[SirCastor]

I'm trying to sell my PS2 for some cash, so I post it on Craigslist, and I get a response. After some correspondence it becomes pretty clear that it's your average textbook scam.
But what I'm not sure about it how you can scam someone with just a name and an address? You can probably sign up for something? But without an SSN, phone number, further id, how does this one work?
Or is it just a matter of getting my PS2?

I received your first mail and since you said the item is still for sale i will like to buy it immediatelly i will be paying you $160 because of the urgent need i got for it, i need it so as to resell it to a customer of mine who needs it urgently you should know that i am also a seller like you i sell on OLX and RECYCLER let me be loyal to you am paying the price so as not to loose my customer.I will make payment through United States Potal Money Order which i have been usingfor the three years i have been selling and i have never regret using.As for the shipping you dont spend anything i will handle that my self with my Federal Express Courier Service account which i use to ship to my customers after verification, all i need from you now is your name and the address to which you will want your money delivered waiting to hear from you soon i hope you understand the urgency.

[Chuckit]

I predict you're going to get a cut-out piece of cardboard reading "M-m-m-money order."

[IceEnclosure]

In my craigslist ads I tell people to type properly and to use "American English, not African-scammer English" or not to respond at all. Works out well.

[macintologist]

Yea seriously why is it that scammers all use run-on sentences etc etc?

[Suikolove]

If they had good education (for English), they would have a good job, and hence, wouldn't need to scam people.

[Mithras]

That could be a business opportunity -- selling well-written English responses to scammers.
You could just write a few stock templates for different situations, and offer customization for an additional fee.

Of course, negotiating the payment terms could be tough (no, I WON'T accept your Western Union, thanks very much. And no, I won't place it in www.escrowforsuckers.com, either...)

[Sherman Homan]

But what I'm not sure about it how you can scam someone with just a name and an address? You can probably sign up for something? But without an SSN, phone number, further id, how does this one work?

They are just setting the hook. They offered more than you asked, so you bite. They send the money order, you ship. No SS number, credit card account etc. needed. Later, you find out that fraudulent money orders can be canceled long after they have cleared your account.

[FireWire]

Originally Posted by Sherman Homan 

They are just setting the hook. They offered more than you asked, so you bite. They send the money order, you ship. No SS number, credit card account etc. needed. Later, you find out that fraudulent money orders can be canceled long after they have cleared your account.

How can money order be fraudulent? They forge it? In Canada, Money orders are as safe as cash: once you cash it, it's yours.

[Sherman Homan]

Firewire, the money orders are drawn off of Nigerian Banks. Have you not heard of the 419 scams?!
Welcome to the 419 Eater