It has been brought to our attention that NAG Ad users are being targeted by Scam emails.This is the first incident that has been reported to us, so we felt that it would be best to let everyone know what to look out for.
We received an email from one of our users who kindly forwarded the emails onto us.
Quote:Hi i hope this reaches someone who can help. As soon as I put my ad on your website I got an email from someone who wanted to buy my "item" (a pony) and needed my full address to send a UK cashiers cheque which would pay myself and also the "shipping company" that would be picking up the "item". They wouldn't arrange a viewing of my pony and wouldn't even tell me where they were from. I have since emailed them telling them I believe they are a con merchant, the like of which "Watchdog" have exposed and they have left me alone.
Now for a sample of the emails....
This is the first email that was received :-
Scammers Email Address :- mueenatbukky@yahoo.com
Scammers Name :- Mueenat Shittu*I'm sure that they have many email addresses and names!*
Quote:Dear Owner,
I'm interesting in buying off your ( Ponies ) posted for sales and I will like to know your final asking price for your adverts posted for sale and the present conditions also i will like to see some pictures of it and if its available,you can attached it and send it to me as soon as possible.Hope to read from you soonest.
Have a great day.
Cheers,
Mueenat
Then the 2nd email :-
Quote:Hi,
Thanks for the mail, I am ok with the price as for the payment i will be paying you with a cashier cheque drawn in United Kingdom therefore i will need the following information.
Your Full Name
Full Address
Zip Code
Telephone Number
Also note that the cheque that i will be sending to you will include the money for the shipping of the item so i will like to know if you receive the cheque and cash the money and you deduct the money for the sales of your item what i want to clarify now is that would you be able to send the remaining funds to my shipping company so that they can come down to your location to come and pickup the item. I will compensate you with extra £100 i will be waiting to read from you so that i can issue out the payment immidiately.
Thanks await to read from you.
Mueenat
3rd and last email (then the user replyed saying that they were trying to con them) :-
Quote:Hello ****,
Thanks for the mail, You do not need to worry about the shipping as i have a reliable shipping company that will come and pickup the pony from your location i just need your details below to issue out the cashier check.
Your Full Name
Full Address
Zip Code
Telephone Number
Thanks await to read from you.
Mueenat
The scammer did not wish to view the pony and was more intent on getting details.
PLEASE BE AWARE...
We are grateful that this user contacted us and supplied us with information. Fortunately they knew what to look for. We have added some useful links below with regards to scams, so please spend some time reading them to make yourself aware.
Cashback Criminals - a description of the above scam :-
http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/section/cashback_fraud.htmmore links:
Met Police Fraud Alert :-
http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/Consumer advice :-
http://www.oft.gov.uk/oft_and_cd/Soon we will have a process on NAG Ads which will allow genuine buyers to contact sellers without revealing email addresses.
We hope that you find this information useful and PLEASE let us and others know of any other scams by posting on our forum.
NAG Ads ForumHorses & Ponies for sale on NAG Ads.com