I found a computer for sale on Craigslist. The computer was listed as a Sony VAIO VGN-FE670G 15.4" - brand new laptop computer for $600. I contacted the seller, Gerald Pursell, and he told me that the laptop was still for sale. Following is the first e-mail I received from Gerald after expressing my interest in the laptop.
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Hi,
You should know that this is a scripted email. I received numerous emails regarding this laptop and I will send this for all of you. I will try to answer all the questions asked. First of all the laptop is still available for sale. Second, this laptop it's brand new, I opened the original box for pictures purposes only.
Please do not ask me to call you. I should stay all day long at the phone if it were to call you all.
I arranged that this laptop to be shipped to who may be the buyer because I'm out of country. The laptop is now located in Swansea, United Kingdom. I left it here to DHL (DHL is a shipping company ww.dhl.com/dhl.express.swansea.depot/third_party_service.html).
I hope we'll be able to reach an agreement.
Waiting for your email.
I'm not interested in a trade and I don't ship to NIGERIA!!!
Cheers,
Gerald
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Still interested in purchasing the laptop, I emailed Gerald the following message
Hello,
I definitely interested, can you tell me how you would like to receive
payment and how its guaranteed that I will get the laptop after
payment is made?
Thanks
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He responded:
Hi,
I think that using a third party system between us is the best way to make this transaction. In this way we will both receive what we want.
Here is a link where you'll be able to find info regarding the way this transaction will work:
http://tradingcare-dhl.com/DHL.express. London.depot.overseas.transactions/
Check it out and let me know.
Cheers,
Gerald
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After receiving this e-mail, I followed the link he sent above and read about the third party service through DHL. The site explained the item to be purchased would be left in DHL's custody until the transaction was complete. The buyer was to wire the funds by Western Union to the DHL rep in charge of coordinating the delivery. Once payment was received by the DHL rep, the item would be shipped to the buyer. Once the item was received by the buyer, the buyer was to look over the item to ensure the item received was as it was listed. If the delivery was accepted by the buyer, the DHL rep would then forward the funds to the seller to complete the transaction. If for any reason the item to be purchased was not received as listed, the delivery could be refused and the DHL rep would send all money paid back to the buyer. The website had DHL logos and looked authentic. I believed it was a legitimate site and sent Gerald the following e-mail.
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Hi,
I read the information on the DHL website and I'm comfortable with the
process. How do we proceed? Do you have a DHL account number that we
will use to complete the transaction? Or will a DHL rep contact me for
payment? According to the DHL website you will need my address when
you drop the package off to DHL for shipment. Following is my shipping
information:
XXXX XXXXXX
Please let me know what if any I need to do on my end and please
advise when I can expect to be contacted by DHL.
Thanks
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Gerald replied:
Hi,
I will forward the info to DHL right away. I think that they will contact you later today. Let me know when they do.
Cheers,
Gerald
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Shortly after, I received an email from DHL stating the laptop was in their custody and wrote Gerald the following e-mail.
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Hello,
I heard from DHL. They sent the information yesterday. Next, I will
need to get to the bank in order to withdraw the cash that needs to be
wired. It might take a few days to get to the bank since it closes
before I get of work but I should have the cash wired before Sunday.
Thanks
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Looking forward to receiving my new laptop, I went to the bank and sent $600 to the DHL rep, Nolan Throne, 108 Croxted Road, London (plus a $50 transaction fee to Western Union).
Payment was pick-up and I received two e-mails from DHL Customer Support. The first email was a shipping invoice which included a tracking number (which turned out to be fake.) The second email was a payment confirmation. It was in these emails which listed Nicole Card as the Customer Department Represntative and Robert Kay as the Customer Department General Manager. The address listed at the bottom of both emails was London Depot, 812 Bowery Street, London S22 1TF. The email also had a link for DHL On-line Customer Service.
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These emails from the supposed DHL is the last I have heard regarding my laptop. I have tried emailing Gerald Pursell, but of course, I have not received any response. This prompted me to call DHL to check the status of my package with my tracking # sent to me in those emails from DHL Customer Support. However, the tracking # I was given is non existent.
Afraid I had been scammed, I googled the address, 812 Bowery Street, as was on the DHL Customer Support email I received. That is how I found this site and to my surprise, the names Robert Kay (the supposed DHL Customer Department General Manager) and Nicole Card (the supposed DHL Customer Department Representative) had been listed with other scams reported on this site.
**Please Be Aware** Don't fall for this scam like I did. It seems as if it is a legitimate and safe way to purchase items online, but instead I am out $650 and have nothing to show for it.
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