Is this a scam based on abuse of 'Freecycle'?

This is the email thread between myself and a (person?) responding to my posting for a washing machine in the Kettering area. Although freecycle operates via local groups, the responder is allegedly in Wolverhampton.

Email Thread:

From: audrey300 <[email protected]> Sent: Tue 27/05/14 8:54 AM

To: Removed (BW) Priority: Normal

Subject: Reply to your post "Washing machine"

(Re: Washing machine, response to my posting on 'Freecycle')

I am relocating and giving out Washing machine if you are still interested mail me back

--
This is a reply to a Post you made on the Kettering
Group titled 'Washing machine' (Post ID: 40067827)
You can close this Post to new replies by marking it as TAKEN/RECEIVED on
your 'My Posts' page : http://my.freecycle.org/home/posts
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(My Reply):

Hello Audrey,

Thank you very much for responding to my mission to find a washing machine....

I am definitely interested; and it happens to be the recipient's birthday this Friday so that's just perfect!

Please would you let me know from where and when it would be convenient for me to collect it from you.

P.S. I forgot to let you know you my phone number; it is (real mobile number)
However I don't expect you to call me, this should be at my expense, it is just for your convenience in case you wished to call.

Kind Regards,

(my real name)

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Yes it is still available and in good condition.
I am located in Wolverhampton if you can came and collect it fine.
It should be within the week
but if you are located very far then i can post it to you for 10
pounds because I have an account Global Max Courier Company and they
can deliver it to your home,
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(My Reply):
Hello Audrey,
Thank you for getting back to me about your washing machine.
I’m near Kettering, Northamptonshire. Although that’s quite far from Wolverhampton it wouldn’t be impossible for me to collect it, but I would prefer to accept your kind offer to post it to me for £10.
Please let me know how you would like me to pay you the £10 and I will do so without delay. Also, could you please confirm that it will go in a 24 inch gap – thank you.
The address to post it to is:
(Real Address)
Many Thanks,
(my real name)
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Since the courier company usually requires payment upon collection
what you will do is this. Go to any store and buy me ukash voucher and
send me the voucher numbers or you can buy it online.
When I get it I will use my money to pay for the postage ,and also i
will need your full address and contact number so that when i register
the items to be posted the courier will give you a tracking number so
that you can track down the goods and know when they will be delivered
to your home.
Best Regards
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(My Reply):

OK, I will buy a ukash voucher today for £10 and send you the numbers with the delivery address and contact number.
Many Thanks,
(my real name)
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(Following this, I google-searched ‘ukash’ and ‘Global Max Couriers’ and in both cases found many listings regarding scams. Ukash turns out to be legitimate but can be abused and Global Max was hard to find other than scam warnings.)

Is this genuine or is it a scam, and if so, why would anyone want to go to this trouble just for £10 ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

aprilmayjune

[AlanJones]

It's a scam.

While £10 is an insignificant amount, if the scammer is telling the same thing to 20, 30 or even 100 people it adds up to a nice amount - particularly if the scammer is in somewhere like Africa.