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David sez:

2011-11-17: Dear somd.com Reader,

Every time some fool posts an ad like this, we are deluged with emails from people who truly believe that someone is trying to sell an infant. In the interest of public education, we are leaving this ad stand with this annotation.

We have spoken with police, who were also being deluged with calls, and they informed us it was a scam. We did not test the scam, but suspect that it is an attempt to solicit money from good people who think they are going to save a child.

For any authorities who wish to investigate:

If you see an ad like this, or any other ad that gives you concern, please click the Alert Admin link so David can take a look at it. Don't bother the police with this - most of the time the scammer isn't even in the US, and the cops can't do anything about it.

And, while we're on the subject, please do not send money to someone who wants to buy your car, sell you a puppy, whatever, through a third party. The scam goes like this:

They want to overpay you with a money order for the item because they are overseas. This overpayment will cover shipping cost, and you are to send them back the remainder. Needless to say, you send them money, their money order turns out to be no good, and you never get your item.

ONLY do business with classified advertisers face to face and do not send money to strangers on the internet.

:smile:

People are dumb. They deserve to get scammed for being stupid.

The Pet Scams amaze me the most. We have the Pet Classifieds slammed with big, gawdy warnings to people about scams, and yet some people fall for it.

Why does someone think they can buy a $1200 dog on the internet for $200? Don't they think the seller could find a buyer in his local area, especially given the deal-of-the-century pricing? Even if it was a legit deal, would you not want to visit with the animal first to see if you take to each other and make sure he is healthy?

Then at least once a year, we get someone who starts alerting us to every scam because they were taken and want to make sure it does not happen to someone else. Well, if YOU didn't take time to educate yourself ahead of time, do you really think the next victim will?

I could understand if this were the first few years of the internet's existence. Even we didn't believe some of the scams when we first saw them. But, now in 2011?

Like DJ said, only do business with local people who can meet face-to-face, in a mutually safe location, to complete the transaction.

:frown: Aww.. I really wanted to buy a baby.

:frown: Aww.. I really wanted to buy a baby.

How old? I can probably hook you up. No return policy though.

How old? I can probably hook you up. No return policy though.

:lol:

Eh, I would of never fallen for that one anyway. I already have 5 girls but if it had been a boy!!!!!!!!!! LOL My mom falls for all of those.

I could really use a few more tax deductions this year....

:confused: Been trying to sell my kids for years. Now one's thirty and the other one's twenty-eight. Guess I should give up, huh?

From The Blues Brothers: "How much for the women?" (John Belushi)

Instead of advertising a free baby, she could have left him/her outside for the dingos... :shrug:

I could really use a few more tax deductions this year....

:lol: That's what I was thinking, then recycle/trade them the first week of January! No worries! :lol:

I saw this exact same ad within the past year on here.

well crap
what the hell am I supposed to do for thanksgiving dinner now.

Ya know, if you sell a baby on here and don't do your due dilligence by calling the police, you could wind up in a Paterno like almighty chit storm. Just sayin. :jet:

The Pet Scams amaze me the most. We have the Pet Classifieds slammed with big, gawdy warnings to people about scams, and yet some people fall for it.

Why does someone think they can buy a $1200 dog on the internet for $200? Don't they think the seller could find a buyer in his local area, especially given the deal-of-the-century pricing? Even if it was a legit deal, would you not want to visit with the animal first to see if you take to each other and make sure he is healthy?

Then at least once a year, we get someone who starts alerting us to every scam because they were taken and want to make sure it does not happen to someone else. Well, if YOU didn't take time to educate yourself ahead of time, do you really think the next victim will?

I could understand if this were the first few years of the internet's existence. Even we didn't believe some of the scams when we first saw them. But, now in 2011?

Like DJ said, only do business with local people who can meet face-to-face, in a mutually safe location, to complete the transaction.

David I catch alot of these for you as I know prices, correct terms etc I find alot and just send them to you marked spam from me...is that ok? I only send them on the ones I know..I figured you would trust me on it and delete it...thanks

:confused: Been trying to sell my kids for years. Now one's thirty and the other one's twenty-eight. Guess I should give up, huh?

From The Blues Brothers: "How much for the women?" (John Belushi)

Mine are a few years older than that, so too late for them, too.

Still, got a couple of grandbabies I'm thinkin' will fetch a pretty good price!

:whistle:

Ya know, if you sell a baby on here and don't do your due dilligence by calling the police, you could wind up in a Paterno like almighty chit storm. Just sayin. :jet:

You mean like a permit or something? Is there a form that needs to be filled out? Can you do it on the internet, like registering your car?

Joe SOMDer: "Hello, officer? I'd like to sell my baby online."

St Marys County Dispatch: "Well, you'll have to fill out a couple of forms, first. You can either come down to the courthouse, or go to St Marys website."

:confused: Been trying to sell my kids for years. Now one's thirty and the other one's twenty-eight. Guess I should give up, huh?

From The Blues Brothers: "How much for the women?" (John Belushi)

TOO Funny.... I take the kids everywhere but they keep finding their way home!! :))

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David I catch alot of these for you as I know prices, correct terms etc I find alot and just send them to you marked spam from me...is that ok? I only send them on the ones I know..I figured you would trust me on it and delete it...thanksI always very much appreciate any assistance identifying scams. I review them several times daily, but sometimes something slips through. :)