ByFai.com

It's not my first time to use Yahoo! Auctions, but it's the first time I received a (relatively) targeted scam through it...

Hello seller,
Mrs Roseline Benny is my Name From United Kingdom,, I am
interested in Buying your Item in yahoo auction in Hong kong.What is
the present Condition and how much do you want to sell it last?
Because I'm Buying the Item Urgently
for my Daughter Programmed in College.. I am ready to Pay for the Item
Immediately so kindly get to me back with the total cost of the item
.. I will be making payment via Bank to Bank transfer. kindly Provide
your Banking Information for Immediate Payment: Account Name, Account
Number, Bank Name, Bank Address, Bank Code/Swift Code: Alongside your
response..while you also Provide me the Cost of the Shipment through
(DHL 2-3 Days Delivery) and i want you to reply me back in English and
don't forget to send me your real e-mail and you can also reply me
back to(roselinebenny07@gmail.com).............Awaiting to hear from you
soon.thanks...........

I Googled a little bit, and found similar messages reported by people using Craigslist as scams. Still, I sent "her" a polite response.

If you're interested, please contact me through the official way
as provided by Yahoo! Auctions. That way both the buyer and the
seller can be more protected.

Thanks in advance.

Then, in a short time, "she" responded. I guess it's automatically done by software.

Hello seller,
Thanks for the Mail, Am Very Happy to hear From you so Fast that
you Want to sell your item for me. I will Like you to go and Calculate
the Total cost of the Item together with the shipping To my daughter
Address Through Ems Hk Speedpost Shipping courier 2-3 Days Delivery for his
Programmed in College and Don't Forget also to Provide me your Full
Bank Information Below for the Payment to be Made to your Bank
Account..
Here is the Information Needed for the Payment:
Account Name:
Account Number:
Bank Name:
Bank Address:
Swift Code/Bank Code:
Here is my Daughter Shipping address:
Name: Yemi William
Address:45 osebaba sebe street mokola
City:Ibadan
State:Oyo State
Zipcode:23402
Country:Nigeria
Telephone Number:027525156
Awaiting to For your Fastest Reply..
Best Regards...

I probably had too much time on hand and so, sent "her" one more reply.

The total cost in USD is 1000 dollars.

Bank details as below.

To appreciate your enthusiasm, I've shipped the parcel already. Look
forward to receiving your payment real soon.

Best regards.

-----Original Message-----
 Hello seller,
> Thanks for the Mail, Am Very Happy to hear From you so Fast that you 
>Want to sell your item for me. I will Like you to go and Calculate the 
>Total cost of the Item together with the shipping To my daughter  
>Address Through Ems Hk Speedpost Shipping courier 2-3 Days Delivery for 
>his Programmed in College and Don't Forget also to Provide me your Full 
>Bank Information  Below for the Payment to be Made to your Bank  
>Account..
>Here is the Information Needed for the Payment:
>  
>Account Name: YAHOO AUCTION SCAM
>Account Number: 123456789
>Bank Name: HONG KONG SCAM BANKING CO. LTD.
> Bank Address: 7, SCAM ST., HK
>Swift Code/Bank Code: DID I SAY SCAM AGAIN
>
>Here is my Daughter Shipping address:
>Name: Yemi William
>Address:45 osebaba sebe street mokola
>City:Ibadan
>State:Oyo State
>Zipcode:23402
> Country:Nigeria
>Telephone Number:027525156
>
>Awaiting to For your Fastest Reply..
>Best Regards... 

I find it difficult to fathom how one will fall for such mindless scams. It should take no more than 2 bits of common sense to figure out.

But, the fact that scammers are indeed using such skills is likely an attestation that people DO fall for them.

Afterall, the immediate cost of carrying out such scams is probably so low that, even only 0.00001% of the targeted falls for them, the scammers can still make monetary gains.