Some guy I just spoke to in a webchat received a phonecall from his Ukraine "princess" 2 weeks ago.. She asked if she could send him a check, and if he could cash it in for her. This was money from her granny to help her out of the country so she could be happy with her man. It was not possible for her to make a deposit in Ukraine due to family surcumstances... the granny didn't have checks for all her sisters, so to make no family war it had to look like it was a gift from this guy...
She sent the check for 8000 USD to him, he went to his bank to deposit it... She wanted him to send back 2500 USD by Western Union the same day, she needed it to get the visa and stuff.. Since the check took a few days to clear because it was foreign, he took a withdrawal and sent the money... 3 days later the bank called him and told the check was no good...
She is all smile, 2500 USD richer, and nowhere to be found...
Yes, stupid.. But I wanted to inform you any way..
this is also a variation on the "Nigerian bank scam" when you are written that a wealthy person is now deceased and wanted you to have money. The catch is you always have to send money to get money
This is not new scam, in fact, it is very old. I had my Mercedes posted for sale on a paid web site a few months ago. 80% of responses where from people acting on behalf of "their client". The client gave them a check that was at a value higher than my ask price. They wanted to send me the check for the car in order to cash it and make arrangements to send them the car immediately (because of the client's desire to have the car right away). Also, I had to wire the money for the difference right away ...
AFF, Advance Fee Fraud, or 419, named after a specific atricle in the Nigerian law. Don't underestimate the professionality of some who do this, two South American Banks did go bank due to this.
Tsk tsk Wtrav, and you mention this en plain publique?
"Of course Sir, I will do so, by all means send that cheque per courier to speed things up, the same day I will receive it I'll transfer the difference and will send you the car".
Only, darn, problems, you break a leg, Murphy's Law, that same day that cheque arrives, what a coincidence, and you're awfully sorry also. Only when the money shows in your account you miraculously wake up, plaster-cast & all, and get mobile to honour your part.
Same like meeting somewhere 'convenient', which always appears to be at a petrol station along a freeway, with whatever you sell. They are invariably in a hurry, and you'll be given a bank-guaranteed cheque. No can do, I won't even meet them, that cheque you know is a fake.
TD, he-he-he you've got a reply to all of mankind's problems:) I replied to the first couple emails but made clear they have to come to my location and bring cash (no intention to cash checks or ship the car or send checks). Got no reply afterwards, then each new letter I simply deleted from my mailbox. The way used car sales works for me is through cash only, not even money order is good enough. You bring your cash, you get my car. You bring your shit, you get my d***. Sorry TD, I've been a bad boy lately:) Cheers!!
We very clearly live in utterly different parts of the world Wtrav, because if anybody tells me he's going to bring cash for my car I'll first grab my gun, and also get some friends to cover me from the bushes - in my own garden mind, forget about anywhere else, because this fact alone is highly suspect, unheard of actually.
No other way than either transfer or deposit, and it'll be yours if it shows, not sooner. That then also means that 'quickies' are out of the question, no hasty sale or take-away, go somewhere else.
In fact I'm going to sell mine next week, via private sale instead of a trade-in, and have gathered some info regarding the latest tricks going.
Bank Guaranteed cheques used to be failsafe but not anymore, and no sane person will consider cash.
Like it? Then deposit, and you can keep the deposit-slip (plenty fakes). When my bank tells me the money's there you can come and collect it. The only other way is we're going to your bank where I will wittness a guaranteed cheque being made out in my name, and then we go next door to my bank and deposit it. Only then you can get the keys and papers.
Cash? Admit it my Greek friend, you're too American ;-)
TD, cash is king baby!! Your plan with all these checks and protections is too complex. I actually never managed to sell that car for my price, so I had it shipped in a container and paid some minimal customs as well ... but she's a real beauty and in a year I'll sell it here for a nice profit since this car is worth here twice plus as much as it's worth in America due to special taxes and tarrifs imposed on imported cars with large engines (taxes I didn't have to pay due to a special arrangement). I've actually sold cars twice in the past and received cash. There is no other way than cash to transact in a car sale. Grass knows it. It's a short trip to the bank, TD, and cash is readily available after a deposit. A wire transfer takes time to complete and a used car sale happens right there on the spot with an individual you've likely never met in your life and have no idea of his credit history and habits. My last car was sold to the best bidder who traveled from another city 400 miles away without having seen the car beforehand, but he had the money with him (the cash that is). Good luck with your plan!