Is This A Scam? Be careful...

[bebas 0]

I received an email in answer to my Xisto ad from another country. The "buyer" wants to send me a money order and then I'm supposed to pay his "shipper" to pick up the item after deducting the price of the item they are buying. I'm thinking if I accept his offer he will then ask me to pay his "shipper" ahead of time (before receiving his money order) to speed things up. Am I being paranoid or is this a scam? The amount of the money order is sizable. Much more than shipping charges would be even if I use most expensive shipping method. That's why it sounds like a scam because who would send over $1,000 to a perfect stranger who happens to have an ad on Xisto. ThanksBebas

[Bkag 0]

What i would do if i understand your situation correctely would be to make sure through an escrow system or just get payment in advance of sending the item. One other thing you could do would be to do a cash on delivery so he only has to send you the price of the shipping, or send you nothing and when he recieves the item have to pay the price of the item plus shipping

[Mjay06 0]

Sounds a bit dodgy to me.You will always have that element of risk when dealing with people on the net. Someone always has to make the first move - be it to send something without payment, or to pay for something without receiving anything first. In every case of internet business one of those factors applies.Its got to be based on an element of trust - do you trust this person? If there is any doubt in your mind (which there must be for you to create this thread), i'd forget it.

[Panzer 0]

Sounds pretty dodgy to me. I wouldnt do it myself but i guess business is different if your actually making money off it..

[Mich 0]

This is most definitely a scam. Do not participate. I have read about this one and also seen news reports about it. Stay away from it.

[uiop 0]

You should defidently use an established escrow service if you plan on going through with this deal. Under no circumstances should you use an escrow service suggested by the other party. Although they may be made to look offical, they are often fakes.

[nations 0]

One thing that sounds weird to me, if the item needs to be "shipped" (what else is the "shipper" for) then why doesn't the "buyer" just have you ship the item to him/her.

Also, just out of curiosity, can you please post what the response was to your ad? You can remove all the links if you want. Maybe this will help us decide if its a scam or not by letting us actually see what the response looks like.

I'm thinking if I accept his offer he will then ask me to pay his "shipper" ahead of time (before receiving his money order) to speed things up.

Something like this might happen and if it does the "buyer" will simply get his money refunded (by cancelling the order) and you will get nothing. I agree with most of the responses to your post, I also suggest you stay away from this offer.

[KasinoKing 0]

Definitely a scam! Do not even think about it.

 

Ask yourself this: Why would someone ask a complete stranger to do this?

There can only be 2 possible answers:-

1. They are doing something highly illegal.

2. They are going to rip you off.

Most likely both!

 

If you're looking for extra income and are over 18, PM me for some suggestions.

Edited August 4, 2006 by KasinoKing (see edit history)

[Dooga 0]

To me, this is a scam. Do not fall for it.