I was almost the victim of a well-organized scam that is targeting unsuspecting students on SUpost.

You will first get an email saying a student's uncle or some other relative or friend is interested in the product you are selling. The email will ask you to text a number provided in the email. DO NOT ENGAGE OR RESPOND to such emails. It's a complete waste of your time and energy. And, if you are not careful, you will also end up losing a substantial amount of money.

I was naive enough to text the number given in the email, and the guy promised to buy the bike I was selling. But the ONLY method of payment they were willing to use was a check sent via post. I was also asked to take down the add (which prevented my chances of selling the bike to a legit buyer).

I was sent a check by priority mail, but before I even received the check, the guy, who identified himself as "Dr. Serge", told me this story about how his "assistant" "accidentally" wrote me a check that included the mover's fee (who were coming to pick up the bike, which was weird in itself). He wanted me to deposit his check in my account, and then send his "mover" the balance of $1700 via deposit or check. When I got suspicious, he attempted to guilt-trip me by saying the mover really needs the money because of a death in the family, that "Dr. Serge" will loose thousand's of dollars worth of things in storage if the mover isn't paid right away, that he hopes I will do this favor for him in good faith etc. He said he will compensate me for my troubles etc.

When guilt-tripping did not work, the guy threatened to sue me, told me that he will get his attorney to file charges against me, that I'm responsible for breach of contract and that I will be taken to court for not sending him back the $1700 his "assistant" accidentally added to the check that was due me ($190). At this point, I told him off and blocked his numbers.

When I offered to tear up the check and asked him to send me a new one for just $190, he said he was "not in a position" to do that.

The check looks super legit. When I took it to the bank, even the bank could not recognize it as a fake check right away. The address on it was a Washington DC address, but the point of origin of the priority mail package was Tacoma, Washington! The check was from an account based on a completely different location too - "Allied Beverages Group LLC, 600, Washington Ave.,Carlstadt, NJ 07072".

I have informed both the bank and the Stanford police about this, but there is very little they can do. So, be vigilant when you are selling and buying things on sites like SUpost!!!