What kind of scam is this? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

A264172 · #1 07-22-2007, 12:53 PM

Guy in NY wants to overnight a 'bank check' to a courier in pittsburgh (me) who will then deliver the check to a Wal Mart in a neighboring county. This check will purchase 5,000 dollars worth of product which will then be picked up by a third party trucking co and delivered to a charitable recipient. The courier (me) will be the presentor of the check, i.e. provide a photo ID...

I have seen a few scams but have yet to figure this one, if it is in fact a scam, out.

The theory is that the Wal-Mart store requires the payee to be present and is unwilling to recieve the payment via ups delivery.

Certainly seems like a scam but I am having trouble figuring out what the angle is... I guess I need to get the rest of the facts together before I know for sure.

Any ideas?

Matt L · #2 07-22-2007, 01:11 PM

It's a fake check for real merchandise, which will be eventually delivered to buyers.

A264172 · #3 07-22-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

It's a fake check for real merchandise, which will be eventually delivered to buyers.

Any idea how I could verify the fakeness of the check?

Carleton Hughes · #4 07-22-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172

Any idea how I could verify the fakeness of the check?

Why bother,they probably picked your name out of a hat.

Jason Beal · #5 07-22-2007, 01:20 PM

What does he claim is in it for you?

I'd guess, fake check, they get the goods, and you are the sucker who has their ID attached to a fraud charge.

A264172 · #6 07-22-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

Why bother,they probably picked your name out of a hat.

Or the phone book... being in the delivery business I get a certain percentage of work from people who for some reason need to have me (or my drivers) run an errand.

I wonder if these checks can be verified by the issueing bank... if in fact this fellow has a legitimate charitable interest... I, being a common carrier, would have no problem taking his money for the job.

But also there is the thrill of the hunt... I enjoy nothing more than the phone conversation with a scam artist after I have the evidence and have halted his plan amid stream.

Akward much?

A264172 · #7 07-22-2007, 01:35 PM

Just to clairify he did not contact me privatly but contacted me through my work as a delivery service at the corporate phone #...

TwitchKitty · #8 07-22-2007, 01:39 PM

Call the bank that issued the check.

Brian Carlton · #9 07-22-2007, 01:57 PM

Maybe I'm missing something, but, as the courier, you are not involved in the transaction.

The bank check is, presumably, issued to Wal-Mart, the seller of the goods. It's their problem as to whether to accept it as cash and release the goods.

If the bank check is issued to you, you'd need to deposit the check in your own account and reissue a new check to Wal-Mart. You're then on the hook if the check that you deposited is NG. In fact, such a check will probably have an extended hold time at your bank just for that reason. The funds will not be available to you for over one week.

Wal-Mart is very unlikely to accept a third party check signed over to them and I'd strongly advise that you not proceed in this manner, even if Wal-Mart chose to be that stupid.

WVOtoGO · #10 07-22-2007, 01:58 PM

Who cares ?!?!?!
Who cares if you figure out the angle ?!
Who cares who’s who in the whole thing ?!
Who cares about calling some bank ?!
Who cares how you fall in line with the whole thing ?!
Who cares how this could effect your life if you get involved ?!

If it’s not a scam, you wouldn’t feel the way you do about it.
If it’s not a scam, you’d be given a lot more information about the process, and probably from the Wal-Mart folks.
Think about that for just a second.
If it doesn’t feel right. Get the hell away from it !! DUH....
Tell the folks: “Sorry, I simply don’t feel comfortable with this whole thing.”
AND WALK THE HELL AWAY FROM IT !!!

Brian Carlton · #11 07-22-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

Who cares ?!?!?!
Who cares if you figure out the angle ?!
Who cares who’s who in the whole thing ?!
Who cares about calling some bank ?!
Who cares how you fall in line with the whole thing ?!
Who cares how this could effect your life if you get involved ?!

If it’s not a scam, you wouldn’t feel the way you do about it.
If it’s not a scam, you’d be given a lot more information about the process, and probably from the Wal-Mart folks.
Think about that for just a second.
If it doesn’t feel right. Get the hell away from it !! DUH....
Tell the folks: “Sorry, I simply don’t feel comfortable with this whole thing.”
AND WALK THE HELL AWAY FROM IT !!!

..........all torqued up today........??

Medmech · #12 07-22-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172

Guy in NY wants to overnight a 'bank check' to a courier in pittsburgh (me) who will then deliver the check to a Wal Mart in a neighboring county. This check will purchase 5,000 dollars worth of product which will then be picked up by a third party trucking co and delivered to a charitable recipient. The courier (me) will be the presentor of the check, i.e. provide a photo ID...

I have seen a few scams but have yet to figure this one, if it is in fact a scam, out.

The theory is that the Wal-Mart store requires the payee to be present and is unwilling to recieve the payment via ups delivery.

Certainly seems like a scam but I am having trouble figuring out what the angle is... I guess I need to get the rest of the facts together before I know for sure.

Any ideas?

You are the Mule.

A264172 · #13 07-22-2007, 03:27 PM

All...

Just got off the phone with the wal-mart in question and I was able to talk to the guy who took the order... which has a hold placed on it.

It is for 5,000 dollars worth of Pepsi.

The guy from brooklyn said he would be sending a represntitive of his company to make payment. Which the guy from wal-mart did not think ment a courier so he will place a further hold on the order.

He was recluctant to give me much more info about the guy from brooklyn's order for obvious reasons of customer confidentiality.

This guy had mentioned the possibility of sending a similar payment to a wal-mart near Parkersburg WV... so I may just try to contact wal-mart corporate and let them know what I know. I have found in the past that contacting companys that are being scammed often results in little interest but who knows, wal-mart might give a sith.

POS · #14 07-22-2007, 07:26 PM

Why bother with all this? If you do this - YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE.

Hatterasguy · #15 07-22-2007, 08:04 PM

Don't get involved, just don't get involved.

If the job smells funny just don't do it. Because if it is funny you will be happy your not a part of it.