The scam is that they pretend that they will buy your horse (or whatever) but they have to send you a check for an amount which is larger than what you are asking. You are supposed to send the rest of the money to someone else , usually a shipping company. They will actually send you what looks like a real Certified Cashiers Check to you and the bank, but the bank will take a few days to find out that it's not real . If you fall for the scam, they will have their money before you know what happened. I don't know if they ever actually try to take the horse too. I doubt it.
Here is a letter the 4Corners Horse Trader received from someone who was being scammed:
Hi!
I hope things are falling into place for you. I am enclosing the following
letter I got from someone claiming they wanted to buy my horse. I have read
about this scam but didn't realize this was it (I got a few nice chatty
e-mails first asking about Ellie) until this email arrived. You may want to
warn people about it on your web site. (You would think that whoever is
trying to scam people would at least find someone who is more conversant with
the English language!) Good Luck!
Sally
Scam letter follows:
Hello Sally
How are you and the family ?compliment of the season thanks for the mail.
with the price of the [Chestnut Morgan Mare] which is($2,500]which am okay
with the price. also with the description you laid down on the site am
immpressed with it so A Certified Cashier Cheque of $5,000 has been issued
for the purchase the [Chestnut Morgan Mare].The amount on the check issued is
bigger than what should be paid to you ,so the check is meant for the total
expenses which includes the purchase of the [Chestnut Morgan Mare] and the
pick up of the [Chestnut Morgan Mare ] from its present location and the
shipping charges/other necessary shipping arrangements.and i will like to
inform you that your horse is going to a good home which am still going to be
updating you with the health of the horse,
However I will still carry on with this transaction ction. So you're required
to deduct the cost of your [Chestnut Morgan Mare] which is ($2,500)and then
send the balance of($2,500) to the shipper via western union money transfer
to enable him offsett shipping charges/arrangements,and taxes. once the
transaction is concluded,the shipper w! ill be coming for the pick up of
[Chestnut Morgan Mare] from its present location, on an open vehicle and then
drive to a pre paid shipper for shipment,and also conclude other necessary
shipping arrangements.so you dont have to bother yourself about the pick up
and shipping arrangements,while title papers and other necessary documets
will be sent by you via postal mail.
Please Confirm this and provide me your name,addr! ess and phone number for
check payment to be delivered to you via postal mail N.B. Note that postal
mail does not deliver to P.O BOX
Thanks And God Bless You
This is a regional horsesales webpage and you should see the person buying your animal.