This isn't just happening over the internet. My sister put an ad in numerous publications (newspapers, auto trader, etc.) trying to sell my fathers motorcycle. He lived in Vegas, and we live in So. Calif, so she had ads placed in everything from here to there. Some guy contacted her asking for pics of the bike, which she sent snail mail and he called back, wanting to buy it. He said some guy here in So. Cal owed him money.. almost twice the amount we were asking for the bike and he asked if we would pick up a cashiers check from the guy, (made out to us), cash it, use part of the money to ship it to him and then wire him the balance. He even offered to pay an additional $100 for our trouble.

We didn't bite (of course) but my sister said he was SO NICE (rolling my eyes) that she couldnt' bring herself to accuse him of anything, so instead, told him we'd deliver the bike ourselves and expected CASH at the time of delivery.

Needless to say, we never heard from him again. What's really bothering me now, is the fact that they really ARE everywhere!!! This guy didn't know we were in So. Cal until after he said he wanted the bike and it took him less than an hour to arrange the cashiers check pickup!

Carrie**