Small Ads Scams

Scams around small ads characteristically feature dodgy English, not-quite-English terms like "cell phone", vague references to the item for sale - "the ad" etc, where you'd expect (say) "the boat", requests for information that was in the ad already, requests for unnecessary personal information (phone numbers in the case below) and peculiar methods of payment that involve passing some of the money on. For the sake of your finances, don't get involved.

Anita played a rather obvious scammer with this exchange of emails:

On 10 Jul 2018, at 15:04, jermaine holmes jermainehol_mes@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Hi,
I'd like to know more about this ad, I need to know the reason why you want to sell it and send me some pictures if available and price?.
I wait to read from you
.........Jermaine.

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Anita wrote:
Hi, what other images would you like sending? The C1 is watertight and not used due to my son stopping paddling.
Do you paddle for a club and where are you based?
Regards
Anita

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jermaine holmes jermainehol_mes@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Get back to me with the last offering price.

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Anita wrote:
£300 as stated on Canoe slalom site

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jermaine holmes jermainehol_mes@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Hi,
Glad to hear from you.This sounds good and it's like we can come to an agreement,so keep the ad off market and consider sold to me.I am okay with the price £300,your details is needed for payment to be issued out to you via post,in which reputable courier will handle the shipment.
So do not worry about that OKAY.An excess money on the payment which would cover both the item bought and pick up will be on the cheque.All you need to do,Once the cheque clears in 2 working days,you are to deduct your payment,afterward the remaining funds in-cures shipping for the pick up at your location... I will send the shipping agent details when the payment clears.
Get back to me with your details as requested below:

Full name...

Residential address...

Cell Phone number...

Home Phone number...

I will await to hear from you with regard this as soon as possible.

Thank You.......Jermaine.