Scam e-mail

Kido

I've been selling my motorbike privately. I got an e-mail saying that someone was interested in it. I sent them all the details and they said they'd send me a cheque for the full amount. The problem is I now believe this to be a scam. I informed the buyer that I wouldn't give him the bike until the chesue had cleared. He then e-mailed back to say he would post a cheque for the full amount and more and I was to give the rest to the shipping company. I now believe this to be a scam. I tried e-mailing him back to say I've already sold the bike and now he says he's already posted the cheque and wants me to find him another bike. Do you think I should inform the police? Where do I go from here. Obvioiusly I won't be cahsing the cheque.

Thanks for any advice.

Susan

vikingaero

Scam! Scam! Scam!

The cheque may clear but then is found to be fraudulent and you've already given your bike away too.

Classic scam.

alanrowell

SCAMSCAMSCAMSCAMSCAMSCAMSCAMSCAM

The "shipping company" will turn out to be either the "buyer" or a friend who is in on the scam.

You will cash the cheque, hand the excess over and several weeks later you'll find out that the cheque is fraudulent - and you won't have bike or money

Here's an example

Substitute "bike" for "greyhound" and you'll get the idea

Kido

Thanks for this, I'd already worked out it was a scam, I've not handed the bike keys over (nor do I intend to as I have a legitimate purchaser getting the bike tomorrow). All I'm asking is what I should do with the cheque if/when it arrives. Sorry I didn't make myself clear.

vikingaero

I would avoid cashing the cheque. The cheque may be stolen or a forgery and it's better to avoid having PC Plod knocking at your door asking questions. Maybe forward it to the issuing bank with a covering letter?

vaio

or just bin it

Markyt

Bin the cheque. "What cheque? I didn't recieve any cheque from you so i sold the bike to someone else."