We got scammed!!

[TubaTodd]

My wife and I got scammed ROYALLY on Craigslist. We put her flute up for sale in various cities with notable music schools. We got a bite on someone that sounded reputable and they offered to pay COD. That sounds great for both parties....or so you would think. We did a FedEx airbill COD and received the Chase cashier's check. Looked good. My bank deposited it then 2 days later Chase rejected the funds transfer. After calling both my bank and Chase, the check appears to be a fake. It looked real enough. Well, now we have been in contact with the police in the city where it was shipped. Of course this not exactly theft so it is NOT covered under insurance. We are out $6000 or 1 awesome flute. Right now we have no recourse.

If anyone in TEXAS in the Houston or Dallas area finds a Muramatsu flute in a pawn shop, please contact me. We're heartbroken and stunned.

Thanks

[bort]

Obvious question, but I'm assuming that there was no further contact with the buyer, and that the buyer did not use his or her real name/address? What is the city where you shipped it?

[bort]

PS, it takes a real sack of **** to scam someone out of a flute. What an asshole.

[TubaTodd]

We have not received any contact with the buyer since the day they picked it up from the FedEx store in Houston. Every time I try to call the number it goes straight to voicemail. I'm assuming it was a "burner" phone.

The address they gave we traced to someone with a completely different name. What is weird is they originally wanted it shipped to that address. My wife insisted on them picking it up at the FedEx store. The good news there is that the FedEx store said they have security camera footage. If they wanted it shipped to that other address then they must have had the ability to be at that address last weekend.

The Houston PD took a report from me. They said they wouldn't officially "get" the case until Tuesday at which point they will present the case to the Sargent for their input on how/if to proceed. In the mean time the only thing I can think to do is make a list of pawn shops and call them one at a time and see if they may have it.

Here's our original ad on craigslist.

http://bham.craigslist.org/msg/4155313600.html

This is a truly hopeless feeling that I don't wish on anyone.

[Donn]

If anyone in TEXAS in the Houston or Dallas area finds a Muramatsu flute in a pawn shop, please contact me. We're heartbroken and stunned.

I don't know how pawn shops work these days, but seems possible that they have access to police stolen item reports - but not worldwide of course, and possibly not nationwide. Depending on how that works, a 4 hour drive to Baton Rouge might make sense, for example. Also, if you're checking craigslist, they'd probably misspell the name on purpose.

[TBow]

If the transaction crossed state lines, couldn't you get the FBI involved? You could touch base with them anyway, I believe "writing bad checks" is a Federal offense?

[Eflatdoubler]

What part of Houston was it shipped to and who was the flute supposedly for? I can put the word out with other private lesson instructors and band directors at schools/universities in the area. Sorry to hear of your loss!

[103ace]

What a bummer man, I'm really sorry. That's an awful hit to take in many ways, I am going through something similar right now, and trying to get your money back is difficult. It shouldn't be. This is no reflection on you personally. Many honest, decent, smart people have gone through the same frustrating circumstances.

Regarding reporting internet fraud, here's somewhere to start:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

[TubaTodd]

What part of Houston was it shipped to and who was the flute supposedly for? I can put the word out with other private lesson instructors and band directors at schools/universities in the area. Sorry to hear of your loss!

From what I gather it was shipped to southwest Houston. It was shipped to the FedEx store on Beechnut.

[TubaTodd]

VERY HAPPY UPDATE:

While the flute is lost and out there in the wild, our insurance company paid us in full for the stolen flute. I hate knowing that the scam artists will likely get away with this. At least we no longer have the financial loss.

[Tubajug]

I hate to use the word "congratulations," but I am glad to hear you'll be getting something!