Order from Nigeria

[Crismil77]

I received a phone call a couple of weeks ago for a big order of new HP ink cartridges from a company in Nigeria. I asked if he could fax the order to me and he did. A couple of days later he called back and I told him the only way I'm shipping them is if he paid for them first. So monday I received a check that was drawn on an american bank. I called the bank to make sure the money was their and they said yes. So I deposited it into my account. Yesterday the gentleman called me asking if I shipped them yet and I said no because my bank didn't clear the check yet. Well today the bank called me and said the check is no good. It came back NSF. I'm glad I didn't send out the product because I've heard of scams but I thought he was legit. The name of the company is <snip>. I've sent him a couple of emails telling him the check came back and haven't heard anything back yet. I was wondering if someone could help me out in how to report scam. We've been in business 14 years and never had this happen to us before. I've made copies of the check and the guy that sent the check is out of New York. We have the original envelope he sent the check in. I think you can report it as postal fraud because he sent it US Priority Mail. Please help me I don't know what to do.

Thanks.

[edited by: Marcia at 4:07 am (utc) on May 24, 2003]
[edit reason] No specifics per TOS, please. [/edit]

[fathom]

I think we all realize that yes fraud comes from every country...this topic was directed specifically towards Nigerian orders.

Agreed... you can be scammed by your neighbor just as easy as anyone else.

Not too long ago had a legit order from the Philippians’ (note: legit after the fact)... a large order for software.

The solution to protect the buyer and seller was a bank draft from buyers bank to the bank of the seller, with no account info noted on the draft and a disclaimer for the receiving bank to contact the seller (locally) for depositing instructions.

Once cleared the software was shipped.

Remembering that anyone can scam anyone (including the seller) this is a practice used often for international purchases, allowing no one specific account information to anyone other than registered banks.

Obviously - anyone can say they are a bank - but in all countries banks must be registered with that country's central bank (for currency exchange) making it easy to verify.

If they don't want the hassles of this process... they deal with someone else.

[rogerd]

The cleanest, most secure way to accept payment is a wire transfer. If mutual trust doesn't exist, then a letter of credit will guarantee both payment and delivery. Neither of these is good for small transactions, though, due to the relatively high cost per transaction. LOCs are particularly time-consuming and costly to set up, and while they ensure that product is delivered, they may not guarantee that it is exactly what was ordered.

So when that relay call comes through with the order for 5000 of something, just ask if they will send payment in advance by wire transfer ... if they decline, don't waste time with the rest of the spiel. (Normally, it might be fun to string 'em along and see how much time you could waste, but I'm sure the relay operators have legitimate disabled users that need assistance.)

[mahlon]

I would not waste my time dealing with anyone in Nigeria or Indonesia. I noticed the list of other places but these are the ones we do not deal with.

The Indonesian people are "carding" and there are websites on how to do this and some even have a list of stores to go to that accept these fraudulent orders. We have reported one that was hosted by Tripod and it was pulled off.

The orders are usually large, we just cancel them and move on.

[bcolflesh]

No matter how politically correct this thread may become, small web business owners need to realize that they should NEVER fill orders from Nigeria or Indonesia, unless the individuals send the full amount in cash first.

Regards,
Brent

[jsinger]

Yep, this is one of the few no-brainers in ecommerce. The question isn't whether a rare order turns out good, it's whether you'll make money over time dealing with such places. BTW, a small valid order may be a set-up for a big fraudulent one down the road.

Can anyone point out a major web retailer that ships to Indonesia and Nigeria? Many American commerce sites don't even export to Canada (ie. Wal-Mart.com).

[avengerette]

"Normally, it might be fun to string 'em along and see how much time you could waste, but I'm sure the relay operators have legitimate disabled users that need assistance" - rogerd

LOL Im to the point i would rather relay the 15 year old brats playing on the internet relay then relay fraud calls. :P

[FleaPit]

I got one of those dodgy Nigerian emails suggesting I launder a bit of cash. I am now a multi millionaire and laughing all the way to Rio. Whose says the Nigerians aren't as honest as the day is long :)

[avengerette]

i do...because i bet theyre using your money right now to purchase laptops and soccer shoes without your knowledge :P

[FleaPit]

Avengerette, er... I was joking.

[kamikazi]

Avengerette... don't you mean "soccer boots" not "soccer shoes"? hehe ;) (relay joke)

i can verify what Avengerette has said previously in his posts... do not take any nigerian orders through relay.

[avengerette]

Nigeria..Cameroon, Ghana, West Africa, and Accra...all no no ....bunch of scams!