Nigerian Cheque Scam in SOS Readers Ads

SOS have posted various warnings across our site, in the Forum, and on the main Login screen that everybody who sells gear on the Readers Ads site has to pass through, so here is another warning, since some users of the site feel we are not doing enough to stop these scammers even though they do not bother to read the warnings we post!

SOS, being conscientious, already deliberately hides the email address of every seller to stop auto-harvesting programs from being run against our site and grabbing any email address they find on our web pages. These scammers are manually contacting sellers using our Email To forms. There is nothing else SOS are aware of that can be done to stop contact, otherwise it'll stop legitimate contacts too.

BE WARNED: the scammers always send more money than you are asking for the goods on-sale in Readers Ads (they don't care about your gear) and their cheques will clear into your bank, only to be stopped/refused weeks later, so under no circumstances send them a cheque from your account for the balance. People have, and now bitterly regret it, being left with an unwanted overdraft when the cheque (drawn on a UK bank) eventually bounces.

Contact your local police if you have been scammed, though their reaction is usually that they can do nothing to help according to the poor souls who have been ripped off already and reported it. However, we have been informed that your local Trading Standards Officer is more likely to investigate such fraud.

Finally, we should reiterate that 1000s of satisfied readers experience no problems when using the SOS Readers Ads service and continue to do so happily.

"I recently got caught out also with a fraudulent cheque after advertising on your site. The buyer ( Martina Meoula) agreed to pay for the item in full, she claimed she was living in Australia and that someone in England owed her some money, she said if possible could I accept a cheque for more than twice the amount as a favour and I could send her the difference with the goods. Unknowingly I agreed, as she seemed genuine as she knew a bit about what I was selling. I received the cheque etc., it cleared into my account and I paid a few nagging bills with my money as you do. Well, next while lifting money from a machine, my card was taken, I went to the Building Society only to find out that my account was frozen and seriously overdrawn as the Building Society had taken the money back out of my account. I am now left with no bank account and facing bankruptcy as a result as I can't pay my direct debits etc. as my bank account is frozen and I can't even open up a new account as they have placed a mark against my name. The Building Society who I shall not mention have certainly give me a little extra, they have been unhelpful, unsympathetic and downright rude and have treated me like a criminal. Even after a letter from the Police who where dealing with this matter, they stated that it was still my fault! I do not blame sound on sound in any way, you offer a great service with your classified ads etc. and run a great site in general. But if you could maybe make people aware of this, so that they don't fall into the same trap as me."

14 September 2004. Here is another example of the variation emails the scammers use to lure people in:

From: johnrichard@fastermail.com Date: 14 Sep 2004 09:23:07 -0000
Hi,
Peace of the good Lord to you and your entire family,How was your day?I just want to thank you for your understanding and efforts you have showned to make this transaction be fruitful. As a matter fact the deal is on and according to my secretary, she has already sent the cheque out to you(it will arrive by mail).So the payment should arrive in a short while from now . And once you get the payment, I guess you know how to handle everything. Just be close watch out for payment.
But there was a little problem which I guess we can handle with understanding and the wisdom of GOD.When I contacted my secretary to know may be the cheque has been sent , I got to know that there was a misinterpretation while sending the cheque. According to the instruction I gave her,she was suppose to have sent you a cheque of £550 . But instead,she sent a cheque of £5,500.It was a terrible mistake and the cheque is already out for delivery to your location. She claimed that she thougth I said she should send you a cheque of £5,500 and not just £550. But I know I did tell her to send just £550, but I guess she didn't get it straigth.

I think that should not disturb our own transaction. The deal is on and we will get through it. What will happen is that ,once you get the cheque you shall clear the cheque and deduct your money and kindly assist me in sending the remaining £5000 back to her via western union . I am so sorry that this is happening this way that is why I am pleading for your assitance to help me out as a business partner and as reliable friend. Pls kindly help me to send the balance back to my secretary. I shall forward all the contact info to you latter when you have the check cleared and have deduct your payment. Awaiting your response asap. Regards