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Scammers Targeting Westflyers?

By Scott Richmond

What to look for and how to avoid being taken for a ride.

et another internet scam is afoot, and this doesn't seem to involve Nigerians. At least one person Westflyer has been contacted, perhaps because of a classified ad he placed on Westfly.

Here's how the scam works.

1. Someone from overseas (maybe claiming to be from Ireland) contacts you and says they'll buy what you're selling. They offer to send more money than your selling price, citing some bureaucratic reason or other.
2. "But that's too much," says you.
3. "No problem," they reply. "I have an agent in the US who will send you the money. You just send me a Western Union money order for the difference."
4. You get an official-looking money order or cashiers check and send off the difference. But when you try to cash the money order or check they sent you, the bank tells you it's a forgery. Unfortunately, you've already sent the scumbag a real money order and there's nothing you can do about it.

So if an overseas buyer contacts you about something you're selling on Westfly, be extremely cautious. It could be a scam.

Scott Richmond is Westfly's creator and Executive Director. He is the author of eight books on Oregon fly fishing, including Fishing Oregon's Deschutes River (second edition).

Uploaded 12/06/2005.

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