Am I Being Scammed?

[Blackbearded]

Hi,

not sure exactly where to post this so will just post it here. I just want advice on if I am being scammed.

SHORT VERSION:
I met up with a buyer from out of state who wanted 7 L3+'s and PSU's. He paid me for 3 units in cash and 4 units in a combination of cash and money orders of varying denominations, dates, and issuers. I told him I could only give him the 3 that he paid in cash and I could give him the other 4 if/when the money orders clear. He said that's fine and left without even taking the 3 he paid cash for. I am to ship all of the units to him at the same time after the money orders clear. He said it wouldn't take more than a few days for the payments to clear. I called the WU and MG money order numbers and they seem to be valid MO's. There are 3 MO's from Memo Financial Services and when I try to look those MO's up, they don't seem to exist. I have all the cash and money orders and still have all the hardware. Am I being scammed?


LONG VERSION

I have been selling L3+'s and PSU's the past couple weeks. I sold a couple to a member here who picked up locally and paid cash. The rest that I've sold have sold on Ebay either through auction format or through arranging to pick up locally and received payment in cash also.

So I had one listing left on Ebay last night. The winning bidder messaged me through the Ebay system and asked if he could buy all of my remaining units in person at the same price and pay in cash. His profile listed him from being from Michigan. I'm located in New Jersey. We exchanged contact info and he texts me saying he will fly here on Sunday with cash to pay for all of the units and take them.

This morning, Saturday, I get a call from him saying that he will fly in today not tomorrow. However, he said he only has $10k in cash so can only buy 3 of the 7 units. He said we can discuss how he can pay me for the rest later.

He called me after he landed and I wanted to confirm that he only wanted 3 units. He told me he had a little more cash and enough money orders to pay for the other 4 units as well. I was reluctant but he said I could take a look at the money orders and then decide.

After he came to my place of business, I told him I could only give him the 3 that he paid in cash and I could give him the other 4 if/when the money orders clear. He said that's fine and left without even taking the 3 he paid cash for. I am to ship all of the units to him at the same time after the money orders clear. He said it wouldn't take more than a few days for the payments to clear. I called the WU and MG money order numbers and they seem to be valid MO's. There are 3 MO's from Memo Financial Services and when I try to look those MO's up, they don't seem to exist.

I now have more than $10k in cash and $11k in money orders and he doesn't have any of the miners or PSU's. Is there a chance that these money orders will come back as bad even if they initially clear? Anyone have similar experience?

[Kyraishi]

I think this will better belong in trading discussions.

TBH, no. You have absolutely nothing to lose - you have his contacts, you know his address, you have all the cash and still all the hardware. The only person that can even result in a loss in this scenario is the buyer, since he is trusting you to ship the equipment to him once the money orders clear.

I'm not familiar about the money orders in your country. If anything goes wrong, tell him and let him sort it out. Worst case scenario you'll just hae to cut down on the units you are selling.

[Blackbearded]

I think this will better belong in trading discussions.

TBH, no. You have absolutely nothing to lose - you have his contacts, you know his address, you have all the cash and still all the hardware. The only person that can even result in a loss in this scenario is the buyer, since he is trusting you to ship the equipment to him once the money orders clear.

I'm not familiar about the money orders in your country. If anything goes wrong, tell him and let him sort it out. Worst case scenario you'll just hae to cut down on the units you are selling.

Moderators, please move the thread to where you feel it belongs.


My main concern about the money orders is how long they really take to clear. I've been trying to find out more information but find mixed answers. Some say it only takes a few days while others say it may take weeks or even months for a bank to find out that the money order is bad even if the money order seems legitimate initially.

[Kyraishi]

I think this will better belong in trading discussions.

TBH, no. You have absolutely nothing to lose - you have his contacts, you know his address, you have all the cash and still all the hardware. The only person that can even result in a loss in this scenario is the buyer, since he is trusting you to ship the equipment to him once the money orders clear.

I'm not familiar about the money orders in your country. If anything goes wrong, tell him and let him sort it out. Worst case scenario you'll just hae to cut down on the units you are selling.

