Victim Location 73034
Type of a scam Online Purchase
I was contacted via text about a saddle I had for sale. The language used was better than the average scammer so I was lulled into thinking it could be a legitimate offer. I did question a bit when I was offered over my sale price (by $50) for a holding fee, but continued with the conversation. I was asked for my name and address and was told a cashiers check would be put in the mail by an assistant (2nd Red Flag). I responded that I would prefer paypal or a personal check and did not get a response (3rd Red Flag). I called my banker and asked what surety there was with a cashiers check and got a vague answer back – that led me to believe there was little surety… My response to my bankers shrug was to inform the buyer that I was going to pass on the offer and to please refrain from sending anything and got no response. Then I told the buyer that if a check had been sent I would return it. It was like I never texted them, I just kept getting these longish texts about what was going to happen…then the big finale….Oh My -"My assistant sent the wrong amount to you, please can I trust you with this amount. I will use this money to pay the shipper." Informed them again that I was returning the payment – no response. Today got a cashiers check in the mail drawn on Suncoast Credit Union for nearly double the price of the saddle – which would cost $60 – $80 dollars to ship- made to me with an RE: to an unknown individual. I was contacted again via text and told to deposit immediately, I would be sending them back the balance and further instruction would follow on how to proceed. Now at this point my texts to them had gotten snarky, with no reaction from them so I’m not sure if this is an automated set up using burner phones or what but its definitely a scam.