I placed my ad on Craigslist Friday, September 13, 2019, at about 10pm:
By Saturday noon I already had a customer curious about my bike that sent me a message via the Craigslist messaging link. He was determined to purchase it right there and then. Here's the message I got:
On Sep 14, 2019, at 11:11, craigslist ... wrote:Oh wow!!! I was happy and seeing that I didn't notice this message until Saturday evening I quickly replied:
I've been looking for it for a long time. That's all I need it. So, if it is still available, text me to ronaldkdaw38@gmail.com
From: meNothing came that evening and all of Sunday went by with no message from my new customer. Monday morning... nothing. I realized that I blew it, my client must have found another bike to buy. Oh well. Then, at 11:57am of Monday I finally got a reply, from his iPad because he was out of town on business:
To: rolandkdaw38@gmail.com
Date: September 14, 2019, 8:09PM
Hi, yes it is still available. I have time tomorrow if you want to get it. During the week it is more difficult. Enrique
From: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>Yay! The name of my customer is Hunter and he is so nice. He's willing to pay in advance, plus a $50 tip to "make clear how serious he is." What could be better?
To: me
Date: September 16, 2019, 11:57PM
Thank you for your quick reply, fiancée seems okay with the price, which means the purchase will proceed. I will love to come in person to make the purchase official, however; I am currently out of town; so coming in person is not an option at this time. My family also is busy preparing for my first daughter's wedding.
Fiancée also seem satisfied with the condition detailed in your post. My mode of payment will be via my Company’s Check, I will have the payment mail out via UPS (Next Day) courier in order to expedite the process.
When the payment delivers and it clears your bank, I will arrange for the pick-up. In addition to your posted price, $50 will be added, just to make clear how serious I am. Should you wish to proceed, the name you want written on the check, the address you want the payment sent to and your cell number will be appreciated (that you can be reached during the day). Finally, please include your overall total (plus the $50), just so we are on the same page. Thank you
Goshen, Hunter.
Sent from my iPad
Two hour later I provided Hunter with the information he needed to mail me the payment. What could be wrong? This is information anybody knows and would be needed even if he wanted to come over to see the bike in person and purchase it. So, at 1:42pm of Monday I replied:
From: meWell, it took Hunter a full day to reply to my message, time that was critical because in that time I started reading about scams in Craigslist buyers and sellers. I found an article explaining that these people send you a phony check for extra money. You can go to your bank and cash that phony check just fine. Then they request a reimbursement and you happily oblige. The kicker is that a few days later the bank calls you with the news the check you gave them is not good. In the best case the bank takes back the money from your account and you loose the "reimbursement" you paid your scamming customer. In the worst case you get slapped with a case of bank fraud. Nice!!
To: rolandkdaw38@gmail.com
Date: September 16, 2019, 1:42PM
Thank you for your reply. Here's the information you requested:
Name:
Address:
Cell Phone:
Final price: $500
Thank you.
So, that was the "Aha!" moment. This Hunter, or however hi or she is called, is trying to scam me. That is not nice! So, I waited for further communication from my invisible friend.
Tuesday evening I got a new e-mail from Hunter.
From: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>Interesting, the evidence of what I had read started to come out. Check it out, "... the pick-up fee that will be included with your payment..." There it is, that's the money that they want to rip me up for what they will ask to be reimbursed when nobody comes to pick up the bike!!
To: me
Date: September 17, 2019, 6:13PM
Just to clear up a couple of things, you will not be responsible for the pick-up. Someone will come for the pick-up after you have your payment. I also have other properties they are helping me with plus they also make storage payments on my behalf; meaning the pick-up fee that will be included with your payment will not affect your money plus the added $50. I can assure you the payment will be sorted before any pick-up arrangements can be made. You will be contacted for the pick-up after you have your full payment and at your convenient time. The check will be going through our bank verification system but should be all set in few hours. The payment will be mailed out first thing tomorrow morning and you will be updated with tracking # promptly. Many thanks
This time I chose not to answer. Go ahead, spin your wheels. Thursday morning I received the next message from "Hunter". Wow, message sent at 3:29AM, in what time zone are these people??
