Unfortunately, I did not keep the original email but I was struck by the fact that Frank Carter, the buyer did not reference what he wanted to buy  from me, merely that he was interested in purchasing something. Of course, as soon as I replied to his email, he no doubt looked at my signature with my website. I was a bit sceptical but at the same time, I did not want to blow him off in case he was a legitimate buyer. Polite up to the last email, I did push the envelope a bit with my last response and sure enough, I have never heard from him again!  GT

I have included our email communication below, not dissimilar from some of the other buyer and shipping agent stories that I have read about.

Hello,
Thank for your fast response,I came across your store
information via Google and below is what i want to order for

Ancient Pots, Djennes, Mali
9 - 5 x
7
qty:........................10

I will await the total cost and the shipping cost.here my address for you to
get shipping cost via ups or fed ex.Let me know if you have this items in stock
because i do not want any delay with this order

481 Princes
Way
Longwarry North, Victoria 3816,
Australia
Phone:  61 2 9498
6830

Do this on time so that i can be able to give you my credit card information
and complete my order for me
Best Regards
Frank Carter

On Thu, Mar 26, 2009 at 11:44 PM, GlobalTraveller
wrote:

Frank,

I have just checked my inventory and I only have 5 framed
Ancients pots in stock (and none unframed). The cost would be US$165 each plus
tax as well as shipping and handling, particularly if you are wanting them sent
by Fed Ex. Let me know what you would like to do as I have to retrieve these
from storage.

GT

----- Original Message -----

From: Frank
Carter

Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 11:18
AM

Subject: Shipping Agent - Pick Up

Hello,

I'm very glad to read from you,email me with the total cost of my order only
don't worry about the shipping cost because i've personal shipping agent that
will come for the pick up in your store,I've informed them about this they told
me the best way to pick up in your store is for you to email me with your store
address and the time package will be ready for pick up with your convenience
time and date, please kindly get back to me with this details along with the
total of my order. so i can give you my card details

waiting for your swift response
Best Regards
Frank Carter

On Sun, Mar 29, 2009 at 6:53 AM, GlobalTraveller wrote:

Frank,

I have attached an invoice for the five photos. Given that I
have to go to the warehouse to pick up these photos, I would like to be paid in
full prior to doing so. You may either send me a bank issued money order for the
total or provide me with all of your credit card information and I will inform
you when the amount has been authorized. Please just pay me in Canadian
dollars.

It is my understanding from your email that your shipping
agent will be responsible for all shipping expenses.

Please advise me of how you would like to pay and as soon as I
have payment, you can send your shipper to collect the photos.

GT

----- Original Message -----

From: Frank Carter

Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 6:49 PM

Subject: Re: Shipping Agent - Pick Up

Hello,
Thanks for the total quote of my order.The total cost of my
order is quite correct and okay by me and I'm ready to pay the bills . Also want
you to help  me Charge another $1250 US to a shipping agent who is going to pick
up my ordered items from you.
The $1250 US that will be sent to the
shipping agent is for the shipping of my order plus other items i ordered from
different countries which will be deduct from my credit card.Also, I'm
compensating you with the sum of $350 US for the transfer fee and for your
efforts. Please note that i should have given the shipping agency my credit card
for him to deduct the shipping funds but he told me that he doesn't have the
facilities to charge or debit credit card , so that's why i bring my vote of
confidence in you and i don't want you to betray the vote of confidence i put in
you, so i want you to transfer the funds to him after you have make the charges
and the money charged from my credit card is in your account,then you can now
make the transfer to the agent via western union.i will have love to do this my
self but there no western union here around me,So the charges you'll make on my
credit card will be:

Order Fee ($825.00 USD)
Agent fee with shipping fare  ($1250
US)
Transfer Fee plus Your Compensation ($350
US)
Total:($2425.00)

Note that my credit card will be charged for
the amounts above . Please do get back to me if you are in the office right now
so that i can forward my credit card details to you , then you can charge full
amount and transfer the agent funds to him via western union.
Best
Regards
Frank Carter

To: Frank Carter

Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 9:49 PM

Subject: Re: Shipping Agent - Pick Up

Frank,

In light of your request - with regard to your shipping
agent's inability to process credit cards and your request for me to process a
larger amount - I went ahead and had my tech support consultant run a standard
security check on the point of origin from which your emails have been sent.
There seems to be some confusion as your email communication do not appear to be
coming from Australia but rather, somewhere else. My guy has consulted with his
team and at this point, they don't think it is even in the south pacific region.
Either way, they are a resourceful team and should be able to clarify the exact
location of the computer shortly. I apologize as I don't mean to alarm you ...
but is there any chance that you are working with a colleague who is based
elsewhere... maybe in Africa? If not, it is possible that someone is using your
email and intercepting your transactions... but either way, I will let you know
as soon as the team has the precise location of the point of
origin.

So before we proceed any further with this business
transaction, I need for the security check and location to be completed.
However, don't worry about this taking too long as I expect to hear back with
the results shortly. Their reports are usually prompt and fairly detailed given
that the team is accustomed to working with their global counterparts. This is
fairly routine procedure for me given that I have had some complications on a
few international deals (but thus far, always sorted out).

I expect we will be able to proceed in another couple of days
if not sooner. Until then, thanks for your
patience.

GT