Fake check Scammer - [email protected]

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Craigslist ad SCAM - Jennifer Thompson - [email protected]
("The poor deaf lady")

OK. My story - I was moving out and I wanted to sell some of my furnitures. So, after a few days of posting the ad in craigslist, I get the email from the poor "deaf" jenniffer! The first email was from [email protected] and it was pretty much straight forward, anyone who haven't encountered scammers would buy it and sent a reply.

1st email:
From: [email protected]
"My name is jennifer and will like to know if this item is still for sale"

I replied "yes" and listed the items and prices straight from the craigslist and told to contact me soon if she wants to buy.

2nd email:
From: [email protected]
Hello,

This is Jennifer, Thanks for getting back to me I want to buy this but the only way i can pay you is via a Bank Certified Check that i will mail to you using USPS overnight delivery

To make sure that everything goes smoothly i would wait for the check to clear before the pickup is done, I would be responsible for the pickup and it will be done by the movers and their payment will be included in the check i mail to you and this is all due to my disability (am deaf) and it makes it hard for me deal with this and it makes the transaction better and quicker.

I know you were not expecting this and I would have loved to come for the viewing but i cant I really want it and am offering an extra $50 for you to delete the posting to show i want it as i am just settling into my new house i want good deals to furnish the apartment i stay in.

if you are okay with this please send me extra pictures and get back to me with the following

Your Full name
Your Physical address (The overnight service does not deliver to P.o.boxes)

I await your response . thank you and stay blessed

Jennifer Thompson

Ok. So, this time she got me with the "deaf" move. Trying to get my soft side and shit! I replied saying I can understand her situation and that I'm ok with the idea. And gave my address. I thought for a while any possible consequence of giving my address...hmmm..just spam mails i guess and since I will be moving out soon, I won't be expecting any "James Holmes" too! (R.I.P all the victims)...so I put it up and clicked sent! And one thing I noted is - She didn't mention exactly what she wanted to buy. She just asked "...will like to know if this "item" is still for sale". I asked her to specify what exactly she needed from my "items list" and thats where I started to smell the rat.

3rd Email:
From: [email protected]
Hello,

It's me Jennifer and this is my main email thanks for getting back to me with the details I just wanted to let you know that the check would be delivered to you on Tuesday A.M due to the weekend,Am still sorting out quotes once finalized it would be added to the check. Please do not forget to delete the posting

I really appreciate your understanding and consideration I will update you with all the information needed.Thank you

Jennifer Thompson

4th Email:
From: [email protected]
Hello,

How are you doing today?Am so sorry for the delay as i was sick, Just wanted to let you know that the check will be delivered today via USPS thanks for your honesty towards this transaction so far. Well, the overpayment is meant to cover the cost of shipment for the item alongside my other properties including tax and insurance plus the movers and agent fees.

Please deposit the check today so that it clears tomorrow after the check has cleared,All you have to do is go the bank and have the rest of the money withdrawn in cash and have it sent to the movers via Money gram

Name : Ann Lujan

Address : 5343 Walnut Ave

City : Sacramento
state : CA
Zip code : 95841

Do let me know your schedule for the week regarding pickup as i have some other properties to be moved alongside the item. Please do act accordingly as agreed after deducting your money for the item, make the rest fund available to the movers via money gram at any of their outlet around you or check on http://www.moneygram.com {click find location} and check for their outlets around and get back to me with the transfer details below (as it appears on the receipt) so i can contact the movers for the pick-up at your location ....Deduct the money gram transfer charges from my fund also $50 for yourself (meant for any hassle or run around).

1} Sender’s name and address
2} Reference number which is the 8 digits reference on the Money gram receipt
3} Actual amount sent after the fee had been deducted
4} Scanned copy of the receipt or picture if possible

Hope i can trust you with the overpayment? Your Honesty and transparency will be appreciated.

I await your response, Thank you

Jennifer Thompson


Anyway, to my surprise I see a USPS PRIORITY MAIL in my mailbox and what do you know? a check for $2500! I mean, the total amount of my items itself was not more that $300! I took a moment to see who it was from, as I didn't have any info about poor "deaf" Jennifer anywhere on the envelope or the check! This is all the info the check had:
From (Address):
MEREDITH SHEARER & ASSOCIATES LLC,
4799 OLDE TOWNE PARKWAY
SUITE 100
MARIETTA GEORGIA 30068

Bank: SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA GEORGIA

But the mailing address on the envelope was different. It was from:
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
6333 GREENWICH DRIVE
SAN DIEGO, CA 92122

I looked up all the info - All legit! And its not everyday that some deaf lady sents a check for $2500 and saying that she is going to trust you with that!! I smelled something really f---ed up here! So, I googled it up and then came here. I was relieved I found this website and threads! I was sick when I realized the scam! - how they think they can use disabled people's reasons to do this. Its like they are mocking the real deaf people. Anyway, coming to reality - I still have that check which came in today and since I realized this is my first time being a "scam-prey" (thankfully, not a victim) I really don't know what to do with it. So, considering the real people who put out their experiences in here with real scammers and the same one I'm dealing with, I thought it would be alright to get some advice?

