Is Money Gram International a real service?

[Red Storm]

I had a camera up for sale on craigslist, and someone was interested in buying. He sent a payment via Money Gram International. The email I got said that the money would be sent 3 to 5 days after I ship the camera and provide a tracking number. Now until now I've never heard of Money Gram, but I was hoping someone here as. Can anyone verify if it is a trusty service? I'm a little skeptical right now.

Edit: After looking up MoneyGram's consumer protection section, they state that:

"An email that appears to be from MoneyGram, no matter how real it looks. We are not an Internet escrow or shipment service and will NEVER send an email confirmation to inform a person that they have received a MoneyGram transfer for payment of an Internet purchase."

This seems to be the type of email I got, it was titled "Money Gram International Money Transfer Payment Approved." This smells fishy, especially since there are no links in the email to MoneyGram's website.

 

[everman]

Good as long as it's to a Nigerian Prince.

 

[FoBoT]

after you ship?


NO IT IS A SCAM

 

[desteffy]

RUN AWAY IT IS A SCAM!!!!!

 

[Steve]

I've used it before, here in ATOT FS/FT. Basically it's a non-USPS money order.

 

[Red Storm]

Originally posted by: sm8000
I've used it before, here in ATOT FS/FT. Basically it's a non-USPS money order.

But I don't see any way to be sure that there really is any money waiting for me. How am I supposed to trust this?

 

[FoBoT]

FS/T is different, he had some reason to trust the dude

the craiglist guy is a scammer

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: Red Storm

Originally posted by: sm8000
I've used it before, here in ATOT FS/FT. Basically it's a non-USPS money order.

But I don't see any way to be sure that there really is any money waiting for me. How am I supposed to trust this?

I bought my money orders and mailed them. When you receive yours, cash it. Deposit in your bank account works ok too.

 

[thomsbrain]

the chance of it being a scam is way to high to bother doing business with this guy. a postal money order is really not that difficult to figure out and mail.

 

[Steve]

Don't ship anything until you have cash in hand.

 

[Brainonska511]

Sell locally on Craigslist FTW, or at least cash in hand first (read: USPS MO) before sending anything.

 

[gsethi]

Mail the item to me. I will take care of it. Also, mailing them to me would be cheaper than mailing to Nigeria

 

[imported_Baloo]

Obvioulsy it's a scam. 3 to 5 days after you ship? No, ship 3 to 5 days after you have the money.

 

[Red Storm]

Yeah, I had my doubts about it from the beginning. Thanks everyone.