Who called from 3128856815

Sent to me in response to a listing on Craigslist.  I live in Texas, the number is Chicago.

"Are you still selling your Appliance on Craigslist? If yes please respond through email to [email protected] with the condition and final amount, I'm interested. Strictly Email Response Only!"

Its the old Overpayment Scam.  The scammer will send you a check for your full asking price for the item plus extra money that you are to wire to a shipper of his choice.  Your wired money clears instantly.  The buyer's check bounces.  The buyer and the shipper vanish with the shipping fee.  Your bank makes you pay back the money.  You are out the shipping fee plus whatever your bank charges for depositing a bad check.  If the check is large you might be charged with a crime.  If

Variation - The fake payment might be by PayPal.  You get an email that looks like it is from PayPal that the money is in your account.  The email is not really from PayPal, its fake.

The scammer communicates only by text or email to hide his foreign accent.

got same smeal

Got the same text this morning in response to a CL post.  I replied to the email confirming availability of my sale and requesting a time/date when he would like to see it or pick it up.  I did not give the address, but signed with my phone number (which he already had from the CL add).

His reply email said it was from Adam Harper, but the email address was now [email protected].  The content also made me quite suspicious. Here's the email:

From: Adam Harper
Sent: Sunday, April 2, 2017 8:32 AM
To:
Subject: Re: Craigslist: xxx

Thanks for the reply; I appreciate it. I'm okay with the price and I'm ready to buy from you plus I'll be adding an extra $50 just to have an advantage over other potential buyers as I understand I may not be the only interested buyer; just something I picked up along the way. My mode of payment will be via Check and it will be sent by FedEx Overnight delivery. I will be responsible for the pick-up (pickers will only show up at your location after you have your payment), and in addition the movers’ fees will be added to your payment so as to avoid needless delay; they will schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up after you have your payment as I have other properties waiting to be moved alongside yours. Will be great to just come in person and examine what I’m about to buy but my work schedule wouldn’t let me nonetheless I trust the details provided is sufficient; conversely, more pictures will be deeply appreciated just to satisfy my fiancée. Should you agreed to sell for me; I will need the name you want written on the check and the address you want the payment sent out to (NO P.O BOX), your cell phone will be appreciated too (so I can have it saved in case I need to call)

Thanks,

Adam Harper

Sent from my iPad

Craigslist, Kiiji, AutoTrader, Etc. Scam:

The scam works like this.  Communication is always by text or email for some made up reason such as they are deaf, they deployed and can't use their phone (then how did the text get out?), etc.  They think your item as described is perfect.  They might ask a few questions about it, and then will pay your asking price, sight unseen, because they are never around close by to come look at it (they use the stationed somewhere in the military a whole lot, or working overseas, or on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean, or simply fill in your own job here).  They will give you an extra $40 or $50 to hold it for them.  Then they tell you they will send a cashier’s check or money order for that amount plus extra for the “shipper”.  They ask you to wire that extra money by untraceable means such as Western Union or Moneygram.  The check or money order turns out to be bogus and you end up out the money you sent plus the bank fees.  Also, if the check is big enough you may end up being charged criminally.  Take the check and the envelope it came in to the post office and have them forward it to the postal inspectors.