Thank you all so much for posting things like this - you definitely saved me from a ridiculous scam. I put up a posting for housecleaning on craigslist and this is the response email I received (I thought it was a little weird sounding so I figured I'd research her "job", and came across a ton of scam info):
Hello ,
How are you doing today?Good to read from you,am so glad you get back to me about cleaning service.
My name is Ruth Feller(Mrs) and I am 30 years of age,married with a kid...Alex(boy). I'm a research scientist,so i have be in contract with Aeronautical Research Institute of Northern Ireland for over six months and now the contract has finished so i will be coming back home (U.S A ) ,so i need a honest and responsible cleaner that can clean my house before i get back to state by first week of november.Its 2 rooms apartment, 1 SittingRoom,1Bathroom/Toilet and 1 Kitchen.I will like to know if you can be doing the cleaning for me every two weeks which is twice a week .So for the payment the company is willing to pay $1000 for advance payment for you via U.S Cashier Check for you to secure/advance payment and its non refundable payment so that you can be rest assure that i need your service.My shedule for the cleaning is the end of this month of if you have any free time you can do the cleaning before the end of the month let me know ok.I will like you to get back to me with the informations so that i can forward it to the company for quick payment ,so that you can recieve the check latest by next week tuesday.I will send you the pictures of the house so that you can know how big they are and i will like you to send the your picture to and tell me little about you so that we can bring ourself together little before we meet in person because due to the scam and bogus checks going every well,i will like you to get the check deposit into your account for 24hrs for it to clear in your account,So you have the check cleared you can deduct your advance fee and i will tell you what to do with the remaining money .
You might be wondering why and paying you for advance payment and over payment...The reason is that the company issued out check to the client once,so they are sending you money they owe me for my last contract which $4,500.
I will be waiting for your information i requires above asap and your referees information if there is any ,so that i can know my next plan over this issue.
You can talk to my sister on phone if you want but she is always a busy girl ,i will have ask her to find someone for me but she doesn't have chance due to her nature of work.Her Mobile(206-666-3281)
This guy is a big fake you can track him using
geobytes
http://www.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm?GetLocation
chris tipler is name using
Sounds Good. Thanks for the sweet reply. I would have love to come in person for the inspection of it but due to the nature of my health i wont be able to but i have a shipper and that will handle that and make some minor repairs but i will handle that when our deal has been settled. Concerning the shipment, i will handle the shipping via my shipping company so all i need to do now is to aware the company about this transaction so that they can issue you a certified check.I have a shipper who would come for the pickup .The shippers fund would be included in the payment sent to you so you would handle that.
Here is my Mobile(206-666-3281) So try get back to me with following information which will be required from you :
1. Your name( that will be on the check)
2. Contact address (that the check will be posted to) and
3. Valid phone number (in which the company can contact you when your check clears)
Please contact me now...I will await your email asap.Thanks.
I received a response from a posting on craiglist that states the following:
Sounds Good. Thanks for the sweet reply. I would have love to come in person for the inspection of it but due to the nature of my health i wont be able to but i have a shipper and that will handle that when our deal has been settled. Concerning the shipment, i will handle the shipping via my shipping company so all i need to do now is to aware the company about this transaction so that they can issue you a pay-check and send you the check of excess fund so you can deduct your money and send the excess to my shipperswho is currently in bay area for the pick at your residence after the check clears.Here is my Mobile(206-666-3281) So try get back to me with following information which will be required from you :1. Your name( that will be on the check)2. Contact address (that the check will be posted to) and3. Valid phone number (in which thecompany can contact you when your check clears) Please contact me now...I will await your email asap.Thanks
This is obviously a scam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Be Careful