Warning: Beware of Classified Ad Scam Artists

Northern Breezes and SailingBreezes.com want you to be aware of some potential scams that you may receive by listing something for sale. Some of our Waterfront Classified advertisers report receiving suspicious e-mails after placing their ad. Let us know if you prefer to list only your phone number to lessen your chance of being contacted by these scam artists.

Some of these scams may include asking to send you a (fake) cashier's check for more than the price of the boat and then have you send the difference back to the buyer. Often, the letters are from overseas and contain many misspelled words.

Following are some examples of these fraudulent letters:

Thank you for your response,after discussing with my client who really commended your boat has
instructed to move on with the deal at the price of $10,000,he said he will be going on a vacation soon and will rest virtually all the transaction on my shoulder and assign a shipper like wise that i will work with and stressed that he will be issuing out a cashier checkof ($17,000) which was a refund payment of a cancelled order earlier made by him but will be filed in your name,you are only required to deduct the cost of your boat ($10,000and send the differece ($7,000) when payment gets to you to a shipping agent whoose information will be given to you as at when due, he will be needing the fund to offset shipping charges, taxes and other cosmetic repairs/touches,the agent will be responsible for signing and  transferingof title paper and also pick-up. So i require of you to send me your NAME,ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER for payment to be delivered to you via fedex courier services .All other information needed in completion of this transaction will be given to you in due time.
thanks

Here’s another one:

Ok,but like i stated in my prevous mail,that the check will be written in the amount of $14,800.Cos it was when i saw your advert place i made the cancellation of order from the store manager,And like you said,when the money clears you will then forward the remaining balance that will be sent through western union money transfer to the shipping company that will come for the pickup of the boat,for the document and paper works for pickup.Thanks

And another one:

Let me formally Introduce myself. My name is welis packer.
I owe a Private Agency based in U.K. My agency deals with the provision of Automobiles (Cars, Bikes, Air-Planes, Ships etc) and Rear Artefacts (Paintings, Relics etc.) to our customers, according to there specific details and demands.
The reason I am contacting you, is due to the interest one of my clients has in your boat.
I would like to know if the boat is available and your last asking price,pls send pic's for customer viewing.
hope that is clear.
hope to hear from you soon.

We first published this one in Northern Breezes April 2004:

We are interested in buying your above mentioned products at advertised rate. Goods to be picked up from your location for onward shipping to London. Cost and modalities of shipping to be born by us.
Payment for the purchase is by check through a debtor in US. The debtor owes us higher than our purchase. He will therefore be sending you a check for $8,000 to cover the cost of our order, as well as the Shipping costs.
On receipt of the check, you will cash and deduct the cost of our order .The balance you will send as we would instruct you to the Agency that will ship the Goods to us. If this arrangement suites you fine, please send us your address where to send the check, as well as the name to be on it. Also send us your phone number for easy communication.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.
Best Regards