Hi I just wanted to let anyone be aware of the following person that replies to an ad you have on craigslist, I fortunately did not become a victim of his scam because after receiving a check from this person too much did not seem to add up about the arrangement. I posted an add on craigslist stating that I am in the business of repairing computers and listed my prices and services. I received an email from a Jeremy Macleans asking if I am capable of repairing computers in bulk and I replied back yes I am and asked for details on what needed to be done and how many computers. This post will be long so bare with me I am trying to keep it to a bare minimum. Below is the email he replied back with:
Hello,
Thanks for the response. I have 10 HP 6910P laptops, they have been in storage for a while and are now being re-conditioned for use. Below are the things needed to be done one on each laptops.
1 Format Hard Drive
2 Install Windows Vista Business, Service Pack2
3 Microsoft Office 2007 Package
4 AVG Virus Software (Free Lifetime Updates)
5 Adobe Acrobat
6 Laptop Cleaning of the keyboard, screen and other case.
7 Diagnostics of the entire system after to check harddisk, cd-rom, floppy, etc.
Get back to me with your total cost for the servicing of these laptops. I await your urgent response so that i can make moving arrangements and payment as soon as possible. I have all the necessary software needed for the service installations.
Thanks
System Config: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.00GHz, OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Business. 250GB SATA HDD @ 5400RPM. 14.1" WXGA Widescreen (1280 x 800), 4.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2 x 2GB). Optical Drive: DVD SuperMulti drive (DVD+/-RW) w/Double Layer Support.
So this seemed like a legitimate offer to me so I gave him my address and he stated he would send a check to me which seemed puzzling because I would think you would send the laptops first and then send the check upon completion, so I said maybe he just wants to make sure I get the check and then he will send the laptops and then I can cash it. I told him I would charge him 1000 total to which he replied that seemed like a fair price and he has contracted a shipper to have the laptops shipped to me and that he would arrange to have his secretary draw up a check for me. So the check arrived by FedEx the other day, I am very suspicious at this point because the origination of where the check was shipped from was in Tennesse and the name on the check was not the person who I have been corresponding with and the person whose name is on the check is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. And also the amount of the check was written in the amount of 1850 which is more than the 1000 we agreed on.
So Jeremy emails me and says that he saw I signed for the check from FedEx and below is the email I got from Jeremy:
I just tracked the check, and it shows that it has been delivered to you today. I already got in touch with the movers today, and I need to pay them upfront for them to ship the laptops to your place, pick-up some other equipments for the office, and pick-up the laptops when you're done, and that's the reason for the extra cash on the check. So I need you to cash the check, deduct your repair fees,and go to a Western Union or MoneyGram location to send the balance to the movers. Once they have it, the laptops will be delivered to your place.
Send the balance to the information below:
Roy Webster
Amarillo, TX, 79110
Deduct the sending fee from the balance and send the remaining to the information above. Get back to me as soon as possible with the Money Tracking Control Number (MTCN), and payment details (sender's/receiver's information) , as you have it on the receipt (I'll appreciate it if you can scan the receipt to me).
Let me know.
Thanks.
So as you can see by now I can see what is going on here, this person is trying to completely scam me, I am already before this email suspicious of the whole deal. While we have corresponded this whole time he has failed to answer little questions that I have such as where he is located, and when the laptops will be shipped. All he has seemed to be concerned with is when I am picking up the check from the FedEx office because it was delivered twice and I wasn't at my apartment complex to sign for it and he also seems concerned about when I will cash it. I did a internet search about scams like this and found this site and have read the many stories people have written about being scammed and its unfortunate and I did not want to become another victim. So I emailed Jeremy after finding this site along with others and told him I will not be cashing the check and I asked him why I was sent the extra money and if this was legitimate why not just send the money to his shipper himself. I also asked why the check belongs to someone who lives in Pennsylvania. I told him not to contact me anymore because I believe this is a scam attempt. I have not yet heard back from him, but I will be contacting PNC Bank because they are listed on the check and I will also try to track down who the check belongs to and inform them of what is going on. I don't know if this means anything but he has been using a gmail address to correspond with me and I checked the header and it says GMT time which is for Greenwhich, London. Here is his email address for anyone who may have come across this person or for future reference for anyone that may receive anything from him:
jeremybusted12@gmail.com.
I hope this helps anyone.