opinion

Stopping a Scammer

They say there’s a sucker born every minute, and while that may be true, you don’t want it to be you – so today I’m going to tell you a story about a scammer that set his sights on me this week – a story that will hopefully be a good example for you.

Like a lot of pack rats, I tend to collect things – all sorts of things – things that I’m trying to minimize wherever possible in an effort to reduce the unproductive clutter in my life…

Much of this unwanted material can be characterized as “toys I no longer play with” – a very broad category that includes everything from websites I’ve closed or that I am in the process of closing; to my gold mine; and to some of the vehicles I own, and beyond.

As part of this process, I signed up for an account at craigslist.com over the weekend and placed an ad for my mighty Mopar, with the hopes of finding a good home for this classic 1970 muscle car.

While craigslist is very good about warning users not to engage in transactions that can involve fraudulent “certified checks or money orders” or shipping of items, and advises users to stick to local transactions, I was willing to use a little careful leeway on this, due to the nature of the sale. After all, I bought the car on eBay in 2002, even though it was three states and a pretty long drive away – these cars are increasingly few and far between.

I would have put it on eBay, but craigslist is free and I was curious as to the response I would get, having never used – or even visited – the site before. Although it was midnight when the ad went live, I had three responses when I checked my email the following morning.

One of the replies was from an eager fellow in New Jersey who wanted to purchase the vehicle right away. “Cool, that was easy,” I thought to myself.

While I had specified that this was to be a cash-only transaction, I realized the distance between us and the time of year would make a bank draft and a transport truck at least reasonable if not the most ideal way to proceed.

Still, I was cautious, as even though “certified” checks are supposed to be just that, “certified,” my bank informed me that counterfeits were indeed a problem and that even though the check may initially clear, they could come back to retrieve the funds several weeks after the fact, in the event there was a problem.

This made me uncomfortable, but countless legitimate transactions have occurred this way, so I tried to think positively about the deal, and instructed the buyer to send me a check for the actual dollar amount. He was to arrange and pay for shipping.

Then the big red flag went up.

I received an email from him stating that he had mailed a certified check to me to cover not only the cost of the vehicle, but the shipping fee as well; and that I was to deduct the car cost for myself and then pay the shipping agent his fee when he showed up to collect the vehicle. He then asked me to delete the for-sale ad and to call him when I had cashed the check, so that he could send the transport guy.

I had specified the exact amount that he should make the check out for because I wanted to avoid this “I pay you then you pay him” bullshit, and figured that if he did go ahead and send me more, that there was a problem.

This is the scam: I’ll pay you over and above; you pay the difference to someone else…

If I went through with this deal, the bank would have come to me weeks later, demanding the money back, and I would have not only had my car stolen – but I would have paid the thief a thousand dollars or more to drive the damn thing away!

The possibility made me so uncomfortable, that I canceled the deal.

There is no legitimate reason for him to expect me to pay the shipping agent (which he arranged for). I’m not new to vehicle shipments: the carrier typically charges you before he goes to pick up your vehicle – not when he gets it, or when he delivers it.

I emailed the "buyer" and told him that I wouldn’t complete this transaction or cash his check; and told him that I would mail it back to him if he sent me his return address.

I never heard back from him – verifying that this was indeed a scam.

Hopefully, this will serve as a warning to some of you not to be too trusting with the folks you deal with online. Now I’m off to send his “check” and contact info to the authorities.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

Cat Meyer Reflects on Goals, Triumphs of Indie Lube Brand Head South

“I loved the storytelling aspect — how products weren’t just about hair but confidence, self-expression and identity,” she says. Today, she uses the same skills as the CEO and owner of Head South, a sexual wellness brand that focuses on minimalism through its design, messaging and refillable packaging.

Nishka Dhawan ·
opinion

Rebranding Sexual Wellness Through a Self-Care Approach

As most of us in the industry already know, sexual wellness remains the black sheep of self-care. Discussions about wellness glorify meditation apps, skincare routines and workout regimens — but mention masturbation or using a sex toy, and most people shy away from the topic.

Hail Groo ·
profile

WIA Profile: Leah Koons

If you’ve been to an industry event lately, odds are you’ve heard Leah Koons even before you’ve seen her. As Fansly’s director of marketing, Koons helps steer one of the fastest-growing creator platforms on the web.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Why Sex Toy Innovation Isn't What Shoppers Want Right Now

During my first year in the industry, the luxury vibrator on shelves was LELO’s Gigi, priced at $109. It was made with high-quality silicone, boasted an ergonomic design, a travel lock and a warranty. Soon after, Je Joue released its first product, SaSi, which employed “rolling ball” movements to simulate oral sex.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business has not quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
Show More