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A new ploy for fraud?

I recently got an inquiry on one of my ads (not here on Audiogon but on another site) for a pair of interconnects. After a few emails back and forth, we agreed on the price of $90. The prospective buyer then said he is in England and would like to propose an (unusual!) payment method. He said someone in the states owes him $3000, so he will ask this guy to send me a check for $3000, I am to cash the check and then WIRE him the difference ($2910 in this case). Of course I said thanks but I deal in cash. I never heard from him again. Has anyone experienced this?
gingko
mwilson
430 posts
 
Sounds like money laundering to me. Especially given that the price of the item he inquired about was insignificant compared to the amount of money he wanted you to handle.
lazarus28
339 posts
 
when your bank cashes the check you are then responsible for the funds. if the check doesn't clear with the bank for whatever reason, then *you* have to pay back the 3000. this sounds like a variation on a classic scam, where con men use dating sites to prey on lonely women. they send them 'money orders' and ask for the cash to be wired. then, when the money orders are rejected by the bank (sometimes weeks later), the person who deposited them is responsible and has already wired the money or sent the cash to some guy they never see again. although it could be legit. i wouldn't do it - no way, no how.
reubent
3,587 posts
 
I have read thes EXACT scam posted by someone else on another forum.

I'm fairly sure that this is a scam and you will be left holding the bag! For a $90 sale, I'd look elsewhere.

TIC
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