Can I trust a buyer from Craigslist.com?

Question

I sold my car for $900. A guy from Norway bought it. He sent me a check for $2000.00. He said there's a man that lives in Nevada that picks up his stuff for him. The guy that bought my car said for me to keep 900 for my car and give his "shipper" the remaining $1,100.00. Does this sound real? I have the check, it came through UPS, but have NOT cashed it yet.

Answer 1

I do believe that it is a scam but to be sure, contact the bank that it is drawn from tell them what you have told us, and that you are skeptical. Do NOT cash it into your account.. Next time ask request a certified money order or postal money order.

Answer 2

The check is counterfit.  You'll be out the car AND $1,100 if you do this.  This is a very common scam.  

But you can take the check to the bank, but don't send any money or let anybody have the car until the check has time to clear, about 2 weeks.  As the bank how long it will take.

BTW, he sent the check via UPS so he wouldn't face mail fraud.

Read the cautions at the top of the craigslist pages.  Also remember that craigslist was started for local, face-to-face deals to prevent this kind of fraud.

Answer 3

NO NO NO sounds like a scam to me

Answer 4

The check is a fake. When you deposit the check in the bank, the bank will give you the credit in a day. Then the "shipper" will collect the $1,100 from you that day. Within a week the bank will discover the fake check and will debit your account for $2,000. End result will be that you would have lost your car plus $2,000. This is a common fraud scheme on the internet. I have had a friend who had this happen to. And he too advertised to sell his furniture on craigslist.