Almost got scammed

I tried to sell a major item or for that matter anything online (Craigslist) for the first time. I did not do my homework and was hit by a classic example of a buyer scam as a result. I did get a few red flags but I guess I was a bit too keen to sell. Anyway, I did not but I do feel like quite an idiot for engaging with this scammer for so long. I mean the grammar is atrocious and the signs were there right from the first email. I also did not realize for the longest time that this person would ask me to ship the item overseas. I don't think anything will happen but does anyone have views on if anything can be done about this person as they did give me a name and shipping address?

Anyway I discovered this forum after the exchange and this whole experience did teach me a valuable lesson and hopefully made me smarter. I mean who would buy an expensive diamond bracelet without even inquiring in detail about it, forget for that matter without even a personal viewing. I have posted the emails exchanged here

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Subject: Re: --- Carat 18 K Gold Diamond Tennis Bracelet - £6300 (London)
To: Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]>


Well it hasn't reached me anyway you can claim it back from PayPal since
it is a secure service.

Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Dec 2012, at 10:54, Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]> wrote:

what are you talking about ...the money has been deducted from my account
completely .....





On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 11:48 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

Hi Jennifer,
I am not comfortable sending the item to Nigeria. For protecting my
interest I have cancelled the transaction. It's not personal but if
you are still interested I request you to mail me a copy of your photo id.
Otherwise please do accept my apologies.

Thank you,
xxxxxxx

Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Dec 2012, at 10:27, Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]> wrote:

Hello xxxxxxxxx,

I have remitted payment to you via paypal and I also paid paypal charges
to ensure you get full payment.nKindly post the phone to my son as soon as
possible and write on the package...
"A GIFT FROM YOUR MUM".

Name: Engr. O. mathew
Address: Zone 5 Bembo Road Apata,
City: Ibadan,
State: Oyo State,
Zipcode: 23402,
Country: Nigeria


Kindly post the Item directly to him via Royal Mail International Sign For
Recorded Delivery and please do write the note "A GIFT
FROM YOUR MUM" boldly on the body of the package.

hope to read back from you with the shipment tracking number .


Thanks and nice buying from you.

Jennifer








On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 11:14 AM, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
wrote:

Thank you. Appreciate it.

xxxx

Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Dec 2012, at 10:08, Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]> wrote:

okay...since you are not comfortable no problem then ...go ahead .


Thank, jennifer




On 12/11/12, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I am sending you the requests now but I am not willing to reduce
charge for
custom declaration as this is illegal and I am not comfortable with
that. So
sorry about that.

Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Dec 2012, at 09:56, Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]>
wrote:

the address will be on the paypal which has been register and
comfirmed by paypal.

when the payment has been made then you will find the address on
paypal
...


Regards,
Jennifer.



On 12/11/12, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Where is it supposed to be sent? Can you provide me the address.

Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Dec 2012, at 09:42, Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]>
wrote:

you can send it two ...but you will be able to receive it onece
from me
bedcause ..my paypal account link to my Bank account .

i wait to recieve it from you .

and when sending the bracelet you have to less the value due to
costums
duty that needs to be paid .

Regards,
Jennifer.




On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 10:40 AM,
<xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello,

So there is a slight problem with PayPal. The individual
transaction
limit on that is 5500 so I am not able to send u a single request
for
6300. I will have to break it into 2 payments of 5500 and 800. It's
not
ideal but I don't know what else I can do.

Do you have any thoughts on this or should I go ahead and send you two requests?

Thanks,
xxxxxx

Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Dec 2012, at 09:20, Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]>
wrote:

Hi xxxxxxxx,


that is why i wnat the transaction through paypal because has all
my
details and all that ...their is nothing to worry about ....i can
transfer the money has soon as you request the money because i do
have
time in doing all your requirement for security reasons and my
company
of working ...if you do wish to sell then ..requet money or you
let
me
know.



regards,
jennifer.



On 12/11/12, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Jennifer,

I am happy to accept a PayPal payment. I do have a few sale
conditions
however.

First, as each diamond in retail costs an average of 200 pounds
and
this is
an expensive item overall I would like to protect both our
interests.
So I
would appreciate if you are willing to attach a photo Id of yours
(passport,
driving licence etc) that states your address where you would
like
the
bracelet to be mailed . I would be doing the same and will send
you
both an
electric copy and a printed signed copy along with the bracelet
and
receipt
in mail.

Second, once the transfer comes through I will get the bracelet
appraised
and certified by an independent appraiser so that it helps us
with
any
problems in the future and this would mean a delay of three
working
days
after receiving payment before I can mail it.

Third, this bracelet is not refundable and cannot be returned.

Thanks,
xxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent from my iPhone

On 11 Dec 2012, at 07:51, Jennifer Bergeman <[email protected]

wrote:

Hi xxxxx,

I'm purchasing the bracelet for my Son has a Xmas gift and i
will
also like to know if you accept PayPal payment because i will
like
paying you through PayPal, if you accept then i will like you
to
send me
a
PayPal money request of 6300 pounds which cover postage cost via
royal mail.. let me know If you are okay with the price or you
can
send me PayPal money request to address or you request money
directly
to my PayPal which is
[email protected] so that i can made the payment as soon as
possible....

Hope to read back from you soon.

Jennifer



On 12/10/12, xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Yes it is available. I won't be able to go much lower than that
but
am
willing to discuss it. Let me know if you need more details.

Sent from my iPhone

On 10 Dec 2012, at 22:13, Jennifer Bergeman <
[email protected]>
wrote:

do you still have this item,what is your minimum price?



------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original craigslist post:
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/xxxxxhtml
If this email is a scam or spam please flag it now:

http://craigslist.org/mf/19092fae83a8a4 ... 40ad267c.1

Hello iraa and welcome to Scamwarners.

Thank you for posting the information and email address of the scammer. It will help others when they use search engines for help.

I am glad your instincts set in and you were not scammed. Do not feel bad about being drawn in. It can happen to all of us.

I don't think anything will happen but does anyone have views on if anything can be done about this person as they did give me a name and shipping address?

The address appears to be real. The name if fake. Even if he had given a real name there is not much you or anyone can do. It will fall under W. Africa's jurisdiction. Corruption is prevalent, bribes and turning the eye makes it difficult.

Why would they want a girlie bracelet for their son? I notice further up it turned into a phone. That's a clue the scammer accidently sent you the wrong text and scams others at same time.

Yeah I started getting suspicious when they mentioned international shipping. I noticed the phone as well and that along with Nigeria made me tell the scammer off. Also in retrospect, I noticed that when this person was replying with less that standard answers the English is far more poor than when they are obviously using a script.

However, for some reason my ad has disappeared from Craigslist and I have a feeling the scammer might have flagged. However, after this am not so sure if that's the right place to try and sell something anyway.