Why do some people post items for sale using phony ads? The background; there is a specialty item I want to buy, and considering buying it used. Craiglist provides interesting options. However, sometimes items for sale appear to be too good to be true, and they are. After 2 years of watching craigslist ads, I can not figure out why some people keep posting phony ads? This has to be some sort of scam. Here is what most of the phony ads have in common. Prices very low on near new products to attract many responses Often the same ad runs for months, and in many other craigslist locations. Most of these ads are placed from other states, often very far away Most of the ads will take only text messages or email responses. The answer must have something to do with the scammers doing something with phone numbers and email addresses. I responded to several of these phony ads before figuring out they were phony. But I can not figure out what the scam is? I have never received any type of email requesting some sort of payment before shipping. Also, my phone sales calls have not increased enough to be concerned, other than receiving too many, “this is Microsoft’s tech support, and we have detected a problem with your computer” scam call. There has to be more to this than the Microsoft scam Anyone have an insight into this scam? Thank you in advance for your help.
Because there is a sucker born every minute and for every good person looking to spend their money, there's a crook looking to swindle it. You could be right, they may be farming contact information and then selling it to advertisers.
I get the advertising angle. Once I did get hit with several emails after responding to a craigslist ad. All of the emails came from the same small company pushing a new product. However, the Co. was legit and only trying to find a way to promote their niche product. They used a clever Craigslist ad to screen prospects. I asked them to stop sending emails, and they did. Some type of scam is going on. I have seen enough of the phony ads that I can pick them out just by the content in the title and picture. They use a unique style that is easy to recognize. Plus most of the content in their ads is very general in nature, almost begging you to respond and ask questions. Most of the time, they only want text responses. I do not text, never have. Once I kept calling one of the phony ads that wanted only text responses. Finally I got a surprised human on the line. He said the item was sold, and hung up. That same ad has run many times for many months since he said he sold it. I can not figure out what they are doing with the text responses?
From the research I have done on the used specialty item I am interested in, it would be very wise to follow your advice. My continued interest in looking at the specialty item ads is to find out what the scam is.
I appreciate your response, but it stopped me cold, and still has me scratching my head. I can not figure out how the cops would benefit from posting ads SELLING items. I can understand posting ads wanting to BUY items to catch thieves, but not selling a legal item. I am not trying to buy drugs, legal or illegal. Also, there are several other problems. If it was the local Portland police posting the ad, why would they run the same ad with the same phone number in the eastern OR and Boise craigslist? How do the police benefit from acquiring texting numbers? I am convinced acquiring texting numbers is an important part of the scam, but emails addresses may also be part of the scam.
OK, that one went way over my old head. And I certainly want to have a fun ride on the specialty item I am looking for, and whiling to pay for it. However, I am looking to buy an ATV, not a prostitute. There are a lot of scam ads in the ATV section.
