Please be aware that there are many types of scam artists out there. One particular theme which may take on many variations is shown below:

Warning sent to Atlantic Canada Boats by local seller:

“Good morning: I recently posted a classified ad on the CYC website and it drew the attention of a scam artist. In case he has approached you as well, I thought I'd give you a friendly warning as well as the details of the scam. Please let others know who may be at risk. Essentially, "Simon Bowden," reported that he was a yacht dealer based out of Turkey who buys boats and flips them to his Middle Eastern clientele. He reported interest in my boat and after some perfunctory questions agrees to buy the boat, sight unseen. He offers to forward the money in anyway we want: money order, cashier's cheque, certified cheque drawn from U.S. or Canadian bank. The punch line is that a debtor of his in the U.S. will pay us our money and include extra for his commission. We were asked to keep our portion of the price and forward his commission plus funds used to ship the boat to his agent or someone acting on his behalf in North America. ”

“Following up with the e-crimes unit at our local police department, I was told that the rest of the scam has someone mail or present payment in whatever legitimate-looking form that we agreed upon. Apparently, there is a glut of stolen or counterfeit money orders, cheques and even travelers cheques. The agent would have told us that a shipper will pick up the boat in ten days or however long it would take to satisfy our need to have the funds clear. He would take a cheque from us in the meantime for the commission and cash it upon our say so (or whatever). At some point and the delay is longer than I would have believed, the bank realizes that the cheque/money order is fraudulent and the sum is deducted from our account. By this time, the thieves have made off with the "commission." I was told that they're not interested in stealing the boat (or car, or trailer, etc.), the aim is the funds paid in excess of the selling price. Pretty sophisticated scam, wouldn't you say? In case you're concerned, we didn't fall for it. I've attached the threaded conversation with the scam artist for your reference (and amusement). All the best. ”

Original scam email (one of many variations):

“Don, Well I am quite satisfied with your responses and I think the boat is still okay for resale and much amount will not be spent on refurbishment if at all. My debtor in the U.S will be sending you payment for your boat along with my commision which will be used for this process and forwarding of the boat to it new location. After the cost of this boat, can I trust you to send my commision to my clearing and forwarding agents after removing the cost of your boat,this would enable him come over to your location for the pick up of the boat and also used for onward delivery arrangements?. Please let me know this,cos its very important. If the above arrangement is okay by you,then you can send me your full name, address and phone to which the payment will be issue and sent to the address you would provide. Also include your phone number so that I can give you a call.I look forward to a trustworthy transaction with you.As I am okay with the pics shown in your advert placement.Have a nice day. NB: As for the paper work,transferred of title and onward delivery responsibility.I will instruct my client to arrange that,and also I will instruct him to arrange with a shipping company to pick it up from it location as soon as the cheque finally clears. ”