I’ve recently uncovered a ridiculously elaborate internet scam while shopping around for a MacBook on Craig’s List. I’m still in disbelief that people would go to these lengths to steal people’s hard earned money.

While on Craig’s List I spotted a post for a black MacBook for $400.00. I thought “This sounds way to good to be true!” but I decided to investigate this “awesome” deal anyway. Remember the old saying; If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I sent an email stating that I was interested in buying the laptop and waited for a response. The next day I received this reply:

“Bold Dreamer” <amy28.1979d@hotmail.com>

10/03/2008 04:30 AM

Subject
Re: 13” MacBook, 2,16 Ghz Core 2 Duo, 2 Gb memory, 120 Gb HD - $400

Hello,

The laptop is still available and I hope you are still interested. My name is Amy and I am now in Manchester, U.K.
This machine has been used for professional needs over the past 13 Months, it is in great condition and runs perfectly, and beyond evidence of normal use the laptop is in perfect shape. The warranty is good until August 2009 and it is fully transferable. One more thing, it works on US voltage so you do not need a converter.
I have attached some pics with the laptop to this e-mail so you can see the condition of the laptop.
Please get back to me and let me know if you like the laptop if you’re really interested in buying it.

Thanks,
Amy

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I got one I’ll sell you for $350. Here’s all you do. Click here. If nothing happens within five seconds, get an envelope and send me the cash in small non-consecutive unmarked bills. I will then give the mac, which is brand new, never used, in the original box, to a guy I met the other day who works for microsoft. He seems very, very trustworthy. He’ll deliver the mac to you that day! Isn’t he nice? If there are any problems, which I’m sure there won’t be, trust me this guy is cool, I’ll give you his phone number so you two can sort it out. Let me know when you send the money because like fifteen people have begged me to sell them the computer for even more money, but I wanted to offer it you guys first.

That’s funny Don. Man, seriously people suck sometimes. It pissed me off when I figured this one out. I wonder how many people have been stung by this. Hopefully now that stumble upon picked this up it’ll save people some money.

Hi stumble upon crowd! If you have something to say about this, post it. I’d like to see what you all think… Thanks for stopping by.

Hey all, yeah i had a nicechit chat with this woman for a while,
I just kinda played around until she sent me the link for “money gram” status payment
and so i decided to let the relationship and bond that was built between Bold Dream and I
fall apart because i dont like [her].

This is a pretty elaborate scam _especially_ for craigslist.
Seriously this is definitely above the bar compared to anything else i have seen on craigslist.
Normally craigslist uses the really crappy go to this link scams.
This was a breathe of fresh air

So, I just stumbled on this site by searching for Bold Dream’s email address in google…

I know you guys don’t know me, but I was taken by her… I’m a retard, I know… I’ve never done anything like this in the past and am usually pretty good about spotting scams… this one snuck by me, though… I sent her $400 and she never said one more word to me… I assume it’s a she because of the amount of BITCH she possesses… sorry about the profanity…

Anyone been had by someone or something like this?  What do you normally do?  Just sit back, take it in the rear for a little while and learn from your mistakes?

oldirtdog,

Don’t fret it. I’ve been stung before, and I could have been stung by this one too. It’s a pretty awful feeling once you realize that you’ve been duped. You’re mad and ashamed - and feel kinda vulnerable too. It feels good to let it out, so yeah it’s cool to say that bold dreamer is a bitch.. The silver lining is knowing that you’re that much more on the ball when it comes to these types of scams. I wish I had used Google to prevent my loss when I got ripped off, but you live and learn. You can turn this over to your local law enforcement. It might help. You could also visit this site: http://419eater.com Funny, and a good resource! Aside from the scam stuff though…

Welcome to Studio Shadowlight!