My question is :
1) What should be my next move? (obviously, I'm not going to do what they told - and all that "moneygram" shit!)
(2) Should I try the "ignore" way (which I'm thinking to do)- just keep the check with me, not reply to any further emails or just basically "ignore" them/ "her". If so, what will they possibly do if I go with this approach? I'm guessing sent more emails or more checks??
(3) If at all, I wanna get back at these fools, will it work if I deposit the check in my account? (of course, it depends on if there is actual money in their account or if its a bad check). But, what if, in case, it actually gets deposited in my account - is there anyway they can trace my account details and all that?
(4) Should I report to authorities? ehh...wait a minute- which authorities??

Please let me know what you think of this.

The scammer actually uses the "deaf" excuse, not to gain your sympathy, but to avoid having to deal with a phone call--because you would likely notice that (a) "she" is a "he;" (b) "she" is not in the US; and (c) he is clearly not American, but has a very strong Western African accent (and his English itself contains some significant giveaways too.)

1) What should be my next move? (obviously, I'm not going to do what they told - and all that "moneygram" shit!)

Shred the check, turn it in to the police or the fraud department of your bank, or keep it as a souvenir AFTER writing FAKE on it in large permanent ink so it is clear you could not attempt to cash it.

(2) Should I try the "ignore" way (which I'm thinking to do)- just keep the check with me, not reply to any further emails or just basically "ignore" them/ "her". If so, what will they possibly do if I go with this approach? I'm guessing sent more emails or more checks??

Yes, ignore "her." You may receive emails accusing you of stealing from "her," demanding that you send the money, threatening to report you to the police of FBI, etc. You may even receive poorly written emails supposedly from the FBI. Just ignore these too, and keep them as souvenirs.

(3) If at all, I wanna get back at these fools, will it work if I deposit the check in my account? (of course, it depends on if there is actual money in their account or if its a bad check). But, what if, in case, it actually gets deposited in my account - is there anyway they can trace my account details and all that?

If you would like to be arrested for fraud and possibly find yourself facing a bunch of fines or fees, by all means deposit the check. But, assuming you don't want that to happen, just follow (1) above. Scammers don't own the bank accounts the checks are written on. If the check traces to a legitimate account and it appears to "clear," the owner will be completely unaware that someone is writing and sending checks on his/her account--and when he or she realizes it, you will be the person who attempted to fraudulently take money from his account. Most people don't realize that checks aren't "cleared" just because the bank issues cash. By law, they have to issue cash within a certain time period if the check is not proven fake. Later, when it is realized, the bank will take all the money back from you, plus any fines or fees--and of course you will be liable for check fraud.

(4) Should I report to authorities? ehh...wait a minute- which authorities??

This kind of crime can be reported to IC3, and since USPS was used, you can also go to their website, and fill out a report of mail fraud.

Thanks a lot Dotti! I see you are the admin and that was a pretty quick reply!

I wasn't actually literally thinking to do my step (3). That was just something which came up in my "practical-joke mind"---eh..nevermind! And of course, there's a lot of other things in my life rather than to do all that stuff what "he/she" mentioned in the email to do - all that just for the sake of selling some furnitures! The important thing is that these jacks should be caught and should face a big-a-- trial, that would make me happy and hopefully see them end up in jail, but I guess thats not gonna happen anytime now, as far as those innocent naive victims are concerned!

What I will probably do is report this to my bank first and see what they have to say about the issue - and then also file a report to IC3. I am really glad that you have some solid feedback for this issue Dotti. Its really helpful and I'm pretty sure that other people who search google after getting the check from "poor deaf Jennifer" will land up here! Thanks and kudos for keeping up with all the info!

Yep, this stupid bitch tried to do that to me too. My bank was smart and called SunTrust Bank in GA (where the check was drawn) to make sure it was a valid check with valid funds. Imagine that it was a fake account. I contacted the Law Firm (Meridth Shearer and Associates) that was the supposed account and let them know the issue. Meredith Shearer herself said they knew that this issue has been going on and their account was closed awhile ago. She said they recieve 5-10 calls A DAY regarding this issue. The person wanting to buy my furniture also claimed she was deaf. What a sick person to play with someones nice strings to make a quick buck. I turned over every email and check to my bank and my back is dealing with law enforcment as we speak. How does this person not get caught??????? I hope you didnt get scammed.