Moderators, please move the thread to where you feel it belongs.


My main concern about the money orders is how long they really take to clear. I've been trying to find out more information but find mixed answers. Some say it only takes a few days while others say it may take weeks or even months for a bank to find out that the money order is bad even if the money order seems legitimate initially.

Didn't he agree to wait until the money orders clear? You could literally just wait until the funds are actually "in your hands" and only then will you release the mining equipment or w/e to him. It's really as simple as that.

If the money orders take ages to clear, then that's his problem. He could have paid with cash.

Anyways you can move the topic to trading discussion using the button at the bottom left corner of the page.

[Blackbearded]

The money orders range in date from Aug. 1st to Sept. 23rd and are from Western Union, Money Gram, and Memo Financial Services.

Does anyone else find it odd that a person would hold on to $11,000 worth of somewhat old money orders?

[xypos]

The money orders range in date from Aug. 1st to Sept. 23rd and are from Western Union, Money Gram, and Memo Financial Services.

Does anyone else find it odd that a person would hold on to $11,000 worth of somewhat old money orders?

It is odd and perhaps these money orders were stolen or obtained illegitimately.

If you're not 100% confident with the trade then don't go along and finalize it, simply opt out or tell him to instead pay you all by cash. Since you still have the goods on hand, there should not be an issue with this.

[Blackbearded]

The money orders range in date from Aug. 1st to Sept. 23rd and are from Western Union, Money Gram, and Memo Financial Services.

Does anyone else find it odd that a person would hold on to $11,000 worth of somewhat old money orders?

It is odd and perhaps these money orders were stolen or obtained illegitimately.

If you're not 100% confident with the trade then don't go along and finalize it, simply opt out or tell him to instead pay you all by cash. Since you still have the goods on hand, there should not be an issue with this.

Yeah, I'm thinking of just sending the 3 units to him that he paid cash for and send him back the money orders. I did already deposit 2 $500 WU money orders from him but I will consult my bank manager on Monday and seek his advice as well.

When the buyer initially mentioned money orders to me, I was on full alert and very wary of an attempted scam. It definitely threw me off when he left the cash and money orders without taking any units. $10k is a lot of cash to be leaving with someone you just met. Although he does know my two brick and mortar business so it's not like I would just disappear.

[Dalmar]

Hi,

not sure exactly where to post this so will just post it here. I just want advice on if I am being scammed.

SHORT VERSION:
I met up with a buyer from out of state who wanted 7 L3+'s and PSU's. He paid me for 3 units in cash and 4 units in a combination of cash and money orders of varying denominations, dates, and issuers. I told him I could only give him the 3 that he paid in cash and I could give him the other 4 if/when the money orders clear. He said that's fine and left without even taking the 3 he paid cash for. I am to ship all of the units to him at the same time after the money orders clear. He said it wouldn't take more than a few days for the payments to clear. I called the WU and MG money order numbers and they seem to be valid MO's. There are 3 MO's from Memo Financial Services and when I try to look those MO's up, they don't seem to exist. I have all the cash and money orders and still have all the hardware. Am I being scammed?


LONG VERSION

I have been selling L3+'s and PSU's the past couple weeks. I sold a couple to a member here who picked up locally and paid cash. The rest that I've sold have sold on Ebay either through auction format or through arranging to pick up locally and received payment in cash also.

So I had one listing left on Ebay last night. The winning bidder messaged me through the Ebay system and asked if he could buy all of my remaining units in person at the same price and pay in cash. His profile listed him from being from Michigan. I'm located in New Jersey. We exchanged contact info and he texts me saying he will fly here on Sunday with cash to pay for all of the units and take them.

This morning, Saturday, I get a call from him saying that he will fly in today not tomorrow. However, he said he only has $10k in cash so can only buy 3 of the 7 units. He said we can discuss how he can pay me for the rest later.

He called me after he landed and I wanted to confirm that he only wanted 3 units. He told me he had a little more cash and enough money orders to pay for the other 4 units as well. I was reluctant but he said I could take a look at the money orders and then decide.

