Hello i am interested in buying you PART so i will like you to mail me this infomations below

GENERAL CONDITION OF IT
PRICE AND PICS OF IT

WHEN DO YOU USED IT LAST

WILL YOU ACCEPT UK CHEQUE AS MY MODE OF PAYMENT I WILL WAIT TILL THE CHEQUE CLEARS BEFORE THE PICKING UP OF THE PART

I AM FROM HOLLAND

Thanks and hope to read from you soon

TIP:
The word in red is replaced by BIKE or another word in some cases. The poor english could be explained by 'I AM FROM HOLLAND' (That's Holland Drive, Nigeria folks!) - but its a scam.
• Send us an email / message to be checked.

REPLY EMAIL :
Here's the standard reply you'll get if you do email them with pictures etc:

Hello thanks for the mail well i am ok with the condition of the bike and also i will like to you to know that the asking price of the bike is ok with me too..... Yes i will wait for the cheque to clear in your bank before the picking up of the bike so i will like you to mail me this informations below
NAME ON THE CHEQUE.....................
ADDRESS WERE TO SEND THE CHEQUE......................
PHONE NUMBER BOTH HOME AND CELL.......................

Thank and hope to read from you soon.

Hello mate!

Hello Mate, I came across your ads and am so much intrested in buying it, so if it still available, i would want you to get back to me with the asking price, condition and also get to me with at list two pic, so i hope you understand me? so i await to hear from you soon. Thanks alot and speak soon. Kind Regards.

TIP:
It's easy to become relaxed and off guard from a single greeting - but 'Hello mate' above doesn't hide the poor english and usual beginnings of a scam.

NOTE: Many opening scam emails do not contain any details about your item for sale - it will only appear in the subject.
This si becasue the scammers use automated emailers. They only respond when YOU do! (So, don't!)

• Send us an email / message to be checked.

Scammers top aliases!

Scammers don't seem to be too inventive when it comes to names - our most popular scammers name is 'James McDonald' or 'James Worland' and has now been joined by 'Robert Steel' and 'John Bradson'. Just watch out for these alongside the usual Shipping agents etc etc...

Scammers get technical!

Spark plugs please!!
".....you will be recieving a cheque of £4,000 from my husband who is in the state for a construction work he is very busy as the chief engineer of fresse construction company.So as soon as you cash it,you can go ahead to deduct the cost of this bike and an extra £10 for the neccesary things for the bike like spark plugs for the bike.."

Thanks to Adrian for this one.

Scammers offering to pay you to remove advert

It seems our scammers are rolling in fake money - their now offering extra money if you take the advert down, in addition to an extra 100 quid or so to 'get the bike ready' for them. They're just so generous!

"Note:- I will wait for the cheque to clear before the shipper comes for the pick-up. And I wouldn't mind compensating you with £20 if you can remove the advert off the Website, cos I am very much interested in the Vehicle more than any potential buyer."

The scammer says they'll wait for the cheque to clear - but they won't - they'll pressure you to pass on the cheque BEFORE the 2 week clearing time - KNOWING FULL WELL the cheque will bounce. The key to the scam is to pursade you to pass on the money before it bounces.

Thanks to Morgan, Mark & Steven for sending us their scam emails

Scammers using 070 telephone numbers - ALERT!!

Stuart and Terry have both noted scam messages where the scammer has listed a phone number for you to call when giving out his FALSE UK postal address. Both chaps asked the scammer for an address for the V5 - and this threw the scammer.
But they gave addresses in the UK and a telephone number- which looks genuine.
HOWEVER - 070 240 numbers are PREMIUM RATE numbers and charge 50 pence per min. The scammer used the following number

070 240 76474

There are many many other premium rate numbers beginning with 070 - so watch out for them - its a sure sign of a scammer.
• Read our tips

Too much ONO!
Offering near correct amount / transfer by bank Aberdeen scams

Two recent scams that Paddy and Justin got should also be noted:
The scammer will start with a brief note, but seems to mis-understand the meaning of 'ONO' (Or Nearest Offer) as they'll start by offering you MORE then your ONO asking price. Oops!
Don't be suckered by the idea of a few hundred quid more - the scammer is counting on your greed.

