TR4/4A Old Scam Slightly New Twist

[Rod-H]

Recently, I was emailed from a "Robert Moorman" who wanted to buy a set of wire wheels I have for sale in the Hill Country Triumph Club newsletter. If there is a real Robert Moorman who owns a Triumph, I apologize, I just want to alert the community of the name this scammer is using.
The Story:
His email said he would pay the $850 I was asking for the wheels plus $50 for storage until he could collect them. The funny thing is he didn't want to know anything about the wheels or mention anything about his car or any Triumph (do we ever talk to other LBC guys without mentioning our car(s).)
The check arrived for nearly twice what I was asking and it had some weird instructions to contact the "CPA/Financial Officer Ross Santos" before depositing the check or it would not be honored. The letter had no letterhead or business address. Hmmm. The check was from a business in the Dallas, TX area, the business name was spelled incorrect and the address was incorrect (I looked up the business, so he is high jacking their name to look legit). There was no business address of the bank on the check just "High Plains Bank", so I could not call the bank to verify. In his email he said he was from Daytona Beach, FL. The Check was from a business in Dallas, The return address on the envelope was from a different business in Portland Oregon. I checked the tracking information and the letter originated in Jamaica, NY.
The emailer has contacted me several times wanting to know when I will cash the check. He has not yet broached the subject of why he sent extra money. I'm sure that will come if I tell him I deposited the check.
I haven't decided what I'm going to tell him yet... or if I'll just block him and let it go.

I have filed fraud complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and the USPS Postal Inspection Department.

Gentlemen keep yours wits about you. This guys scam was easy to figure out, but others are more crafty.

Rod

I'm still waiting for that deposed African Prince to get back to me with the money he was going to deposit in my account...

 

[Sarastro]

This is a common scam. He will tell you to deposit the check and return the balance. After you do that, the bank will tell you that the check bounced.

But good on ya for the diligence. If everyone were so careful, this kind of thing would end immediately.

 

[BillyB62]

Agreed - SCAM! I had to he same thing happen to me when selling a snowblower. Fortunately, I realized it wasn’t real and didn’t get caught in the ruse.

Bill
‘59 TR3A - TS63273L

 

[Rod-H]

Steve: your right it is a very common scam, but unfortunately too many people get caught up in it. I was saddened that these criminals hit the pages of our Triumph Club.

 

[Rocky_LC]

Or he will want you to use the extra money to ship the wheels somewhere. Then you are out money and your wheels.

Friend get caught with the similar scam, and he lost his limousine – he took it down to San Pedro and paid for shipping to Australia, expecting that the check was good.

People get caught by greed, but also want to believe the sale is real, and want to consummate it before the buyer comes to their senses…

(If it seems too good to be true - it is!)

Rocky

 

[mctriumph]

Often when you get such a "person" contacting you, they can be found on line as known fraudsters.
Thank you Google search.
Mad dog

 

[KVH]

I’m looking for the special new and improved guaranteed kit for only $99.99 that immediately stops all Triumph sump and RMS oil leaks. Please let us know when that shows up.

 

[Rod-H]

With time all oil leaks will stop, just don't add more...