mike.m-@obra.org

This is a classic Internet scam. Generally the seller overpays and wants

you to refund the balance to him. The cashier's check ends up being bogus.

It is easy to think that the check is OK because of the amount of time it

may take to clear. The mere fact that your account gets credited is NOT

evidence that the check has cleared. You are out the difference and your

bike, or what ever, is gone. Be very suspect of any such transaction. Do

not do anything until you have hard cash in hand. Never send them any of

your money.



Here are some links. There are lots of examples:

http://www.waypointbank.com/about_waypoint/protect_yourself_from_internet_sc

ams.php

http://www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/africa_scam.htm

http://www.wpbpolice.org/scam-nigeria-newtwist.php

http://www.ama-cycle.org/news/2003/scams.asp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/scotland/3071895.stm



Mike Murray

-----Original Message-----

From: Bonnie Heather Egilson [mailto:bon.-@verizon.net]

Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 13:29 PM

To: Obra

Subject: [OBRA Chat] Selling concerns





Has anyone out there ever sold a bike to someone overseas?? I have my bike

posted on a couple of websites like www.mtbreview.com www.pinkbike.com and

www.nsmb.com ,anyway the responses I have gotten are all from other

countries. One from Germany, one from South Africa and the most serious one

from France. This guy is a used bike and accessory dealer. The problem is

that although I am asking $1300 for the bike (Rocky Mountain Element TO) the

guy wants to send a cashier's check for $7,000 and wants me to do a western

union thing to the shipper for the remaining monies. To me this doesn't

sound legal?? Weird to say the least and how and what hoops must one go

through to send a bike to France.? You can reply to my e mail if you have

any incite on this issue. bon-@egilson.com

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