After he came to my place of business, I told him I could only give him the 3 that he paid in cash and I could give him the other 4 if/when the money orders clear. He said that's fine and left without even taking the 3 he paid cash for. I am to ship all of the units to him at the same time after the money orders clear. He said it wouldn't take more than a few days for the payments to clear. I called the WU and MG money order numbers and they seem to be valid MO's. There are 3 MO's from Memo Financial Services and when I try to look those MO's up, they don't seem to exist.

I now have more than $10k in cash and $11k in money orders and he doesn't have any of the miners or PSU's. Is there a chance that these money orders will come back as bad even if they initially clear? Anyone have similar experience?

Next time dont forget to check cancellation rules of this money trasnfer systems. Sender always has right to cancel ot re-transfer it to someone other.If you know his/her name you can check it on systems of payment order.

[squatz1]

The money orders range in date from Aug. 1st to Sept. 23rd and are from Western Union, Money Gram, and Memo Financial Services.

Does anyone else find it odd that a person would hold on to $11,000 worth of somewhat old money orders?

It is odd and perhaps these money orders were stolen or obtained illegitimately.

If you're not 100% confident with the trade then don't go along and finalize it, simply opt out or tell him to instead pay you all by cash. Since you still have the goods on hand, there should not be an issue with this.

Yeah, I'm thinking of just sending the 3 units to him that he paid cash for and send him back the money orders. I did already deposit 2 $500 WU money orders from him but I will consult my bank manager on Monday and seek his advice as well.

When the buyer initially mentioned money orders to me, I was on full alert and very wary of an attempted scam. It definitely threw me off when he left the cash and money orders without taking any units. $10k is a lot of cash to be leaving with someone you just met. Although he does know my two brick and mortar business so it's not like I would just disappear.

Just a side question to all of this. Do you usually cicrumvent Ebay when it comes to this sort of stuff? Like I would rather just have people pay over Paypal, just to be able to get the added security of being able to say, well I shipped it and you used your CC on ebay so you did get it. Ebay says that's that and it's case closed.

Though I guess you could do this to avoid the steep fees that Ebay makes you pay, plus the fact that it's a high amount.

[xypos]

The money orders range in date from Aug. 1st to Sept. 23rd and are from Western Union, Money Gram, and Memo Financial Services.

Does anyone else find it odd that a person would hold on to $11,000 worth of somewhat old money orders?

It is odd and perhaps these money orders were stolen or obtained illegitimately.

If you're not 100% confident with the trade then don't go along and finalize it, simply opt out or tell him to instead pay you all by cash. Since you still have the goods on hand, there should not be an issue with this.

Yeah, I'm thinking of just sending the 3 units to him that he paid cash for and send him back the money orders. I did already deposit 2 $500 WU money orders from him but I will consult my bank manager on Monday and seek his advice as well.

When the buyer initially mentioned money orders to me, I was on full alert and very wary of an attempted scam. It definitely threw me off when he left the cash and money orders without taking any units. $10k is a lot of cash to be leaving with someone you just met. Although he does know my two brick and mortar business so it's not like I would just disappear.

Why not ask the guy himself? Ask him how he got these money orders, and why they aren't from recent days.

Though the fact that he didn't take anything from you, and actually left all his cash with you seems to me that he's legit. Otherwise, he would have insisted on you taking the money orders and giving him some miners, instead of not taking anything and giving you cash as well.

As i said, communicating with the buyer himself is probably the best idea.

[Blackbearded]

The money orders range in date from Aug. 1st to Sept. 23rd and are from Western Union, Money Gram, and Memo Financial Services.

Does anyone else find it odd that a person would hold on to $11,000 worth of somewhat old money orders?

It is odd and perhaps these money orders were stolen or obtained illegitimately.

If you're not 100% confident with the trade then don't go along and finalize it, simply opt out or tell him to instead pay you all by cash. Since you still have the goods on hand, there should not be an issue with this.

