Gumtree - is this a scam, is bank transfer safe?

[DrDonnyBrago]

I have some stuff for sale on scumtree.

All ads say cash on collection as I cba with posting/paypal/ebay.

Someone has offered to pay by cheque or bank transfer, see below.

It isn't a particularly high value item, listed at £100.

So... scam? (no questions etc, no discussion of price)
Safe to take payment by bank transfer?

[flikers]

I have accepted bank transfers from Gumtree. They are non-reversible, so once it's in your account its yours.

[Tritey]

It is a scam, you'll get a stolen cheque. They hope it clears but because it's more than the items value they will want the rest back via Western Union. No one will show for the items, you'll be out of pocket when the cheque 'bounces' due to being fraudulent after it 'clears' in the allotted time.

Despite him saying he's from Ireland, the cheque will have a U.K post mark.

[Ste]

"The only slight difficulty that I have is that I am based in Ireland and I would have to arrange a courier to come and collect them from you"

No need to read further than that, it's a scam.

[iooi]

[flikers]

[Rogerborg]

[Dcwhite1984]

It does sound a bit dodgy, if you accept a cheque then make sure its definitely cleared before releasing the goods.

I wouldn't want to give my bank details to someone from gumtree.

Personally I'd steer clear, I've seen too much of this sort of stuff which goes horribly wrong.
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[Oldie]

100% scam.

Firstly, the opening sentence, nobody speaks like that.

Secondly, money will have to be converted from Euros to Sterling - I think that might have been discussed.

Finally, "I'd have to send a courier". Real world folks simply ask that you send the stuff after getting a quote for shipping.

Actually, it's just plainly obvious that it's a scam.

[DrDonnyBrago]

Thanks for the thoughts. It does indeed look like a scam.

I asked because whilst the "I'm abroad my agent will pay" angle has been done to death, it is well written and the speakers are a bit niche, vintage jobbies that don't come around all that frequently.

[angryjonny]

The question isn't "could this be genuine?" the question is "could this be a scam?" and the answer is yes.

Ask yourself - if I get scammed on this, would I look back on it and say "all the warning signs were there" - in this case the answer is, again, yes.

Walk away or do what you must to convince yourself the guy is genuine. If the guy is for real and wants your speakers badly enough he'll be able to see how this looks dodgy, and find some other way of helping you help him.

[sickpup]

If they are in Ireland I suspect they could simply pay cash straight into your account.

[andys675]

get cash sent by special delivery?
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[iooi]

[John933]

Ask for the money to be sent with the courier. Cash on collection. See what happen's.
John933
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My trip

[bEN_]

You might as well have some fun with him now
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[ferrisio]

[Wonko The Sane]

[Oldie]

[sensi5446]

One question I'd ask myself is why would someone who you don't know what to do a BT where you could just walk away with the cash. I'd never send a BT unless I knew the person or they were a trusted member of a place like BCF

[Rockhopper]

A fake or stolen cheque can appear to clear then be flagged up as stolen many weeks later then you'll loose your money. The suggestion of doing it by bank transfer is the bait on the hook, the transfer won't work for so eh reason so he'll suggest paying by cheque.
Or he might be totally genuine.....

[DrDonnyBrago]

It's ok. I asked him to send me a picture of his wife with a massive black cock dribbling on her forehead. He didn't reply so must be a scammer.