Since somertime in the 1980s
bugman said:
Now this is a story that cries out to be told.
Someone or someones in Nigeria have been running all kinds of scams against people in the USA. They started out working by mail, then went to phones, then the internet.
In 1991, they sent letters to almost every computer retailer in the eastern USA with huge, purchase orders for computers to be shipped on net 30 terms. they offered to pay full retail prices or higher, plus shipping and handling. Of course, those who fell for it sent the computers and never got paid.
I sent them a letter stating that we could fill the entire order, but that our cost exceeded our credit line, and in order for us to provide the quantities they wanted they had to send us $10,000 up front and allow 30 days for the check to irrevocably clear, after which we would send the entire $2,500,000 worth of computers they wanted at net 30 terms.
I thought that would be the last I heard from them.
They sent a letter back with a check for $10,000.
We deposited the check, but never ordered any product.
When they sent a letter asking when they could expect shipment, I replied that they needed to designate a seaport in Nigeria for us to send the stuff to and a recieving warehouse which would clear the shipment through Nigerian customs and then hold the product until we informed them that the rest of the payment had been made, at which time they would release the computers to the consignee.
They answered that they wanted everything shipped to them directly.
I told them I had assumed they knew standard international shipping procedures, and that if they wanted direct shipment net terms were out of the question, they would have to pay in full in advance.
They cancelled the order and demanded their money back.
I told them that the 2% restocking fee for returning product already ordered came to $50,000 and that they therefore owed us $40,000 and would they please send it as soon as possible.
At THAT point I never heard from them again.
Incidentally, that whole business of 'standard international shipping procedures' was pure bullshit on my part, and of course there were no restocking fees on stuff that I never ordered.
Teach them to try a scam on me! Heh heh heh.
