Nigerian scam? Cell Phones?

Question

I sell cell phones, Nokia 8800's...they are about $700 retail, or more. Why is it that just about everyday I get a person offering me MORE than what I'm asking for it...and they ALWAYS make up some story like 'My son lives in Nigeria, I'd like it sent there'. I've heard some crazy stories. WHAT is up with this? Will they try to send me fraudulent money? Any info is appreciated.

Answer 1

If it sounds too good to be true it is!! This is a scam. You will send the phone and never see the money! Selling anything over the phone or the net requires sound, secure financial structures.
If you want to try out their credibility it is simple! Money first then the product. How do you ask for payment? Credit card, Bank transfer? Protect yourself by establishing THEIR credentials before you release anything. They do not want to send you money they want to get into your bank accounts so YOU can send them money! Whenever you hear Nigeria be very ,very cautious!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Oh no, another Nigerian/African scam. If it has the word Nigeria or Africa attached, or I need your help to ship, process, relocate, advance etc anything from there, run..
Some time back I thought I was helping a fellow American there, I was very careful. She asked for my address to send me a check to take to the bank and wire her the money as the banks there would not cash it and she had to leave there fast. I got an unexpected delivery from UPS .They messed up and instead of 1 single check, I got 5 post office money orders each for $900. I noticed as well it had been shipped first from Arizona, then to Georgia, then to me. I contacted the post office and each name and address was fake. I took them to the post office and ask if they were legal, all of them were counterfeit and so good the post office could only tell by the numbers being incorrect and I was escorted to the post office agents to aide in an investigation but they could have arrested me just by having them in my possession. The Philippines as well are full of con artist using yahoo to get money, especially looking for older foreign men. They make more doing this than working and some feed their extended families by doing this and are very resourceful in playing upon your sympathy.

Answer 4

It is a very bad scam that happens with electronics, especially laptops. I have only seen and read about it through sellers forums on ebay. Basically the product gets sent and the money orders/transfers either are bogus or get returned by your bank. I don't know all the details .... sorry. But maybe if you log onto ebay and jump into some of the sellers forums and post in there you will get all the answers you need. Best of luck to you, be cautious.

Answer 5

Scamming is a national industry in most African countries. NEVER send goods to anyone before you have the money in your hand. Cheques, letters of credit, bankers drafts etc. are worthless until they have been cleared - not paid into your bank but finally CLEARED. What you mention is only one of the many scams being operated by these people, they are all based on human greed having the power to overcome logic. If it sounds too good 99.999% of the time it IS too good. It is far better to have your phone in stock than for it to be winging its way to Africa and you sitting at home waiting for money you will never see. These people are professional criminals and it is up to you to protect yourself and your business from them. This is nothing new, I started my business some 40 years ago and offers like this were among the first letters that ever came through my letter box.