Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I remember hearing about some scam where some guy from Nigeria or someplace was offering to buy racers’ motorcycles that he saw in the classified ads. Well I just got an e-mail (see below) from an Allan Smith saying he’s interested in buying my bike and that he will send me a cashier’s check and then I am to air freight the bike to Nigeria. He didn’t ask any questions about the bike or anything, just gave me info on shipping the bike over and that he’d send a cashier’s check and once that check has cleared, I am to send him the bike.

Chris Pyles
Breezewood, Pennsylvania


HELLO Chris Pyles,

I am interested in buying your bike for immediate shipment to me once payment gets to you. Payment will be with Cashier’s Check. The bike will be shipping to Nigeria in Africa via Airfreight; Help me find out the cost of this immediately, and get back to me via email or phone the total amount.

As soon as you are ready we will finalise ans you will, send me your full name as well as, mailing address where I will send you a cashier’s check to for payment. I will need the full amount as well as the price at which you will help me ship it down here by Airfreight alone as I do not like shipping via sea. Please get back to me on phone or email. Once the check is cleared at the bank you will ship the bike to me immediately.

Regards,
ALLAN SMITH



Note: In a phone interview Monday morning, former Illinois police detective and current AMA professional road racer Kevin Hanson told Roadracingworld.com, “The reason this works is because banks will automatically cash the cashier’s check up front because it looks legit. But once it goes through the channels of the bank, which typically takes 10 days to two weeks, it will come back bogus and you will be out of luck.

“They use good cashier’s checks and doctor the routing and account numbers on the computer so they look real, but when they go through the system they lead to a bogus account,” continued Hanson. “You just need to be careful of anyone who is real hasty to get the stuff.”


Additional Note: A variation of this scheme involves selling a bike, to be delivered from overseas, for less than fair market value, i.e., a mint Hayabusa for $4000. The scammer tells the would-be buyer to hurry and wire the money via a service such as Western Union because he has several other interested buyers who he will sell to unless the deal is concluded quickly. This scam often involves promised delivery from Amsterdam. After the money is sent, the would-be buyer never gets the bike.



And now some reader feedback:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Just read about the scam–do not fall for it! I have a bogus check stamped FRAUD. My check was for 10 grand. I was cautious and waited over two weeks before I was informed about the counterfeit cashier’s check.

I contacted local law enforcement, but no one calls me back. I have even been contacted again by the same individual. If I can help out in any way to catch this guy, let me know!

Adrian M. Gutierrez
Celina, Ohio



More reader feedback:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thanks for exposing this scam. These are all over Cycletrader right now. One example is an Aprilia Colin Edwards Replica–worth about $19,000 in the USA–being offered for $8000. The ad says the bike is in Viola, ID, is in mint condition, and has only 100 miles. The listed phone number is bogus. If you e-mail the supposed owner you hear back from someone named Jan in Amsterdam, Holland, giving you the same Western Union scam you listed on your website.

Last week alone I found two 954s and the Edwards replica, all with the same scam, while I was looking for a sportbike to buy. One said he would ship the bike to the USA from Berlin free. The bike is a 2003 954 in mint condition, low mileage, and the price was $4000. A friend who is from Germany said the shipping costs alone would be nearly $1500 from Germany to the USA!

On a more positive, note, I love your website and check it at least three times daily for the latest news. Keep up the great work.

Paul Moore
Colorado Springs, Colorado