scottaffi 0 #1 February 26, 2003 I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them....I have a rig for sale (advertised here and in Skydiving Mag.), I've received 2 emails from people that live outside the USA wanting to buy the gear. They want me to accept a check, deduct the cost of the rig, then mail them the balance. Sounds a little fishy if you asked me. If you've had the same problem or have any ideas as to why these people are doing this please respond. Blue Skies!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NightJumper 0 #2 February 26, 2003 Think money laundering. Would you like me to read you your rights now or latter? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #3 February 26, 2003 I don't think it's money laundering....if they are offering a check the money is in the bank and already launderedSounds like they are possibly making sure that you receive enough cash to cover shipping and the rig....to avoid any snags of that sort. Depending on how you ship and whether you insure, the costs of shipping can vary widely. I don't think it's fishy...it seems like they are trusting you to make good on delivery and want to make sure it happens. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #4 February 26, 2003 There have been lots of problems in the past with people overseas buying gear with stolen credit cards. Maybe they've moved on to stolen/forged checks. This wouldn't happen to be a former Soviet Union country, would it? Did they mention how big of a check they were going to write? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #5 February 26, 2003 I would never accept an International check. Ask for a money order, or bank draft. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thrillseek 0 #6 February 26, 2003 definately get a bank draft...seems like the safest way to avoid getting screwed. Then again, if they are sending you a check and it doesn't bounce, heck with it...they are just trying to make sure they have enough dough to cover the deal. As long as you have the $$ first, i wouldn't see anything wrong with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NightJumper 0 #7 February 26, 2003 The ONLY way that I accept foreign payment is by bank wire transfer. It's leagal, trackable and as soon as it hits my account it is spendable. I even go so far as to have a sweep account that as soon as the money hits, it goes to another account so that it can not be reversed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottaffi 0 #8 February 26, 2003 I'm asking $1500 for the rig. One guy wanted to write me the check for $7500 and the other for $8750. That's why this sounds so fishy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #9 February 26, 2003 2 possibles.. they want you to send a cheque then have a copy of your signature and account details to use for fraudulent purposes. However most likely to be straight forward money laundering. Technically this sort of transaction forms part of the money laundering process known as layering. The idea is to put a significant paper trail between the source of funds and where it ends up. In this case using you as an unwitting do between. This happens most often with cars but don't see why it wouldn't happen with rigs. Money laundering is an expensive business costing around 40% of the funds to be laundered. I would report this to your local authorities. Otherwise you could end up with shit all over your face and (if the same laws apply where you are as here) upto 14 years in jail. Don't touch it with a barge pole. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #10 February 26, 2003 Quote They want me to accept a check, deduct the cost of the rig, then mail them the balance. I'm asking $1500 for the rig. One guy wanted to write me the check for $7500 and the other for $8750. Are you sure? I thought that rig cost $4200.Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiPinkChrissy 0 #11 February 26, 2003 I am selling gear and got a similiar e-mail to the described. Ok, I am a little naive here, I would love to get rid of my gear. What is the best way to handle the situation. Ask for a wire transfer instead? ~La La Gang Member #2~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #12 February 26, 2003 All you have to ask yourself is this: is there any legitimate reason that someone would send you a cheque for $8750 for an item for sale at $1500? I can't think of any, my advice would be to steer well clear and, as previously suggested, contact the authorities. GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #13 February 26, 2003 Hmm..thanks for the heads-up. I'm selling my rig too and haven't received an email like that yet (and probably would've been highly suspicious if I did anyway) but good to know this is going on and what I should do. Pam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #14 February 26, 2003 This is a new twist on an old scam. SA news had a nice piece on it when I was there last. Basically the checks are forged or stolen and since its international it can take days to clear. By the time you recieve the check you'll recieve a ton of emails asking for a check to be sent ASAP since they need the money for something else. If you don't wait the week or so for the check to clear you'll have to pay the bounced/fraud check fee and be out all the money when they cash the check. This is a scam thats hitting eBay hard right now.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markbaur 0 #15 February 26, 2003 QuoteI'm asking $1500 for the rig. One guy wanted to write me the check for $7500 and the other for $8750. That's why this sounds so fishy. These guys don't want your rig. They want your money. It isn't even money laundering, since they send you a bogus check in order to get your good one. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #16 February 26, 2003 Offering to send you 5 times what you're asking is definitely a scam. Don't have anything else to do with these people. Find another buyer.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #17 February 26, 2003 Ask yourself ...do these people have any real interest in skydiving. Would you buy an unsean and untested rig??? I know I wouldn't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,122 #18 February 26, 2003 QuoteAsk yourself ...do these people have any real interest in skydiving. Would you buy an unsean and untested rig??? I know I wouldn't. I am not quite sure what you mean with the untested, but there are many epople who buy rigs online without actually seeing them. I know I am one of them and I am certainly interested in skydiving... Regarding the cheques, yeah I don't think I would go with that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #19 February 26, 2003 Us as well. We've bought two rigs online and sold two. *shrug* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #20 February 26, 2003 Maybe. I just know I wouldn't buy a used rig without an inspection. Maybe thats just me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #21 February 26, 2003 I am so naive about all of this stuff, and it does sound fishy. But in thinking about it, could the exchange rate have anything to do with it? I can't imagine writing a check to someone in another country, because my checks say "dollars" on it, while I believe theirs state the amount in their own currency - pounds, lira, rubles, yen, etc. Just curious if that had anything to do with it. And yes, I still think it's somewhat fishy, and I would only do it if it were a wire transfer transaction. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #22 February 26, 2003 pretty sure it has nothing to do with exchange rate..its all scam or sham. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiPinkChrissy 0 #23 February 26, 2003 Just an update for everyone. I just got an e-mail from this guy from Nigeria that I have been corresponding with that was interested in my gear. I told him I need a wire transfer instead of a check and his reply was: "I called my client and there are complications in doing a wire transfer.Any way since you are uncomfortable with the idea,I will tell my client not to bother." The guys e-mail is [email protected] for those of you who are trying to sell gear, in case you get an e-mail from him. There is definately something not right with what he is trying to do. THANK YOU THANK YOU for the original post. I knew it was all too good to be true, but just didn't want to admit it. ~La La Gang Member #2~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirMail 0 #24 February 26, 2003 Why don't you recommend they use PayPal. I think that is available anywhere. Patrick-- It's never too late to have a happy childhood. Postal Rodriguez, Muff 3342 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #25 February 26, 2003 QuoteWhy don't you recommend they use PayPal. I think that is available anywhere. The original poster could have requested small rocks or shiny beads, would have made no difference. The place of origin of the unusual "request" and the nature of the "request" have internet scam written all over them . Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