Thank you to David J and David M for notice of this new scam style.

TIPS:
• The opening email scam is short and badly worded, asking for confirmation of price & photos and will have cut & paste in the exact headline from your advert.
• The second email is better written, and they now offer just slightly more the your asking price - the extra being a "deposit"
• Payment by bank (they'll list every bank going) or by the usual fake cheque.
• Scammer has a wild life!!! :
"I'm from Aberdeen in scotland, i live by the sea side in The Republic of Denmark cos am a SAILOR. I always come home (uk) every 4 Months and travel back to my place of work in Porto."
• Still very bad English.
• HOW THE NEW SCAM WORKS:
They'll then babble on about a shipping agent - and try to send YOU payment with the shipping agents fee, which you bank (!) and then pass on the 'fee' to the agent (Mr Scammer No.2)

Subject: im intrested in buying your Moto Guzzi Airone, 1956, 250cc

hello im intrested in your Moto Guzzi Airone, 1956, 250cc for sale ..im buying it as a christmas gift for my in-law....what is your final price and present conditions kindly include a picture in your reply get back to me

(No name / free email address - Uk or otherwise)

Second email:

Hello [seller's name] thanks for the response i will like to get the bike before christmas is there no reduction in the price of the bike..? do you have an account with any of this banks HSBC Bank,Halifax Bank,Lloyds TSB Bank, or Barclays Bank...if no kindly open one ...due to lots of internet scams and some other security reasons i will like to pay you through any of this accounts so try to open one if you dont have so i can send you the deposit...ok ...

TIP:
TO instantly put off ANY scammer - tell them you'll accept payment by cash in person only. There's just no way they can scam from Nigeria with that.

Subject: Re: lambretta Li150 Special with SX bodywork

hello,
thanks for the mail...i am satisfied with the item and also with the
price... i am currently with the unicef medical team to Indonesia rendering aid to the Tsunami victims... payment for the item will be done through certified cheque by my financial assistant who is currently on an educational trip...The pick up will be done by a cargo company who will come to your house for it....Please forward your name,address and contact phone
number so that they can issue the check out to you...

Regards .
Dr Manny Joseph
mannyjoseph_1@hotmail.com

>manny joseph <mannyjoseph_1@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Hello,
>i saw the advert for the sale of the item mentioned above...Please update
>me on its availability,the least price,pictures and the reason for selling
>it...Please forward the full description of the item...I will also want you
>to know the item is needed urgently...
>
>Thanks,your urgent response will be highly appreciated...
>
>
>
>Regards.....
>Dr Manny Joseph

TIP:
Just try reading some scams a few times - and then adding reason to them, and they become instantly unbelievable.

Thanks to Steve for another varient on the short & sweet opening scam email.

-----Original Message-----
From: rhds_john_de48hy@yahoo.co.uk

Hi seller,
I am interested in your Lambretta Li 150 .I hope you still have it available?
Also, let me know if a certified cashiers check from a national bank would be
accepted as payment? If you agree to my terms do reply if not dont.
Thanks.

TIP:

Scammers don't read your advert fully, (sometimes not at all) and just 'cut & paste' in the items name - think carefully - would a scooterist fan word it like this?
Who in the UK would say "certified cashiers check from a national bank" either?

DON'T be fooled by the UK email address - anyone can apply for them

I hereby wish to inform you that i am interested to purchase from you.

Are you the real owner ?
What is the condition ?
What is your last offer ?
Did you have the picture of it ?

If its still available for sale, get back to me so that i can make my payment.

I look forward to read from you soonest.

Cheers,
Rojar
rpenard@yahoo.co.uk <mailto:rpenard@yahoo.co.uk>
Tel... +447031849352

Thanks to Wayne D for this new variant. Be mindful that people can say they're from anywhere! In this email the bad english hints at something wrong, and the reply further down gives it away.

