I was contacted by this random guy on TikTok, offering to pay me $300 to record some guitar tracks for him. It seemed off right from the start, but it really got weird when he said the only way to pay me was if he sent me $3000 and I sent $2700 back to him.
Here’s a screenshot of our conversation: https://imgur.com/a/Ub4ACXF
I’m pretty sure it’s a scam, but how exactly does this work? How does the scammer get their $3000 back after sending it?
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It’s likely a scam where he’s using a stolen account or a fake check to send you the “$3000”.
Here’s how it goes: He sends you a fake $3000 (either through a stolen account or a bad check). You send him $2700 from your own money.
When the fake check bounces (or the stolen money is reversed), you’ll owe $2700.
The $300 is just a distraction.
This is why you should never accept money from strangers online, there’s no such thing as free money.
It’s a fake check scam!
Faithjones said:
It’s a fake check scam!
Hi /u/DancingUntilMidnight, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the fake check scam.
It can happen in many situations like fake job or payment scams. Basically, you get a check (could be a photo or a real one), deposit it, and see the money appear in your account. Then the scammer asks you to send them money back, thinking the funds cleared.
Banks make the funds available to you quickly, but the check could take days, weeks, or even months to bounce. When it does, the bank takes back the money, and any money you’ve sent to the scammer comes out of your own account. If you don’t have enough funds, your balance goes negative, and your bank might charge fees. Here are some articles explaining it more: FTC Fake Check Scam and NY Times on Fake Check Scam.
If you deposited a fake check, it’s important to notify your bank immediately.
I’m not using the bot, so hope this makes sense. It’s definitely a fake check scam.
The $3000 isn’t real. He’ll send you a check for that amount, and then you send him $2700 from your real account. When the check bounces, you’re left holding the bill for the $2700 you sent. The check will bounce in a few weeks.
Edit: Hooray! Bot success!
@greves
Hi /u/damiannereddits, AutoModerator has explained the fake check scam above. Please see the details in the earlier comment.
Never send money to receive money.
If an internet stranger wants you to receive money and then send it back, it’s a scam. That’s not how things work. The payment you receive isn’t real.
The check will bounce, and you’ll lose the $2700 you sent.
It’s a fake check scam as others have said.
Keep in mind checks can take days, weeks, or even months to bounce. Banks will make funds available quickly, but that doesn’t mean the check is good.
If you deposit a fake check, you might get fees, and your account could be closed for fraud. Any money you send to the scammer will be your responsibility to pay back.
It’s simple: He sends you a fake check for $3000, you cash it, but after 1-5 business days, it bounces. You send him $2700, and when the bank realizes it’s a bad check, they take back the $3000, leaving you with a loss. It’s called check fraud. These scammers are ruthless.
Total scam. The $3000 will seem real at first, but in a couple weeks the bank will find out it’s fake. In the meantime, you’ll have already sent the scammer real money. When the bank takes back the $3000, you’ll be stuck losing money.
It’s a fake check and it will bounce. You send money back, and that money is gone forever.
Total scam. The fact that he’s asking for your bank info confirms it.
In simple terms, the scam makes you think the $3000 is real, but it’s not. When the check bounces, the bank takes the money back, but you’ve already sent him real money.
It’s a scam. The reason he wants your bank info is so he can send you a fake check pretending it’s from your bank.
There’s no reason why anyone would pay you 10 times what was agreed and ask you to send money back.
Imagine someone offering $3000 for your guitar but then handing you monopoly money. Then you give them $2000 change because they don’t have enough real money.
That’s what’s happening here, but online.
You’re not a bank.
