When offering to buy or sell goods be aware that dishonest people also use the internet. Techniques to defraud are constantly evolving. Before you commit to a transaction you should satisfy yourself that the other party is genuine.
An offer to buy or sell in a complex or unusual way should be treated with suspicion.
Note that cheques may ‘bounce’ even after they have been initially cleared by a bank.
You may wish to look at specialist websites for further advice about protecting yourself against fraud when buying and selling on the internet.
This is an email that several of our advertisers have received recently:
Hello…. Am making inquiry on the item you have for sale..However,i ‘ll like
to know the price for it….Also,i want to know if it’s still
available.Do send pictures of it …
Thanks.
Those who have responded have received the following reply:
Hi…
Thanks so much for the update i appreciate it…well…the price
is okay by me…However,i will like to make initial deposit for
it…okay. So you ‘ll be sure that i’m interested in buying it….i
will ‘ve to contact an agent to come view it .Then i can send out the
balance …Well…to send the deposit to u i ‘ll be paying you with a
cheque and to send it out i will need your full name and address where
it will be sent to..and probably your phone number so i can call
you….my number is +447045727234
PS….i will want you to consider it sold to me i want to buy it and
am serious about it..okay..
Regards
THIS IS IS SCAM. You are advised to add the sender to your blocked list and ignore it – preferably on receipt of the initial enquiry.
You should beware of poorly constructed emails, poor spelling, those that are not signed, and email addresses that bounce or that are identified by your spam filter.
Obviously, over-diligence might be detrimental to a sale, but on the other hand, better to try and recover that situation than lose a substantial amount of money, and possibly your boat as well.