Someones trying to scam me

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 14:59

About a month ago I put my glugel horn up for sale of some music website for £480, then after a few days some guy gets in touch with very dodgy broken english, straight away I was a bit sus. Anyway After some long and complicated story of how some guy in England owes him 3800 when he gets that he will pay me. I think hmm this is well dodgy but see if anything comes of it. For 2 weeks I heard nothing, then look what turns up through the post for me all the way from Lagos.

The question is what to do now.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:01

Spacky said:
Scam!

Fake!

Numb nut I figured that read the title

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:02

TheMagicPirate said:
try and cash it? Dont send till it completely clears tho' obviously

That was my thinking. Just wandering would it be safer to open up another bak accoutn and put it in that, I was planning on opening a HSBC sccount anyway this weekend, so Im considering trying to open it with this cheque.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:04

williamw11 said:
So whay are you asking what to do then?

Wells ee it maybe a scam, or just laundering some money, is its the latter im not too bothered. Im just wandering if its worth risking cashing it, obviously I wont send the instrument till I have the cash in my hand.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:05

williamw11 said:
So cheque bounces and you get hit with a fee. Smart.

If it bounces I get hit with a fee? I always thought it was the sender who got hit with a fee. Explain.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:08

Ukadder said:
Take it to one of those instant chq converter places and see if they change it? I know they charge 5% but you would then have the money in your pocket.

Or phone up HSBC and talk to them about it? It's a printed chq so I'm guessing they must have printed/authorised it.

On your first point, But what happens fi the cheque is dodgy and soemone omes hunting me for money back?

Im wandering if tis worth phoning HSBC or the travel place to find out more.

Just got an email from him, It says what he wants me to do is cash the cheque then once cashed he will arrange delivery and he wants me to send him a cheque for 3800-the cost of the instrument and p n p.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:09

Lagz said:
Ask someone at a bank, not someone on an internet forum?

As said that is possibly one of my next steps.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:14

Im pretty sure this is some kinda money laundering thing. Im going to get in touch with HSBC and see what they have to say, Im going to pop down to one of their banks this afternoon before work. Yes it maybe some money laudering thing, but I dont know that now do I

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:19

Werewolf said:
classic scam - the overpayment, then asking you to send the goods and balance.
The cheque will bounce/be reported stolen, you'll be down the goods and balance.

I would contact the police, and also possibly the HSBC and let them know about the cheque so they can if need be contact the real account holder.

Thanks

I think Ill do waht you said.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:29

Loki said:
Banks do have the obligation to try and present cheques and get payment. However after speaking with Mrs Loki (Works for a Bank) She assures me this stuff is on the rise in terms of overpayment. The cheque can come back upto six months later as fraudulent and you will be liable. Also the bank circulate yuor personal detailas as high risk due to potential money laundering. Although quite clearly it wasnt your fault, ignorance has no claim under the law

Thanks for that

Ive just talked to my sister (works in the police) She said there isnt too much point for me reporting it apart from it will get logged somewhere (inc. his postal details) and not too much done about it, Im reporting it anyway, shes sortign that this eve when she goes to work. I phoned up HSBC they have asked me to bring the cheque in and they would like to "investigate the situation"

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 16:02

vargojones said:
btw Bath Travel is a very ligitmate travel company based in dorset wiltshire and hampshire, god knows how this guy got a cheque of theirs!

Before posting this I did a google and called them etc etc and they seemed genuine which confussed me for a second.

Lol just had an email I told him that I wasnt going to cash the cheque, he emailed back.

My friend I am sorry to hear of this please find in the post another cheque for £5000 to replace the one you dont have.

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 16:21

vonhelmet said:
Tell him that you can't send him a cheque for ~£3300, but what you can do is send him a flawless 1 carat diamond, but he will have to send you change in the form of 3 flawless quarter carat diamonds. Send him a cubic zirconia.

I likes the idea! I may just email him with the suggeston.

Its definitly a fake but an interesting point was bought up about taking the cheque to cash cnverters (or similar). What wwould happen if they accepted it? I assume they take your details etc and would force you to give the money back?

I have no idea what would happen never been to one of them places. Anyone know what info they take down and all?

jezsoup · 26 Apr 2006 at 17:29

VeNT said:
CONTACT THE POLICE!

Read the frickin topic already have done (my sisters

) lol. I was just wandering how this cam was working and wether it was a scam or just money laundering. Found out now, and no Im not goin to cash the cheque. Not that silly now.