Yeah, I'm thinking of just sending the 3 units to him that he paid cash for and send him back the money orders. I did already deposit 2 $500 WU money orders from him but I will consult my bank manager on Monday and seek his advice as well.

When the buyer initially mentioned money orders to me, I was on full alert and very wary of an attempted scam. It definitely threw me off when he left the cash and money orders without taking any units. $10k is a lot of cash to be leaving with someone you just met. Although he does know my two brick and mortar business so it's not like I would just disappear.

Just a side question to all of this. Do you usually cicrumvent Ebay when it comes to this sort of stuff? Like I would rather just have people pay over Paypal, just to be able to get the added security of being able to say, well I shipped it and you used your CC on ebay so you did get it. Ebay says that's that and it's case closed.

Though I guess you could do this to avoid the steep fees that Ebay makes you pay, plus the fact that it's a high amount.

I just would rather people pay in cash if picking up locally. I have read that accepting a payment through Paypal and then if a buyer claims a Item Not Received with Ebay, it is very difficult to prove otherwise. If the buyer pays with Paypal, I only ship the items to them.

[nestcafe]

Hi,

not sure exactly where to post this so will just post it here. I just want advice on if I am being scammed.

SHORT VERSION:
I met up with a buyer from out of state who wanted 7 L3+'s and PSU's. He paid me for 3 units in cash and 4 units in a combination of cash and money orders of varying denominations, dates, and issuers. I told him I could only give him the 3 that he paid in cash and I could give him the other 4 if/when the money orders clear. He said that's fine and left without even taking the 3 he paid cash for. I am to ship all of the units to him at the same time after the money orders clear. He said it wouldn't take more than a few days for the payments to clear. I called the WU and MG money order numbers and they seem to be valid MO's. There are 3 MO's from Memo Financial Services and when I try to look those MO's up, they don't seem to exist. I have all the cash and money orders and still have all the hardware. Am I being scammed?


LONG VERSION

I have been selling L3+'s and PSU's the past couple weeks. I sold a couple to a member here who picked up locally and paid cash. The rest that I've sold have sold on Ebay either through auction format or through arranging to pick up locally and received payment in cash also.

So I had one listing left on Ebay last night. The winning bidder messaged me through the Ebay system and asked if he could buy all of my remaining units in person at the same price and pay in cash. His profile listed him from being from Michigan. I'm located in New Jersey. We exchanged contact info and he texts me saying he will fly here on Sunday with cash to pay for all of the units and take them.

This morning, Saturday, I get a call from him saying that he will fly in today not tomorrow. However, he said he only has $10k in cash so can only buy 3 of the 7 units. He said we can discuss how he can pay me for the rest later.

He called me after he landed and I wanted to confirm that he only wanted 3 units. He told me he had a little more cash and enough money orders to pay for the other 4 units as well. I was reluctant but he said I could take a look at the money orders and then decide.

After he came to my place of business, I told him I could only give him the 3 that he paid in cash and I could give him the other 4 if/when the money orders clear. He said that's fine and left without even taking the 3 he paid cash for. I am to ship all of the units to him at the same time after the money orders clear. He said it wouldn't take more than a few days for the payments to clear. I called the WU and MG money order numbers and they seem to be valid MO's. There are 3 MO's from Memo Financial Services and when I try to look those MO's up, they don't seem to exist.

I now have more than $10k in cash and $11k in money orders and he doesn't have any of the miners or PSU's. Is there a chance that these money orders will come back as bad even if they initially clear? Anyone have similar experience?

hahaha. I have been scammed many times. there are some they take my money. Some people do not pay. but from now on. I will not be fooled anymore

[xFGND]

Once you have cash in your hands / crypto in your wallet, do not send him shit. That's the best way to net get scammed.

[Qunenin]

I saw this thread a week ago and was curious how the end result came out. It is hard to know who to trust some days and who to distrust. Many times issues that appear genuine are crap and other times a long mess turns out ok in the end. Did you get it worked out? Interesting that the price was rising the whole time, so someone got the short end of the stick if they were slow in transmitting.