How do you handle potential fraud?

[radhak]

Some days ago, I saw an advt on CL offering a Nikon D90 including a couple of lenses etc for $650. A D90, just the body and no lens, is cheap at $800. With the other stuff this would be worth $1200.

But I still I emailed and got a response that they are an online shop based in Michigan and provided me this link : http://integrity.ecrater.com/ (the camera is no longer available there).

Today, the advt has reappeared : http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/pho/1264075292.html, except that that the site link has changed slightly : http://ashioutlet.ecrater.com/

Brand new Nikon D90 with all manuals and registration papers to be filled out.
Includes 2 different Lens a 18-105 mm DX VR lens also a 70-300 mm lens mint condition all used for only a few photos. Also includes axillary battery pack, axillary battery, remote control and a Bogen tripod.
Extra includes a Lowepro sling-style backpack to hold the camera and lens' value $120

For more information, go to http://ashioutlet.ecrater.com/

Now I am fairly certain this is some sort of a fraud, and feel somebody might fall for it. But is there any way to finger the seller before it happens? (The contact page is blank, else I'd have asked them why did they move their D90 from one page to another, just to see what their response is. )

[sparkeyjames]

Post an entry stating your findings in the Craigslist category the item is in. At a minimum it will alert some viewers as to a potential scam. Oh and flag it too. Reporting it to Craigslist directly will probably not accomplish anything as there are only 24-30 employee's at Craigslist to cover oh say a few million ads.

[cabinetman]

There doesn't seem to be anything that is immediate. The possibility of fraud online is what makes buying from ads risky, to say the least.
.

[dbhost]

Craigslist ads encourage users to buy locally just to avoid this sort of fraud. I see a LOT of bad deals come up on Craigslist. I can't tell you how many times I have seen those cheap Neiko 50 pc 1/2" shank router bit sets that Amazon Carries for about $65.00 being advertised by some out of town firm for $200.00 saying it is a mark down...

When dealing with Craigslist, caveat emptor.

[JSUPreston]

When dealing with Craigslist, caveat emptor.

Now you tell me. Seriously, my wife has been out of work for 3 months. I was looking on CL at some of their job postings, and saw one that had my name written all over it. Just for fun, I sent in my resume. Looks like I sent it to a reputable headhunter and may be interviewing for a new job for myself soon. Nice thing is, if I get the job and have to move, it would put SWMBO in a better market in her field as well.

[crokett]

Flag it for removal and post your findings alerting others to the scam. That is all you can really do.