Fatasha Ruffin

screwed After a failed attempt to sell my PSP on Craigslist this week, I took a quick look for a new flat screen TV. I figured why not take a look and see if some divorsee in the West Village or something has one they are dying to get rid of. Monday I found this listing:

THIS HAS 2 MONTHS OF VERY LIGHT USE AS ITS BEEN IN STORAGE MOST OF THE TIME SINCE I GOT IT, AND THERE IS 2 YRS WARRANTY ON IT, ORIGINAL RECEIPT AND WORKS GREAT. IT ALSO COMES WITH THE CABLES AND WALL MOUNT. I’M SELLING IT BECAUSE I NEED SOME MONEY URGENTLY TO SETTLE SOME ISSUES. EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE INTEREST. $450

Jimmy-hat thought to himself: “why not email and see if it’s still available and if they are in the city for a pickup”…“darn this thing is cheap”…“When you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?”…I get a response the next morning:

The TV is still available for sale and in great condition it also includes the warranty which is having 2yrs on it.I’m selling it so cheap becasue I need an urgent payment to take care of an issue I want to assure you of one thing that despite the fact I’m selling it so cheap it is still working perfectly and I have only used it for 2 months. It is at fedex location in wyoming . Please don’t get confussed about the TV at fedex location in wyoming the reason is due to the fact that I almost lost it to a scammer there so I had to instruct fedex to hold it up for me at their office. If you are interested in buying it I’ll not be able to receive cash because I’m kinda busy working on a case in Florida right now. all I will need to proceed is your contact info so I can get it shipped to you. As for the payment Money order or Western union will be ok. But, I would prefer you making the payment through western union money transfer because that will be much easier and convenient to me. once I get the TV shipped to you, I will provide you the shipment label and tracking number for you to confirm it has been shipped. Once you confirm it has been shipped you will send ($150) part of the payment upfront and when the TV gets to you, you then send me the remaining balance. you can reach me at (850)3030084 or email me if you are still interested and ok with my terms and conditions.
Thanks

So a couple thoughts came across my little brain: “If she is working on a case in Florida, she must be a lawyer and have enough $$ to buy 3 more flat screens”…“Why is she so trusting of me to wait for me to receive the TV before I send the the final payment”…“who the hell lives in Wyoming?”…“what hair color do they put on the driver’s licenses of bald men?”…so I ask her for more info on the exact payment instructions before I commit and I get back a response in a few hours:

I will arrange the shipment to your address. once I ship it to you I’ll provide you the shipment label and tracking number so you can verify it has been shipped and will also provide you the payment info you are to send the upfront payment to via western union. Once again I want to assure you that the TV is working in good condition and I really hope I can trust you sending the remaining balance when the plasma gets to you.
Name of Receiver: Paul Richardson
Address: 21 Kingsway Avenue
City: Ikeja
State: Lagos
Zip Code: 23401
Country: Nigeria
Test Question: Favorite Sport
Answer: Baseball
Amount you are to send: $150

Red Flags are popping up all over the place…“I want an LCD, why is she talking about a plasma?”…“how many people in Nigeria are named Paul Richardson?”…” how does she make any money after spending $350 to send me a TV she is only charging $450 for”…“why isn’t the number 11 pronounced onety one?”…“everyone knows the favorite sport in Nigeria is soccer not baseball”…

So then I decide to get off the darn blackberry, wait until I get to the office and Google our little friend Fatasha. I find this as a #1 hit.

Awesome.

Even with my past experience, I still love Craiglist!

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