How does this craigslist scam work?

What is Craigslist? 
 

Craigslist is dead anymore and pretty much is only scammers now. I have been using marketplace now and there are still a few scammers who want to pay by vemo and claim its because they were robbed the last time they wanted to use cash with a seller. But i have had ZERO legit inquiries for things I have listed on craigslist but sells right away on marketplace. 

I noticed that CL has gotten pretty sketch since marketplace came out.  But don't be fooled...there's turds to deal with everywhere.

I have a bunch of stuff I need to sell...some antiques, albums (some very rare)...and misc crap that accumulates after 65 years.  The easiest thing to do is call in an auctioneer and sell everything...lock, stock and barrel.  But, that sells everything at fire sale prices.  I need to stop being lazy and get in touch with specialists.

There are alot of variations of this scam.  1.  You agree on $5000.  He immediately sends a check(its fake) for $5500.  He then contacts you,  blames it on the secretary and asks you to send him the $500 overage.  They driver will pick up the bike in two weeks(never comes).  2.  He is mining you for as much information as he can get and then figure a way to steal your identity.  3.  He is just a nut in his undershorts bored and looking for something to do.(very likely). Either way you are not selling your bike to him.

I have successfully bought and sold on craigslist multiple times in the last few years. Bought a 1996 F350 and a 2010 Acura TSX. To list a car you have to pay a $5 listing fee now, even as a private listing. 

Prior to marketplace I made alot of money flipping cars/selling tools/doing sidework on craigslist. Its definitely annoying to deal with the scammers but its not hard. There are plenty of legitimate posts. If the post is spelled decently, has a few photos and a local phone number its probably legit. Just use your gut feeling. And, an actual phone call is an important factor for me. 

JMO.

This is what I’m thinking. I listed an item on CL once and it went very much like this. I knew something was up but I went along with it out of curiosity. 
 

They send you a fake check for more than the asking price. They say the overpay amount is to pay the driver that will come to pick up the item so they hope you are naive enough to deposit the check without waiting for it to clear and withdraw the overage from your account to pay the driver. 

Devil's advocate: 

#1. I have several friends from other states and still have their original state cell numbers.

#2. If I was inquiring about a bike sale on CL and the person asked for my ID, I'd find it fishy and probably refuse.

#3, Homeskool

#4. I personally don't care for haggling, either buying or selling, and have found deals I felt were very good so offered full price to let the person know I'm interested and not just killing time lowballing. 

I can't say if this guy is scammy or not but good luck with the sale!

I like the one where they say I will pay you by vemo or such and then say but I will have my brother or wife or son pick it up. I say nope I take cash on delivery. 

That is the one that makes no sense. I will now go put on my tin foil hat! 

Who tf uses Craigslist anymore?

It’s probably this scam then:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WHLfO_pu7q4&pp=ygUPQ2FyIHJlcG9ydCBzY2Ft
 

tldr: they own a mv report website that costs you money to run a check and will only accept reports from that site. They email thousands of people a day who are selling vehicles hoping a few will pay the $40 or so it costs to run a check then stop responding.

I think I got a new one for me today. Wants to pay with Venmo. Needs your email and Venmo name. Sends email that says money is waiting as soon as Venmo receives proof of shipment. Meanwhile my actual Venmo app shows nothing. 

I buy/sell bikes on Craigslist quite frequently. Over the past few years I’ve probably sold 5-6. A guy who bought an KTM adventure from me drove all the way from the Bay Area to pick it up….cash. Never checks of any form. If it’s a LOT of cash we meet at the bank and I have the teller run it through the counter, which not only counts it would spit out counterfeit bills. You need to weed through scammers but I’ve gotten those on Marketplace too. If I’m looking for a specific bike H go to Craig’s or Cycletrader. I’ve never found anything I wanted on marketplace 

CL in my area is dead for bikes. $5 fee killed it. Marketplace seems to be the way here. Somewhat streamlines the interaction. You can message through the app. Ive sold 3 bikes through there. Bought 2. Just kinda know what to look for. If the interaction is messy and the way he wants to pay you is complicated, fake/scam/rob. 

Selling bikes scares me man, unless it can go to friends or friends of friends it's a total minefield.

Good luck either way but you can't be too careful, good call on stopping responding if it feels off, trust your gut 👍

Use Facebook marketplace/ offer up/ mx locker.

leave craigslist alone, unless you’re trying to give your money to a prince in Africa via western union lol

I buy and sell all kinds of bikes and cars on Craigslist, it’s still my go to. Cash talks bullshit walks 

If someone wants what you’re selling they’ll find a way to buy it.

If they’re asking you to jump through hoops to sell it, it’s likely a scam.

I’m curious why people wouldn’t use Venmo. I’ve used Venmo multiple times paying and getting paid for different items. Never an issue. I get a little nervous about handling large amounts of cash. To be honest, Covid kinda killed using cash now. 

I’ve sold a lot of items on CL and Marketplace. Never had an issue with either. Had one sale that I was meeting a guy to sell some wheels. The area he wanted to meet was a little sketchy…..so I brought a buddy and gun….everything ended up being just fine. Lol

Venmo scams are pretty easy to run from what I have found doing some research. If someone uses a stolen cc to pay, Venmo pulls the money out of your account a few days later and there isn’t anything you can do about it. 

I too buy and sell on CL all the time. If people are serious they make it happen the old fashioned way. Show up with cash to complete the transaction. 

You forgot the “verification code” to make sure you are “real”.

Say you will only meet in the parking lot of your local police station. That weeds em out pretty quick. 

Idiots fall for scams.

I still sell stuff on CL, it's no worse than any other service.   You have scumbags on every platform.

This ^^^^^    100%

Nobody comes to my home. 

Yeah....keep putting money in F**kerbergs pocket by using his platforms.