This guy is texting me on his most recent number (614) 758-8310 . Saying he wants to buy my phone as a birthday gift for his son in West Africa and the nature of his job won't let him pick it up. I call b***s***, thanks for the warning from all of you! I wasn't going to ship it anyway.

I got the same thing. Scammer

(801) 477-7195

replied to a Craigslist add -- it's a scam !

Same story... Son in Africa... Wanted to use Paypal... SCUM OF THE EARTH! I posted in North Jersey Craigslist

Same thing. Referenced a church in CA. I called and reported the number and email.

I'm in Las Vegas and sell iPad2 on craigslist. Similar email from Jamescordary200@aol.com :

I am very grateful to hear back from you.I need it as a surprise giftfor a ministry friend's child that I had the privilege of meeting last time I ministered in Africa.The price is ok with me since it works great.I will be paying you using PayPal since it secures both parties in a transaction.Kindly provide me with your Pay Pal email account for paypal payment OR your full name and home address for money order payment.I will be adding extra $100 shipping fees.

Reply ASAP,

Remain Blessed.

Pastor James C.
You can visit our website www.milesmcpherson.com
And Feel Free to text me (801) 477-7195

I have received the exact same message regarding an I phone 4 that I'm selling. He referred to himself as "pastor Dave." After reading all these posts, I responded back and called him out on his bogus scheme. DO NOT sell to this scammer!!

Caution: this is a definitely a SCAM artist.

'He' answered my online ad and wanted my item shipped to son 'who is in west Africa for his job...'
Classic internet scam/phishing/identity theft criminal. Wanted item shipped via Express to 'West Africa?!?'

If you hear from this scammer report the email to originating mail host.

And report this scammer to the FBI at the Interent Crime Center: http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx and the FTC at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

Do NOT attempt business with this dangerous scam artist!

I got that same exact email about my Nikon D3100 on Craigslist.

Same story. Tried to get me to send my PS Vita to West Africa for 'her son'. Tried to use big words, and her sentence structure didn't really make much sense. Got an email in my junk folder (She even said it would be there.) from an obviously fake paypal customer service rep. Said that the payment will be posted when I upload a shipping and tracking number to paypal.

Thanks I got your mail.The price is ok by me. I want to purchase it for my son who is in west Africa for his job with the construction company over there. And i will be paying you through PayPal or money order Company. So if you have an account with them send your PayPal address to enable me send the Payment to you but if you do not have an account with them, just send your full name and full contact address and i will send it through money order Company that will deliver the payment in cash to your resident address.... Note: I will be paying you extra money to cover the shipping cost through USPS EXPRESS MAIL. Also i wanted you to consider this sold to me and please remove the post from the craigslist site.Thank you and God Bless.
And Feel Free to text me (801) 477-7195
Dr James Cordary B.

I am currently getting texts from this guy from that number, And recieved many emails like the ones above, thank you for posting this!!!! Saved my I-Phone

His Message:

I got your text.The price is ok by me,I reside in Utah but needs to purchase for my Son that traveled to West Africa for his international studies,he is with his Mother who was transferred to work at the united states embassy in west Africa and i want to send him a birthday gift because his birthday is coming up soon..I would have come to pick it up myself but because of distance and nature of my work as a medical doctor at Mormon Tabernacle Choir extension in South Utah,my days are always busy.Please if you do have a paypal account,provide it to me so that I Make the payment to you Or your Full name,Full contact Address,City,State and Zip Code if you wish to receive the money through money order,i can send it straight to your residence....Note: I will be paying you extra money to cover the shipping cost through USPS EXPRESS MAIL. [Please i need the information fast so that your payment will reach you before tomorrow to enable you ship the Packages fast.
Thanks for your understanding.
Dr James Cordary

My Response:

Oh how wonderful!  My sister works for the US Embassy in West Africa.  I will ship the package to her and she can hand deliver it to your son.  If you let me know your son's Full name, Full contact Address, City, State, and Zip Code I will have her deliver it to him.  I only accept payment in diamonds, 99.999% pure gold, or space rocks.  How exciting!

I am selling a laptop on Craigslist as well, and now this person is contacting me too.

I just got a similar message:

Good Day,
I wish to buy your product but i will like to know the condition and
the firm price that you are selling it,hope to read from you.
Dr James Cordary

Thanks I got your mail.The price is ok by me. I want to purchase it for my son who is in west Africa for his job with the construction company over there. And i will be paying you through PayPal or money order Company. So if you have an account with them send your PayPal address to enable me send the Payment to you but if you do not have an account with them, just send your full name and full contact address and i will send it through money order Company that will deliver the payment in cash to your resident address.... Note: I will be paying you extra money to cover the shipping cost through USPS EXPRESS MAIL. Also i wanted you to consider this sold to me and please remove the post from the craigslist site.Thank you and God Bless.
And Feel Free to text me (801) 477-7195
Dr James Cordary B.

Scammer sends bogus notifications that he paid you with paypal.. Then tries to get you to ship item to West Africa... Friggin moron... can't spell worth a crap... ** Of course, no payment ever posted to my paypal account..

Got the same person trying to buy my apple mac book pro. Has anyone gave them their paypal addy and the person paid with no issues ?

I got a text from this number:
(1/2)Good Day,
I wish to buy your Ipad 2 but i will like to know the condition and the firm price that you are selling it,hope to read from

(2/2)you.
Mrs Rebecca Philips


It's some scammer who just wants free merchandise.  

Whoever sent their merchandise to this scammer needs to get the Feds involved.

Another email used by same person is JamesBrain450@gmail.com

I got the exact same message verbatim for a laptop I was selling on Craigslist in San Antonio. I emailed back and said I only accept cash, never heard from again (thankfully).

I'm playing with him now.  He said his son is at British International College in West Africa.  I responded that my brother is a professor there and I'll be there tomorrow to meet your son.

He responded to my posting, but I won't email him back.  Communicate with anonymous email.  Do not list you number and always check the name against the Internet.  They always seem to recycle their names.  Not too original, just like the devil.  People always fall for the same trick.

we just sent a ps3 to the address he gave us?  it is still in the us, illinois.  is there any way to retrieve our ps3?  we called the postal service, paypal, and so far it doesn't look good?  pls help us get it back??   void34567@yahoo.com

What happened when you sent him your information?

Happened to me as well. Just deleted the email and flagged him.

Got an email from this person asking to text about an item.. Lol scam!!!! Obviously after reading the other comment but I knew something wasn't right the way he wrote an email to me.. He's African because he can't spell or right for s*** lmaooo

yea i did

this is the exact same text i got from this guy

I got the same message.

Has anyone actually follow through, for example give him the PayPal/email account?