i just got a text from the same # listed above and she wanted me to reply via emai because of her line of work, lol. Anyways, I got the same old story as all of you did and my gut feeling said that this is a scam, thank god i just googled this bi***....

another call from vivian wanting to know the present condition even though the ad said like new, scam don't respond!

I rec'd same text from Vivian for the furniture set that I was selling.  I am very glad I read these comments.

Vivian strikes again and thank you to all of you for the warning! Got a text asking me to email and here's the email I received back. Btw the text was from the 971 number about my CL item.
Email: Thanks, Just asking about it to make sure its in good condition. Am satisfied with your firm/advert price...am requesting this transaction should be done via PayPal due to the nature of my work,so the PayPal charges is on me.Payment will be made via PayPal only, and i will be glad if you can sell to me.

Same thing for me from phone # 971-231-4863. Pay by Pay Pal only, going to send an agent, out at see as an engineer, ect.   So messed up! he or she must be making money at this.

She also just texted me wanting to know the present condition of a latex mattress I'm selling on craigslist and wants me to reply to her at bellotivivian@gmail.com, which someone else listed above. I barely listed this mattress on craigslist a few days ago and the only responses I get are from people like this trying to do scams and texting me directly on my cell phone. I even updated the ad to say "only serious inquiries from local buyers" but this is the 3rd person I have gotten this type of text message from. All 3 of them say something about how because of the nature of their work they will not be able to come see it. Keep in mind I'm offering a used luxury mattress and am asking $2500 or best offer, yet they don't even try to haggle. She is the 1st one who asked about the current condition. After reading all of these complaints, I don't plan on even bothering to answer. I wouldn't even put my cell phone number on the ad, but I don't have a smart phone, so I don't get my emails on my phone. Thank you all for reporting all of this so that I could be aware.

This number has been identified as a known Craigslist scammer and total do***e bag !  Insist that you reach them at bellotivivian@gmail.com.  

text from many different phone numbers to also include 919-374-8197.  Always do a Google search on anyone insisting that you contact them at a different email address instead of using the "reply" button from your Craigslist ad.

Protect yourself from this fraudulent A-Hole.

I got the same story but her name is Kate LOL.  She just texted me to tell me she is having problems with the "agent" that will pick up the bed.  LOL.  I am glad I googled her number.  It started to sound a little fishy.  that said, does anyone want a Tempurpedic Rhapsody Queen size bed? LOL

Received the same text message from this individual.  It appears they are simply cutting/pasting the same message to all since the spelling and spacing is the same.  

Stay away from this phone number.

Posted on criagslist for sofa. Used exact same messages as above. Do not respond to this person and report them to Craigslist and authorities

I received a text from (961) 231-4863 in regards to my furniture set posted on Craigslist with the following messages. First text came about 2 hours after my posting.

961) 231-4863 Text 1:
QUEEN BEDROOM SET * * * 7 PIECE VICTORIAN STYLE - $1000  I'm interested, let me know the present condition, Kate...

My response:
Hi Kate, when is a good time to talk today? Current condition is great, with the exception of one night stand. It has a mark on top. I had the set for 12 years or so and it's only been used for 1.5 years.

961) 231-4863 Text 2:
OK Thanks, Just asking about it to make sure its in good condition. so can you assure me i will not be disappointed? .Am satisfied with your firm/advert price...am requesting this transaction should be done via PayPal due to the nature of my work,so the PayPal charges is on me.Payment will be made via PayPal only, and i will be glad if you can sell to me.

I tried calling twice and voicemail goes to "Google Subscriber." Too many red flags. I found it odd that PayPal was demanded due to "nature of my work," I couldn't get the person to answer phone or call back, and that there really were no questions about what I was selling.

So annoying! I hope this helps anyone else out there.

I've been receiving. Text from " Vivian" all morning. Thx to this site I've saved myself a ton of grief. The text were all exactly as you've said- PayPal, overseas,agent

Good old Vivian just texted me on the same scam.

Have had multiple attempts in the past with fake cashers checks. Now they are using Pay Pal as a cover.

Biggest flags are:
1. They only communcate thru texting, even though you ask several times to talk. Thy generally have bad grammer when texting and couldnt speak english any way.
2. They always offer full price. No haggellig. Yea right !!
3. If you do get as far as getting a payment , its always an OVER pay. Expect you to refund the difference to them minus an extra $$ amount for your trouble. Of course never do this in any situaion before the original payment fully clears your back. In the case of these scambags, the payment NEVER clears.

Just be smart,
Tex

Agreed my friend.  There is internet on ships, but the flags were going up early.  Thank you for the response.

Obviously.  The Paypal deposit email will be a fake.  I would bet that the payment is well above your asking price and you would be asked to wire the excess to the agent. There would also be a problem that the funds are "frozen" by PayPal until the agent fee is wired.  Ask yourself, if they are a marine engineer on a boat, how do they have access to craigslist or other for sale sites and why did the message come in so soon after your posted your ad?

Hi, this person said their name is Viviana, on a boat as a marine engineer and wants to put the 1500. into my pay pal account.  Would send an agent to pick it up.  Scam?

Got a text from 971-231-4863 asking about my product on craigslist its a scam

Got   a text from this dirt bag saying he wanted to buy my bedroom set for 1800 on craigslists its a scam

Got message from (971) 231-4863 saying interested in my product on Craigslist. Thank God I found this blog saying that it is a scam. Another number I found a scam as (859) 363-5796

Scam reply to craigslist posting.  Don't respond.