Hello,
How are you today, hope all is well with you and your family.I am Kelvin Wood from Portsmouth,i came across your advert on internet couple days ago and i want to confirm if the 2004 Peugeot Jet Force 125 abs is still available.
I am interested in knowing your least asking,the present ondition,and i wouldn't mind if you can aswell forward its present pics to me in your respond.
Although,i have already read the advert before but i want to Re-confirm the price again from you directly.
Moreover,where are you located.
Hope to read soonest
Mr.Kelvin.

• ( Wayne replies )

Our scammer sends back:

Hello Wayne,
Good to read from you back,am just emailing you from the office.I just want to let you know that am very much ok with the details given by you.am also ok with the pictures which i believe are also ok to prove the condition and the price is still ok by me.
Meanwhile,i will not be able to come around for a test drive as am very busy this days with my work except during the weekend,please lt me know if you are with that time.
Concerning the payment,it will be made available to you through Bankers draft or cheque.
So,i will be expecting to have the name and the address where the payment will be sent to including your phone number aswell.
Await your mail back soonest.
Mr.Kelvin

• POINTS TO WATCH.
- The ONLY way the scam will work is when they get YOU to accept a fake bankers draft or fake cheque. They will try and send you more then the asking price (as with std scams).
- Wayne replied telling the scammer he must come in person and the transaction is in cash only. It was the last he heard.
- Normal buyers will of course want to see your scoot first - they'll even want to test ride it (remember to hold onto the buyers cash and the paperwork if you let them test ride it alone) - and most will bring cash!

Regard
james..........
--

Thanks to Guttie, Martin, Angelo, Adam and others - the following two scam emails - which you'll see are VERY similar to those below - seem to be the current favorite for our clueless scammer scumbags.
• Note the item for sale is in brackets. Their using a standard template and just filling in the blanks.

You can fill in the blanks in our new scammer word game:
F--K--G ST---D SC--M--G B-ST--D-

STD SCAM STYLE #1

"My name is FORTUNE SCOT,
IT is my honorable pleasure to let you know that am  highly interestedin buying your (PX125- 1984 Malossi 166 kit - Cheap.), which the last price is £400,so if you are willing to sell it to me,let me know the present condition .i will like you to know that i have a business partner who is owing me and agreed to make payment back to me in form of a certified check,so if you are willing to sell it to me,mail me back asap, if the items is still available for sale,and also like to know this information from you as to forward it to mybusiness partner to issue out the check to
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR ADDRESS:
YOUR STATE:
YOUR ZIP CODE
YOUR PHONE NUMBER:
i will be canting to read from you and will be well please if you
back responds back soonest
ASAP.thanks.
BEST REGARDS"
 
ALMOST STD SCAM STYLE #2

Hello,
i am okay with your reponses and price £1500 . we love
to have the ( vespa px 150 2004) as soon as possible
thats why we suggest to proceed on its purchase.

The ( vespa px 150 2004..) will be transported to its
destination by my cargo agent who will be coming to
your location for the collection soon after sale and
payment which is in form of a U.K certified bank check
or money order will be made out to you immediately by
my U..K based creditunion agent who
will be crediting me some funds worth £5,000 on an
earlier cancelled order.
He has agreed to issue out the funds to you since am
purchasing from you .
I will require your details for the payment and
further reference as in the below form.
Full Name.........
Full Contact Address/Postal Code .....
Phone............
Arrangements as to how and when it will be picked-up
from you location will be made known to you by my
shipping agency who is presently making concrete
arrangements for the transportation .Hope we can trust
you with the transactions to fore see that the
purchased ( vespa px 150 2004 )with registered with
thier Vet sector for ransportation effectively.
Looking forward to your soonest reply and details soon
.
Thanks & Best Regards

STD SCAM STYLE #3
 
"Dear seller,
I am interested in your ADVERT. I have gone through the specifications and the present condition before i contacted you.
I am COMMISSION BASED SALES AGENT . I have numerous clients who are propective buyers.
However, inspection may not take place before payment, therefore,i require you to send me PICS. Kindly give me your asking price/best offer.
 
