online scam stories

[croonerexpress]

I got two replies for my breedlove I have for sale in the classifieds from some guys (one of them was a King! HA!) in Africa. He said he would get his "business partner" here in the states to send me a check for twenty something grand and I'm supposed to take out my thirteen hundred and send him the rest.

I also got the same jibe from a fellow saying he was in England.

You guys got any scam stories?

[mando_pete]

Please, please, please, forward these e-mails to me once in a while.

One of my "hobbies" is baiting these guys. These people are crooks, albeit very poor ones, and while I feel sorry for them, they also prey on their own local population.

I have managed to have three arrested by local authorities and prosecuted out of about eighty I have baited.

I used to bait the general scamming population but found it unproductive. I am now focusing on people who target mandolin sellers and have had some success.

PM if you get one of these, and I will tell you what I need sent to me to go after them. This is on the up and up, I promise.

--pete

[Scott Tichenor]

Ah, now I remember you mando_pete. You are indeed the guy for this and I recall some conversations we had back in January. Appreciate your help.

Now, about this particular one... I've contacted the individual that started this thread. I capture all correspondence that arises out of the classifieds for this very reason and have some questions about this one which originated from a Chicago IP. Maybe the African King lives there!? 'Tis an interesting choice of free email service providers the responding party chose. Will look forward to the response and will act accordingly. Make no mistake, we're looking for inappropriate games on a daily basis in the classifieds.

[mando_pete]

As a PS, I don't want to sound like a mean vindictive person, but I hate internet scammers and I'm doing everything I can to eliminate them. I'm just picking my fight and had to narrow it to a specific focus.

The people doing this are NOT at Poverty level even though they live in the third world. They are very middle class and very bright. They live in good homes and they have the capability to steal your indentity and physically hurt you if you go far enough into a scam with them. They have partners in this country.

Just a warning --- either ignore those e-mails, or forward them to me first by PM'img me that you want to pursue it and I will give you my e-mail address for direct contact.

Thanks,

-- pete

[mando_pete]

Scott,

We were replying at the same time .....

I was trying to build a case I was legit to the members and I probably scared him off.

If you hear back let me know.

-- pete ( Trying to keep mandolin sellers safe from scammers )

[Scott Tichenor]

Pete, let me state for the record to anyone reading that I consider you most definitely a friend of the Cafe and extremely capable at your craft. I'll be in touch if I hear anything.

[mando_pete]

Scott,

I tried to PM you back but have no idea if it worked.

In any case, I am home alone with the kids this weekend. I will look into this first thing Monday morning. Thanks for the info.

-- pete

[357mag]

Wow! A little intrigue there. I have purchased two mandolins out of the classifieds in the past year and both sellers were great. I guess there is an element of risk when you send that money order off, but so far so good for me.
I wish you gentlemen the best being instrumental in catching these bums.

[mando_pete]

I also want to add that the MC advertisements are as safe as they get. I've advertised here myself. BUT, if you get something suspicious, forward it to me and I can tell you ( hopefully ) if it is legit.

99.999% of the transactions that occurr here are honest, but, this IS the Internet.

No intrigue, just trying to protect you all from fraud and at the same time I want Scott's site to maintain it's integrity, which is flawless.

There is no reason to avoid the classifieds here.

-- pete

[Links]

Pete:

I am mean and vindictive against people who scam others. I don't care if they are from the richest family on the globe or the poorest! A crook is a crook is a crook! Period! End of sentence!

Anything you can do to help nail these *****rds, please know that there are a lot of people cheering you on!