Fraud through Craigs list ...

Recently, a relative of mine was selling their entertainment system on Craig's list. They listed it for $1500. Almost immediately, they received an offer for it. The buyer offered $1500, and said they'd send a check for $2800, the balance being delivery charges. The buyer suggested that once the check deposits in their account, they should pay $1300 to the shipping agent and have their entertainment system shipped.

Well, it sounded suspicious. However, in due course the check arrived, and sure enough, $2800 was deposited in my relatives account. Still suspicious, they called up the bank. The banker said that the bank's policy was to encash outstation checks in anticipation of them clearing, but that if the check didn't clear they would deduct the money. When they heard what the situation was, they advised them to wait a few days.

Five days later, the bank assured them that there was nothing wrong, because they said they had not received any indication that the check would bounce. However, due to some mix-up, they were unable to ship the entertainment system that day. The next day, the check bounced.

Meanwhile, the frantic buyer had been calling every second day to confirm whether the system had been shipped. When he was told his check bounced the line went dead. That was the last they heard from the buyer.

Interesting how a bank's rules can be used to deceive unsuspecting people. This have duped me.