Payment will be made in form of CERTIFIED CHEQUE OF BANKERS DRAFT .
For payment purposes, kindly provide the following details;
 
NAME ........................................................................................
MAILING ADDRESS....................................................................
TEL NUMBER..............................................................................
 
As regards shipment, you don't have to worry yourself because i have a shipper who is readily on ground for pick up and shipments. Hoping to hear from you soonest if its still available for sale.
Kind regards
KAREN " *


* Best of luck to Martin - who is trying to woo the voluptuous KAREN into a date!!! No luck so far though.
(We at ST suspect KAREN is a large hairy bloke from Nigeria called 'Bob' - but don't tell Martin that) - editor

• Ed's note: This scammer didn't get an email by the seller but pretends he has.
Again note the almost comical use of english, and the same 'ol' scam about paying for it on behalf of a client.
In the end, the scammers only have a few ways of pretending to pay for an item, once you know them all - you're safe!

____________________________
hello,
   thanks for the mail.well i am so glad to hear from you that the  L1 S3 125 is still avaliable for sale and i am interested,besides i will like you to tell me much of the L1 S3 125 .i will like you to know that the payment will be based on certified funds that is going to be issued by one of my client  in u.s due to  my absence at home at the moment.
    i will be looking forwar to hear from you and also to conclude  about the shipping of the L1 S3 125 in your next mail as well as the payment.
    Thanks..
____________________________

• Whilst this scammer wants to 'buy' (steal) your scooter, he's too shy to leave his name!

• Ed's note: An interesting advancement, this scammer has gone to some effort to make it sound more plausable. Still the english is bad, the area the advert was placed is wrong, and "I will be waiting in ernest for your utmost response soonest" isn't something most people would say!

____________________________
Hello,
         How are you doing today?I just want to make some more enquiries about your  Lambretta Li125 which was placed in the advertised for sale.I will like to know if you still have it for sale and also the last price you want to sell it is highly required.I need some of it pics for more proper viewing and also the present condition of it.I want you to get back to me with all the necessary details.I will be waiting in ernest for your utmost response soonest.
Thanks and God bless.
____________________________
Tom's other scam emails have been very similar to the ones below.

From: daniel cool [mailto:daniel_cool@marchmail.com]
Sent: 20 September 2004 09:57
To: *****
Subject: Rough px125 Disc*2002 MY model

My name is DANIEL COOL,
IT is my honorable pleasure to let you know that am highly interested
in buying your(Rough px125 Disc*2002 MY model),which i will like to know the
price ,so if you are
willing to sell it to me,let me know the present condition of the
stuff .i will like you to know that i have a business partner who is
owing me and agreed to make payment back to me in form of a certified
check,so if you are willing to sell it to me,mail meback asap, if the
items is still available for sale,and also like to know this
information from you as to forward it to my business partner to issue
out the check to
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR ADDRESS:
YOUR STATE:
YOUR ZIP CODE
YOUR PHONE NUMBER:
i will be canting to read from you and will be well please if you
back responds back soonest
ASAP.thanks.
BEST REGARDS
DANIEL COOL

Hello Sales.
Please kindly place these item(s)mention below for me with the
shipping cost by overnight delivery or next day delivery service.
 
SCOOTER .....................................5
To the shipping address below and let me know the acceptable credit card
for payment, so that,I can forward you my creditcard account
for the total amount of the items and the shipping cost to my destination.
I will appreciates if you can reply back to me now with the cost
of items plus the shipping cost to the Billing & shipping address below.
 
13, adeakinsanya street,
off town planning way,
ilupeju, Lagos.
Nigeria.
23401.
 
Please i am looking forward for your urgent reply concerning this order.
Waiting for your response.
Best Regard.
 Jim Smith