Moving scam?

[garmentmerchant]

I responded to a CL add to help someone move they are offering $500 for moving there apartment. I recevieved an email back from them and this is what it said

"I want the moving to be done before i get back to the states in October,i already made arrangements for the payment and also the keys to the apts,my landlord will be showing you the apts so the locations shouldn't be a problem,he will there to help you,i will be calling the landlord of the old apt so he can be around the house for packing,i will instruct my client to issue and mail out the payment he owes me so you can deduct the $500 which i believe is a reasonable amount for moving the items listed within the area,have the remaining funds wired to the landlord of the new apt via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER so he can bring down the keys to you and he would be available when you drop the items,the remaining funds you will be wiring to the new landlord is the balance payment for my new apt,I'm only doing this cause I'm presently out of the states and i want things to go smooth and perfect before my return."

My gut instinct tells me somethings fishy about it. Has anyone heard of moving scams, or heard of anything like this before? Thanks all.

 

[mikej77]

Yes, definitely a scam. Stay away from this one.

 

[garmentmerchant]

Yeah i have been doing some reading. I aam pretty sure they will send me a phoney check. Ask me to wire the difference only to have the check bounce and me be out whatever I sent them western union.

I thought $500 was a bit much to move some furniture for a couple hours.

Age old rule If it seems to go to be true it probably is.
Thanks!

 

[Stazy]

Tell him you'll do it for 400 cash. See what he says...

 

[West24]

Originally Posted by Stazy

Tell him you'll do it for 400 cash. See what he says...

**** you ill do it for 350!!

 

[TyCooN]

Originally Posted by garmentmerchant

Age old rule If it seems to go to be true it probably is.
This

 

[Eason]

I believe on CL there is a huge banner saying ANYTHING WITH MONEYGRAM OR WESTERN UNION IS A SCAM so...

I'll do it for $300, $300 and it's a deal!

 

[Orsini]

Originally Posted by garmentmerchant

I responded to a CL add to help someone move they are offering $500 for moving there apartment. I recevieved an email back from them and this is what it said "I want the moving to be done before i get back to the states in October,i already made arrangements for the payment and also the keys to the apts,my landlord will be showing you the apts so the locations shouldn't be a problem,he will there to help you,i will be calling the landlord of the old apt so he can be around the house for packing,i will instruct my client to issue and mail out the payment he owes me so you can deduct the $500 which i believe is a reasonable amount for moving the items listed within the area,have the remaining funds wired to the landlord of the new apt via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER so he can bring down the keys to you and he would be available when you drop the items,the remaining funds you will be wiring to the new landlord is the balance payment for my new apt,I'm only doing this cause I'm presently out of the states and i want things to go smooth and perfect before my return." My gut instinct tells me somethings fishy about it. Has anyone heard of moving scams, or heard of anything like this before? Thanks all.
Variation of the Nigerian Letter which is a variation of the good old Pidgeon Drop/Jamaca Switch....

 

[JetBlast]

Originally Posted by Eason

I believe on CL there is a huge banner saying ANYTHING WITH MONEYGRAM OR WESTERN UNION IS A SCAM so...

I'll do it for $300, $300 and it's a deal!

$275. Lowest bidder takes this one.

 

[Tarmac]

The whole point of craigslist is a. transactions are done in cash in full, and b. that you meet in person.

Any transaction happening on craigslist which tries to avoid the above is a scam.

 

[West24]

250 is the lowest ill go. ill throw in a free ** aswell.

 

[Journeyman]

I'm not even in the country, but if someone's willing to give me some cash, I'll take it.

Definitely a scam, for what it's worth.
The idea that someone you have not even met would be prepared to let a perfect stranger (who is a professional furniture removalist) move all their furniture to a new apartment, send them a chunk of cash and then expect them to remit most of the cash to a landlord is just ridiculous.
I'm glad that you weren't sucked into it and I devoutly hope that no-one else is silly enough to be fooled.

 

[jennifercardoza76]

I received the exact same email. Little to my knowledge my husband had already given them our address so they could send us a CERTIFIED BANK CHECK....well, to my surprise UPS arrived at my door today with a check....It was NOT a certified check but it was pretty well made to look legit. I did my own investigation and called the bank listed on the check which by the way was a few digits off from the banks REAL address. Anyhow, I spoke to the branch manager and was informed that the account # listed on the check is a fraud!!!! So if this has happened to you, protect yourself and your family and do NOT deposit this check!!!

 

[teddieriley]

i can't believe people still even consider such offers or let alone, fall for it. Sad to see so many unsuspecting people out there still.

 

[psi]

There is a website that can save you from all the problems of moving company scams: MovingScam.Info



There are about 20 questions and answers of how moving companies can rip you off and ways of how you can avoiding it.



Wish you all who needs to move a happy move and a safe one.