOUR STATE,FOR MY CLIENT OWING ME IN U.S.A TO SENT THE PAYMENT.

HOPE TO HERE FROM YOU SOON


WILLIAMS

[Chuck Moreland]

Do I understand this right - He is sending you a check for $5k, you send him the fuchs and a wire transfer for the $4250 overpayment?

Do you really need to ask if this is a scam?

[RallyJon]

Open a new bank account. Deposit the check. Wait for it to clear. Withdraw the $5k in cash. Close the bank account.

[AFJuvat]

Nope, does not sound legit

"send me the wheels and my friend will sned you a check"

Who in their right mind would have a friend send a stranger $5000, then have said stranget deduct an amount, and then forward the balance?

Something doesn't smell right there.

AFJuvat

[tryan]

i would steer clear. sounds like a $8500 loss to me.

[Chuck Moreland]

If you like that one, I have a business associate in Nigeria who needs your help in getting $1M out the country.....

[RANDY P]

do that and they'll put your pic / car pic on CNN as funding terrorists.

2nd thought -

He's skating income taxes. Problem: you're now on the tab instead.

[89911]

I think he is sending me the money first and then I am to ship him the wheels, at least that is the way I'm going to make it happen. What should I charge for shipping and handling $500 I am an honest person, but this sounds crazy. I actually can't see how it can affect me, since I'll just keep everything until all money is cleared and deposited. It just seems weird that the buyer does not care about the wheels or giving someone a $4000 loan. Money laundering. Strange! The only place I put this ad was on Panorama also.

[sammyg2]

I've heard of a scam that sounds very similar to this one.
You recieve payment, you send the balance, then the original payment you recieve bounces. Even if it's a money order the bank can deny payment.
I would be very scared of this one, you could specify that you sit on the original payment for a month or so and see what the buyer says. If he fights that idea, run away.

[RANDY P]

You don't need the money - and at your price they'll sell. Insist on "Normal" method of doing business or walk.

rjp

[skinnerd]

No where in the correspondence does it say "send me the wheels, and my friend will send you $5000". If this guy wants to send $5000 first, I don't see a problem with this. Wait for the check to clear, then send the wheels/tires and the overpayment. Not the typical way for sure, but there's no risk if you get the check cleared first. Sounds like all the buyer is waiting for is an address to send the check to? I read through all the correspondence, and there is no where that he is asking to have the wheels sent to him before the check clears.

[maxnine11]

[89911]

I emailed him back and said thanks but no thanks. My biggest suspicion; What Porsche guy would buy fuchs and not ask about them! Much more suspicous then someone sending you a $5000 check

[john_colasante]

Of course this sounds crazy, but Mike why don't you go for it so we can see how it plays out? At least then we'll know what to look for in the future. Take one for the team guy.

[widebody911]

It's a scam.

Brian Buxton on Rennlist recently mentioned that such a scam was tried on him.

Basically, the funds that are sent to you will turn out to be bogus, but the funds you send out will be quite legit. He'll have your stuff and an extra $4k.

Run away.

[RANDY P]

3rd thought -

This guy is wanted for something by someone big. He CAN'T recieve normal payment. Garnishment perhaps?

rjp

[morstad]

shady

[89911]

Originally posted by john_colasante
Of course this sounds crazy, but Mike why don't you go for it so we can see how it plays out? At least then we'll know what to look for in the future. Take one for the team guy.

John, that was what I was thinking. My lifes been kind of mundane as of late with this weather! What happens to this "check" he sends? Disintergrates? If I go to a bank and cash it and they pay me, what next? All questions that perhaps I should investigate Why does he prey on Porsche lovers. (Another burning question)!

[stinkpot]

Don't do it! A guy here in ND got burned doing the exact same thing (although he was selling a camper - about $30,000). It was the same story; the seller would have a friend send a check for $35,000 and the buyer would send the difference to the seller. The money order showed up, the seller went to the bank, cashed it, and sent the difference to the buyer. Never heard from him again. A couple of weeks later, the bank calls and said the Money Order was a fake! Now the seller owes the bank $5000.

[emcon5]

The post on Rennlist was similar, using fake cashier's checks.

Run Forrest, Run!

Tom