Oh yeah btw her name was Carol McCray and her fake email was [email protected]

still at it. exact same scam. new name:

jessy spencer [email protected]

goddammit! my frikkin' antennae were up from the get-go, but still gave these people my damn address and phone number. arrrgh!

Hello and welcome to scamwarners micah ,

There is a great chance that the scammer will still send you the fake check. Its best to just stop communicating with him as you have done. If you receive the fake check just shred it.

The check will initially clear into your bank account and you will think that it is safe. However, depending on how good a fake it is, it can take weeks for the banks to actually discover that it is fake. When they do, they will reverse the transaction and deduct the money from your account. You will also possibly be charged fees and be reported to the police for passing fake check.

I have received a similar reply to an ad.


Hello ,

Thank for the prompt response,Am Hard of Hearing (Deaf) But am still very interested and I'm okay with the price and condition of the Item and ready for its purchase. I will have my Husband process and mail the payment to cover the cost of purchase and the mover's fee will be included to enable pick up company to schedule an appropriate time for the pick-up of the Item at your location after payment has been receive and cashed as am completely satisfied with it. I will need your details to mail the payment immediately...

1. Name to be on the Payment:
2. Address to mail payment to:
3. Cell number:
4. Cost price

Please note Parcel Service do not deliver to P.O Box and i will not be mailing payment to one, My mover will be coming over for the pick up right after the payment as been delivered and cashed. Kindly delete the posting as am totally committed to buy this from you.

I look forward to hearing from you asap, Don't worry about the shipment the shipment will handled by my shipping agent. I am waiting for your swift response.
Thanks for your co-operation

As soon as I read it I was suspicious. Glad I didn't fall for it. Hope this keeps someone else from being taken advantage of.

Welcome to ScamWarners kritty522 and thanks for posting.
Please let us know the email address that the scammer used.

Hello,

thanks for this post. I just received the email from the same Laura today and I replied as well, but when i got his/ her reply about the fedex and willingness to pay $50 I realized there could be a fraud going on here. I am glad i decided to google and realize that there is a spam going on here.

Wish there was a way to stop this in Craigslist.

Hello and welcome to Scamwarners sksk,

I am happy that this site assisted you in avoiding a scam. Please post the email address the scammer used with you and a couple of his initial emails to you. This thread has several pages and your update will help others avoid the scam.

New e-mail address. Same scam.

e-mail address used: [email protected]
"friends" mobile phone used - (669) 222-3424
(Initial message: "Came across your post on CL,Pls get back to me on [email protected] if
its available,as am texting from a friends phone")

------Mail received-------
Hello,
Thanks for getting back to me I will like to purchase your furniture but the only way i can pay you is through a Bank Certified Check which i will mail to you using USPS delivery

To make sure that everything goes smoothly i would wait for the it to clear before the pickup is done, I will be responsible for the pickup and it will be done by the movers and their payment will be included in the check i mail to you and this is all due to my disability (am deaf) and it makes it hard for me deal with this and it makes the transaction better and quicker.

I know you were not expecting this and I would have loved to come for the viewing but i cant I really want it and am offering an extra $50 for you to delete the posting to show i want it as i am just settling into my new house i want good deals to furnish the apartment i stay in.

if you are okay with this please send me extra pictures and get back to me with the following

Your Full name
Your Physical address (as USPS does not deliver to P.o.boxes)


I await your response . thank you and stay blessed

Carly

Posted furniture on craigslist in Los Angeles. Got a response from a 'Jen Th' saying she was responding on behalf of her "aunt". Here's the email transcript:

Afternoon,My Aunt wants to buy your furniture. Kindly communicate with her on jeathaz{at}gmail{dot}com if it hasn’t sold yet.

I noted the aunt's name and the girl's name are similar and began to suspect it was BS.

Followed up anyway just to see:
Got this back from the 'aunt' whose email is [email protected] :

To make sure that everything goes smoothly i would wait till the check clears and you have your money in cash before the pickup is done, I will also be responsible for the pickup and it will be done by my movers.Their payment will be included in the check i mail to you and this is all due to my disability (am deaf) and me being away for surgery.This will make the transaction better and convenient.

I would have loved to come for the viewing but again i cant as I'm away for a surgery.I know you were not expecting this and I'm offering an extra $50 for you to delete the posting to show i want it as i am just settling into my new house which I want good deals to furnish it with.

If you are okay with this please get back to me with the following, So the payment can be mailed

Your Full name
Your Physical address or Work address (as UPS does not deliver to P.o.boxes)
Final price after including the extra 50

Look forward to your mail

After checking this site to confirm, this is fake and a scam.

Thank you all so much for posting. I figured it might be BS early on, but having confirmation is extremely helpful. I'm posting this here as added proof for anyone else moving forward and to show my gratitude.

Thanks again!

For the bots [email protected]