I just got a call from this same "Jim" yesterday in response to a vehicle I listed on craigslist. Didn't seem too strange since it was a VA number and I am in SE PA. When I called back, "Jim" wasn't in the office. I spoke with a barely understandable Indian fellow who told me the person who was interested in my vehicle has already been satisfied, but he will call me back if they get another client with similar interests. Sounded weird to me, but I said OK. Now I look it up and find this... I am a bit worried.
These are scammers who are taking things to the next level. These people started out in Nigeria scamming through email only, having people send them cash through Western Union to so called "release big money payouts". Unfortunately, now they have upgraded to this, where they have an American helping initially (JIM) and then leading you to the email scam, only this time it's more believable because it's in response to your ad that YOU posted. Not just some random junk email you received. Someone could try to call the police department in Virginia where this area code it out of, but chances are, they aren't there. Anymore it's too easy to get internet phone numbers that are based out of one location and routed to another.
I wouldn't corespond with these idiots unless it's with a yahoo account made especially for messing with scammers. No matter what you do, don't gie them any good info about yourself. Make-up EVERYTHING! Get creative. It can be really fun.
The way I see it, the more I tie these people up with my fake stories, the less chance they have to actually scam someone!!!!!
I'll think of something good to mess with them. Now that I know anyone can call and give them any info, I'll think of something we can all get on board with..........
This Jim guys job is to make as many calls as he possibly can leaving that number as his contact. As soon as his call is over, his job is done. We call the number, get these overseas scammers, and they either give us THEIR email address or ask for ours to begin the money part of the scam. I'll find out what they do after the emailing begins but I guarentee that it has sending money Western Union in there somewhere. They'll say it's for something like releasing the legal documents in order to get it delivered to their state???? I'll find out here shortly!!!
Wow, I returned the call to "Jim" yesterday after work. I had a screaming 2 month old baby in the car with me, along w/ a whining 3 year old and could barely understand who they said they were and gave them my e-mail address. Lovely.