posted on November 21, 2005 02:56:54 PM new
I thought this story might amuse some people. I'm having fun with it.
Some months ago, I decided to sell an old .com domain I have had for a decade. It's a single English word, and those are pretty hard to come by. I didn't think I'd have much trouble. I did some research and there are at least 24 companies worldwide that would probably like to have this domain because it incorporates their business name. Sent email to each and every one. No response.
I listed it on eBay with a ludicrously high reserve. Bidding peaked at $412.00. Looks like the domain market on eBay is dead.
So I put the price on the web page: $10,000 USD, and my phone number. Listed some really nice antiques there too.
This guy in Germany calls me two months ago. He's with a big law firm. His English, sadly, is weak, so I ask him to send me email with a propsal. $3,000 USD. Sorry.
Called again a month ago. More email. $5,000 USD. Still not interested.
Called a third time this morning. "Look," says I. "I can keep this domain alive for $7 a year, so thanks for your interest, but unless you come back with a full-price offer..."
A few minutes ago I get a call from a 19 year old college student in Oklahoma. Strange exotic rich musical accent. He doesn't have $10,000 either, but he wants to buy the domain as part of a class project on the fashion and jewelry industry. Intrigued, I want to know where he's originally from. "West Africa. I have $8,000." "Ah. Here's my email address, please send me a proposal and I'll read it."
Some days I wish I had caller ID.
What do you think? Scam? Should be fun to see how it plays out, since I won't part with the domain until paid in full.
Ebay Buying Strategies 419
( CRN: 92456 )
If Ebay is going to claim it is the world's marketplace for everything bought and sold, don't you think you should be there too? Any American idiot can make money by selling something on Ebay. But it takes a graduate from the University of Nigeria to know how to make money, NOT by SELLING, but by BUYING. Yes, this program teaches you how to make instant money with each purchase you make on Ebay. Thanks to the numerous loop-holes in the American banking system our graduates have obtained cars, trucks, property, expensive equipment and even cash for absolutely nothing! Have you ever saw something on Ebay you wanted? Take this course and we will show you how to get it for free
Retail Management 604
( CRN: 57932 )
Learn the secrets of purchasing Hermes and Louis Vuiton leather goods for less than $1.00 each and reselling them for over $100! You will receive a confidential list of special manufacturers in China, Thailand, and India who will make almost anything you want, place a name brand logo on it, and allow you to resell it for huge profits across Europe and the Americas. You will also learn how to reproduce music CDs, software programs, popular DVDs and Sega video games for resale purposes. We will even teach you how to rewrite "Please do not make illegal copies of this program" on all your recreated Microsoft software programs. This course is our most popular and fills up quick
Accounting 419
( CRN: 38821 )
This course teaches how to leverage yourself against the American banking system. Simply write a check for at least $40,000 to an American and wait for them to deposit it. (Don't worry you don't need to have that much in the bank). Next, say the following... "Ooops, sorry Mr/Ms American. I made a mistake and sent you twice as much money." The silly American will wait until their bank says the check clears, and then will happily remit $20,000 to you. A few weeks later, your American friend will realize the check actually bounced. This always bewilders those silly people. They always looked so dazed and confused when their banks tell them the money is there...but then it isn't. Anywho, it is not our worry. We got the money for you. Now go have some fun. Take Ebay Strategies with this course for more profits
posted on November 21, 2005 04:18:09 PM new
Sounds like if you hold out long enough, you will eventually get your price. Why somebody like you, fluffy, is teetering with a west african and even considering legitimacy is what is really weird here!
posted on November 21, 2005 04:29:14 PM new
Oh, I think there's about 1 chance in 100 he's actually an Oklahoma college student with $8,000 to burn.
But I'm really hoping he'll send the proposal. I love those web pages where the guys actually respond to the letters from Nigeria and go along with the gag. It's hilarious.
Unfortunately it looks like the original "ebolamonkeyman" site is gone, but if you search on it in Google, you can still get the cached version (sans photos).
Tell your German lawyer that you'll give them a discount if they pay in Euros and will grudingly accept €9,000 for your domain name including ancillary transfer costs
posted on November 21, 2005 06:02:43 PM new
I have my Nigerian counterfiet check proudly framed on my wall, He Actually PAID $15.00 for UPS delivery of this Worthless $4000.00 Check? Once I got the check I NEVER responded back to his cries. cries like, HEY!!!!!!! I know you have cashed the check! We want to Complete tis transaction!
The FBI Man told me to go to IC3.gov. Like I,,,,,,,,am going to waste MY time doing the GOVERNMENTS job! The FBI cares less about this type of fraud......
I knew it was fraud the day I heard ,,,,,,,NIGERIA,,,,,,,but I played it out ALL the Way........
Play with him, you too can have YOUR Counterfiet check,,,,,,Drawn on a Kansas bank......
