wtf.. craigslist scammer bots?
 

k so im trying to sell an iphone on craigslist, i posted it up yesterday and i've gotten 3 emails so far, 2 of them both asked a couple questions about the condition so i reply answeing their questions, then here's both replies from 2 different people:

"Hello Tyler
I am very happy to read from you.... I do understand all what you have said and all the condition of the item is okay by me. Also the price is okay by me but i want you to know that I am buying the item as a gift for one of my client and he is on a business trip to Africa, so I will be happy if you can handle the shipment for me. I will pay for the shipping to Africa. Do calculate the shipping cost and get back to me with the total. I will prefer UPS or EMS for the shipment. Here is the shipping address:
Name: Adewale James
Address:No 9 Amole Street Dogo Apata
City:Ibadan
Country:Nigeria
Zipcode:23402

Do calculate the shipping cost and get back to me as soon as possible. Also I will be doing the payment through PayPal or Bank Transfer so do send me the details needed so that I can proceed with the payment as soon as possible. I wait to read from you soonest.
Thanks
David
"

"Thanks for your mail,i am buying the item for my son who school in oversea.i will add $80 for shipping,i will have do it local transaction but i am out of town presently...so you can get me back with your paypal email account so i can pay now.hope to hear from you soon
best regard "


I told them both to send me 100% of the money upfront plus an additional $50 for the hassle + Shipping costs, as well as full contact info and a picture of themselves holding valid photo ID

lets see if they respond..

weird thing is the responses almost seem like they were automatically generated after i answered the first emails

doesnt it require image verification to post on CL?

It probably seems automated because that's what the scammers do all day.

sounds trustworthy to me

well they are just emailing me regarding my ad, not posting

All scams. Even if they did send you extra money its too shady. They're never going to send cash ever. Just send them threatening emails back :haha:. Yeah craigslist should put up a verification to reply to these things. It'd help out alot.

i found out the best way to avoid these scammers...
on your post clearly state LOCAL SALE, PICK UP ONLY, NO SHIPPING. then those f*ckers wont bug you! seriously it works.

I did that, but those scammers still msged me to ship the item. I just ignored them.

I had a few of those emails off kijiji and craigslist. You can tell if they're scammers or not through the email the use pretty much.

The money they use to send u is stolen and once u recieve the funds and ship the item paypal will realize it and take away themoney u just recieved.. Leavin u screwed. Saw this on NBC dateline chris hansen

what phone are you going to use now?

they actually reply... i remember when i was selling my laptop I got the exact same scenario and i asked them about the shipping and shit.... all they said was some BS that was similar to their original reply... so i just ignored them.

iphone, i have 2.

lol. wont ask

i got the exact same email when i tried to sell my w960 online
they were almost the exact words just like yours, but i got at least 10 enquiries. i replied the first few cuz i didn't know, and they do reply! with funny english though.

My friend got a VERY similar email but it was from 2 years ago when he was selling his old camera. Unfortunately, he mailed out the camera and he never got the money...

Selling stuff on CL/Kijiji is annoying now. So much spam =/

yup. got a few recently on cl and kijiji. one person is terry maria terryjmaria@gmail.com, another one is miller brooke jjbrooke63@gmail.com.

Nigeria, lol. That's like the scam capital of the world.

DO IT!

Actually, there's a reason why CL warns you to do local deals only in big red letters.

"Hello,

Thank you for the prompt response to my inquiry. I am very much
satisfied with the condition and price and i will like to make an
outright purchase immediately, so i will advice that you withdraw the
ad from the web..Pls i will like to know how you intend to proceed on
this but i would prefer that i issue a business certified check in US
dollars to your location and upon the confirmation and clearance of
payment my shipper will come for the pick-up at your location. I
would really have loved to come for the viewing of the item but i am
not chanced but my movers will. If you are okay with this please do
get back to me with the following details so i can make out the
payment IMMEDIATELY.

1: Your Full Name to be on the payment
2: Your Address and post code
3: Your mobile and land number.

NB I would have called you but i am busy alot so please dont email me
saying i should call you...If you are interested in selling to me,
send me the necessary information to send payment to..

I will expect your Mail ASAP.

Thanks."


So much for selling my rims =.=!

:werd:

Ha, I've seen all three of those replies when I put stuff on CL.

Just ignore it- I get tons of those and I don't even bother replying.

If you post the condition on your posting- there's no reason to ask it again.

They usually inquire if it's either:
- Still for sale
- Condition of the item
- If price is firm

Is there any risk in trying to scam the scammer? Like giving them a total amount and just giving them bogus shipping info and taking their money?