From: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>Cool, expedited shipment with tracking number and all!! They want to know the minute I receive the check to start working the last phase of their scam.
To: me
Date: September 19, 2019, 3:29AM
Morning;
Thanks for the honesty towards this transaction so far. As I previously stated that, the over-payment is intended to cover the cost of delivery of your bike with my other properties, insurance plus the movers’ fee. Here is the UPS tracking # J4629009434
Just so you know, my PA got in touch with our bank to notify them of this payment. Our bank told her all you have to do is have the check deposited into your account and it should clear in 24hrs. She was also assured that the funds will be released as soon as your bank makes contact with our bank; the bank also noted that the check is pre-approved and should be accessible immediately; let me know as soon as you cash the check!
Many thanks.
-
Hunter Goshen, LCDR, USN
No reply from me. I guess there was nothing to reply to that one. In the afternoon I got a new message from "Hunter":
From: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>No need to answer. Indeed, that evening I received a check for $1,590 via UPS.
To: me
Date: September 19, 2019, 2:28PM
I was in communication with the man in-charge of the movers about the whole process today; I will have an update for you tomorrow as to how this concludes. Ultimately pickup will only happen after the check clears and you have your payment in full.
Just to explain my situation a bit further; the check is that amount because I've got a large storage that all my stuffs are currently been stored as I was amid relocating to LA; I just wanted to get all that I can before I officially move into the new place. My daughter, still very much busy with her wedding planning would have sort all this out for me in no time but my conscience won’t let me ask for help at this moment in her life plus she’s a few hundred miles away for my stuffs and unfortunately my tour came sooner than expected so I couldn't take care of everything needed to be taken care of before I reported to camp for my tour of duty. Once I got active, nothing else matters. I forgot I had a storage. And for what it’s worth; I'm a U.S. Navy. I can't really do much from here but my financial adviser that manages my investments was able to mail you the check on my behalf.
I hired movers to pick up my properties from all over; plus, some of my original properties that they were able to move from my previous address; everything is currently stored at a storage; moreover, they also make the storage payment on my behalf and that’s why their fee is a bit copious. Please keep me posted.
Interesting that the check seems to come from a the law office of
Dawson Law P.A. The address of Dawson Law, in Florida, seems to have
been take from their web site, and the packing label is from
Illinois.I didn't contact Hunter with my receiving the check as (s)he could verify that with UPS. Sure enough, the next morning I got an e-mail from my customer:
From: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>(followed by a screen capture of the UPS tracking page).
To: me
Date: September 19, 2019, 2:28PM
Morning;
I understand the check has been delivered; please I need an update
So, I replied Hunter:
From: meThat message didn't seem to settle very well with Hunter. The next morning I had a new message, this time short and to the point:
To: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>
Date: September 20, 2019, 11:12AM
Morning;
Unfortunately the check you sent me is void. It clearly states at the top "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A BLUE AND BROWN BACKGROUND AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK ON THE BACK."
The check you sent me has no said watermark which makes it void.
Sorry, you'll need take your complains to your bank.
Since your bank is not trustworthy I will only accept payments in cash.
Please, do not mail me checks anymore.
Take care.
From: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>Humm... getting upset that your scheme is unraveling? I replied then to Hunter:
To: me
Date: September 21, 2019, 8:53AM
This is the dumbest stuff I have ever heard. Why will I have them send you a voided check?
From: meI haven't heard back from these people since...
To: Hunter Goshen <tryanother293@gmail.com>
Date: September 20, 2019, 11:12AM
I understand how upsetting this situation can be for you.
I certainly wouldn’t be happy if I got cheated out of a lot of money either.
I confirmed with several tellers at my bank and the check is void.
If I were you I’d file a complaint with the bank that issued you that check.
Sorry this turned out the way it did.
Take care.
Sent from my dirigible
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