208-925-7721

This caller just called by name of Mr. Randy wants to know if a item we had on craigslist was still for sale - may be a scam as didn't leave his phone number when we said to only either text or call us but we don't give our email out.  His email is KS763217@gmail.com

We have things on craigslist for sale. A person texted us from this number and texted; "Mr. Randy" wants to know if the item we had for sale is still for sale. He wanted us to email him even though on our ad it says we said we call or text but we didn't give our email. His email is KS763217@gmail.com. His phone when you call back is a textnow.com number that you can text but not actually talk to the person in person. He responded back saying the usual scam stuff we've had a million times - he's in the armed forces, he is deployed now (so so many of these kinds of scams) so he can't look at the item, he wants to pay through paypal for the item. Don't do any paypal transactions with people that say they can't look at it as they are deployed in the armed forces. They are preying on your loyalties toward your countrymen when they ask you to use and/or get a paypal account that they can rip you off with through a way they have of doing that now. Paypal is safe only for known established businesses, travel agents that are established, etc. but NOT EVER worth the risk for individuals wanting to buy from other individuals. With these people you tell them "Cash in hand is king" and they go away. No money orders, no cashier's checks either. If they have to pick it up somehow anyway they should be able to do this - or they won't get it - simple.

They want to know if you have an email because you need one to get a Paypal account that they want you to have or get so they can rip you off in how they have learned to do this and Paypal can't keep up with them - Paypal continues to wage the war against them every day.  Paypal is a good and safe way to transfer money to others in established, trusted businesses or people you know but NOT with individuals you don't know although these untrustworthy individuals will try to tell you that they - lol - feel safer using it as a safe method of transferring cash to you, giving Paypal a bad name once they rip you off through this method - I think how they are able to do this has to do with other info they get from you about your account after you agree to have them "pay you - ha" through Paypal that would not normally be given to anyone but YOU by Paypal (but especially if you are new to Pay pal you may trust them to know more than you and be fooled into giving them your access to your account there somehow so they can extract their money back out - and your money too if you have any in your account - some people use it for paycheck deposit or like a bank acct for buying and selling thinking it is safe - as it is safe at least until one of these guys comes along.  They will try and tell you that opening one is easy if you don't have one (as if policy of cash in hand to pay for something is unknown to them).  Paypal accounts are connected to your bank account card number as well, so they may be looking and getting that too from you not knowing not to give them info they should not have.  Never never - you don't need to sell it that bad - you'll actually buy it again if you think to do this with someone you don't know through Paypal and they get your financial info or Paypal info to extract $ from those then or some other equally inconvenient, unexpected time.

i experienced the same thing today.  thanks for the post as I am sure you saved me some grief..

I was selling a dead vehicle on Craig's List. He texted me 6822139496 and asked me to email him at ks763217@gmail.com. So I replied with my email to his so I hope that won't come back to bite me. He had a big long story about him being in the military and wanted to send a courier to pick it up and to take the ad off of Craig's list. Then I looked up his email on google and it brought me here. Stupid  SCAMMERs. Said his name was Randy Collins.

Hi, I just had the exact same thing happen.  The same number texted me asking if the item was still for sale and to email that address because he "wouldn't be able to respond on this phone".  The e-mail address looked shady, so before emailing him I googled it and ended up here.  Thanks to all above for posting.  I am going to ignore him after reading this!

Just got the exact same scam attempt tonight in response to my ad putting my car up for sale on CL. Luckily I googled Mr. Randy's e-mail and found this thread.  Here is the full text of his pitch to me:

Thanks for your response, I am sorry I am not available to view due to the nature of my job, I am in the United States Army and serve as a CBRN Specialist (74D).  I want to buy this for future use. I am currently deployed wont be back till April. We are not allowed to make or receive calls frequently for security reasons but we have internet access and that is our major means of communication to the outside world. I am OK with your asking price and if you don't mind, I can only pay through PayPal at the moment be cause its the most secure way to make or receive payment online this is why I'll prefer using PayPal to pay you, all I need is your PayPal email to make the payment and if you don't have a PayPal account, its pretty easy to set up at www.paypal.com. I also have a few questions for you.

Whats its condition, any damages? Can I see a few closely taken pictures? Are you the original owner and what is your reason for selling?

I hope you consider my offer. I am ready to buy, so you can take the add off Craigslist. I'll have a courier person come for pick up and storage after I make payment and money is in your hand. Thanks for understanding, hope to read from you soon. Hope to read from you.

Regards

exactly the same thing happen to me. A guy texted me and asked me to send a email to ks763217@gmail.com. Thanks you for your post.

I just got same messages from Randy but the new number is 781-786-3931. Thanks for this heads up.

The exact same thing right down to the letter. This guy needs to be stopped. Why is it that they prey on innocent people trying to get by in life. I pray the Lord God seeks vengeance on them.

I just received the EXACT email today.  I hope I'm not too late to stop this creep!  I provided the email address associated with my PayPal (diff than my personal email).  Of course I did all that before looking up and finding the email address listed here!  I have removed my bank account from my PayPal just in case!!!

This individual is using 507-299-4747 as well now with the same email and misspelling in the text:
"(My Craig's List Item Title) this item still avilable for sale ? Get back to me on my personal email ks763217@gmail.com Becos i wont be able to reply on this number. Thanks"
I really do not think this individual realizes they are phishing using an ad for a rare breed farm animal!
Thank you everyone for posting!

I have not been on Craigslist

2089257721 is not my number