I listed two laptops for sale on Craigslist this weekend. Ecstatically, I received two responses for each listing in quick time! So, after replying to the initial interest emails, I noticed that both are asking for me to go about similar procedures to sell my laptop.

Response 1:

Am buying it as a gift brithday for my uncle who happen to be a Rev. Father …i am located in castlemaine trail birmingham,Alabama,United State. And i should have come to pick it up but deal to my job that will not be possible.. I work as USPS agent…so i will be prepare to make the payment through (United State Postal Money Order) because it is very safe and secure for both of us cos i dont want any confusion or any fraudulent activity to dwell in this transaction .

You can attach the pics of the item for me to see,Am a deaf person so if
you want me to call i will not be able to do that …Therefore i am expecting your (name,address,zipcode,city,state. with your phone number) so that i can know where the money order should be send to, Since the item is still in good
condition, i will offer you $2,335 and $50 to repackage the item, As for the shipping i will handle that myself cos my fiance is working at the fedEx shipping company so he will help me for the shipping… Get back to me if you
are satisfied with this

Response 2:

Am fully okay with the condition of the items ….Am located at Texas …..Well, i will let you to know that am sending this packaged to my Son in College with my Grandmother at NG means North Georgia…Okay I will paying you through Alertpay International Payment , all i just need from you is where you want the money to be deliver to you your Full name , address ,zipcode…Okay If you will accpet my offer , I will be offering you $1,400 for the item so that we can end auction .

Payment confirmation receipt will be sent to you that my payment has been appproved to you ….So , immediately that it clear with you and alertpay ….I will send you the shipping documents for the shipping ….

For the shipping i will be hanlded the shipping with my personal account with fedex .I will send you the shipping slip so you don’t need to worried about the shipping i will handled it by myself…Okay
I Shall wait for your reply
Phone Number: 949 -287 -4867
Thanks….Cheers

Here are the similarities between the two responses:

  • Both are out of state.
  • Both are offering more than I listed, even though this isn’t an auction.
  • Both use poor grammar and type seem rushed.
  • Both are HTML emails.
  • Both are using sketchy methods of payment, such as USP Money Order or Alterpay International Payment
  • Both will handle shipping through Fed-Ex with their own accounts
  • Both emails are sent through Yahoo.
  • Both emails are in similar formats, such as name_name###@yahoo.com
  • Both claim to be in different states, one in Texas and one in Alabama, but are sent from strikingly similar IP addresses: 66.196.101.144 and 66.196.101.15 which from a tracert are from yahoo webmail

These are very interesting similarities and I’m surprised it’s so common still. But, I guess plenty of people fall for it. Initially, it seems safe and legit. I’m glad I’m smart enough to know better and Craigslist even lists what you should avoid in its scam page.

List of others who get similar results: